Custom-Spec Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Resonator for the Modern Virtuoso
The Guitar Sanctuary is proud to present a truly custom iteration of the legendary Beard Jerry Douglas BlackBeard Signature Resonator Guitar. Built in Maryland by master luthier Paul Beard in collaboration with 16-time Grammy Award winner Jerry Douglas, this high-performance squareneck resonator features a solid mahogany body and neck, combining rich, organic midrange resonance with advanced modern electronics and custom stealth hardware.
Crafted around Beard's proprietary open-soundwell design, hand-spun Legend Cone, and Spider bridge system, the mahogany construction of the BlackBeard produces a warm, focused acoustic punch with exceptional sustain and vocal clarity. Designed for ultimate stage versatility and effortless tuning shifts, this unique custom build is factory-equipped with a Hipshot Doubleshot drop-tuning system, Gotoh Locking Tuners, and a sleek, all-black hardware treatment.
To deliver unmatched live performance flexibility, this custom unit features a dual-pickup system: a coverplate-mounted Lollar Gold Foil pickup for warm, magnetic, single-coil bite and a Fishman Nashville Series piezo pickup wired through an onboard Fishman Powerchip mixing preamp. This setup allows seamless blending of pure acoustic resonance with fat, electric warmth straight from the onboard controls.
Key Features & Custom Upgrade Package:
- Solid Mahogany Construction: Premium mahogany body and neck deliver warm, resonant midrange projection with rich acoustic overtones.
- Stealth Black Hardware Package: Complete blacked-out hardware treatment for a modern aesthetic.
- Hipshot Doubleshot System: Instant, lever-actuated pitch shifting between open tunings (e.g., Open G to Open D) without changing hand position or string tension.
- Gotoh Locking Tuners: Modern precision tuning stability and lightning-fast string changes.
- Dual Pickup Configuration: Coverplate-mounted Lollar Gold Foil (magnetic) paired with a Fishman Nashville Series piezo bridge pickup.
- Fishman Powerchip Preamp: Onboard active mixing preamp allowing you to blend magnetic and piezo signals into a single mono output or split them for stereo routing.
- Handmade in the USA: Built in Maryland using Paul Beard's open-soundwell design and hand-spun Legend Cone.
Product Intelligence & Intent Profile:
- Best For: Modern resonator players, bluegrass virtuosos, Americana session artists, high-volume live performance, multi-tuning stage setups.
- Tone Profile: Warm, punchy, mahogany-driven midrange with rich acoustic sustain; plugged in, it spans from crisp acoustic clarity to fat, gritty single-coil electric growl.
- Skill Level: Professional / Master-grade instrument.
- Compared To: Standard Beard Jerry Douglas Signature, Scheerhorn mahogany squarenecks, Meredith custom resonators.
- Sanctuary Expert Note: "The mahogany body gives the BlackBeard a distinctly warm, vocal midrange that cuts through a mix without sounding harsh. Combined with the Hipshot Doubleshot and Lollar/Fishman pickup system, this is an absolute Swiss Army knife for the modern lap steel and resonator player."
Technical Specifications:
- Body Wood: Solid Genuine Mahogany top, back, and sides
- Neck Wood: Solid Mahogany (Squareneck profile)
- Fretboard: Ebony with maple fret markers and Jerry Douglas signature inlay
- Resonator System: Hand-spun Beard Legend Cone & Spider Bridge
- Soundwell: Beard Open-Soundwell construction
- Scale Length: 25.0"
- Hardware Finish: Black
- Bridge Tailpiece: Custom Hipshot Doubleshot system
- Tuners: Gotoh Locking Tuners (Black)
- Magnetic Pickup: Lollar Gold Foil (Coverplate-mounted)
- Piezo Pickup: Fishman Nashville Series Resonator Pickup
- Electronics/Preamp: Fishman Powerchip onboard mixing preamp with volume and blend controls
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case included
- Origin: Handcrafted in Maryland, USA
Photos are of the actual guitar for sale, SN JD-295.
Body: All solid Mahogany construction.
Neck: one piece Mahogany neck. 25" scale length. Bubinga fretboard w/ dot and Jerry Douglas signature inlays
Beard Bass Reflex Baffle
Roller Nut
Gotoh 510z locking tuning machines
Hipshot DoubleShot Bridge
Lollar Gold Foil pickup (Coverplate Mounted)
Fishman Powerchip mixing preamp
Black Hardware, sound rings and Spinning Palm™ coverplate.
Schaller strap-lock
Beard Legend Cone™
Original #14™ Spider
High gloss BlackBeard™ Black Ice finish
Deluxe Hardshell Case
Beard Guitars Limited LIfetime Warranty
Fishman Nashville pickup and Beard adjustable spider standard
* all official Beard parts are made in the USA!
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.

Product Videos
Videos Hide Videos Show Videos
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Beard Guitars Jerry Douglas BlackBeard Signature with Hipshot Doubleshot Bridge demonstration.
Our own Daniel Kirkland demonstrates an amazing Beard Guitars ...
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Beard BlackBeard™ Mike Witcher Demo
Mike Witcher demonstrates the Beard Jerry Douglas Signature Bl...
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Beard Guitars introduces the Hipshot DoubleShot with Gaven Largent
The Hipshot DoubleShot tailpiece allows you to switch between ...
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Beard Guitars: Gaven Largent talks with Paul Beard about the Hipshot DoubleShot
Paul Beard interviews Gaven Largent about playing the Hipshot ...