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

Yes!! Here's a brand new model from Republic Guitars!!!!
Name: HIGHWAY 61
(Release December 2009, I was lucky to get hold of one of the pre-production models)

I LOVE IT!!
I truly do love this little guitar..
It's the finest reso I've ever seen..

The tone and playability is great but somehow the shape and details of the body just blows my mind..
The best of both tricone and singlecone design here. Plus the cutaway!

I know there is the NRP ResoRocket with a similar design and there's been some Ron Philips guitars looking close to this.. But this shorter body using the grilles AND the ribbed coverplate is perfection.

I'm NOT just rambling here my friends, this is it for me...!!!!!

Really cool travel size guitar, shorter scale and shorter body..
Slightly wider upper bouts compared to the Resolian and Miniolian..
Great tone and looks!!!!

It sure takes a while to get used to the shorter scale.. 22,5"

So.. Gotta go and play!!!!!!!!!!

It was planned that this one would bear the name BLUESMAN and be endorsed by Johnny Winter, apparently that will not happen..

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bottleneck
• john
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• steel

[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!

[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.

[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.

[activejuan]

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

[Gappo2010]

I want one!

[PeterLisboa66]

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

[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.

[videocanone]

Great sounding resonator guitar reguardless the size !