rhoelsch - Posted - 04/25/2024:  07:17:39

See pic attached... made in 2011 then?

Any idea of an approximate value? Thanks!

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 04/25/2024:  10:53:16

All we can tell from the photo is that it's a made in China Dobro from  one of  Gibson's  Epiphone factories. 

Gibson bought Dobro in 1993, continued  making the guitars in California until some point in  1997. Then the operation was moved to Nashville  where the guitars were made from 1998-2010.  After that all Dobros have been made in China. 

There have been two models I believe,  they call them Hound Dog - one possibly made of  mahogany laminate which currently sells new for around $500, and the Deluxe which is maple laminate and goes new after a quick googling for $650-$700.  We can't tell anything about which model it is from the serial number.  And dating the guitar from these Epiphone numbers can be confusing.  You might be right about 2011, but when I've looked up these serial numbers in the past it wasn't clear to me regarding the formula. 

Right off this one appears to be the mahogany, but without additional photos that's just a guess. 

A decent starter dobro, but on a forum like this one with a lot of  serious dobro geeks, these Epiphones don't  receive a lot of "face time."

If you want to post more photos, it's better to upload them here in the thread. Look below where you type your post, there is an area where you can upload photos in a post from your phone or computer. Easy to do, but if you're having trouble just ask, we can guide you. 

If it's the mahogany model, depending on condition, I would say right off it's worth ballpark $300-$400. But that's a guesstimate at best.  Look online at sites like Reverb and eBay to see what's out there for sale. 

 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 04/25/2024 10:56:03

rhoelsch - Posted - 04/25/2024:  17:18:16

Just took some quick pics...the high E was practically laying on the fretboard, unplayable beyond the 5th fret. Added a pic of the saddle, highest point is 11mm.

Edited by - rhoelsch on 04/25/2024 17:22:11

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 04/25/2024:  19:30:13

Well I guess you haven't figured out yet how to include the photos here in the thread. No big deal, I saw them on your home page.

It appears to the more expensive maple laminate model. Like the majority of us here, I'm mostly a lap style style reso player. Right off if you did one thing only, you might want to get  pre-slotted saddles (more commonly referred to as bridge inserts in the reso world) from Beard Guitars Resophoinic Outfitters online store.  The latest and greatest is the Shockwave insert, players have been very happy with them.

Depending on the condition of the cone the guitar might benefit from a complete setup including a new cone, but of course we have no idea how much money you're willing to throw at this guitar, or if you even plan on keeping it.

More information needed and it would be nice if you provide at least your first name and what part of the country you live in. 

Does this guitar have the Fishman pickup we refer to as the "donut" which is like a washer that attaches to the screw underneath the cone? Gibson/Epiphone included these in a lot of the imported models. If it does - you might consider getting rid of it. They're terrible - I fought with one for years. 

Link below to the Shockwave inserts:

resophonicoutfitters.com/produ...B-22.html

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 04/25/2024 19:31:35

rhoelsch - Posted - 04/26/2024:  11:39:28

quote:Originally posted by rhoelschJust took some quick pics...the high E was practically laying on the fretboard, unplayable beyond the 5th fret. Added a pic of the saddle, highest point is 11mm.