I have been looking at the Republic Highway 49 resonator tenor guitar lately and it looks sweet but I can't afford $700. I have made a few instruments and would like to see how close I could come to making a bonified reso instrument. Maybe a 2 gallon gas can and of course a resonator cone. What else could be done to come as close as possible to the real thing? Thanks in advance for suggestions and ideas.
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I made a 4-string git out of a 1 gallon gas can. It has a nice metallic ring to it. You could add a 6 string neck to one and use a small 5.5" cone, but that size can is a bit small at 6.5" wide.
You may find some bigger cans at the hardware/paint store for products like floor strippers, mineral spirits or paint thinner. It seems everything is being put in plastic containers these days.
Don't sell yourself short. You can build a nice four-stringer resonator with some planning and work.
Remember, there are no rules and you can build some really great stuff if you decide that's what you want to do.
Keep us posted.
I feel you can make Cigar box style guitars sound better, but they are still gonna sound like what they are, and can't be compared with full sized guitars.
Taff