I haven't played any of the Fender resonators. We have had both Regals and Dean resonators in the store. Both are affordable, probably made by the same factory in Korea (as are all Korean made instruments, as far as I know). Dean makes a neat little resonator cutaway with a single pick-up that is very cool that we sell for $449 US. Dobro is now owned by Gibson, and there are some Epiphone models that may be fairly affordable. Nationals are very good, of course, but are very pricey. I think a roundneck is more what you're looking for. Serious blues players prefer metal-bodied resonator guitars, but they are both ungodly heavy (at least to this old fart) and quite pricey. Both Johnson and Dean have affordable brass bodied instruments that list for about $800 US. (remember that NOBODY has to buy guitars at list). Regals metal bodies list at about $600. Good luck and have fun.
Sandy