Re: Ashbury Resonator
The Ashbury looks like the Chinese model that's been sold under a number of nameplates: Johnson, Republic, Recording King et.al. I have heard that the Recording Kings were slightly better than the others -- better resonator cone, perhaps -- but I've only played the Johnson model, and I was pretty much underwhelmed. Very heavy (though not as heavy as my '30's National), loud but not great tonal quality, intonation acceptable, neck heavily finished, tuners OK.
I've jammed with a mandolinist who played one of the Wailings; he was lousy but the instrument sounded less grating than the Johnson did. The gold standard of course is the new National RM-1, but it's mucho dinero -- quite pricey.
If you're only going to use it for slide, I'd say the Ashbury would probably be acceptable. You'd get the "resonator sound," which you wouldn't get with an amplified standard mandolin. I wouldn't have this particular style as my one-and-only instrument, based mainly on its raucous tone. The old Dobro/Regal instruments, with the "spider bridge" set-up rather than the "biscuit bridge," are better for a combination of slide and non-slide, IMHO; however, the vintage market has driven their prices closer to four figures.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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