c.1935 Regal Upscale "Parlor" Guitar

June 23, 2010

c.1935 Regal Upscale "Parlor" Guitar

Update 2012: I'm now sure that this was a Regal product, especially judging by the bridge, fretboard, and general hardware and appointments and construction.

Wowza! Someone will be a very happy camper when they get their hands on this guitar. It's in fantastic condition with great finish, super looks, a loud, punchy voice and a bunch of features that you just don't see on modern instruments.

For example: extremely high quality spruce top (flattop and ladder braced), fancy flamed maple (solid) back, solid maple sides and neck, cool tortoise pickguard, and an elevated fretboard extension and neck joint like an archtop. It's got a 24" scale with a 1 3/4" nut and a radiused rosewood fretboard which gives it a relaxed and comfy feel. It also resounds like nothing else with that "on-board reverb" like you hear on gypsy jazz or quality archtop guitars. In fact, that's what this thing sounds like -- like one of those smaller-bodied Gibson round-hole archtops ala Robert Johnson style. It'll cut and pop and zing, too.

My work included a light fret dress, parts cleaning, general cleaning, and setup. Also sinking some glue into a very tight hairline (hard to see it in the photos) crack on the treble upper bout top (with the grain).

Cool headstock and helpful for identification. While the body style and built (especially the bracing inside) looks like a Regal to me, this headstock is more reminiscent of a Harmony from the times (this guitar is c.1930s).