Folks, this is hands-down one of the best archtops I've played so far -- if what you're after is that classic, '30s/'40s big-band archtop vibe. It's loud, very present in the mids/lower-mids, and has a full-sounding, velvety, "domed-peak" snap to the trebles. They have an odd, back-of-your-mouth, percussive sound to them that I only hear in my most-favorite carved-top guitars from this era (read: fancy Gibsons). It gives them a bit more liveliness that I can't quite describe correctly.
Anyhow, it makes it a lot of fun to play "trad style" but it's a sound that also works great for old-time backup and bass-run, Mother Maybelle-ish stuff. It might be a little too nuanced for country-blues or something that wants a less-even voice, though. I wish the video clip could provide you with exactly the sound that I hear when I play it.
The guitar was basically ready to go structurally/cosmetically when it arrived here for customer repair, but it did need a neck reset. It looks like someone attempted it in the past but didn't get the angle right. The extension "ramped-up" ski-jump style and so the action was a little too high on the treble side and it fretted-out nearing the joint. Oh well.
Post-work, it plays fast and spot-on. The neck is straight even with its long scale and 54w-12 payload. It has a very wide nut and a bulky neck, though, so the feel is not for everyone. That's long been my only gripe with old Regals: folks who have big hands or like wide necks will love them but folks like me who find '50s Gibson C-shaped necks or '60s Fender medium-C/tight radius necks "home base" will find them not quite right. I like these fine for melody work but I choke-up on chords because I do thumb-overs a lot.
Neat note: this guy has Brazilian rosewood back and sides, though the back is ply while the sides are solid. Second neat note: the top is x-braced.
Repairs included: neck reset, fret level/dress, cleaning, slight compensation of the bridge, setup.
Made by: Regal
Made in: Chicago, IL, USA
Top wood: solid spruce (carved)
Back & sides wood: solid Brazilian rosewood sides, ply Braz. rosewood back
Bracing type: x
Bridge: rosewood
Fretboard: rosewood
Neck wood: mahogany
Tone: aggressive, good lower mids/mids, velvety/punchy top-end
Condition notes: it's all-original, crack-free, and clean save minor finish weather-checking and small scratches here and there. There's a little whitish haze/blush -- presumably from the last guy's steam-out of the neck joint -- around the fretboard extension and heel. It's barely visible, though.
This archtop was made by Regal for Montgomery Ward and featured in the 1934 Ward catalog. Many have a "Ward" decal on the headstock but you see others without it. It retailed at $34.95, "usual value $75" for the rosewood one with inlayed position markers and a less expensive maple version with dot markers. Nice instruments if you come across one. Sound great as well for jazz chord voicings.
Scott, this may hurt more than help, but i have a friend who has the tenor version and swears by it! Jake, you are the most together, laid back, rushed person i have ever met.
Hi there! I have almost the same model, with different headstock inlays (three dots instead of the fleur de lis), and different fretboard inlays (a carved floral pattern in mother of pearl). Funnily enough mine has the missing brand decal as well.
Mine is in decidedly worse shape - the veneer on the back is cracking, although I don’t find any structural cracks. The top is worn with a small, deep gouge but again, no cracks. The worst of it is the neck - it needs a reset, I can fit the tip of a thin pick in the gap, the extension has a hump, although this neck angle and hump has stayed stable in the several years I’ve owned it. And the frets are total garbage - I t’s definitely been well played, if not well loved. But it’s mine now and it has major mojo.
Not sure if this is an apropos question for this forum, but around how much could I expect to spend on getting the neck in better shape? Either a reset or a level, and a total refret? It’s playable as is, barely, but it would be lovely to get it in tiptop shape.
The earlier seven-piece necks on Regal-made archtops are far less clunkier. I have a 1935 Washburn 5258 f-hole with a great neck. I guess they weren't cost-effective because by the 1937 catalogs those necks - and most of the models they were attached to - disappeared.
I have access to a guitar identical to this, except it has the three dots on the headstock. Will probably get it, and it will need a neckset. Can't help but wonder what a potential value estimate might be, though. Mine will have the original period Gein case as well.
Hi Pauly - I have this exact instrument with period correct Stone case being offered for sale soon. I don't know your username and tried to contact "pauly(at)gmail.com", but the Email was returned as undeliverable. If you are still looking for this guitar, please leave a comment with how to contact you. If I don't hear back, I will contact Jake and see if he can direct me to you. Thanks! (follow up comments will be directed to my email account).
Comments
Scott V.
Mine is in decidedly worse shape - the veneer on the back is cracking, although I don’t find any structural cracks. The top is worn with a small, deep gouge but again, no cracks. The worst of it is the neck - it needs a reset, I can fit the tip of a thin pick in the gap, the extension has a hump, although this neck angle and hump has stayed stable in the several years I’ve owned it. And the frets are total garbage - I t’s definitely been well played, if not well loved. But it’s mine now and it has major mojo.
Not sure if this is an apropos question for this forum, but around how much could I expect to spend on getting the neck in better shape? Either a reset or a level, and a total refret? It’s playable as is, barely, but it would be lovely to get it in tiptop shape.
Recently picked up a 1935 Regal built oval hole arch top. Seems like a nice build with herringbone binding and interesting art deco fret markers.