1930s Regal-made Slingerland MayBell No. 25 Flattop Guitar (#2)
Update: I recently updated the photos, description, and video clip for this guitar.
This is the second of two of this same model I've worked on in the last couple weeks. Both guitars have that "big Regal" ladder-braced voice from the time -- forward, woody, warm, and balanced with good volume -- and the mahogany top just gives them that extra bit of woody velvet to the edges of the tone.
This is the second of two of this same model I've worked on in the last couple weeks. Both guitars have that "big Regal" ladder-braced voice from the time -- forward, woody, warm, and balanced with good volume -- and the mahogany top just gives them that extra bit of woody velvet to the edges of the tone.
This one is a bit rougher than the last with plenty of use-wear in scratches all-over, evidence of a reglued bridge in the past, a couple repaired hairline cracks (one on the top, one on the back), and a repaired-but-damaged fretboard extension.
Work included: repairing that extension sometime in the past and current work included a fret level/dress, bridge shave (plus re-stain/color), relocation of the pinholes farther aft, relocation of the saddle slot, a new set of tuners at the headstock, general cleaning, a bolt-reinforcement for the joint at the neckblock, and a good setup. It plays spot-on with 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE action at the 12th fret, the neck is straight, and it's strung with 52w, 38w, 28w, 22w, 15, 11 "custom light" gauge strings. This is the heaviest I'd use on this for standard tuning. The tone flatpicks well but this really shines as a fingerpicker.
Work included: repairing that extension sometime in the past and current work included a fret level/dress, bridge shave (plus re-stain/color), relocation of the pinholes farther aft, relocation of the saddle slot, a new set of tuners at the headstock, general cleaning, a bolt-reinforcement for the joint at the neckblock, and a good setup. It plays spot-on with 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE action at the 12th fret, the neck is straight, and it's strung with 52w, 38w, 28w, 22w, 15, 11 "custom light" gauge strings. This is the heaviest I'd use on this for standard tuning. The tone flatpicks well but this really shines as a fingerpicker.
Scale length: 25"
Nut width: 1 3/4"
String spacing at nut: 1 1/2"
String spacing at saddle: 2 3/8"
Body length: 18 7/8"
Lower bout width: 15 1/4"
Upper bout width: 11"
Side depth at endblock: 4"
Neck profile: ~14" radius board, big C-shaped rear
Weight: 3 lb, 6 oz
Top wood: solid mahogany, ladder-braced
Back and sides wood: solid mahogany
Neck wood: poplar
Fretboard and bridge: ebonized maple
Condition notes: the tuners are not original and are '50s-looking Kluson-style repros. This does have its original screw-on pickguard but I've opted to keep it off. It will be included with the guitar, though. There are numerous small scratches throughout, mild pickwear, a few smaller repaired cracks (mentioned above), and the bridge is shaved (but touched-up). The fretboard extension shows lots of wear-and-tear from having repaired it after it split in 3 or 4 pieces (typical for ebonized maple). The 15th fret slot was also never cut at the right angle even from the factory and frets 14, 15, and 16 are very thin and low.
It comes with: an older chip case.
It comes with: an older chip case.
I love the "brownburst" finish on this guitar.
The headstock veneer seems to be figured, Cuban-style mahogany.
The board dots are pearl and I've added side dots, too.
When I reprofiled the bridge (I cut it down about 1/16"), I deepened the saddle slot (which had been moved to a compensated angle) and had to fill and redrill the pinholes. I then recolored the bridge and added a bit of faux-wear to make it look more like it did before the shave.
There's what looks like a hairline back crack near the upper-bout, rear just below the heel. It's not through to the inside and nice and firm.
Down here on the lower-bout-rear, there are a couple of repaired, tight, hairline cracks.
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