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Topic: Dobro question for the experts |
David Ward
From:
White Rock, BC,Canada
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Posted 26 Apr 2002 8:55 am |
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I put a wanted ad in the local paper for
a Dobro. I received a call from an older
gentleman with a resonator that he believes
is either an old Dobro or Regal. There is
no decal on the headstock. It is a wood body
round neck sunburst in really good condition.
The serial number is 5126, which if it is
actually a Dobro would make it a 1932-33
model.
My question for the experts: Is there any
way to tell if this is actually a Dobro/Regal
since it does not show the manufacturer's name on it?
Thanks,
David Ward
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 26 Apr 2002 5:41 pm
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Probably the only way to be sure would be to have it professionally appraised. If you could post a picture of the guitar, we could make better guesses as to whether or not it's a real Dobro or Regal guitar from that era.
------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Mike Cass
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Posted 26 Apr 2002 10:27 pm
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while Im no expert, I can offer you an easy way to determine the maker.
If it has a solid headstock it is almost assuredly a Regal, unless its a more expensive walmut model (pre-war); as Dobro made the custom guitars for both they & Regal.
If it has a slotted headstock with tuners pointing either up or down, are the slots rounded at the ends, or squared off? Rounded would likely be Regal; squared ends, definitely Dobro. If you look at the back of the headstock (if slotted) you can easily make this determination.
There are, however, a couple of exceptions....if they're rounded & drilled straight thru at the ends, front to back, its a Regal...... slightly longer on the face than the back side & "ramped" or dished out, it could be either.
There were some made with a National neck & headstock that came out of California(Dobro) & some from Chicago(Regal).However, most ramped ones are Dobro. Dobro brand guitars are usually thinner in the body than a Regal & feature real mahogany necks. The Regal used alot of basswood & maple for necks.
Also, Dobros just had a more finished look to them as opposed to Regal's,imho  .
You're correct on the year (ser# wise) if its a Dobro... who knows if its a Regal
Generally the Dobro is a more collectible instrument than the Regal, as its really a better built guitar, & there are fewer of them than the Regal. hope this helps, mc[This message was edited by Mike Cass on 27 April 2002 at 10:12 AM.] |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 27 Apr 2002 5:07 am
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| If you can get in touch with Tut Taylor, he can help you. Probably knows more Dobro history than anybody on the planet. Of course, I don't know how to get ahold of him--Any help out there? |
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Mike Cass
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Posted 27 Apr 2002 9:17 am
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| Tut can be reached through Crafters of Tennessee @ 615-773-7200. |
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