1971 Dobro Model D Metal-Body Resonator Guitar

Overview: This is likely a '71 Dobro D (though this style starts in the very late '60s) and looks, at a glance, similar to old National Style Os with 14-fret necks, especially since it has etching to the finish. The differences add-up pretty quickly, though -- this has small f-holes, a bigger biscuit-style cone, Dobro-style coverplate, and a '60s-style, more-modern neck profile with a radiused fretboard.

I really like Dobro products from this era -- they have some nice improvements over old resonators and are easier to play when they're dialed-in, though they definitely have their quirks. The sound from these cones is both warmer and rounder than a normal National-style biscuit cone, but it has about the same "bark" and carrying-power but less sing-song stuff going on.

Repairs included: Jose and I reset the neck and then he leveled and dressed the frets, compensated the saddle, seated the cone nicely, and set it all up. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 8 lbs 14 oz
• Scale length: 24 1/2"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: slimmer-medium C
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 0.78"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.95"
• Body width: 14"
• Body depth: 3 1/8"
• Body: metal
• Cone type: single cone/wider
• Bridge: maple
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• 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: medium vintage

Condition notes: The face dots in the fretboard extension are replacements (we had to total the originals during reset). The finish has some wear and tear throughout, as you can see. It appears to be original aside from those dots. We excavated the truss rod cavity a little more to allow for modern truss tools to grip the end of the rod (all hidden under the cover).

It comes with: It's got a good hard case.

Consignor tag: MKWD