The Steel Guitar Forum

I recently bought a old 1935 Dobro (I think) Model 27 S/N 7656. It's in pretty rough shape though, The guitar needs a major set up. The neck is very straight, but looks to be pulling away, it is missing a few fret markers. The resonator is dull sounding etc... I was wondering ballpark, what it might cost to reset everything, ( it plays now), maybe a new cone installed? Any recommendations for a luthier in Chicago? Should I ship it out? Is it worth it?

Thanks for any advice!

Try shooting Frankie Montuoro an email - he is the best.

Could well be worth fixing, especially if you plan to play it as a steel guitar. These pre wars are relatively quite simple in neck and body design, and no where as finicky or complex as say a pre war Martin. You can pick up simple "how to books" on the subject. Bev King of "Country Heritage" in Arkansas used to carry much information on them. Good luck. Jay Y.

James, sure it's worth getting it restored. Frankie Montuoro has a great reputation as a luthier, but how much work has he done on old Dobros? I have no idea.

Here are three dobro luthiers, and the third (Bobby Wright) is strictly a setup man. Gregg McKenna is a member here, and I know he has revived plenty of old Dobros. Frank Harlow is the closest to you (Vandalia, Ohio) and he is a magician for getting great sound out of a resonator guitar. All three of these gentleman I'm sure could do wonders with this guitar.

http://www.harlowresonatorguitars.com/Harlow/Home.html

http://www.mckennaguitars.com/


http://www.customresosetup.com/

Well, I sure would like to get it back in playing condition. I do not need any more wall hangers! Thanks again for the information.

Mark Eaton wrote:James, sure it's worth getting it restored. Frankie Montuoro has a great reputation as a luthier, but how much work has he done on old Dobros? I have no idea.

Frankie spent years working at Billy Asher's Guitar Traditions shop, so im guessing it would be no problem at all. Frankie is also a Chicago local.

....

Here are before and after photos of a 1935 National Duolian, which I recently repaired. $450 included installing a carbon fiber rod in the neck, neck reset, level and dress frets, removing the non-original silver paint, and applying a coat of primer to the body. It could use a new cone, but it still sounds great!

And here I am, tryin' to make my cheapo look like your "before" pic!

Yeah, it's funny how we fix up old things and "antique" new ones