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 Beard ResoLuxe is an intriguing hybrid instrument that merges the qualities of a traditional resonator guitar with the versatility of a solid-body electric. The Resoluxe starts with a solid mahogany body and a hand-carved mahogany neck that features an ebony fretboard. Equipped with a Beard 9.5" hand-spun biscuit cone, it captures the richness and metallic timbre of a resonator. For electronics, it has a Fishman Nashville bridge pickup for a traditional resonator sound, and then a Lollar P90 in the neck position widens the palette of sounds further than an acoustic resonator. Although currently out of production, the Resoluxe remains a testament to Beard Guitars' innovative approach to instrument design.
This Beard ResoLuxe was made in 2018, and it is in excellent condition all around. It shows some minor play wear here and there, but there's not much to argue with. This one was made with a black coverplate and matching black hardware—it's a striking look that works so well with the sunburst and tortoise-pattern pickguard. This Beard has an inviting setup that is fast and easy up and down the neck, but it can still accommodate slide. Electric guitar strings give you the right output from the P90, but they're easier to play than the heavy gauge strings that are often needed for acoustic resonator instruments. Many resonator guitars are heavy—especially those metal bodies—but this Resoluxe weighs in at 6 lb 12.7 oz.
This 2018 Beard Resoluxe brings an interesting range of sounds to the table, and it also gives you the resonator sound in the more flexible, playable package of an electric guitar. It includes its original hardshell case.