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Thread: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

  1. #1
    Registered User nmiller's Avatar
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    Default My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    OMI, which owned the Dobro name from 1970 to 1993, was actually started by the same Dopyera brothers who founded National and Dobro in the late 1920s. In 1975, at the sprightly age of 80, Rudy Dopyera decided to commemorate the US's upcoming bicentennial by having the OMI factory build a run of resonator mandolins. Unlike their standard Dobro Ampliphonic mandolin model, these mandolins would bear the Safari brand name, they would be decorated with extensive engraving, many would have chromed brass bodies instead of wood, and they'd be limited to just 21 instruments. If you're wondering what any of these details has to do with the nation's bicentennial, I'm as confused as you are.

    I recently found one of these Safari mandolins and snatched it up, having previously acquired a wood-bodied Ampliphonic from the same year (1975). Unusually, mine only bears the Dobro name. Between this and a few other features not normally found on the Safaris (adjustable truss rod, 3-piece neck), I suspect that mine was a prototype for the rest of the series. Even if that's not true, it's a very cool and unique instrument. It has slightly less volume than my Ampliphonic, with a mellower tone as well. Still, it's louder than the average conventional mandolin. These spider-cone resonators lack the raucous punch of the biscuit cones used by National, but they make up for it with a very sweet tone and superb sustain. The metal body also imparts a bit of natural reverb, kind of like my tricone lap steel. The intonation is slightly off, as if the fretboard were meant for a longer scale (another indication of a prototype, perhaps) but since there's really only access to the first 11 frets, it's not particularly noticeable. The translucent logo in the headstock veneer has crumbled but the pearl underneath has remained, so I'm going to try and replace it by printing a new on on a transparency sheet.

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    With the Ampliphonic, just 24 serial numbers apart:

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    www.OldFrets.com: the obscure side of vintage instruments.

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  3. #2
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Really nice piece of history!

  4. #3
    Market Man Barry Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    I was looking at one like the one on the right today. It had the headstock repaired (crack is barely visible). very interesting sound. chop chords sure sang out... I am debating whether or not to buy it. $600 cdn with a case. has a small dent on back. Also has a pick up. Sorry to babble but I get all excited when I am looking at purchasing new toys.
    Kala tenor ukulele, Mandobird, Godin A8, Dobro Mandolin, Gold Tone mandola, Gold Tone OM, S'oarsey mandocello, Gold Tone Irish tenor banjo, Gold Tone M bass, Taylor 214 CE Koa, La Patrie Concert CW, Fender Strat powered by Roland, Yamaha TRBX174 bass, Epiphone ES-339 with GK1

  5. #4
    Registered User Steve Sorensen's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Really cool.
    Steve
    Steve Sorensen
    Sorensen Mandolin & Guitar Co.
    www.sorensenstrings.com

  6. #5

    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Hello! I have a one of those mandolins, I bought it a long time ago, it's a very unique mandolin, but I don't play it anymore. Would you know what these things are going for these days? I had to please to meet and hang out with John Dopyera jr, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago, at the "Dobro Festival" in Trnava, Slovak Republic, in the late 90s. He confirmed that his uncle, Rudy Dopyera, built this one, and he even build the wooden case for it (it looks a little home-baked!), which I find pretty interesting! Anyway, thanks for your post. I realize it's been a few years, but this is the only result that came up in my search for these unique instruments.

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  7. #6
    Registered User nmiller's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    It's fairly tough to appraise these. On the one hand, they're unique, nifty, playable pieces of history; on the other hand, there isn't a huge market for resonator mandolins in general, and these rarely come up for sale so there's little precedent to go by. I probably paid more than mine is worth, but I didn't mind because I love it both as a mandolin player, a collector, an instrument historian, and a fan of the Dopyeras in particular. I suspect you'd get more from a Dobro or National collector than a practicing mandolinist, though I have noticed standard-model Dobro mandos from the '70s going up in value lately.

    There are any number of instrument dealers that could give you an appraisal, but I recommend RetroFret in NYC if you want someone to put together a detailed written document. They specialize in the obscure and oddball side of vintage instruments, and this would be right up their alley.
    www.OldFrets.com: the obscure side of vintage instruments.

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  9. #7
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    I love the look of these!
    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

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    My band's website

  10. #8
    Registered User Bob Visentin's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    I bought one new in '75. I still have it. I string it up like a 12 string with octave Gs and Ds. I don't play it much any more. It's the one in my avatar pic.

  11. #9

    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Quote Originally Posted by mstoffel@mac.com View Post
    Hello! I have a one of those mandolins, I bought it a long time ago, it's a very unique mandolin, but I don't play it anymore. Would you know what these things are going for these days? I had to please to meet and hang out with John Dopyera jr, who unfortunately passed away a few years ago, at the "Dobro Festival" in Trnava, Slovak Republic, in the late 90s. He confirmed that his uncle, Rudy Dopyera, built this one, and he even build the wooden case for it (it looks a little home-baked!), which I find pretty interesting! Anyway, thanks for your post. I realize it's been a few years, but this is the only result that came up in my search for these unique instruments.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Here is a picture of our Safari Dobro. It has been played for many years..we call it the "banjo killer".
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  12. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Quote Originally Posted by inventor00 View Post
    It has been played for many years..we call it the "banjo killer".
    With so many mandolins graced with that term, there must be a pile of banjo corpses or an entire banjo cemetary somewhere.
    Jim

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  13. #11

    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    With so many mandolins graced with that term, there must be a pile of banjo corpses or an entire banjo cemetary somewhere.
    Yes sir!

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  14. #12

    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    With so many mandolins graced with that term, there must be a pile of banjo corpses or an entire banjo cemetary somewhere.
    We call it that because you can "almost" play as loud as a banjo...

  15. #13

    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Hi Mr Miller could you give me a call regarding the mandolin all chrome 613-738-2994 thanks.

  16. #14
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: My unique Dobro mandolin from 1975

    Late to the party, looks like the 1920's style three "lily of the valley" engraving but the shape of the flower buds are slightly different. Nice!
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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