Product: Republic Nickel Tricone
Price Paid: USD 580
Submitted
04/12/2008
at
08:19am
by
Steve McC.
Features
:
8
This is a nickel finished brass tricone resonator guitar. 1 7/8 neck with rosewood fretboard/truss rod/slotted headstock/3 on a side tuners/12 fret. Not certain of neck material but would guess mahogany. Sticker says made in China. The 12 fret feature is what got me over the others like Regal/Johnson which I thought looked odd without it.
The guitar was ordered directly thru Frank at www.republicguitars.com and set up well for mostly fingerstyle/slide work.
Sound
:
9
No pun intended = this is where the guitar shines. I have been playing country blues/slide for a long time and I love the sound of this guitar. I was always jealous of my guitar teachers' old 1930's National Duolian sound which I could never achieve of the newer, better built Delphi model. This tricone, as well as the Republic Reso-Relic that I own, filled that tone void that was missing on my Delphi. Both have a clearer, louder, banjo-metallic quality that I could not get on the Delphi which always seemed somewhat mottled or subdued. I realize that the tricone is built differently so it differs in the respect that the guitar has a very open, long sustaining metal tone which sings in open tunings. Lots of overtones.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
The guitar was rock solid, heavy with no loose or rattling parts. The neck is solidly attached to the body with no wiggle room which is great.
The finish work, upon close inspection, is not nearly as good as a National. There are subtle flaws in the finish as well as on the fretboard. But considering that this guitar is about $2,000 less expensive than a comparable instrument I consider any complaints about minor flaws in the finish a trivial issue. In addition, if I ding the guitar I don't have to worry about losing thousands in trade-in/up or market value. It is a players guitar. The guitar was set up very well upon my request and I find that it plays smoothly.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
As I wrote earlier, the guitar feels rock solid and I would play live with it. In fact, you might prefer to play live with it because if it gets scratched, damaged or stolen you are not out thousands of dollars.
I cannot comment on the longevity of the finish. I haven't owned it long enough.
Customer Support
:
9
Frank at Republic Guitars (Owner) was good to deal with. He responded all of my calls/emails, provided all the shipping info, and the guitar got here quickly. He also provided some assistance on electronics and other recommendations on set up and maintenance. I do not know about a warranty, or even a need for one, at this price. If I needed it I am sure Frank would back up the product. More likely I would take the guitar to my local tech.
Overall Rating
:
10
I think this guitar, as well as my reso-relic, is an outstanding value.
If I had not done some internet homework and had seen this guitar in a shop with a price tag for 2X this price I would not think twice. I would definitely buy another and I am considering the Miniolian. The thing I like the most is the sound, and the least the - minor finish flaws.
Overall, if you can tolerate some minor finish flaws, and want a great sounding guitar for 1/6th the money, I would definitely recommend this guitar.
