Dobro Tom Swatzell model

[bluesman]

Last year I picked up a Tom Swatzell signature model Dobro. It's 62/200 and dates to November of 2000. It plays fabulous. To date I've only found limited information and the only picture is mine, from the advertisement. I'd appreciate any information. Thanks

[Deleted]

I've never heard of Tom Swatzel, but a little googling got these results -



he met and was friendly with Ed Dopera, one of the family who founded OMI



www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1567511.html





and wrote a book, Country Dobro Guitar Styles,available on Amazon.



www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JW7YKQS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1



and is playing on




Sounds an interesting  character and a great guitar.

[bluesman]

George, that info I found but nothing on the signature model. Never saw that video Thanks

[leeophonic]

I would hazard a guess this is under the banner of the Gibson ownership of Dobro, they had a few artist models, Phil Leadbetter, Jerry Douglas etc. Unfortunately Gibson were not interested in the heritage or the development of the Dobro brand, shame because there is a Gold mine of a back catalog to re-issue, sorry if this sounds like sour grapes as some of those Dobros are nice guitars.

Lee

[bluesman]

Lee, yes this guitar was made under the direction of Gibson. It says 62/200. Wonder were the other 199 are?

[Michael Messer]

This is not in any way negative towards the late Tom Swatzell, but as Lee has pointed out, Gibson never dealt with the Dobro brand properly and this was no accident.

The serial number 062 of 200 was written by hand with a metallic gold marker. This shows that while Gibson did promote this model and call it the Tom Swatzell signature Dobro, they didn't actually manufacture it with his name on. I have a feeling that along with a few others at this time when Gibson were running the Dobro name down, that this model was not made in the USA. That doesn't mean it is not a great guitar, I am just pointing it out. Any research on this model leads me to conversations similar to this one on other forums.

There are many signature guitars these days, it is usually not a tribute or homage to the artist, but a business person clutching at straws to generate extra sales. Martin do it with numerous artists names, National Reso-Phonic Guitars have done a few in recent years and so have others. Regarding the Dobro brand; apart from Josh Graves, Brother Oswald and Jerry Douglas, no other names will sell more than a handful of instruments.

Enjoy your guitar and its history will unfold over time

Shine On
Michael

[amccj7]

www.tomswatzell.com/www/indexxb.htm

[Brad Bechtel]

There were a number of Dobro® Artist Signature models made in the mid-1990s. Besides Jerry Douglas and Brother Oswald, there were models honoring Tom Swatzell, Al Perkins, Josh Graves, and Phil Leadbetter. Unfortunately their manufacturing was a bit of a crap shoot. Some were really pretty good, others not so good.

The Blue Book of Guitar Values has some more information.

bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/AcousticGuitar/169/DOBRO_ACOUSTIC_ARTIST_SIGNATURE_SERIES

[Michael Messer]

Mar 15, 2022 2:55:43 GMT Brad Bechtel said:

There were a number of Dobro® Artist Signature models made in the mid-1990s. Besides Jerry Douglas and Brother Oswald, there were models honoring Tom Swatzell, Al Perkins, Josh Graves, and Phil Leadbetter. Unfortunately their manufacturing was a bit of a crap shoot. Some were really pretty good, others not so good.

The Blue Book of Guitar Values has some more information.

bluebookofguitarvalues.com/#/SearchCategory/AcousticGuitar/169/DOBRO_ACOUSTIC_ARTIST_SIGNATURE_SERIES

Brad, Thanks, that's a good link.

I was aware of all the artists that were honoured in the 90s, I mentioned those three because they were the ones most likely to generate a decent amount of sales.

When I played at Dobrofest in 1998 the organisers invited me to play the signed Jerry Douglas model that was on display in their Dobro museum. It really isn't the greatest of instruments and it is still proudly displayed in the museum in Trnava. I hope to return to Trnava someday, it is a beautiful place and the people are wonderful.



Shine On
Michael

[Brad Bechtel]

I've personally seen and played the Jerry Douglas and Phil Leadbetter artist signature Dobro® guitars in the past. They weren't bad, but there are a lot better choices for the money they were asking at the time. I've read in the past elsewhere that both Jerry and Phil were frustrated by Gibson's handling of the Dobro® move from California to Nashville during that time period. There were too many people who were not experienced in reps-phonic guitar construction who were making these models.

Jerry Douglas subsequently signed with Beard Guitars and has an excellent model by them. Phil Leadbetter's own model by Recording King is a very good option for less money.

That Tom Swatzell model looks like a good one. I hope you enjoy it!

[bluesman]

Thanks for all of the great information. I followed Brad's link to the blue book and bought the description and pricing for my model. It's worth much more than I paid for it. Im happy about that. It is in excellent condition and plays and sounds excellent. It is also inked by Max Wiseman in August of 2004. The case has a sticker from the 2009 CMA for artist access. Also included a business card from Mr. Swatzell. The above information makes me like this guitar even more.