Best Resonator Guitars for Blues 2026
Perfect resonator guitars for blues - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Recording King RR-36S-VS Squarneck
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
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret
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
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
National Reso-Phonic Style O 14 Fret LH
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
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Royall KOA12DS
by
Royall
Bluegrass
Blues
Slide Guitar
Key Feature:
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✓ PROS
- • Unique visual and sonic character
- • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
Royall KOA12DSResonator GuitarType: Tricone-T-Bridge with cutawayTop: Hawaiian koaBack and sides: Hawaiian...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 595806
$1,253
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Ortega RRG30E-WB
by
Ortega
Country
Folk
Blues
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
- • Distinctive metallic resonator tone
✗ CONS
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
- • Requires different playing approach
Ortega RRG30E-WBResonator Guitar with PickupTop: MahoganyBack and sides: MahoganyResonator: AluminiumSlotted...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 557063
$452
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Beard Guitars Trailhead E-Model SN Tobacco
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
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLR-ResoEl. w/Bag
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
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Beard Guitars Jerry Douglas SN RedBeard
Blues
Slide Guitar
Americana
Key Feature:
• Cuts through acoustic ensembles
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
Beard Guitars Jerry Douglas SN RedBeardSquareneck Resonator Guitar with PickupJerry Douglas signature modelModern...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 421558
$5,498
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Delta Blues Resonator
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
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
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.
