scruffy - Posted - 02/12/2009:  15:39:22

I have a resonator guitar acquired by my father in the early forties used. The only thing I remember was it had a canvas case that beared a 8 in a like 3" red circle on the headstock end of the case.This is a plywood guitar with like a modified f holes like the 1930 dobro angelisus, which I thought it might be but the cover is different. any ideas on age,value brand? I've researched this thing to the end,so I figured I'd come and ask the experts! thanks Scruffy photos can be seen in my gallery

Slideman1939 - Posted - 02/13/2009:  07:49:29

There should be a serial number on the top of the headstock--numbers and letters stamped into the wood. Then go to Resoguit website and link onto the article by (Pennsylvania's) Randy Getz--which is a list of pre-war serial numbers and identifying signs.It's not cut and dry simple.There was a Los Angeles factory, a Chicago factory, and numerous licensees: Kay, Harmony, Regal, Norwood,etc.These were Chicago (factories) wood body makers and as long as they bought the "genuine patented" hardware from the Dopyera family, they were permitted to use the headstock decal and produce "genuine Dobros" in return for paying their royalty fees.So an instrument made in the Regal factory in 1937 might have a Regal (headstock) decal OR a Dobro (headstock) decal.So your question is quite complex until you publish better pictures or pursue the serial # identification.If you google "Dobro" you will find numerous articles about identification of pre-war stock.

scruffy - Posted - 02/13/2009:  09:36:24

I have added more pictures of it in the my photos. The neck is not a square neck nor is it a actual roundneck. It is actually triangular. I learned to play guitar on this when I was 14 and it was tuff,but then I didn't know what it was and no one back then knew of them or used them anymore and most people have never seen one.

TronconesAmigo - Posted - 02/13/2009:  16:33:48

Scruffy , that is a 1930's model Reso with a Poisetta coverplate , it is hard to detirmine the maker , but it wasn't Dobro , because They always had square tops on the slots in the headstock in the 30's

Play the Melody , sweet is good

otdobro - Posted - 02/14/2009:  06:49:35

The squared off slots were only on California built Dobros. The ones built in Chicago were made for numerous companys. There were Regal built Dobros, some had the Regal logo, some had the Dobro logo. All had the rounded headstock slots, unless they had the solid headstock. Many were built for Montgomery Ward etc. Some had serial numbers, some didn't.There were many oddball makes. There is one on ebay presently called a "Melophonic".

scruffy - Posted - 02/14/2009:  07:26:52

Thank you for the replies,I read that the brothers contracted with several guitar manufactures to build theirs to keep up with demand?according to the patents!

scruffy - Posted - 02/14/2009:  14:42:57

Another ? for you,What would you do with it? upgrade it? leave it as it is as a collector or trade it for a newer reso

SGB - Posted - 02/14/2009:  15:22:14

Elderly Music has a 30's Regal that shows a V neck. elderly.com/vintage/items/50U-1914.htm Check it out and see if it's similar


Steve

9 out of the 10 voices inside my head are telling me to go home and clean my guns.

scruffy - Posted - 02/14/2009:  16:26:51

We are getting real close now .This one has the rounded headstock,the body binding and the round vents mine doesn't. The neck is the same,tailpiece is correct. I do have the poinsettia coverplate.9-1/2"spider bridge and a pressed or stamped cone,looks almost like it was hand pressed or stamped.You can see the where the metal is stretched.