I wouldn't go for the Cort or the Fender: when I was in the UK in September I tried out a couple of Michael Messer resonators and they're fantastic, and comparatively cheap. As far as I know, no one imports these to SA, but I'm sure you can get them shipped down here direct from the UK/European distributors.

Check the website here: http://www.michaelmesser.co.uk/MICHAEL%20MESSER%20RESONATOR%20GUITARS.htm

1. hi,saw a fender resonator guitar a few weeks ago at downtown music,yorkstreet,george,tel:michael moses at 0824618661.i think the selling price was about 5 k. dunno if you would like to phone mike, cheers..........

I bought a Cort spider bridge a while back. It's not good but for what I payed it's OK I suppose. To import a resonator you are going to pay a lot of money.

A little secret - tonally, the biggest difference between the cheap and the more expensive resonators is the quality of the cones. Everybody uses the same small range of parts. You can buy a cheap resonator that plays well (like the Cort or my Jay Turser), and upgrade it easily by doing some basic setup (trueing the spider, cleaning out the shelf on top of the well) and upgrading the saddle and the cone.

http://elderly.com/accessories/cats/MIRS.html
http://www.firstqualitymusic.com/sf_93/c_7/resonator-guitar-parts.aspx

Did the cone and it did help. trued the spider and for a long time I couldnt get the intonation right but I did finally and it's OK. As for the shelf the soundwell goes straight to the back with this one. Yes, there are things you can do. But I am really wanting to get a metal bodied guitar now. even thought of trying to put one together.