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Post by honeyboy on Jan 12, 2010 21:30:22 GMT
"We are very proud to offer for sale the combined collection of John and Rudy Dopyera. Few instrument makers represent the American Dream quite as completely as these two inventors, innovators, marketers, and all-around creative force behind both the National and Dobro companies." Rudy Dopyera passed away in 1978 and left his instruments and workshop to brother John, at that time 85 years old. When John passed on in 1988 the combined instruments and contents of the two workshops were packed up and put in storage by the family. Family members have now decided to sell the existing collection, plus the historic workbenches on which the brothers did much of their early work. Dopyera 12 instrument collection The first National tricone guitar was created on this workbench. John Dopyera used it his whole life and referred to it as a "guitar vise." It had several sleeves which could be inserted to form-fit the bodies of instruments from guitars to ukuleles. John Dopyera's workbench Full catalogue of collection here as a PDF (quite large file).. Bids invited here
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 12, 2010 23:30:02 GMT
This collection, owned by John Dopyera's son, John E Dopyera (who I know), has been for sale for a few years. The exhibits are interesting, but they are not really interesting enough to captivate serious collectors. Most of these pieces, although they were handbuilt by John and Rudy, are not really the golden egg.
So this collection which has been for sale for a few years now has been moved around from the Dopyera's home to the Eerie Museum and a couple of years ago to Elderly Instruments. My personal favourite piece is the very mad looking electric Dobro built by John in the 1970s. My reason for that is I remember reading an interview with John in 1976 just after he had made it, and he was convinced it was the way forward! Some of the pieces in the photograph have now been sold.
The violin is interesting and quaint and it was built by John, but it is not as interesting to me as John & Rudy''s early 1920s handbuilt instruments. They are the real holy grail.
Just over ten years ago a recording project was talked about that never materialised. The idea was to record with the instruments from this collection. I forget now who was going to be involved, but I do remember that I was one of the musicians. Had the collection contained John & Rudy's handbuilt National instruments from the 1920s I am sure the project would have gone ahead.
The Dopyera brothers were obsessive prolific inventors and they never stopped inventing and patenting all kinds of crazy stuff (much of it was nothing to do with musical instruments) right up to the end of their lives. John was also an early pioneer of what we now call organic health food and super-foods. Back then he was just considered a crank with his unusual eating habits. Fascinating stuff.
Shine On Michael
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Post by subtoxin on Jan 13, 2010 3:32:55 GMT
If I were a violin player I'd be going after that reso violin for sure That bass looks really cool also. Maybe they ought to consider breaking it up versus selling it as a collection. That way these instruments might actually get played.
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Post by honeyboy on Jan 13, 2010 10:39:10 GMT
I too absolutely love the '70's Dobro WeissenbornEven has the original De Armond pickup that the Teisco gold foil was copied from..
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 13, 2010 11:19:37 GMT
Yes it is beautiful in a mad way! I love the little compartment for keeping wires, picks, slides and other necessities for the road.
Shine On Michael
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Post by percythewonderant on Jan 13, 2010 11:59:11 GMT
Thanks for digging this out Honeyboy, This is the collection that I mentioned else where. Along with the fiddle ended rack, the lap steel with a small cupboard would make a fine addition to any room, though there might be one or two rattles if you tried to play it with anything left in the compartment. When it comes to amplifying a resonator Rudy Dopyera didn't seem to mind the idea of a pick up.
Most people would have seen the Folkstar as dead in the water 20 years ago and here it comes again! The reso fiddle would have been a bit scary in the wrong hands! The saxophone has taken a while to get accepted in orchestral music. Perhaps with the current renaissance of resonator instruments the Dopyera fiddle will eventually catch on, and just maybe the time of the 'mad dobro' is yet to come!
Good to see them again. Cheers Percy
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Post by snakehips on Jan 13, 2010 21:09:42 GMT
Hi there !
I feel stupid asking this, but, which one is the "very mad looking electric Dobro built by John in the 1970s" ??
Is it the one with the Dearmond soundhole pickup, unceremoniously plonked onto that weird Weissenborn thing ?
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 14, 2010 10:17:13 GMT
Snakehips, that is correct.
Shine On Michael
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Post by percythewonderant on Jan 14, 2010 13:03:38 GMT
I agree with sub toxin maybe that bass should be broken up - but can I ask the questions that Iasked over on that other thread again? " what was the connection between National and 'Radiotone'? The name has cropped up in the modern NRP catalogue but I first came across the name associated with reasonable quality laminate F hole archtops imported in the 40's - 50's. And another thing while I am straying off topic - why are the Semi Moserite resonators so overlooked? Still off topic I guess Cheers Perce
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Post by Mark Makin on Jan 14, 2010 13:25:22 GMT
Hello perce Here is a pic of Florence jeffreys playing a Radiotone resonator in 1930s. There has been much discussion about whether these had anything to do with the original National Company. My answer would be NO. I can't give you chapter and verse on these resonators (I call 'em "fishtails") but we believe they are European made. The best set of information that I've trawlled up so far indicates they were built in the city of Cheb in Egerland province in Czechoslovakia before the War. They are believed to come from the (wait for it!) SCHONBACH MUSIKPRODUKTIV GENOSSENSCHAFT factory and were built mainly for export. The argument continues about the similarity to Nationals mainly because there appear to be such similarities in neck shape, body shape, f hole shape etc. I suspect that NRPs use of the name may come from the "American" version of Radiotones - a cheap brand making poor quality Weissenborn type instruments. Anyway, it's a nice sounding 30s musical name. Why not ask Don at NRP - he'll tell you. As far as Mosrite goes, basically they are not very good instruments. It doesn't stop notable people from using them however like Roy Rogers etc. I don't mean they are rubbish but they are akin to the desirablity of OMI instruments. As we discussed somewhere else though, if you want to play 12 string Dobro - they are the only choice. They manufactured the Columbia and the Lexington in both acoustic and electric 12 string form.
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 14, 2010 13:50:52 GMT
Hi Perce,
Sorry, we appear to have missed your question on the other thread.
There was/is no connection at all between Radiotone and National/National Reso-Phonic. Radiotone is a cool name, I think that is about it.
The connection with Mosrite and Dobro is different. There is a whole story there about Mosrite acquiring the Dobro company in 1966. Mark knows the history of this much better than me.
Regarding the guitars; back in the early 70s I always wanted a Mosrite electric Dobro. Wonderful looking machines, but not a great tone. The 12 string models became the most popular. I have played a few of the 12 string models, three of these are a couple of Eric Clapton's and Roy Rogers one. They are okay when plugged in, Roy's sounds great, but as acoustic guitars not great. Mark is correct in that they fall into OMI territory as instruments and as collectables. I always liked the Mosrite Californian and Monterey models.
The Mosrites that have car hubcap coverplates (the Plainsman and Avalon) are National type cones and the others (Columbia, Lexington, Richmond, Uncle Josh, Texarkana, Bluegrass) are Dobro spider bridge cones.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 16, 2010 13:49:56 GMT
Just bumping this thread because Percy asked a question on another thread that did eventually get answered on this one.
Shine On Michael
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Post by percythewonderant on Jan 16, 2010 16:54:28 GMT
Thanks Michaels, That is the same # Headstock inlay as the laminate archtops that I mentioned had. So they were the same manufacturer. I rather like the look of that Radiotone resonator. I didn't even know that they existed. Mystery solved. From what I remember the Jazzers were very playable. Nice comfortable guitars with wide finger boards and, despite not having a truss rod, a slim profile neck.
Cheers Perce
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Post by garrysmith on Jan 16, 2010 17:30:29 GMT
You'd soon recognise resophonic fiddle players. They'd be the ones who could only hear in their right ear.
I do know somebody who owns, and is not afraid to use, a Stroh fiddle.
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Post by subtoxin on Jan 16, 2010 23:27:44 GMT
You'd soon recognise resophonic fiddle players. They'd be the ones who could only hear in their right ear. LOL! Oh yeah, didn't think about that. That guy who uses the Stroh, does he have a website, or any audio clips/videos? I'd like to see that! Having read Brozman's book I always wondered in that reso harp was ever made? One day when I'm rich I'll hire a reso luthier to make the first metal body Dyer style resonator harp guitar. I don't think it's ever been done before.
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