9/18/2019 Regal Guitar Serial Numbers
Regal Moon & Stars Dobro - SOLD Regal 'Moon & Stars' Dobro - Round Neck c. 1929 SOLD The National-Dobro/Regal connection story is fairly well known in vintage guitar circles, but it's worth repeating. In the early 30s, the California-made National-Dobro resonator guitars were selling like hot cakes, so the Regal factory, in Chicago, was contracted to build the wood body, and install the metal parts shipped from California. In 1936, all California assembly had moved to Chicago. Additionally, it's well known that Regal built many resonator guitars without the Dobro or Regal name. These guitars were distributed through jobbers, and were ultimately sold through stores or catalogs, such as Sears and Montgomery Wards.
This guitar is one such catalog guitar, and likely made right before WWII shut down production of the metal parts due to the war effort. It's difficult to date, since the off-brand instruments rarely had serial numbers, but we'd guess c.
1939 would be fairly accurate. The body is ply, which was used in all wood-bodied Dobros and Nationals we've seen. The top has two 'f'-holes, and is bound in white paint. Both top and back sport an attractive sunburst.
Inside, there is an aluminum, stamped cone, but no through-neck stick, spider or soundwell, as typically found on labeled Dobros and Regals. Instead, a metal bar stretches across the opening and the bridge and cone anchor to this. The saddle is fret wire. This is a cheaper approach than the cast aluminum spider, and makes sense considering it's a catalog guitar, the depression, looming world war, and the end of production just on the horizon. The neck is basswood or poplar and is carved in a pronounced 'V' typical of the period for Regal. The neck is attached with a traditional dove tail, much like some of the National wood-body guitars.
The original fret board was 'ebonized' maple, but it essentially splintered when frets were removed. The replacement board is ebony, non-radiused like the original, with new frets. The original pearl position dots are retained.
A nice touch is the seldom seen 'Moon & Stars' cover plate. This design appeared around the mid to late-thirties on some mandolins, but it's pretty rare on guitars. The scale length is 25 1/8'. The neck measures 1 13/16' across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4' across at the saddle. There are no apparent repairs or signs of abuse on this guitar; it still has its sparkle. The tuners, nut, tail piece and end pin are all original.
There is some oxidation to the cover plate, and a few nicks and scratches from age and use. The neck is straight, and with the fresh neck set and new fingerboard and frets, the guitar plays easily. Action is set at 6/64'. The guitar has the Dobro voice, but likely due to the non-spider set up, is not as nasal sounding as most wood Dobros.
But it projects well, with a nice woody ring. A really nice ragtime or blues slide guitar. Comes with a soft case. Be sure to check the sound clip!
The oval green label with the crown (as well as the lack of ornamentation) indicates lower end model made in the 1930s or early 1940s. Higher end pre-War Regals had a fancier logo and post-War instruments came with a blue oval logo. The tuners appear to be enclosed so are more than likely replacements as these do not start showing up on any but the most expensive of guitars until the late 1940s. As already noted you might get lucky and be able to identify the style in a catalog.
Happened to me recently when I bought a guitar with no ID on it. Odd looking thing with an oval soundhole and pickguard. At $30 I figured I had nothing to lose as the pre-War Kluson bent tab tuners with covers were worth more than that. It showed up in the Montgomery Wards catalog and turned out to be a Regal-made Recording King Style 964 which were offered between 1938 and 1941. In this case I lucked out as apparently these are rare as hen's teeth. But often about all you can do is narrow it down to a decade. When talking about Regals about the only ones that have any real value are the spruce top jumbos or very ornate smaller body instruments.
Your guitar does have a spruce rather than birch top which is a big plus when it comes to desirability. But literally thousands of these ladder braced concert size guitars were built and sold. And a good many have survived.
Things Needed. Magnifying glass.
Flashlight. Metal straightedge The Dobro resonator guitar is a traditional American instrument that, since its development early in this century, has been a staple of American music heritage. Its popularity has steadily increased, so Dobro-style resonator guitars are now built by a variety of new and established instrument manufacturers, as well as custom luthiers. Along with its complicated manufacturing history, this makes establishing a particular Dobro’s value challenging. Evaluating your Dobro Acquaint yourself with the history of the Dobro guitar. The Dobro story begins with the five Dopyera brothers, stakeholders in the National Instrument Company in the 1920s.
John and Rudy held patents on instruments they'd invented and left National to form the Dobro Corporation (short for Dopyera brothers). National attempted to duplicate the Dopyeras' guitar designs during the Depression as Dobro instruments rose in popularity, but Dobro acquired National and gave the Regal Instrument Company of Chicago a license to manufacture and distribute Dobros. World War II stopped factory production, and in 1967, Rudy and Emile Dopyera founded Original Music Instrument Company, regaining the Dobro rights by 1970. Gibson acquired the Dobro name in 1994. Examine your Dobro.
Use the magnifying glass and flashlight to scrutinize the wood, finish and overall instrument for cracks, dings, checks and separation at the neck joint, bridge or binding. Lay the straightedge along the fretboard to determine neck straightness. Check the tuners for smooth operation. Note any missing or worn hardware, plastic parts or oxidation on plated parts. These factors affect your instrument’s value. Inspect your instrument carefully with the flashlight to determine the age and value of its parts. Neck: Round- and square-neck Dobros were produced, but square-neck Dobros are valued by bluegrass players.
Regal Archtop Guitar Serial Numbers
Look for a serial number stamped on top of the peghead to determine the approximate manufacturing date. Soundwell and cone: Early Dobros had a wooden ridge under the round opening on the surface for cone support.
Regal Guitar Serial Number Search
Cones were spun on a lathe and later stamped as demand rose for Dobros. Spider Bridge: This metal casting resembles an eight-spoked wheel, carrying string vibrations to the cone’s edges to give the Dobro its singing tone.
The spider design remains unchanged, but pre-war/National Dobros have “#14” stamped on them. Coverplate: Dobro coverplates came in three designs. The “fan” is the most common style with three rows of fan-like openings spaced equally in four locations. Early ones were almost flat with screws arranged like a clock. Lesser-used styles are the poinsetta petal and row-style, which had two rows of rectangular slots. Pre-war coverplates had either “Patent Pending” or patent numbers stamped on them; higher-end Dobro coverplates were engraved and gold-plated.
Logos: The earliest logos on the peghead featured a gold border that later was red. More expensive models had inlaid celluloid logos with black lettering on a cream-colored background. Regal logos are a green, gold and black crown above a green oval with the word “Regal” inside.
These remained the same throughout the instrument’s manufacturing. Determine if your instrument is a pre-war Dobro model.
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The Dopyera Brothers had many variations of their resonator design. Some pre-war models were short-lived, and others continued for many years The earliest ones were the Model 36, 55/56, 60, 66 and 66B, 76, and 85/86.
These models featured such things as neck binding, exceptionally dark body finish, engraved coverplate and even sandblasted detail on the body, such as a skull and a letter “D.” These models were discontinued by 1934. The “Walnut Models” were higher-priced guitars-models 90/100/106, 125, 155/156 and 175/176-featuring bookmatched walnut bodies, bound ebony fretboards, fancy celluloid inlaid logos and engraved gold-plated hardware. The models 200/205/206 were Dobro’s highest quality guitars, with all of the above and a fully bound spruce top with anodized gold hardware. These were also discontinued by 1934. Determine if your instrument is a newer Dobro. Gibson is producing some models of Dobro resonator guitars, as are other companies affiliated with well-known Dobro players, such as the Tut Taylor line produced by Crafters of Tennessee and the Jerry Douglas instruments produced by Beard Guitars. These are high-quality instruments suitable for the most skilled players and are built to the high standards the Dopyera brothers set so long ago.
They will hold their value and even appreciate for years to come. Tip Gain some perspective on your Dobro's worth by considering the factors of age, condition, any modifications from its original configuration, model number and playability. Higher-end models and older instruments in their original condition will have the greatest value. Note that the original early models that ended production by 1934-35 are very valuable to rare instrument collectors. Those produced in small numbers, such as the early Model 27 with silver-painted hardware and faux wood grain body, the Model 75. Presentation Model 176 and the Model 206 are considered extremely rare and sought avidly by rare guitar afficionados. Consult an experienced instrument dealer or luthier to evaluate your antique Dobro; they stay current on Dobro prices, as older ones are a limited commodity and their market value varies.
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Regal resonator guitar The Regal Musical Instrument Company was established in 1908 in. By the 1930s, they were one of the largest manufacturers of in the world. Regal specialised in:. Hi-End student instruments, sold under the Regal name through major Dealers.
Custom-built instruments, produced for professional musicians in the Regal custom shop. Regal was heavily involved in the production of from their first development until 1941, manufacturing components and bodies for both the and the and producing whole instruments which sold under many brand names including Dobro. The bodies of their bellied guitars were particularly suited to resonator conversion.
Production of resonator guitars ceased in 1941, and of all fretted instruments in 1954. However, in 1965, distributed five models of under the Regal name, as the exclusive distributors.
In 1987 the Regal name and reappeared as a of. Most notable for their 4-string bass resonator guitars, Previous users of the Regal name., used the Regal brand name c.1884-1901.
The new owners of Emil Wulschner & Son renamed the company the in 1901 and continued using the Regal name on instruments through 1904. bought the rights to the Regal name in 1905 and used it until 1908.
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