I just received a Dobro 64 or a think its a model 64 that I want to sell but I have no idea of the value. I'm hoping that someone could give me an idea because an internet search has provided little information of what I have. The guitar is a square neck which has an inlaid abalone of a leafy vine running down the neck and the chrome cover has some decorative engraving. The serial number is T11-720-88D. It does have a hard case. Overall condition is very good. I'm having trouble down loading a photo but will keep trying. If anyone could give me a general idea of value, that would be great. I plan on listing this guitar on this site as soon as I can figure the value.
Edited by - jczlsr on 11/24/2023 17:04:20
Attached is a screenshot from the Gruhn Guide to Vintage Guitars giving you some background on this model. Click on it to enlarge.
Great looking Dobro - I think it was inspired by the most expensive and rare models from the pre WW2 era of the company which were made from laminate walnut.
The thing is, it might not sound much different than a typical 60D from the 1980s so the additional value is in the bling. And the more common 60D these days in good condition seem to go for anywhere from around $600 to $800-$900 from a private party. A guitar store of course will need to charge more.
Dobros don't have the well defined Blue Book-like pricing structure of used guitars from much larger companies like Gibson, Fender, Martin or Taylor.
A guy in the Dobroholics group on Facebook was asking recently what his blonde Model 60D from the 1970s might be worth and I ballparked it at $700 or so. They made a lot of guitars with the blonde finish. Another guy who loves his blonde Dobro posted that if he were to list it for sale he wouldn't take less than $1500 for his - I think the old emotions were clouding his thinking - because if he was listing it for sale at that price he'd probably be looking at it for a long time.
I'm thinking for this Model 60W-S or Model 64 it might go for around $1500-$1600. I could only find one on Reverb earlier that sold awhile back and the asking price I believe was around $1500.
The Serial number indicates that it was built in 1988. I don't know the significance of the "T" - perhaps Tree of Life for the fretboard?
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 11/24/2023 22:20:23
Here is the guitar from Jack's home page.
