1940s Regal Archtop Guitar

Tone: This one is bright, snappy, and cuts right in the upper-mids. It makes a great chord-chopper and has a poppy, percussive sound for lead work. I think it's best use as a chord-chopper, though.


Feel: The neck is pretty wide at the nut and giant in its back profile. If you like a big V-neck with wide string spacing and a bit of radius to the board, this has it. The rest of the guitar feels about the same as having a Gibson L-48 or similar in your lap.


Interesting features: The long, thin f-holes were, before WW2, reserved only for carved-top Regal products. In this case, they're being used on a plywood instrument. The painted f-holes are pretty slick in looks and, combined with the binding-less body edges, dark sunburst, and cool pickguard, give it a classic style.


Repairs included: It's had a neck reset, fret level/dress, bridge adjustments/compensation, replacement tuners and tailpiece, and setup work -- all done by my lonesome. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

  • Maker: Regal (Chicago)
  • Model: unsure
  • Body style: archtop
  • Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz
  • Scale length: 25 3/8"
  • Nut width: 1 7/8"
  • Neck shape: big V
  • Board radius: 14"
  • Body width: 15 5/8"
  • Body depth: 3 1/2"
  • Top wood: ply spruce
  • Back & sides wood: ply figured mahogany
  • Bracing type: tonebar
  • Bridge: adjustable ebonized mysterywood (maple?)
  • Fretboard: ebonized mysterywood (maple?)
  • Neck wood: poplar?
  • Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
  • String gauges: 54w-12 lights
  • Truss rod: adjustable
  • Neck relief: straight
  • Fret style: wide/medium

Condition notes: The tuners and tailpiece are replacements. It's otherwise original throughout and in great shape. It does show some weather-check to the finish and some small to medium scratches here and there but overall it looks excellent. The side dots are added.


It comes with: Sorry, no case.


Consignor tag: MM

















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