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Resonator Guitar Lovers Online


Jan 5, 2025 - 12:10:04 PM
3 posts since 1/5/2025

Bought by my great grandmother, other than that .......

Jan 5, 2025 - 1:16:30 PM
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4904 posts since 7/27/2008

I am moving the photos from your homepage into the thread. You have a rare bird! The serial number indicates Los Angeles built in 1932, but in order to have a better chance at a positive i.d. we need photos of the back, the back of the neck, and the side. Possibly a rare Model 125.

This was originally purchased by your great grandmother and you inherited it? You are a lucky dog!

Jan 5, 2025 - 1:19:06 PM
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4904 posts since 7/27/2008

The photos:




 

Jan 7, 2025 - 2:57:29 PM

3 posts since 1/5/2025

Thank you for your time and information, here are some more photos

Edited by - dust devil dave on 01/07/2025 15:00:35

Jan 7, 2025 - 3:49:26 PM

docslyd

USA

562 posts since 11/27/2014

I noticed in your photo, that you’re playing Spanish (standard) style, while the guitar you show is a square neck for lap playing. That leads me to the question...are you intending on keeping it or considering selling? Apologize for changing the subject.

Jan 7, 2025 - 4:04:25 PM
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4904 posts since 7/27/2008

Here are the other photos moved into the thread. It does indeed appear to be a Model 125. Beautiful four piece (laminate or ply) walnut back. That's the photo I really wanted to see.  And like Eric I was curious about the neck profile. That's all for now, I need to head over to the supermarket. 
 




 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 01/07/2025 16:05:44

Jan 8, 2025 - 8:18 AM
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855 posts since 8/8/2008

Beautiful guitar.

Jan 9, 2025 - 7:01:45 AM

3 posts since 1/5/2025

Thank you MarkinSonoma! The date and place match the fragments of stories handed down with the guitar. I think my great grandmother sold some of her land allotment in Oklahoma, moved to California and must have felt those Cali-vibes! Any idea, just out of curiosity, what these retail for? Thank you so much for your time and information!

Jan 9, 2025 - 11:23:19 AM

4904 posts since 7/27/2008

I see two for sale currently online. One is at Carter Vintage Guitar in Nashville for $6K. And there is one on Reverb for $7K. No idea how long the one at Carter's has been listed, the one on Reverb shows seven months. If the one at Carter's has been for sale for quite awhile, then both prices are too high.

The guy who knows more about these than anyone alive is Steve Toth, who lives not that far from you in North San Diego County. He is the author of the excellent book, Dobro Roots, which is all about pre WWII wood body Dobros. He is a member here but doesn't post very often. I will text him later and give him a heads up about this thread.

These ornate early  1930s Dobros are very beautiful, but they don't necessarily sound better than those that were made later in the Thirties that aren't so fancy, as played by the likes of Josh Graves, or at different times  in their careers Mike Auldridge and Jerry Douglas. I have a great sounding 1936/37 Model 37 that I bought from Steve after I visited him just over a year ago. He has collected many old Dobros, including another Model 125.  

Dobros aren't like Martin guitars from the 1930s which soundwise are considered some of the best steel string acoustic guitars ever made and sell for many thousands of dollars. 

Interesting story about your great grandmother. Did she move from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s? I hear Woody Guthrie  singing in my head as I write this...

Jan 9, 2025 - 1:18:06 PM

docslyd

USA

562 posts since 11/27/2014

The last one that sold on Reverb went for $4100. It might be the same as Mark saw for 7k then discounted until it finally sold....I’m not sure. Found conflicting listings. But I agree with Mark. Asking price and selling price are two different creatures.

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