1930 Dobro Model 55 Roundneck Resonator Guitar

This is one of the coolest old wood-body Dobros I've had the chance to play in the shop so far. Its serial number places it at 1930 on the dot, though we can't always be completely sure that the serialization is always correct. It has a coverplate, tailpiece, and soundhole rings that are sprayed "brownburst" which is an unusual thing for the time but definitely done at the factory.

It's a little lighter-weight and the ply feels a little thinner than on most period Dobros that I've handled. As a result, it has a bit of a warmer, woodier tone to it. The neck is on the bigger side for a roundneck but it's a "generous C" profile with a flat, rosewood board, so it feels nicer-grade than many of the National necks made during the same time (which used an ebonized maple board and a chunky V shape).

Post-repairs, the instrument is in good order, sturdy as can be, and plays spot-on.

Repairs included: neck angle adjustments (inside body, they're built for it...), a fret level/dress, side dots, new saddles for the bridge, cone seating/bridge seating for correct intonation, setup, etc.

Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz

Scale length: 24 5/8"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Neck shape: medium-full C

Board radius: flat

Body width: 14 1/4"

Body depth: 3 1/4"

Body: ply birch or ply maple, not sure

Cone type: spider cone, 4-hole "vented"

Bridge: spider

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

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

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight with just a hair of upbow throughout (1/64" or less)

Fret style: medium-narrow

Condition notes: it has a ton of finish weather-checking, wear, and peel but that's par for the course on a lot of old Dobros. It's 100% original except for two new rosewood saddles at the bridge. There's a tiny, non-through, hairline crack in the side of the heel near where a "heel cap" would be, but as it's lower than where the dowel insert meets the neck, it's a non-issue and it's been glued and filled. I can't even really photograph it well as it looks like a scratch. Oh -- and the logo decal at the headstock has been worn-away. That's also pretty typical for the old Dobros.

It comes with: a hard case.

Consignor tag: STH