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DOUGLASB - Posted - 12/20/2024: 13:52:08
Hello, I just acquired a Regal model 27 "The Michigan Branded" guitar. It looks to be in decent condition. The cover has the "other pats pend" 1896484 stamped in. The neck is surprisingly straight and the fretboard and frets look like the guitar wasn't played much. When i broke it down to see the cone and spider the cone was in pretty bad condition. I could see that the original cone was lugged in place (nailed) originally. The cone must have been replaced a very very long time ago and whoever did the work left the cone loose and added a 3/16" round rubber "gasket " between the cover and the cone i guess to secure it. I'm wondering if anyone has ever seen this before? This is my first reso so i'm looking for suggestions on a replacement cone. I would like to know the approximate year of manufacture,early,mid,late 30's. Any help would be appreciated. I will post some pictures.
Wildeman - Posted - 12/27/2024: 14:00:13
Some pictures would sure help, the rubber is probably to stop a rattle, we come up with lots of ways to kill rattles and overtones. I've seen some pretty ugly old stamped lug cones that still work and sound fine, so you might be able to save it.
MarkinSonoma - Posted - 12/28/2024: 11:38:14
I moved the photos Douglas posted on his homepage to this thread for quick access.
This is most likely a ballpark 1935 Regal-built Dobro. I'm guessing there is no serial number stamped on the tip of the headstock. The "trapeze" style tailpiece was a Regal of Chicago innovation as compared to the typical California-built Dobro with the standard tailpiece.
Since it does not have three small holes between the coverplate and fretboard it appears to be a Model 27, but we don't know that for a fact without photos of the back and side. A 27 would have a back that is black, no sunburst, and would lack binding along the back edge.
The patent number on the coverplate is of no importance, once the patent was applied for in the early 1930s, they all had it on the plate.
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 12/28/2024 11:39:10
MarkinSonoma - Posted - 12/28/2024: 11:50:15
The Michigan was apparently an export band, and many were sent to England. Dobros that were built for export in the prewar era had "Made in USA" on the guitar. This was not included on Dobros for domestic sales. The photo of the headstock above is too dark to show it, but it's on there.
Since Gibson was in Michigan in those days, guitars of this brand are sometimes erroneously thought to be part of Gibson.
You can read more about the brand here:
forum.gibson.com/topic/142123-...ar-brand/
Below is a link to a Michigan Model 27 that was for sale at one point on Reverb. It has binding on the back, unusual for a Model 27. According to the seller, legendary guitarist Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac had a Michigan Dobro.
reverb.com/item/70921644-regal...=70921644
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 12/28/2024 11:59:21
