AudioFu

Best Resonator Guitars for Beginner 2026

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

Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 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
Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic TS

by Beard Guitars
Blues Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Great volume and projection
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Beard Guitars Road-O-Phonic TSResonator Guitar with PickupDesign: Squareneck Solidbody Resonator with three pickups and...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 613575
$4,949
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gold Tone PBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Leewald Bluesy Fellow Duotone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Royall BB14C/FL Bantam Blazer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Royall BB14C/FL Bantam Blazer

by Royall
Folk Slide Guitar Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Royall BB14C/FL Bantam BlazerSingle Cone Resonator GuitarBiscuit Bridge DesignBody: Flamed mapleNeck: MahoganyNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561869
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RRG40CE-DBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ortega RRG40CE-DBK

by Ortega
Folk Slide Guitar Country
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Ortega RRG40CE-DBKResonator Guitar with PickupAmericana SeriesTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyResonator:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 557085
$486
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega RRG40CE-DBK-L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ortega RRG40CE-DBK-L

by Ortega
Blues Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Great volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Requires different playing approach

Ortega RRG40CE-DBK-LResonator Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelAmericana SeriesTop: MahoganyBack and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557086
$465
Buy at Thomann View Details
Royall CH12/BRS Chess 12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Royall CH12/BRS Chess 12

by Royall
Folk Country Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
  • • Very specialized sound
  • • Requires different playing approach

Royall CH12/BRS Chess 12Resonator GuitarType: Tri Cone T-Bridge DesignBody: MahoganyResonator: 3 Handmade 6"...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 516816
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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 KOA12US Resonator Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Royall KOA12US Resonator Guitar

by Royall
Slide Guitar Folk Americana
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for slide guitar playing
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Royall KOA12US Resonator GuitarResonator GuitarBody: Koa with cutawayResonator type: Tricone T-bridgeCone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 578461
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Recording King RR-36-BK Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Royall HB12SC/SB HOBO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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 DLT12/DSB Delta - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Royall DLT12/DSB Delta

by Royall
Bluegrass Folk Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
  • • Requires different playing approach
  • • Very specialized sound

Royall DLT12/DSB DeltaResonator GuitarType of construction: Tri Cone T-Bridge DesignBody: MahoganyResonator: 3 Handmade...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 516819
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN Tobacco - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN Tobacco

by Beard Guitars
Country Slide Guitar Americana
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
  • • Unique visual and sonic character
  • • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Can be heavy and uncomfortable

Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN TobaccoSquareneck Resonator Guitar with PickupTop: Solid flamed mapleBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605892
$5,719
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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