1940s Regal Bobcat Carved-Top Archtop Guitar

Update 2024: This guitar is back here for resale and so I've updated the post where necessary. It has remained stable since I worked on it back in 2020.

Overview: I was psyched when I heard that a buddy was sending-in a Regal Bobcat. I'm a big fan of Regal carved-top guitars as they have a "Gibson-y" sound to them that's mixed with a little more of the cut and growl of an Epiphone carved-top from the same period. They also always look gorgeous and their handling is nice, too.

But, back to the Bobcat -- these models are absurdly-rare and they tick all the boxes -- pro feel, deco-lovely looks, and pro sound. Did I mention the looks? The deco block inlay in the board? The two-tone-blue headstock veneer? It's a looker.

After ironing-out its smallish issues, this thing plays like a gem and sounds better than as I was expecting. It sounds a lot like a good Gibson carved-top but I find the woodier and punchier top-end a little more fun to play lead work on.

Repairs included: neck reset, fret level/dress, bridge mods (reinforce saddle and compensate it), reinforce damaged pickguard (added layer of tortoise material behind it), setup.

Made by: Regal

Model: Bobcat

Made in: Chicago, IL, USA

Serial number: 191 (back of headstock)

Top wood: solid spruce (carved)

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Tone: chunky, woody, good solid mids, good punchy/full highs

Suitable for: trad jazz, old time backup, blues, country-blues, vintage popular

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: ~12"

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-big

Scale length: 25 3/8"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

String spacing at nut: 1 3/8"

String spacing at bridge: 2 1/4"

Body length: 20 1/2"

Body width: 16 5/8"

Body depth: 4"

Weight: 5 lb 5 oz

Condition notes: all-original, no cracks, quite clean save for minor usewear, playwear, and the usual age-related finish checking. The outgassed original pickguard is damaged in several placed but I reinforced it. It will eventually fail but is still going strong. Likewise, the too-thin original saddle/bridge topper got a layer of rosewood reinforcement added to it to stiffen it up. 

It comes with: a presumably-original semi-hard case in good order. Check out the lining!