AudioFu

Best Resonator Guitars for Beginner 2026

Perfect resonator guitars for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Bluegrass For Country For Slide Guitar For Folk For Americana
BRANDS: Royall National Reso-Phonic Gretsch Harley Benton Beard Guitars
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret

by National Reso-Phonic
Americana Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • May not suit all musical styles

National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 FretResonator GuitarType: Roundneck with slotted headstock and flat cut...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 519963
$3,738
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Country Blues Americana
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Very specialized sound

Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 542133
$725
Buy at Thomann View Details
Recording King RR-36-BK Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Recording King RR-36-BK Black

by Recording King
Country Blues Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Requires different playing approach

Recording King RR-36-BK BlackRoundneck Resonator GuitarTop: MahoganyResonator: SpiderConeBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553825
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Slide Guitar Blues Americana
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator*Resonator...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 574513
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone PBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Gold Tone PBS

by Gold Tone
Blues Slide Guitar Country
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Requires different playing approach

Gold Tone PBSSquare Neck Resonator GuitarPaul Beard Signature ModelOriginal Beard Cone and Spider Resonator -...

⭐ 4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 423802
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper BELL BRNZ - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper BELL BRNZ

by Gretsch
Bluegrass Country Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gretsch G9202 Honey Dipper BELL BRNZResonator GuitarBody: Bell brassNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: PadaukAged pearloid dot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609332
$938
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator

by Harley Benton
Country Americana Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Harley Benton Delta Blues ResonatorResonator GuitarBluegrass SeriesStyle: 0M-12 with square neckResonator: 265 mm cone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561900
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH

by National Reso-Phonic
Bluegrass Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Limited tonal versatility

National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LHResonator GuitarLeft-handed modelHandmade resonator: 24.1 cm...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614466
$5,168
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall HB12/SB Hobo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Royall HB12/SB Hobo

by Royall
Bluegrass Folk Blues
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Royall HB12/SB HoboResonator GuitarBody: MahoganySingle cone resonatorHandmade 9.5" aluminium coneBiscuit bridge...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 578469
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall HB12SC/SB HOBO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Royall HB12SC/SB HOBO

by Royall
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Royall HB12SC/SB HOBOResonator GuitarStyle: Single Cone Biscuit BridgeBody: MahoganyResonator: Handmade 9.5"...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 595802
$923
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall KOA12SC Resonator Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Royall KOA12SC Resonator Guitar

by Royall
Americana Folk Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Royall KOA12SC Resonator GuitarElectric Resonator GuitarStyle: Tricone-T-Bridge with cutawayCone specifications: three...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599001
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G9221 Bobtail Steel RN AE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Gretsch G9221 Bobtail Steel RN AE

by Gretsch
Bluegrass Americana Blues
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Requires different playing approach

Gretsch G9221 Bobtail Steel Round-NeckResonator GuitarGretsch Roots CollectionGretsch Ampli-Sonic Spider Resonator...

⭐ 4.4/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 427184
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Dobro Hound Dog M-14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Dobro Hound Dog M-14

by Dobro
Slide Guitar Bluegrass Americana
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Very specialized sound

Dobro Hound Dog M-14Resonator-/Dobro GuitarBody: Bell brassnickel-platedResonator Spun ConeNeck: Mahogany (Swietenia...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 356215
$831
Buy at Thomann View Details
Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck

by Recording King
Slide Guitar Country Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Requires different playing approach

Recording King RR-36S-VS SquarneckResonator GuitarDesign: SquareneckTop: mahoganyBody: mahoganyFretboard: padaukSaddle:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 534346
$435
Buy at Thomann View Details
Leewald Bluesy Fellow Duotone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Leewald Bluesy Fellow Duotone

by Leewald
Folk Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Requires different playing approach

Leewald Bluesy Fellow DuotoneResonator GuitarBody shape: 0Laminated wood bodyResonator: 241 mm / 9.5" single...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 373952
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Resonator Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced resonator guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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