1930s Slingerland MayBell (Regal) Parlor Guitar

Overview: While branded Slingerland, MayBell, and American Conservatory of Music, the fact of the matter is that this guitar was made by Regal for the brand. We've worked on at least a dozen of these over the years and, due to their particular style of ladder bracing, they tend to sound warmer and fuller than the average similarly-built guitar of the time. These make great, folksy fingerpickers and, for the right person, a good country-blues box. I even know one performer who uses one to great effect in old-time backup, but you have to have the right touch (a little lighter on the right hand) to "thump" on them while not making them sound overdriven. It's "standard size" for the time which is just a hair smaller than Martin 0 sizing.

Interesting features: The top, back, and sides are all solid birch. The bridge is a modern rosewood one but the rest of the instrument appears original. The stenciled "rosette" and "binding" give it a down-market, non-fussy appeal and the brown-to-ruddy sunburst is a nice look.

Repairs included: It's had a neck reset, crack repairs to either side of the neckblock, hairline crack repair of the neckblock itself (there's also a hidden bolt in the block to stabilize it for good), a fret level/dress, side dots added, a new bone saddle, cleaning, and setup done. We may have had to reglue some bracing, too. I think this was a joint project between myself, Ancel, and Jose. Anyhow, it's all good to go and has been stable since we finished work just before the holidays last year

• Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
• Scale length: 23 7/8"
• Nut width: 1 7/8"
• Neck shape: medium-full C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 13 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 7/8"
• Top wood: solid birch
• Back & sides wood: solid birch
• Bracing type: ladder with main brace angled ("transverse")
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar
• Neck wood: poplar
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 50w-11
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/narrower

Condition notes: It has crack repairs on the sides right near the neckblock. The neckblock itself has repairs. The bridge is replaced. There are a few filled dryness hairline cracks in the fretboard. There is a strap button added at the endpin area. It's got plenty of usewear in evidence via light scratching throughout and weather-check to the finish and whatnot.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: CKMN