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Pros:
- Versatile
- Diverse sounds
- Low feedback when plugged-in
Cons:
- Might need setup in the beginning
Resonators have been around for about a century now. Their purpose has transformed since the first models arrived on the market. They were created to overcome the handicap produced by the insufficient volume of acoustic guitars. But as acoustic pickups started to show up and it became possible to achieve louder sound, resonators started to shift in their designation. They found their niche in bluegrass and blues and filled these genres with their unique and spectacular character.
There’s something really beautiful about the sound of resonators and no one can deny that they are capable of generating the richest qualities in the tone. They have the ability to change your attitude towards music and life, in general. With their help, you’ll stop taking things for granted and appreciate every minute of your being. I really hope you’ll feel all those things by playing these guitars.
Today I’m going to review a model that’s not your ordinary resonator – Dean Resonator Thin Body Cutaway Brass (RESCEHB) has special features that really set it apart from its competitors. I’d say everything about it is quite scrupulous, through and through. If you’re willing to purchase an impeccable resonator for a reasonable price, then you should definitely check this one out. Keep on reading this review to avoid additional research and get all the information within a single article. Let’s get started!
Build
Dean guitars have turned into a treat that we only purchase when we’re looking for a high-quality instrument. They have been providing us with wonderful pieces, regardless of the type we’re talking about. But RESCEHB is still another story. You simply need to take a glance and you’ll immediately be intrigued. But as you take a closer look and examine the body carefully, you’ll be so impressed with the design and quality that you won’t have the desire to put the thing down. This fella is extremely handsome: it features palm tree paintings on the back and front. Such a design fills you up with the vibe of the genre – your mind will start to stroll in your favorite countryside. With such an appearance, this resonator manages to please the eyes of every player, but it has a lot of other tricks for enchanting your mind and soul.
Before we move onto the rest, I want to tell you that we’re talking about an acoustic-electric model. Dean chose brass-plated iron for the body and top. The latter is an archtop with two F-holes on the upper part. This puppy has a single cone, which means the vibrations are transferred from a bridge and drive one point on the cone. Set, C-shape mahogany neck and wenge fretboard seem to be even, which means that they are comfortable to play.
The fingerboard has beautiful pearl/abalone inlays that further enhance the beauty of the resonator. The scale length is 24 3/4″, which is typical for such guitars. RESCEHB has a single-cutaway which makes it possible to access even the higher frets easily. You’ll feel comfortable performing with it due to the thin body. As you can see, this fella is designed with guitarists in mind and does everything in its power to make the whole process enjoyable.
Hardware
As I’ve mentioned above, RESCEHB is an acoustic-electric resonator, which means it has in-built electronics that amplify its sound. This puppy features DMT Design Lipstick pickup on the neck position, as well as a piezo on the bridge. There are three controls: Vol, Tone, and Blend. The first one modifies the level, the second one lets you balance the ratio of bass and treble, while the thirst one enables you to mix together the output of pickups. These knobs have gold/abalone design, which makes them look extremely expensive and fancy. I did warn you, things are scrupulous and meticulous here!
RESCEHB has a die cast bridge and sealed die-cast tuning pegs. They have brass finish, which blends well with the overall design of the resonator. The nut is made from a plastic polymer and measures 43 mm (1 11/16″). Though it’s not made from a real bone, it’s still really rugged. And plus, it’s never a bad idea to say no to real bones, right? This fella has a dual-action truss rod, which means you have the ability to modify its neck and save it if it starts to bend. It’s clear as a day that Dean has done a wonderful job in terms of hardware and electronics, as well!
Dean Steel Guitar Sound
The sound of Dean RESCEHB might be a matter of taste and discussion, but there are certain features in it that can’t be argued about. Yes, I’m talking about the versatility of its tone. Since it has both acoustic and electric pickups, you get the chance to mix them together or experiment with one of them separately. You also have a tone knob, which enables you to alter its characteristics. This way you will be left with different results each time you modify these parameters. Depending on the techniques you utilize, you will be able to yield various sonic outputs, as well. It goes without saying that RESCEHB has a wide range of options to offer.
You can basically create any resonator sound you can think of with this one, and not only. It has the perfect amount of richness, saturation, and character – everything that’s needed for mixing up a wonderful potion. I can’t help mentioning the quality of pickups – these bad boys are clear and powerful. They won’t cause any problems – this resonator won’t even have that annoying feedback when you plug it in. The only “flaw” is that you might need to set it up in the beginning, but let’s face it, we have to do that almost with every guitar.
Conclusion
All in all, Dean Resonator Thin Body Cutaway Brass (RESCEHB) is an excellent model. It is a distinctive piece that will be by your side every time you’ll want to play or create something different. It’s a perfect model for mastering new techniques or learning to play a resonator. Go for it! Good luck!
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