Recording King RR-36-VS Maxwell Round Neck Resonator

This second hand resonator in great condition

Note: High Gloss finish - photos may show reflections from the surrounding environment

The Recording King RR-36-VS Maxwell is a resonator guitar that successfully captures much of the character and visual appeal of classic pre-war instruments without the price tag associated with many vintage examples. Designed with bluegrass, blues and slide players in mind, the Maxwell combines traditional resonator construction with dependable modern manufacturing.

Finished in a handsome Vintage Sunburst, the RR-36-VS has the unmistakable appearance of a classic wood-bodied resonator. Its square-shouldered body, mahogany construction and traditional hardware give it plenty of vintage character, while the round neck makes it much more accessible to players who are accustomed to conventional acoustic guitars.

Traditional Resonator Construction

The Maxwell uses mahogany for the top, back and sides, giving the instrument a relatively tight and focused tonal character. The body incorporates a parallelogram soundwell and a hand-spun European resonator cone, with a sand-cast spider bridge completing the resonator system. 

This combination is designed to produce the loud, projecting voice associated with spider-bridge resonators, while keeping unwanted overtones under control.

The gloss Vintage Sunburst finish and ivory binding add considerably to the visual appeal. Classic butterbean tuners complete the old-school look.

A Proper Round Neck

One of the most appealing aspects of the RR-36-VS is its conventional round neck.

Unlike a square-neck resonator, which is generally played horizontally across the lap, the Maxwell can be played like a normal acoustic guitar. This makes it a particularly good choice for guitarists who want to explore resonator sounds without having to completely change their playing position.

The mahogany neck has a comfortable round profile, while the 25.5-inch scale length and 1.75-inch bone nut provide plenty of room for fingerstyle playing and slide work. There are 19 frets in total, with 12 clear of the body. 

That Resonator Sound

The RR-36-VS has the distinctive metallic bark and projection that makes resonator guitars so appealing.

The hand-spun European cone produces plenty of volume and attack, while the mahogany body helps keep the overall sound focused rather than excessively bright. Recording King designed the Maxwell specifically to produce a crisp attack with relatively minimal overtones, making it particularly effective when playing with other instruments. 

This is a guitar that can cut through a bluegrass or acoustic ensemble without requiring excessive force from the player.

The tone also works extremely well for blues. Bottleneck slide produces the characteristic growl and sustain associated with resonator guitars, while standard fretting produces a surprisingly versatile acoustic voice.

Excellent for Slide

For slide players, the Maxwell is particularly attractive.

The resonator cone gives notes plenty of authority, while the mahogany construction keeps the sound reasonably warm and controlled. Open tunings such as Open G and Open D are a natural fit, although the round-neck design means the guitar remains equally useful for conventional chord playing and fingerstyle.

It is worth noting that round-neck resonators are particularly popular with blues and slide players, while square-neck designs are more closely associated with bluegrass lap-style playing.

Playing With Other Instruments

One of the RR-36-VS's strengths is its ability to occupy its own space in a band.

The combination of the spider cone and parallelogram soundwell is intended to give the guitar strong projection and a focused midrange. 

That makes it particularly effective alongside banjo, mandolin and fiddle, where a conventional acoustic guitar can sometimes disappear into the mix.

It has enough character to become a defining part of the sound rather than simply providing background rhythm.

Vintage Style Without the Vintage Price

The Maxwell's biggest appeal is arguably how much traditional resonator character Recording King has managed to provide at a relatively accessible price.

The specification is impressive, with a mahogany body, Sitka spruce internal bracing, European hand-spun cone, sand-cast spider bridge, bone nut and ebony/maple saddle. 

It doesn't pretend to be an original 1930s instrument, but it certainly captures the aesthetic and tonal concept.

That makes it a very appealing entry point for anyone interested in resonator guitars, as well as an inexpensive second instrument for an established player.

The Recording King RR-36-VS Maxwell is a characterful and highly enjoyable resonator that delivers the distinctive sound these instruments are famous for.

Its mahogany construction, hand-spun European cone and sand-cast spider bridge produce plenty of volume, attack and projection, while the round neck makes it comfortable for conventional guitarists to play.

It is particularly well suited to blues, bluegrass, country and slide, but it can also be a fascinating addition to a broader acoustic setup.

With its vintage-inspired looks, powerful spider-cone tone and comfortable round-neck design, the Recording King RR-36-VS Maxwell is a superb way to get into the world of resonator guitars without spending a fortune.