MXR Custom Shop RESONATOR II Pedal
Two Models: “Stomp Switch” or “Toggle Switch” activation. Select the desired one when ordering! Also includes: 18-volt power supply, leg clamp and “Buddy Bar.”
Price: $198.00 for either model. Domestic shipping included.
About the RESONATOR II
This is the second production run for the RESONATOR, and as the first run, was manufactured for me by the MXR division of the Dunlop Company. That first run of 500 units sold out quickly. The current unit’s performance has been enhanced over the original unit by:
• The unit’s gain (volume) has been increased, which seems to have added some slight overdrive to its circuitry, causing current buyers to claim its sound has been enhanced. That surprises me, but appears to be true. Just luck I think.
• I’ve added another option to its on/off switch: toggle or stomp switching.
• I’m offering the “Buddy Bar” as was originally included by a prior manufacturer (described later here).
With the Resonator II, your steel will competently project the sound of a true resonator guitar, be it the Dobro, the National, or any other brand. Although this effect unit was designed for steel guitarists, many musicians have approved of its sound with their instruments, whether it is an electric guitar, violin, banjo, mandolin or keyboard.
The RESONATOR II has “no-loss” active impedance-matching circuitry and true bypass when in the non-operating mode. It is supplied with an 18-volt power supply (a typical “wall wart”).
The RESONATOR II clips to your guitar’s leg (or to a microphone stand for regular guitarists or other instruments). If the stomp-box model is preferred, that model will sit flat on the floor or on a pedal board, as well as on the leg of a pedal steel if the clip (included) is installed on it. Most steel guitarists I’ve surveyed preferred a toggle switch to a stomp switch if attached to their steel’s leg, with many stating that a toggle switch was easier and quicker to actuate than a stomp-switch on their steel’s leg. However, if used with other instruments (for floor-positioning), the stomp switch should definitely be ordered.
The RESONATOR II’s special tone bar (dubbed the “Buddy Bar”) was designed by Buddy Emmons for use with the “MatchBro,” a dobro-mimicking effect pedal marketed by the original Goodrich Company years ago. I was encouraged to offer this tone bar again, after owners of those older Goodrich MatchBro units advised me that those original tone bars that came with the MatchBro enhanced my Resonator II’s sound. Check out some discussion on the Steel Guitar Forum as to the effectiveness of the Buddy Bar: MXR Resonator Pedal: The Steel Guitar Forum.
The Buddy Bar provided is constructed of the same space-age material (Nylatron) that Buddy Emmons selected for the original tone bar. It also has the same weight and dimensions. However, I chose to reveal its brass interior through its rounded nose.
Sample Sounds: To hear a demonstration of the Resonator II’s sound, do listen to the samples that are provided hereafter and be treated to the noted steeler (and guitarist) Mark van Allen. Do keep in mind, that to sound like a dobro, you should play as a dobro does, with many open-string voicings and with hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Guarantee: When ordering the RESONATOR II, know that if the sound isn’t for you; return it to me within 10 days for a full refund of your purchased price. I’ve offered this option for everything I’ve sold for 50+ years now. Yes, since 1966, with few purchasers returning anything they bought from me. That is a bit amazing to me!
Resonator Demos and Tab provided by noted guitarist, Mark van Allen
Licks with Resonator on lap steel, pedal steel and lead guitar, plus tablature by Fred Amendola:
| Introduction and Tuning Explanation | Audio |
| Example Licks | Tablature |
| Lick 1: Hammer-ons and Pull-off’s | Audio |
| Lick 2: Variation with a Slide | Audio |
| Lick 3: Ascending and Descending Variation | Audio |
| Lick 4: Blues Influence | Audio |
| Lick 5: Combining Licks for Creating Intro’s | Audio |
| Lick 6: Forward Slant for Trilling | Audio |
| Lick 7: Scale/Chord Walkup | Audio |
| Lick 8: Classic Fill over a D Chord | Audio |
| Lick 9: Reverse Slant Walk-down | Audio |
| On Pedal Steel | Tablature |
| Pedal Steel demonstration with and without Resonator | Audio |
| Lick 1 played on Pedal Steel | Audio |
| Lick 2 played on Pedal Steel | Audio |
| Lick 3 + Lick 3A played on Pedal Steel | Audio |
| Lick 4 in Lower Register of a Pedal steel | Audio |
| Lick 5 with added walk-up | Audio |
| Lick 6 and 6A Variation | Audio |
| No Pedals – Lick 7 played on Pedal Steel | Audio |
| Playing Lick 8 | Audio |
| Playing Lick 9 | Audio |
| Pedal Steel Demonstrating Resonator with a Distortion Box | Audio |
| On Lap Steel | Tablature |
| Lap Steel demonstration with and without Resonator | Audio |
| Lick 1 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 2 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 2 and 3 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 4 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 5 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 6 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 7 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 8 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lick 9 Played on Lap Steel | Audio |
| Lap Steel with the Resonator through a Distortion Box | Audio |
| On Lead Guitar | Tablature |
| Lead Guitar with and without Resonator | Audio |
| Lick 1 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 2 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 3 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 4 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 5 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 6 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 7 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 8 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lick 9 Played on Lead Guitar | Audio |
| Lead Guitar with the Resonator through a Distortion Box | Audio |
Questions? All customer questions regarding the Resonator will be answered by return email, as well as listed here for all to read.
…Tom
