Old-School Resonator Tone — Plus a Pickup
There's something immediately right about picking up a resonator guitar. That dry, throaty bark comes through before you've even settled into a chord. The Recording King RPH-R2-E Dirty 30s Minnie Bucker takes that classic resonator experience and adds one very smart twist: a mini humbucker in the neck position, so you can plug in and let things get a little gritty when the moment calls for it. It's a Single-O body — compact, lightweight, easy to carry — dressed up in a satin Brown Sunburst finish that gives it a worn, road-worn look right out of the box.
Whether you're into Delta blues, open-tuning slide work, or just want a resonator that can handle a late-night jam plugged into a small amp, the Minnie Bucker is built around the right fundamentals: a hand-spun European cone in a pedestal soundwell, a biscuit bridge, dual f-holes, and a 12-fret neck joint that keeps the whole package feeling lively and resonant.
This is a guitar for players who want real resonator character in a small, take-anywhere format — with the option to plug in when the room gets loud.
The Cone Is the Engine
At the center of any resonator guitar is the cone, and Recording King doesn't cut corners here. The Minnie Bucker uses a 9.5" hand-spun European cone mounted in a pedestal-style soundwell. Unlike stamped cones (a common cost-cutting move), the hand-spun cone vibrates freely inside the body cavity, producing that distinctive dry, throaty tone that resonators are prized for.
Dual f-holes are positioned to balance bass and treble frequencies as they leave the body, keeping the sound open and clear across the full tonal spectrum. A biscuit bridge with an ebony/maple saddle gives the string energy a direct, immediate path into the cone — which means fast attack and a crisp, punchy response whether you're fingerpicking or working a bottleneck slide.
The 12-fret neck joint is a traditional resonator design choice that puts the neck-body join further up the body, contributing to a fuller, more open acoustic voice from the instrument.
The Minnie Bucker Pickup
The "Minnie Bucker" name comes from the mini humbucker pickup mounted in the neck position — and it's what separates this guitar from the acoustic-only RPH-R2. Plug into an amp and you've got a warm, mid-forward voice with a natural bit of hair to it. The two controls (volume and tone) are mounted discreetly on the lower bout near the strap button, keeping the top clean and the look classic.
The mini humbucker interacts well with the resonator body's natural character, so the amplified tone still sounds like a resonator — just louder and more focused. Players often find the neck pickup position gives a slightly rounder, warmer sound that pairs naturally with blues and roots styles. For live performance or home recording, it makes the Minnie Bucker genuinely versatile without overcomplicating things.
The Neck and Playability
The neck carries a Contemporary C profile — a comfortable, familiar shape that works well for fingerstyle and slide work alike. The ovangkol fingerboard is smooth under the fingers, and the 25.4" scale length keeps string tension in a range that works well for standard tuning and popular open tunings like Open G and Open D. With 20 total frets (12 clear of the body) and a 1-11/16" nut width, the neck feel is practical and unfussy.
The satin finish on the neck and body means no sticky gloss buildup — the hand moves freely, which matters when you're shifting positions quickly. Vintage-style tuners with classic plastic buttons keep the aesthetic consistent with the guitar's old-school vibe.
Product Features:
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Body Shape: Single-O — compact, lightweight, and resonant
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Resonator Cone: 9.5" hand-spun European Recording King cone in a pedestal-style soundwell
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Top Wood: Spruce soundboard with dual f-holes
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Back & Sides: Whitewood
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Bridge: Biscuit-style with ebony/maple saddle
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Pickup: Mini humbucker in neck position with volume and tone controls
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Neck Profile: Contemporary C — 25.4" scale length, 1-11/16" nut width
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Fingerboard: Ovangkol, 20 frets (12 clear of body)
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Finish: Satin Brown Sunburst
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Neck Joint: 12-fret dovetail join for traditional resonator resonance
Brand: Recording King
Model: RPH-R2-E Dirty 30s Minnie Bucker Resonator
SKU: RPH-R2-E-BRB
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
