1921 Dobro

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 30 Dec 2018 2:29 pm

What is a 1921 Dobro worth in good condition? Thanks for all the help I can get.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 30 Dec 2018 3:05 pm

There was no Dobro in 1921.

A photo series or complete description will help identify what you have.

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Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 30 Dec 2018 4:37 pm

Thanks I found that out did not start making them till 28 I was just taking a mans word and he was told that too lol.

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Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 30 Dec 2018 4:39 pm

hope this helps some

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 30 Dec 2018 5:04 pm

Lyle, is there a number stamped in the top of the headstock? That will help the pros here on the forum.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 30 Dec 2018 5:18 pm

As Howard wrote above, need more info.

This appears to be a Regal-built (Chicago) Model 25 Dobro from the late 1930s up to around 1940.

Is there a serial number stamped on the tip of the headstock?

Not real easy to tell the condition in these photos, looks somewhere between "fair" and "good."

Ballpark estimate: $850-$900

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 1 Jan 2019 7:12 pm

Thanks I got the same from others too. Ones said model 19 I think it was but thanks for all the help.

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 1 Jan 2019 7:13 pm

David in that era Regal did not use serial #'s that is what makes it hard.

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 1 Jan 2019 7:14 pm

Thanks I got the same from others too. Ones said model 19 I think it was but thanks for all the help.

Mark MacKenzie · Post by **Mark MacKenzie** » 3 Jan 2019 1:09 pm

I had to take a double look. I thought that was mine. Mine has ebony pegs facing up.

Here's mine. '37 Regal made Dobro I bought from Gene Wooten. No soundwell. Prettiest sunburst ever, I think.
But, one of the sweetest sounding dobros ever. Not loud but sweet wood sound.

Mine has the Serial number on the end of the head stock, 3049.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 3 Jan 2019 1:30 pm

Never got to meet him, but I sure miss the playing of Gene Woooten. One of the very best, and maybe the all time dobro "king of the slant."

Two interesting points since my last post in this topic.

1. Mark McKenzie's guitar is a Model 19, because it doesn't have a soundwell. Lyle, do you know if your guitar has a soundwell? If so it would make it a Model 25 per my earlier post. If not then it's a 19.

2. RE serial number from that era of Regal-built Dobros: some had them while others didn't. And due to the sketchy history, there really isn't any knowledge as to the rhyme or reason behind this.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 7 Jan 2019 3:21 pm

It does appear to be a model 25. They were made from 1936-1941.

It's impossible to provide even a ballpark price without more comprehensive pictures, at minimum:

Full top and back (straight on - not at an angle)
Full shots of both sides
Same from the bottom (towards tailpiece)
One of the coverplate - nothing cut off, in precise focus
Front and back of the headstock.

For a more accurate but informal appraisal, these would also be needed:

Body top
Body back
left and right neck
let and right body
One of the spider and cone with coverplate removed.

One of the inside *if* the cone can be removed. If it's glued/nailed in place only a pro should remove it. But it's critical to know 1) if it has a soundwell, and 2) the shape o the holes. If you can't remove the cone, shine a small flashlight through the F holes and try to determine if there's a round wood "well" roughly the diameter of the cone. You might need a flashlight and mirror instead. Also determine if the holes are round or parallelogram shaped.

Here's why all the detail - Current Vintage price Guide range is $1500-1950 in excellent condition ()it has the production dates wrong, but that's irrelevant.. The previous estimate may be correct if it's only in "fair" condition; low if it's good or better.

Please understand that's a dealer selling price range - NT what a dealer will pay for it. They generally buy for about half; Private party selling prices are generally 20% or so lower. But condition is key, and very few instruments...Dobros from the 30's especially...are in "excellent" condition.

What look like finish issues or cracks in the current pictures could be simply bad angles, lighting, or dirt or dust on the surface. I've purchased a couple of 30's Dobros on eBay that looked like restoration projects; but they were just dirty - and in almost mint condition!

Hope that gives you a better idea of how to determine price.