The HIGHWAY 61 - singlecone reso.. New guitar from Republic Guitars! AWESOME!!!

[PeterLisboa66]

I got the same model (kick ass sound!!!) what strings do you use?

[videocanone]

Great sounding resonator guitar reguardless the size !

[156Arne]

Hey, BottleneckJohn. Great guitar, great playing. Made my day. I like the tone and the form very much. After seeing your video, I'm very interested in this reso. I noticed, that you play the Highway 61 on your left leg. I wonder if the neck comes down balancewise, when you'd play it on the other leg - because of the smaller body. And what about the full scale model, republic has on their website? Which effect would the longer neck have on handling and sound?

[BottleneckJohn]

@156Arne

Thanks! I'd say that the metal body is too heavy, the neck won't be able to counter the weight.. That's why I always keep it on the left side, easier to have control, for me at least. I have no idea how a longer neck will affect sound, not much is my guess! :-)

[frankkat111]

@BottleneckJohn

Hi BottleneckJohn. My Republic Highway 61 is only days away. Your clips have been very helpfull in showcasing the great sounds from this guitar. Are they recorded unplugged straight to the camera? I'm intending on using open G6 tuning (DGDGBE).

Do you still recommend the 0.15 to 0.58 gauge strings as per your comment from some time back? Thanks for the great Republic clips.

[BottleneckJohn]

@frankkat111

Hi there! Great choice, is it the shorter or full scale model? In any case you should use heavy gauge strings.. I'd go for at least .14's to .58 or .59..

The shorter scale will lessen the string tension compared to longer scale guitars. So fat strings will keep things from feeling like spaghetti, lol..

Good luck and post some clips when you get it!

[frankkat111]

@BottleneckJohn

I'm going for the full scale. This is my first serious attempt at resonator slide work.

I am part of a three piece acoustic band (12 string acoustic/lead vocals, 6 string acoustic, keyboards/acoustic bass/vocals + drum machine) with a weekly residency. There is a lot of classic and modern mainstream material which already uses snippets of slide to add that rich sonic dynamic. The introduction of the Higway 61 should lift this successful acoustic trio up another notch.

[itchyundies]

they should call that model the dog bite rekon it looks like old muttley brown has chewed the cutaway out sounds sweet but

[12Radius]

pretty flat fretboard radius? maybe 16?

[BottleneckJohn]

@12Radius

Pretty flat, I have no idea about the radius.. I keep the bridge and strings flat, that's what matter for me.

[12Radius]

How long have you played slide?

what's better brass or steel now that you have both?

[BottleneckJohn]

@12Radius

I have played slide for about 7-8 years now I think.. The last 5 I have concentrated on playing open chord slide only, almost no regular tuning.

There's no big difference in the two metals, I like both just as much!!

In theory and by tradition steel sounds more harsh and brass more "dull".

Sometimes I can hear it but mostly I don't and I no longer care, I just play.. :-)

[kylethedarkness]

that first song a ry cooter song?

[BottleneckJohn]

@zimbotiger

Yes, much narrower and shorter!

[jtkahaluu]

Difference between 12- and 14-fret guitars, whether Highway 61s or other Republic models?

[Flyboy207]

Is brass better than steel?

[BottleneckJohn]

@Flyboy207

No, not better but different..

[hollywoodloverugs]

Was wondering what kind of strings you are using, as you are fingerpicking easily without picks. But you are still getting a good full sound

[BottleneckJohn]

@hollywoodloverugs

I can't really remember but I think it was the original .13 - .56..

Now I use 15 - 58 or lighter gauges when I play open E or A!

[sky12066sed3]

OK i'm done stick a fork in me, I can't fight it anymore, i'm a Bottleneck John fan and I have to except it.

[BottleneckJohn]

@sky12066sed3

Sounds great to me, thanks!! :-)

[duanesslide]

Really hated having to sell my tricone I got, but I kinda was thinkin bout a style-o single, and Im really diggin the cutaway! Lots easier to get the bottle up over the 12th fret like I like to. I might look for one of these when I end up tryin to get one.

And yea, tasty licks n slides, man. I liked the one at 2:30, I woulda put some choppy, loud, high-E-string 16th notes sliding up in there.

Such a beautiful guitar... sounds from inside and looks outside. Not a fan of the brass burst tho

[Chookiman]

That's Cool !

[activejuan]

That guitar is gorgeous. Been admiring your playing for a while too. Your vids helped me get my little republic too. Cheers.

[BottleneckJohn]

It sure is a fine guitar, thanks!!

You made a good choice!!!!

[BottleneckJohn]

@activejuan

It sure is wonderful!!

[SPRUTH1154]

Thanks for the video.Sounds great.

[BottleneckJohn]

Thank you for stoppin' by!!

[kanekilaboy]

Nice, John! Do you know why a 22.5" scale instead of 24.5"? It seems the tension would be more loose, but I guess one could just put on heavier strings? Maybe like the John Pearce .018-.059's? Oh yes -- this is a roundneck. Hmmmm... Anyway, you (and the guitar) sound great, as always!

[BottleneckJohn]

Thanks a lot, bro!!

It is a nice one indeed.

Shorter scale to make it more of a "on-the-road-guitar"..

It's very, very small, you take it easily on an airplane, bus or bike. If there EVER was a genuine TRAVEL-RESO-GUITAR, this must be it!!!!!

Regarding tension: Yes, you're right, it comes with 0.13-0.56 and these work ok for open G & D on full scale reso's.. (Open A & E is better..)

On this one it's like playing on SPAGHETTI.. :-)

So, I'll be puttin' .15-.58 and try it out..

[BottleneckJohn]

Got 0.15-0.58 on now and it's much better!

For open G & D that is..

[BottleneckJohn]

After this video was made this guitar model has changed name.. That's why there's a different name IN the video, just wanted to clearify that, folks!! This is the HIGHWAY 61... :-)

It still sounds and plays awesome though, LoL!!

[BottleneckJohn]

Thanks!

[tinpanalley67]

Antique brass finish... My favourite! Is it brass or steel body ?

[BottleneckJohn]

This is a brass body!

[bluesjunkie]

WOW that sounds great. Nice riffs too

[BottleneckJohn]

Thank you very much!! Sweet sounding guitar for sure!

[paulquattlebaum1111]

How does it feel playing it without slide, is it easy to play, is the action too high for normal fingerstyle playing?

[BottleneckJohn]

The action was ok for standard tuning playng as well on this one! If not you can always adjust it or when your order, just mention to Frank that you want a low setup.. He'll fix it!!

[rayoll]

cool stuff thanks for posting.

[BottleneckJohn]

Thanks for watching!

[snakehips81]

Hi Brother !

Can you tell me how much of a gap there is under the strings for a magnetic pickup ?

I'm talking about a pickup sitting on the body top - between the coverplate and the fretboard.

Many thanks for that !

Great looking and sounding guitar.

Thanks to you for showing us all !!

Sending love to you and your family !!

[BottleneckJohn]

Hey Snakey!

Sure, there's plenty of room for a pickup under the strings!!! About 15 mm between top and strings and the end of the fretboard, if you go closer to the coverplate there's even more space!!!!

No problem..

Happy that you dig my videos, brother! More to come, a comparison between the different sizes..

Best regards back to you and yours as well!! Hope to see y'all some day again!

[snakehips81]

Many thanks Brother !

Keep on playing and singing those blues !!

Your Brother !

[gorblimey61]

Just played one last night and its a neat little axe. The short scale does take a little getting used to even for a CBG picker like myself, but it has real easy action and sounds great!

[BottleneckJohn]

Yeah, but I was surprised how fast one could adapt to the much shorter scale!

It's a neat little axe for sure!

[tinpanalley67]

This vid is like a spy photo of a hot car!

[BottleneckJohn]

LoL!!!!!

[mizzissippiblues]

thats beautiful and i want one !!!

[BottleneckJohn]

Absolutely!

You won't regret getting one, that's for sure..

[sawabojo]

hey bro

nice one......your friends in belguim

al

[BottleneckJohn]

Hey Al!!

Yes, this is one cool reso-guitar!

Say hi to Nancy and Mayuko!

[bluespower]

available in the uk ?

bp

[BottleneckJohn]

I guess it'll be, they ship all over the globe.. And their dealers might bring some home for players to try them out!?

[sfdog1369]

Just Slip Slidin Away Good Stuff John I Can See Ya Love It!!!!

[ricardblanc]

I have been following this model.. sounds good, John. Use it in the best of health.

[BottleneckJohn]

@ricardblanc

Thanks!!

[Alyson1961]

Is the neck as thick as the resolian?

[BottleneckJohn]

Almost as thick, but narrower..

[Alyson1961]

Thanks John! I think I am going to have to buy one of these. I love the look and the tone.

[BottleneckJohn]

Go for it!!