1932 Regal Dobro Model 27

$1,250.00

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1932 (Circa)
  • Manufacturer: Regal Dobro
  • Model: Model 27
  • Case: None
  • Color: Black Sunburst
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: This is the second example in our inventory of an early Regal-made Dobro. In the late 1920's, the five Dopyera brothers founded National Guitars in California, and invented the coveted National resonator guitars. In 1928, Dopyera brothers John and Rudy left National and created the Dobro company where they manufactured resonator guitars that competed with National, but the Dobro resonator cone had a different cone arrangement, which included the 'spider', a cast aluminum piece that fit over the cone and transmitted the sound from the saddle/bridge to the cone. While the National company floundered, Dobro became so busy that they contracted the Regal guitar factory in Chicago to produce resonator guitars for sale east of the Mississippi. Some of these instruments tout the Dobro label, while others, like this example, are affixed with a Regal label. The wooden parts were made in Chicago, with the metal parts supplied by Dobro. This Regal-Dobro sports the hallmarks of a Model 27, the lower but immensely popular model in the lineup. Model 27 attributes include absence of three sound holes between the screens, no top binding and no fingerboard binding. Additionally, the cover plate on this guitar stamped 'pat. pend.' and it's 'clock position' screw holes suggest a ca. 1932 date of manufacture. Even though the Model 27 is the low end of the Dobro line, guitars produced in this time period have some desirable features including an ebony fingerboard and round-hole sound chamber. Both the original stamped aluminum cone and cast aluminum spider are in excellent condition. The headstock decal sports the green oval with the Regal name and crown in gold. The body and sound chamber are wooden ply. The round, slight 'V'-profile neck is likely basswood with twelve frets to the body. Original open tuners. Cover plate is nickel plated. The trapeze tailpiece is another 'Regal-made' trait. Scale length is ~ 25". Neck width is 1 3/4" at the nut and about 2 1/2" across at the saddle. The almost-black original finish oozes vintage blues vibe, with only the back and the back of the neck splashed with a bit of 'burst. This guitar is essentially all original except four of the pearl dot inlays (drilled out to access the fingerboard screws). There are no cracks, breaks or structural problems on the guitar, only a bit of playing wear on the fingerboard and typical bumps and nicks. The guitar has a fresh neck set, a nice straight neck and plenty of saddle. Action is 5/64" (~2mm) from top of 12th fret to bottom of low E. The frets were leveled and dressed, and exhibit only minimal playing wear .. the guitar plays like a dream and produces that unique, weird and wacky (but much admired) Dobro sound .. very cool and fun guitar to play and own!