Dobro value?

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Greetings non-pedal guys and gals,

Thanks for the help figuring out the age of this dobro, I would like a few suggestions on value, as I have had an ad for a week in Buy and Sell, with no interest!

Do I need to change my asking price (now $875), or is that a fair price for it?

Here is a link to lots of photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/102529162046126638560/OMIDobro1986

Thanks for the help,
Mike

Bosse Engzell · From: ï¿½ppelbo, SWEDEN

I bought a Dobro back in -74 serial # 2090, so this must be correct.

Bosse in Sweden

Jack Stepick · From: New Jersey, USA

Based upon the number, it would be a 1986 vintage, although it's the first time I've seen a 5 digit production number.

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Jack Stepick · From: New Jersey, USA

I can't imagine OMI Dobro producing over 30,000 instruments in a year. Perhaps it was just an oversight or mistake by one of the workers who wasn't paying attention.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

If you go to Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars on Google Books and scroll up one page, there is a clarification to this listing that may be helpful.

I'd like to see additional photos of the instrument you're trying to date.

It's most likely that is a 1986 model - Dobro® serial numbers can be notoriously inaccurate.
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Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Brad,

Here are a couple, hope they help. Thanks for the info!

Tom Gray · From: Decatur, GA

You'll find my name as one of the sources of the Dobro info in Gruhn's Guide, and I can tell you I've never before seen five digits in the center of a 1980s OMI serial number. But there's a first time for everything, and that goes double for Dobros. What I can offer you is this group of quotations on the subject of Dobro serial numbers in general:

"Neighbor, you can't go by that." - Josh Graves

"That's one swamp I never cared to enter." - Tut Taylor

"The hell with it. Just put any number you want to on it." - Ed Dopera
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Mark Eaton · Posted 9 Oct 2012 3:23 pm

And nobody has more knowledge about what has become known as "the convoluted history of the Dobro" than Tom Gray!

So this serial number, coupled with Tom's quotes above, appears to be a textbook example of Dobro "convolutedness."

All that aside, it's a nice looking guitar.
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Mark

Jack Stepick · From: New Jersey, USA

Just to clarify the 1974-1979 OMI number system, the body type, either D, B, or M is not listed at the far right, but the far left, and the last digit of the year is at the far right. (Based upon all the examples I've seen)

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Gregg McKenna · From: South Windsor, Connecticut, USA

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Thanks Gregg, looks like you might know a thing or two about resonator guitars... Very Happy

Gregg McKenna · From: South Windsor, Connecticut, USA

Bob Wood · From: Madera, California, USA

Hi Mike, I just last night ran across your post on your OMI Dobro. I have a few questions, and I know it's been some time since you even posted this, But I guess my first question before I even ask anymore should be, do you still have it?

Bob

Andy Alford · Posted 6 Mar 2016 10:54 am **Mod.60**

Into days world you may get that price. It could be a little higher or lower. You might want to look around the web and check prices for a guitar like yours. The fact that it came from the brothers last musical venture should help. There are many people that many may want a modern reso. rather than your guitar. The mod.60 was my first and it was like a pot of gold back in 1976. I loved the guitar. I wish you the very best. Smile

I hope it sells with ease.

Mike DiAlesandro · From: Kent, Ohio

Well, that dobro was sold many moons ago, I can't remember the exact selling price, but somewhere around $650 I think. I recently have had a need for another, and purchased a well used and cared for 1972 model. It is set up properly, sounds great, and has lots of vintage charm.

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