1930s Dobro Roundneck Resonator Guitar

Overview: Dobro produced a lot of varied models in the '30s. This one has the body shape that is more often seen on instruments without their branding but using their cones and hardware (ie, Gretsch, Regal, Rex, etc.) and it's a Regal-made body. Interestingly, this one has proper Dobro branding and sharp looks -- with wood binding and a v-shaped "faux grain" paintjob on top.

Interesting features: The cone, coverplate, and tailpiece are all original Dobro equipment. If you haven't played these old resonators, the Dobro sound of a guitar like this sits in a curious spot -- they're warmer and have more sustain than a National single-cone-style guitar but their volume and punch is only about the oomph you might get out of a decent archtop guitar. It's the upper-mids-humped frequency response, however, that allows these to sit just so in a mix and cut through.

Repairs included: Previously, someone had repaired a break in the headstock. A neck reset had also been attempted but said reset was a little on the folksy side and so I had to do another one. After that, Sarah gave it a level/dress of the frets, I helped her goose the saddle back to functionality, and then she took it through final setup and adjustments. A previous repairman also fit a new nut at some point. It's now playing spot-on and is ready to serve. Action is set for strumming/fingerpicking but if you're a slider, we can swap the saddle for a taller one if need be.

• Weight: 4 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 25"
• Nut width: 1 25/32"
• Neck shape: big V
• Board radius: 16"
• Depth at first fret: 1 1/32"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1 11/64"
• Body width: 14 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 1/2"
• Body: ply birch
• Cone type: spider-bridge
• Bridge: maple saddle, aluminum spider
• Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar
• Neck wood: poplar
• 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
• Fret style: medium/low

Condition notes: In the process of the first neck reset job, the fretboard extension area got a little kinked/wonky from being crushed a bit when reglued (ebonized maple is not the hardest wood as it ages) and so frets 14/15/16 sit a little lower than the rest of the board on the treble side. There is a clamping divot on the back of the heel from the last repairman. There are scratches and small nicks and dings and whatnot throughout the finish. The headstock was broken and repaired and is holding steady. We added side dots. It's currently got a set of nickel or monel strings on it, which are a nice sound, though phosphor bronze or the like would be a hair louder.

It comes with: It does have an old chip case, as I recall.

Consignor tag: HKST