"Each Resonator guitar is built by myself, by hand, one at a time. This allows the freedom to get the best out of each instrument and allows changes so each instrument meets your requirements."

 

For over 10 years Luthier Russ Mattsen has been handcrafting custom Singlecone & Tricone Resonator Guitars, built to inspire the playing of the Blues.


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.Blog.

June.
Well the Roadster took only a week to sell thanks to Ed at Cadenza Guitars, Auckland, NZ. It was brought by Nels Cline, Guitarist of the band "Wilco". Wilco are an amazing band do check out Nels solo on youtube, search, Wilco Impossible Germany Nels Cline Solo. Thankyou to Nels & Jeff for there support of my guitars.
My next Resonator is almost finished. I have been polishing it today ready for Nickel plating. It is a new model (see pic to the right) a Scroll body with a Florentine(sharp) cutaway. It will be fitted with two pickups, a volume & blend control and will be a one of the most beauiful instruments I have made. Do let me know if you are interested as it will be available.
 
April 2010
Finished a Roadster model which I am very pleased with. I added a Brass line around the headstock and down the neck which I think looks good. Im traveling to California on the 1st of July, so if anyone would like to meet or knows of anything happening, music wise, let me know.
February
I have just finished a nice commission for Satoru of Japan. A Tribute guitar to Robert Johnson. Inspired by the Gibson L1 Robert Johnson is famously photographed with. Made with a copper body and patinaed to a chocolate brown.
November
Another busy couple of months with a nice commission of a Roadster, (my new name for this model) a copper body singlecone cutaway for Steve O,Donell, checkout his website. www.steve-odonnell.com  and now I,m on to a tribute build to Robert Johnson. It is inspired by the L-1 guitar he is picture with, photos to come.

Sept 14
Wow what a busy time its been. I have finish the Baritone Resonator commision for Californian Musician Ken. Thanks Ken for commisioning me to build such a beauitful instrument and your kind words of support. Check out his guitar on the Guitar pages.
I am now on to my next commision, a Copper body Single cone Cutaway for Steve, a American living here in New Zealand. I will keep you posted on progress.
 
14 July
Thanks to Ed of Cardenza Guitars for selling the Copper and Brass Single Cone Cutaway Resonator guitar. Its been a busy month with the Baritone Resonator build going well. Polishing this week ready for the platers.
16 April.
Hi, I have recently finished my latest commisson of a Blind Blake Resonator guitar model for a Australian client that went very well and are now available for your commission. In the mean time I have added some binding onto a copper jumbo resonator guitar model I have in stock which smarten it up and have some repair work for local guitarist to do.
I hope to start soon on a new design.
I have had two clients send me CDs of them playing their Mattsen Resonator Guitars. One from Japanese Bluesman Akira Kikuchi and the other New Zealand Bluesman Ralph Bennette-Eades both CDs are excellent!
So if anyone would like a Free CD just email me and tell me what model of mine you like best or maybe your dream reso and i'll you send one.
Cheers, Russ.
1st May 
I have been busy on two repair jobs this week. The first a tidy up of Punk guitarist Daniels guitar after a few years of gigs and a refret of Bluesman Mick Allen, Aria Dreadnought.
 Russ
6th June
After a month of art work I'm on to a guitar build, a Baritone Single cone resonator for a US client. Baritones are so cool, they allow you to use lower tunings and still remain playable. Allowing you to be inspired by a whole new area of sound. Here is pic of the start of the build. The Top. Also had a nice email from Blind Blake Guitar client in Australia saying how much he is liking his Mattsen Resonator guitar.
Russ

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new model resonator guitar
new model resonator guitar


Mattsen Resonator guitar headstock

robert Johnson Tribute
Robert Johnson Tribute

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    The Roadster.

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Baritone 27 1/2" scale.


baritone resonator guitar
 Baritone Resonator

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 Free CD of Bluesman
  Ralph Bennett-Eades.

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  Free CD of Japanese
 Bluesman  Akria Kikuchi.

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Russ Mattsen building a Resonator Guitar.jpg


Customer Feedback

"I'm really happy with the guitar and it's a welcome addition to my collection. Over the years I've acquired many guitars but never sold one. So it's here to stay. I hope I can get some others to take a look at your work. It is truly excellent. Don't hesitate to give me a yell once in awhile.
 All the best,
Jerry Douglas. Nashvill, USA.
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Guarantee

I stand by my guitars, materials and craftmanship 100%. I absolutly guarantee that I will deliver exactly what I say I will. I know that you will be delighted and inspired by your new Mattsen Resonator Guitar or I will give your money back.

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