In the world of resonator guitars, Paul Beard's name has become synonymous with good tone. In the early '80s, Beard was dissatisfied with the quality of available resophonic guitars, so he began creating his own new designs that took advantage of modern technology to produce improved tone. Beard's innovations are known for their open, balanced sound and strong projection.
The RFB is Beard's interpretation of single-cone, biscuit-bridge resonators of the '30s. It features a 12-fret neck design and a Birch body for the classic wood-body sound. This 2018 RFB has round neck, and the f-holes on the top are a subtle nod to the ionic resonators of the '30s. The combination of the woody body and the hand-spun 9.5" Beard cone produces a punchy, throaty resonator growl. It has a 1-13/16" nut width, and the neck profile is a nice V shape.
But as a thoughtfully-designed, carefully-built modern instrument, this Beard performs lightyears ahead of the prewar relics. Beards improve upon the best of vintage examples to produce the most consistent tone. It has a double action truss rod, which gives you precise control over the neck to deliver optimal playability and stability over time. As with all Beard guitars, the RFB comes standard with high-quality Gotoh tuners, ensuring reliable tuning stability and performance.
This 2018 RFB sports a gorgeous high-gloss sunburst finish, and it has the Fishman Nashville Series pickup installed on the biscuit, so it's ready for the stage or the studio. It is gently used, shows some cosmetic playwear, and the resonator cover plate is tarnished (see photos). There are some scuffs and scratches around the edges—we've done our best to capture the worst of them in the photos! The setup is low enough to get around easily, but high enough that you can still manage it with a slide. Original case included.