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Post by Mark Makin on May 24, 2008 19:54:05 GMT
Hello 1928 Well spotted! We're of the opinion that all early metal Triolians were 3 piece german silver bodies. O 183 and O 207 are german silver. It seems that early P series Triolians up to at least 243P are also German silver. The walnuts are steel by at least 168W so they COULD be built slightly later. It seems likely that the first bodies of single cones were silver and then steel and then brass. The different ranges of Triolian COULD have been built at the same time and not following one another as Bobs list would suggest. In this case, a walnut paint job would get a W, a bakelite neck would get an A etc.. but the bodies would be the same batch. With the number totals of the O series running through the early P series to 243 or so- we have a possibility of around 500 german silver three piece metal Triolians. Interesting, eh?
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Post by Mark Makin on May 23, 2008 15:52:53 GMT
Heres a pic from September last year - and heres the latest. Clever isn't he?
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Post by Mark Makin on May 23, 2008 13:41:54 GMT
I'll let you know when I see it Bill - at the moment Fred can tell you more than I can as it's still in Paris!! Best Mark
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Post by Mark Makin on May 23, 2008 9:26:42 GMT
Hello Fred As you've already jumped the gun with the appearance of this guitar - I'll fill you in with my comments. I found this on Ebay for $200. As you say it was a wreck - it was also badly photographed. Two reasons why people would normally avoid the instrument. It also looks similar to a run-of-the-mill Trojan. If you're going to find these deals - you MUST know what you're looking at. There's no substitute for background knowledge. As you say, they are RARE - this is only the 5th one to turn up. Most people think Estralitas are something NRP dreamt up! They were built as a replacement for the El Trovador in 1934 so they have the same characteristics, mahogany, binding round the coverplate etc and special fingerboard markers. They were nearly as expensive as Style 0s in 1934 coming in at $55. The larger body shell made it useful for orchestral accompanists.
The second factor after knowing what you've got - is knowing where to take it. As you are aware and Michael Messer and I KEEP saying - Mike Lewis is the ONLY choice.
You made one mistake in your appraisal of Mike, Fred - he is not "A" first class craftsman for resophonics - he is "THE" first class craftsman. Best Mark
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Post by Mark Makin on May 17, 2008 19:39:15 GMT
Hello Stephen At first sight (pics are a bit small) - no earlier than 1934 - no later than 1936/7. It would have a solid headstock after this time. I suspect earlier rather than later as it has a stamped logo not a decal.
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Post by Mark Makin on May 13, 2008 7:28:30 GMT
Couldn't agree more John! Best Mark
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Post by Mark Makin on May 11, 2008 9:51:41 GMT
Hi Windmill Don't be obtuse!
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Post by Mark Makin on May 10, 2008 11:58:32 GMT
I have to agree with Michael. This argument is similar to the ones you have with people who own classic sportscars. They spend every weekend underneath them but never drive them anywhere.
I have owned over 60 Nationals and certainly many things have been in need of adjustment and repair - but NEVER have I worried about intonation. I think GerryCs comment about pushing it till it meets the note you expect to hear is spot on!!
Lets just enjoy playing the things!
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Post by Mark Makin on May 9, 2008 12:39:44 GMT
Hello David There is an excellent 200 page publication by John Teagle called "Washburn - over 100 years of fine stringed instruments". It costs around $29 and is published by Amsco (American Music Sales Corp).It has most of the printed ephemera from the Lyon and Healey early years in 1883 up to the latest 21st century stuff. There is also a newish book called a "History of Washburns" by Hubert Pleijsier You should be able to get copies off the web from places like JKLutherie.com.
Best Mark
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Post by Mark Makin on Mar 4, 2008 12:00:22 GMT
Hello Geoff The actual history of Dopyera Originals and Hound Dogs goes like this!:
1950s - Ed and Rudy made some guitars under the DB ORIGINAL label. The logo is blue and yellow with stars on it and a diagonal banner with the word ORIGINAL in it.
1962 - In El Monte California, DB ORIGINALS were made in greater numbers. Shield had ORIGINAL vertically down it between the letters DB. These guitars like the Uncle Josh and the Deacon Brumfield have a very similar look to the later Mosrite guitars. They were distributed by Standel.
1965.January - production is now in Gardena, CA.
1966. - Semie Mosely of Mosrite acquires Dobro. 100 or so DB ORIGINALS are branded with Mosrite Dobro metal logos. Most made at Mosrites factory in Bakersfield.
1966. - Ed and Rudy Dopyera carry on with resonators but now cannot use the Dobro name. Instruments are called REPLICA 66s. These have plastic coverplates and the Dobro fan patterns are reversed with the curves of the fan outwards.
1967 - OMI is formed in Gardena and their brand name is HOUND DOG. The first logo shows the Hound Dog looking at a 3/4 angle with a guitar neck over its head.
1968-71. - The hound Dog logo looks straight ahead with the words ORIGINAL HOUND DOG over the dogs head.
1970 - Rights to the Dobro name were reacquired. They carried on using the Hound Dog name for a time and even introduced the DOPERA ORIGINAL name and logo for metal bodied guitars.
1993 - Gibson acquired OMI and changed it to the OAI division. (Original Acoustic Division) in 1997. Production moved to NAshville.
2000 - Modern Hound Dog logos are similar but the word ORIGINAL is not underlined.
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Post by Mark Makin on Aug 30, 2007 11:20:37 GMT
Hi Bob I remember you calling me one day, concerned that the "Silver Uke number sequence" might be the same one as the "silver mandolins" because there was no apparent duplication in both of them at that time. We resolved that "I wouldn't say anything if you didn't!!!!!!"
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Post by Mark Makin on Aug 29, 2007 8:23:30 GMT
Hi Bob You may be the grand old man of lap steel but you're not quite THAT antediluvian yet!!!!! ciao Mark
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Post by Mark Makin on May 29, 2007 9:05:46 GMT
Hello Alan Magnatone is a bit of a fringe thing. They seemed to go their own way as far as manufacture was concerned (mostly amps) but they did their "own brand" version of the cyclops and double cyclops Dobros. They had a foil blue and white sticker in place of the Dobro sticker.
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Post by Mark Makin on Jan 9, 2007 14:00:53 GMT
I've just read that Sneeky Pete Kleinow, steel guitarist with the Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers family had died in California from Alzheimers Disease aged 72. Another man done gone...
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Post by Mark Makin on Jul 28, 2006 13:50:06 GMT
I should know - I drew the artwork for them!!!!!!!!!!!!
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