resonator/mando..year and value?

[davidb1]

Hi, anyone have any idea of the value and year of this resonator Mandolin on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=231018973986
thanks.

[Marty Jacobson]

Looks like it's from the 30's. But I'm not an expert.

[allenhopkins]

I would say mid-1930's to early 1940's. Some of these Dobro/Regal instruments had the f-holes in the upper bout, as this one does; others had round holes with metal screens. Supposedly production of these instruments shut down when we entered WWII, so it wouldn't be later.

There should be a serial number stamped into the top edge of the headstock. In this 2008 thread I quoted some serial number info on Dobros, which is pretty sketchy, but about as good as I can find. If the resonator coverplate has "National Dobro Co." stamped into it, the mandolin should be post-1937, which I guess is when National and Dobro merged into a single company.

As to price, these used to be pretty cheap, but times have changed and there's a limited supply of the old instruments. I'd say it would be under $1K, perhaps $700 or so, on the market -- assuming that there's only the superficial corrosion on the coverplate, and no problems with the resonator cone, spider bridge, etc.

It's around $300 right now, and I'd take a chance on it at that price (if I didn't have one already). These are fun little instruments, not particularly well-made in terms of the wood used, but with a neat, distinctive sound.

[JeffD]

I am going to guess 1940. I remember seeing a video (can't find it right off) of someone finger picking a very similar looking instrument, with every other string removed. It was decribed as a 1940 Resonator Dobro mandolin "converted" to a tenor guitar.

That is a cool piece. I have no idea as to value. Or how it will sound.

[davidb1]

Thanks gents for your information.I am tempted to bid on it as would like a reso/mando..We shall see how the bidding goes.

[vegas]

Thanks gents for your information.I am tempted to bid on it as would like a reso/mando..We shall see how the bidding goes.

I would ask the seller to take the outer cover off and show the condition of the cone resonator and the spider bridge. That will expose all the inner workings so get pics of those too.

[Grommet]

Anyone happen to notice what this one went for?

Scott

[allenhopkins]

Anyone happen to notice what this one went for?...

$429.24

Odd price, but a bargain if it was structurally sound.

[Grommet]

Thanks Allen,
Indeed, would have thought 700ish, but perhaps there were chores to e tended to. I would like to try one of these someday.

Scott

[beat on]

Moderator's edit. Post deleted. Duplicated in other threads.