c.1935 Regal Archtop Guitar

Update 2012: I forgot to edit this post a couple years ago. The top and sides on Regal models like this are definitely solid but the backs tend to be ply. This is a pattern that many makers of the time followed -- including Gibson for its Kalamazoo-brand 16" archtops.

Ever since selling this beautiful Kleartone (click for link) I've always wanted to have one of these old Regal archtop guitars. They're classy, play great, and have a big, focused, clear, and loud tone. This one's a keeper -- for the moment? -- hmm!

Admittedly, this guitar's a bit plainer than that one, but still has the looks with a nitro finish in excellent shape, gorgeous deep sunburst everywhere, cream binding top and back, a hefty maple neck, and gloriously flamed maple on the back and sides and bearclaw-y spruce on the top.

Jury's out on whether this one's a ply guitar, as the stain is so dark it's hard to see any grain at the f-holes, but I have my suspicions, as many of these old archtops were pressed top and backs which was facilitated by the wood being ply. Either way... tone is rich, sustained, doesn't break up when pressured, and very full. Can't complain at all!

Fretboard looks like an ebonized fruitwood of some sort.

Pretty, huh? All-original, too, save the old Kluson tuner set from my parts bin, which has gained some new "Antique Acoustics" cream buttons. They certainly look the part!

Rosewood adjustable bridge, plain-but-functional tailpiece.

Original bone nut, cool decal... and brass frets. Fretboard is radiused (yay!) and wide (also yay!).

Stunning wood here!









Overall, quite happy with the guitar. Like most archtops, the action is excellent (well, after I gave it a fret dress and setup, of course) and the playability is super easy. Here's a note to you flattop players... archtop players feel less tension because of a longer string length giving more "spring"... hence a light set of strings feels like playing an extra-light set, a medium set feels like playing a light, etc.