dobrojay - Posted - 01/26/2014:  10:16:14

  How many of you folks play a Pre War Dobro or Regal?  Jay

Shifty - Posted - 01/26/2014:  10:31:02

Which war?

gaucho - Posted - 01/26/2014:  11:58:12

I play a 1934-35 model 37 round neck. It's awesome!

seabee - Posted - 01/27/2014:  03:28:25

I have a '29 roundneck Dobro, with a recently added Beard cone and spider. Lots of fun

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/27/2014:  04:01:31

1934 Dobro model 37 and a 1937 Regal model 27 .... I love them both!

 

 

 

otdobro - Posted - 01/27/2014:  04:19:11

  I have a 1935 model 27 with lug cone and short spider it's by far my favorite out of the six Dobros that I have.

I keep it tuned to "A".

Model 27 ser # 6796

 

 

 

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/27/2014:  04:33:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluesdoc1952

 

1934 Dobro model 37 and a 1937 Regal model 27 .... I love them both!

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More details ... The Dobro is a round neck with a lug cone. It has engraving on the cover plate.. The Regal is a square neck.  The Regal is a bit brighter than the Dobro which is more mellow and mid-rangey. They both get played a lot and just like me they have no prospect of leisurely retirement.

gaucho - Posted - 01/27/2014:  04:51:21

Here is my model 37 from '34-'35. There is some discussion of it being a model 85 but I don't care too much. It plays and sounds fantastic!

൪-ཟ Dobro model 37 or possibly a model 85

 

 

 

Dobro66S - Posted - 01/27/2014:  05:06:59

Have a "Dobro" #233 as well as 1980 66S "Dobro" @ PHL LTD Mahog "Dobro"...
Are there other makers of "Dobro" ????????

Dobro 66S

 

 

 

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/27/2014:  06:21:50

CentralMO - Posted - 01/27/2014:  07:34:01

I learned on a 1935 Dobro M-32 metal body squareneck

dobrojay - Posted - 01/27/2014:  08:14:40

Thanks for the replies folks. Real nice vintage guitars. There is a lot of enjoyment playing "vintage" music on vintage guitars. I currently have 5 Pre Wars. 3 square necks, 2 round necks. 2 Model 27's and 3 Model 37's. Being not much of a computer person, I'll have to have my son post some pictures. When I started playing, all you could get were Pre Wars. Thanks again, Jay

haza - Posted - 01/27/2014:  08:16:30

hi folks i have an 1923 all wooden squareneck rega hawian guitar i will put some photos up later when i can figure how to it was in the classifieds for a while i dont now if it still is ...love and peace haza 

seabee - Posted - 01/27/2014:  08:31:53

My 1929 model 55.

 

 

 

tomwarner - Posted - 01/27/2014:  09:50:42

Mine's a 1935 model 27 round neck,ser. 6999,lug cone with long spider (Josh),with nut raiser and original hard case.Excellent condition,all original except period correct tuners.Thanks Steve!

Slideman1939 - Posted - 01/27/2014:  12:51:38

Coincidence--going by serial numbers it looks like Tom Warner's was made later in the same week as Jim Warren's (#6796).

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/27/2014:  14:10:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by dobrojay

 

Thanks for the replies folks. Real nice vintage guitars. There is a lot of enjoyment playing "vintage" music on vintage guitars. I currently have 5 Pre Wars. 3 square necks, 2 round necks. 2 Model 27's and 3 Model 37's. Being not much of a computer person, I'll have to have my son post some pictures. When I started playing, all you could get were Pre Wars. Thanks again, Jay

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Dobrojay from Brockton!! Realky?? You were a firefighter as I recall. Had a couple beautiful old dobros. You taught me how to play way back in 1971! Yes, you did!!  I was the kid who would show up unannounced and you were always so generous with your time and knowledge! You lent me your Josh Graves and Deacon Brumfield albums. I owe you for all the enjoyment I get from playing the reso! We need to exchange emails!

resotom - Posted - 01/27/2014:  16:36:59

Mine is a 35 Dobro/Regal that I bought in 1953. I played it on the Opry shows in the mid '60 's ... It is one of 3 resos I currently play. I paid $20.00 for it back then. It has been on numerous stage,radio,television,and recording sessions since then...

dobrojay - Posted - 01/28/2014:  04:15:29

 Boy a lot of nice Pre Wars out there. Thanks so much for sharing. Tom, you've been around a while. Paul, we have a lot to catch up on. Often thought of you and Don, as luck would have it, I hooked up with Don a couple of weeks ago, he will be anxious to hear from you. Again, thanks all for sharing.  Take care,  Jay

otbreso - Posted - 01/28/2014:  07:28:58

I've been droolin over a '31 model 55 I played at Gruhn's in Nashville. Fell in love, so sweet and lots of sustain. Been tryin to figure out what I can sell!

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/28/2014:  15:08:09

Otbreso,

buy it and figure out what to sell afterwards!

you probably deserve it, or like me, can convince yourself that you do!

otbreso - Posted - 01/28/2014:  16:48:15

Oh, I'm convinced!!!   And, I probably deserve it. See my little halo over my head??

If It's still there after I sell some stuff I' will get it for sure. The guy there told me they wanted $160.00 for shipping. Ya, right, that's too much for shipping and we'll have to negotiate.

typo

Edited by - otbreso on 01/28/2014 16:49:00

otdobro - Posted - 01/29/2014:  04:47:20

  I forgot, I have 2 of them. Have a 1936 regal built Dobro squareneck, lug cone, long spider, no soundwell ser # A2415

Nothing special. You car hear it here  youtube.com/watch?v=1R6krbR7670

dobrojay - Posted - 01/29/2014:  05:43:23

ot, Nice. Those F holes have nice tones, of course I'm partial to original innards, stamped resonators and original cover plates. Jay

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 01/29/2014:  12:53:02

Beautiful! The highs really ring! Nice playing too.

darrell7491 - Posted - 02/04/2014:  06:26:26

What year did Dobro put the three small holds in body next to cover plate

otdobro - Posted - 02/04/2014:  07:51:54

   From the beginning. They are supposed stand for the three dots in the Lyre of the Dobro logo. When the model 27 came out, they were done away with for that particular model as a cost cutting measure. ( How long does it take to drill 3 holes)   

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  Quote

Originally posted by darrell7491

 

What year did Dobro put the three small holds in body next to cover plate

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dobrojay - Posted - 02/04/2014:  13:59:23

double post.

Edited by - dobrojay on 02/04/2014 14:03:38

dobrojay - Posted - 02/04/2014:  14:02:29

otdobro is right, I'm happy to see the interest in the Dobro. I've been away from it for a while. Jay

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 02/04/2014:  16:02:00

tooltimegrunt - Posted - 02/04/2014:  17:49:19

For those who own a pre- war is it all original?   If not what was replaced? 

MarkC - Posted - 02/04/2014:  22:10:16

Well..1937. Mine is an original 7- string. 7 string nut and 7 string bridge. Lug cone. .All original parts are available. Excellent cond.  Current set-up is 6-string, 6 string at the nut and bridge. Quarterman cone. Original soft case. Originally owned by Kenney Haddock.

otdobro - Posted - 02/05/2014:  04:21:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by tooltimegrunt

 

For those who own a pre- war is it all original?   If not what was replaced? 

 

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All original except for an "Oswald style" tailpiece.

dobrojay - Posted - 02/05/2014:  06:00:39

All of my Pre Wars are original. Original cover plates, spiders and pressed or stamped resonators are the heart of Pre War tone along with the aged wood bodies. In the past 45 or so years, there have been many Dobro style top quality guitars built. Along with these came the much needed replacement parts unavailable for years and years. When a resonator would collapse, we would do our best to straighten it out. Sometimes we were lucky. When they did crack and split we were up the creek with out a paddle. Most of the collapsed resonators were due to improper care and adjustment. Many, many stamped resonators have survived in perfect condition and to this day make our music. 'Course tuning machines weren't quality as they are now, I would guess many of these have been replaced over the years with original or original copies with no one the wiser. Take care, Jay

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 02/05/2014:  08:44:59

I think that those holes were there from the beginning of the wood bodies. They were discontinued on the model 27 as a cost cutting measure. That's how bad the Depression was ... Not drilling and bevelling three small holes cut costs!

OpryStation - Posted - 02/07/2014:  12:27:22

I cut my teeth with my 1935 model 56 round neck ..
I just put it in the classifides..

Also been picking at it with my 1974 Model 66 sunburst carved figured round neck ..
Will be in classifieds soon ..

Reason? Well just got my one eyed 1988 Cyclops C-60 .. (not for sale)

 

seabee - Posted - 02/11/2014:  15:40:40

I understand that the 3 holes were a feature for a long time. Heres a pretty good guide to pre-war dobros I found. resoguit.com/getz/prewar.pdf

otdobro - Posted - 02/11/2014:  16:22:28

  That's a good reference. Randy also compiled a guide for the 1945-2000 time period. He has an account here, but seldom posts.

dobrojay - Posted - 02/12/2014:  10:32:37

Interesting article. I didn't see it mentioned, although I may have missed it, that the early Regals had a noticeably different body shape than those built by Dobro. The Regal had a narrower upper bout and waist for a few years before they decided on the same general body dimensions. Kind of looked like a baby J 200. Also, some of the later coverplates were made of steel as well as brass. They surely made nice instruments. Jay

bluesdoc1952 - Posted - 02/12/2014:  15:19:38

Another dobro player was admiring my 1937 Regal. His is a boutique "modern" dobro (i conceal the name, but you would know it).  He said that he loved the tone on the pre-war but said too bad it wasn't as loud. Listening later and comparing ... I think he was right tone-wise. I just dig in and play harder.

amaslider - Posted - 04/24/2014:  17:20:51

Had my 1936 Regal Dobro Model 37 now a few weeks
its become my favorite guitar love it sweet tone.Hope to
find another old one some day

resotom - Posted - 04/26/2014:  19:44:08

I still use my Regal/Dobro model 45. Which I bought in 1953. All original and still sounds great.I used this one on the Opry shows I did back in the Late sixties... 

dobrojay - Posted - 04/11/2015:  14:09:48

bluesdoc1952, Paul, are you still around here? How are you?

Doctor Proctor - Posted - 04/13/2015:  05:28:42

Mr BOO  that Cyclops looks kool.   Kind of a  PRE - ODESSY thing .   How much difference in the sound.

  Did the old dobros come with bone nuts ?

I have a 1980 DOBRO  and it has a brass nut

MC5C - Posted - 04/22/2015:  13:28:19

I didn't pull out the old thread but...

I just got a 1936/37 Chicago-made Dobro, model 25 or 27 I guess, 14 fret f-hole round neck in virtually mint condition. Under a bed since the war. Just becoming friends with it...

Brian

rexhunt - Posted - 04/27/2015:  09:54:00

I've got 2.  Both Chicago made Dobro branded.  One round neck and one square neck both with trapeze tailpieces.  The round neck is pretty much all original with a spun cone and slotted peghead .  The square neck has a new solid peghead neck and a new cone.  The original neck was solid too with a 700 something serial number.  I still have the broken peghead.

Rex

My two Pre-wars

 

 

 

dobrojay - Posted - 11/04/2015:  13:58:16

Hey, Paul, are you still around here? Jay