Best Resonator Guitars Under $2,000 2025

Affordable resonator guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

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

Royall TMP12/NI Tampa - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Royall TMP12/NI Tampa

by Royall

Folk Bluegrass Blues

Key Feature:

• Great volume and projection

✓ PROS

• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
• Great volume and projection

✗ CONS

• May not suit all musical styles
• Very specialized sound

Royall TMP12/NI TampaTri Cone Resonator GuitarTri Cone T-Bridge DesignBody: Bell bronzeNeck: MahoganyNeck binding:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 561871

$1,044

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gretsch G9221 Bobtail Steel RN AE - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Royall WE14NI West End - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Royall WE14NI West End

by Royall

Folk Country Slide Guitar

Key Feature:

• Cuts through acoustic ensembles

✓ PROS

• Great volume and projection
• Unique visual and sonic character

✗ CONS

• May not suit all musical styles
• Very specialized sound

Royall WE14NI West EndResonator GuitarBody: Nickel-plated bell bronzeSingle cone resonatorHandmade 9.5" aluminium...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 578467

$1,209

Buy at Thomann View Details

Royall KOA12US Resonator Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Gretsch G9230 Bobt Squareneck Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Gretsch G9230 Bobt Squareneck Bundle

by Gretsch

Folk Blues Country

Key Feature:

• Distinctive metallic resonator tone

✓ PROS

• Great volume and projection
• Unique visual and sonic character

✗ CONS

• Requires different playing approach
• Limited tonal versatility

Gretsch G9230 Bobt Squareneck Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Gretsch G9230 Bobtail Squareneck*Resonator...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 321295

$1,003

Buy at Thomann View Details

Royall KOA12DS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Royall TMP12SC/MB Tampa SC Bk - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Royall TMP12SC/MB Tampa SC Bk

by Royall

Americana Country Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Perfect for slide guitar playing

✓ PROS

• Great volume and projection
• Distinctive metallic resonator tone

✗ CONS

• Can be heavy and uncomfortable
• Limited tonal versatility

Royall TMP12SC/MB Tampa SC BkElectric Resonator GuitarBody: Brass with anthracite-colouredmatt black vintage resonator...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 607951

$1,264

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gold Tone PBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Bundle

by Gretsch

Slide Guitar Bluegrass Folk

Key Feature:

• Unique visual and sonic character

✓ PROS

• Distinctive metallic resonator tone
• Great volume and projection

✗ CONS

• Limited tonal versatility
• Very specialized sound

Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper*Resonator Guitar*Body:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 318247

$1,065

Buy at Thomann View Details

Royall KOA12SC Resonator Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

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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TOP

Best Resonator Guitars Under $2,000 2025

Royall TMP12/NI Tampa

Gretsch G9221 Bobtail Steel RN AE

Royall WE14NI West End

Royall KOA12US Resonator Guitar

Gretsch G9230 Bobt Squareneck Bundle

Royall KOA12DS

Royall TMP12SC/MB Tampa SC Bk

Gold Tone PBS

Gretsch G9201 Honey Dipper Bundle

Royall KOA12SC Resonator Guitar

How to Choose the Best Resonator Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying resonator guitars?

How much should I spend on resonator guitars?

Are expensive resonator guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for resonator guitars?

Should I buy resonator guitars online or in-store?

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