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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:33:23 GMT
This is one of at least a few “custom” one-offs made by Rudy in his little ‘secret’ workshop within the OMI plant during the 1960/70s. It must date to the later part of the 60s because it uses the small f holes. However, the body is closer to a fiddle edge although it is not rolled like a fiddle edge but pinned together with small tacks. Don Young recalled a few other guitars in Rudy’s workshop put together in this way. It does feature the standard fingerboard ‘ledge’ pressed into the body top of fiddle edges to create the correct neck angle. It has a wide, slot headstock with much wider slots than usual. The fingerboard is rosewood. Rudy used the earlier 1959/62 Dobro ‘db’ decal - he had a lot left over!! NB: Rudy also used the fiddle edge, 3 rings coverplate which he also seemed to have amassed a stash of. No need to mention its four most unique features!! By the way, it's a square neck!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:34:35 GMT
This one has a more convoluted story than most. It is a NATIONAL GAGLIANO made around 1951/52 (it is missing its Valco number tag). "Gagliano" was a brand name used by the Kay company since the early 1930s although most were built in the 50s. It was used for special and custom instruments. This particular instrument seems to have a Hofner built body which was passed on to Kay and which then acquired a "stylist" heelless National neck. It features six ply binding and "catseye" f holes and also an interesting rosewood 'tune-a-matic' type bridge with a floating aluminium top bar that carries six separate rosewood saddles. The Gagliano label has K-148 stamped on it - obviously a Kay reference. The tailpiece is a frequensator type trapeze. This is a unique addition for a Valco National.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:35:33 GMT
Another recent discovery. This is a 1975 OMI Dobro mandolin that does not appear in catalogues. Stylistically it is a Model 75. It is built using the body that Rudy developed for his personal Safari project. The most interesting thing is that it shows that Rudy was allowing "Dobro" occasionally to have access to these parts of his personal project during his lifetime. As I have said before, a couple of instruments like this, dated to 1978 or later periods after Rudy's death have surfaced.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:36:11 GMT
In the last week or so I've discovered some detailed pictures of a couple of the last Model 66 Dobros - the "French Scroll" models - as they were issued in the last days of OMI. I thought it might be interesting to show the development from the earliest in 1928 to the end of OMI. I can't guarantee that I've not missed any but it is interesting to see how it started and each one slightly changed as new sand blasting mattes were constantly re-created. Ironically, the last one in 1988 is almost identical in design and coloration to the earliest from sixty years previous.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:36:51 GMT
Here we have another "one-off" possibly. In the 1930s, the "Ukulele Ike" Tenortrope was a good seller. Effectively, it was a Dobro Tenor banjo but it was never made after around 1935. THIS particular instrument appears to date to around 1970. It has the early Dobro logo used by OMI just after the Dopera Originals were made. It has a gilded and engraved coverplate, engraved Dobro tailpiece and fitted De Armond "Toaster" pickup. It is numbered 001 which could mean it was a prototype that didn't reach production. It certainly does not figure in any OMI catalogue. Only the 5 string Hootenet is known from 1962. The earlier 1930's Tenortropes had 14 holes around the body edge. This 1970's version has 18.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:37:34 GMT
Timm Kummer in Florida has just posted details of this extremely rare DOBRO 206. This is as far as you go with quality in pre-war Dobros. Similar to the 175, except it has a spruce top, this has the added detailing of a glitter metal-flake border around the body edge and also around the headstock. The internal hardware, cone and spider were also gold anodised. The tuners were gilded and featured pearl buttons. I think we'll have to wait a long time to see another one  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:39:24 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:40:09 GMT
At the moment Prototype Triplate Number 136 is for sale on ebay (no personal connection). We now have details of the earliest first three "wild rose pattern" triplates. Interestingly, all three show differences in the starting and finishing points of the rose engraving (particularly around the 7 diamonds). 136 also seems to be the first to be fitted with an ebony fingerboard.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:41:20 GMT
Here is a one-off custom instrument made for "James R. Miller". It was hand-built by John, Ed and Rudy Dopyera (although exactly what input they made is not known). It dates to 1973 and is obviously based very closely on the layout of the Model 1000 pattern that was a standard catalogue model. However, none of the design is the same as the 1000. It does seem to be unique in that it has a gold plated coverplate. This is not the only time that John, Ed and Rudy were personally involved in instruments. Nevertheless, as a top-of-the-line, personalised guitar it has to be very collectable.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:42:05 GMT
A rare "El Monte" made Dobro. This guitar features the early version of the Dobro logo with the "db" not the lyre. This dates to 1961/2 when the Dobro name was newly acquired by Ed, Rudy and John from their brother Louis in Chicago. It is finished in a dark, bookmatched wood grain finish and is similar to the "Uncle Josh" model that would soon follow. Interestingly, it has a unique custom engraved pattern on the coverplate. It features the idea of using a small Dobro logo upside down between the tailpiece and the bridge. This idea would later be used a lot on high end Model 60 Dobros made by OMI in the late 70s and 80s.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 10:42:45 GMT
This is the rare Silvertone "Duolian". It was issued in 1941 through the Sears catalogue branded as a Silvertone NOT a National. It was probably a way of selling off end of run parts from the Duolian range at the end of its lifetime. It was painted in cream "frosted" duco and had a Silvertone stickpin logo on the flat headstock. Some were issued with National tailpieces and some (like this one) had Lyon and Healy flat plate early tailpieces. The interesting thing is that it is closer to a Duolian than the contemporary "Collegian" sold under the Supro and National banners. The Collegian was $38 .....this was $21!!!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 11:21:34 GMT
we often enthuse about rare, old Nationals....but this one really is Truly UNIQUE!!! I have known about this one for over 35 years but only recently got the opportunity to see pictures when it was sold recently on ebay. It is, quite simply, the ONLY Style 4 Chrysanthemum that is NOT a guitar! It is a tenor tricone, numbered "12" on the tail end of the body. It is the earliest known tenor and comes from a time (1927/8) when National put every ounce of effort into their "new" products. It features a mahogany, not maple neck and the strip down the neck is of lighter colour. To add the icing to the cake - it is in wonderful, "as new" condition. Sold very quickly... obviously!!  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 11:22:21 GMT
Yet another variant that didn't make the catalogues. This is a single pickup, chrome hardware version of the Supro Del Mar (PTSARS - page 157) Made with a warmer coloured timber, trapeze tailpiece and dot markers, this is a reduced quality version made for OAHU by Valco in 1959. Serial number T4351.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 11:23:09 GMT
Here is a slightly different, later version of the SUPRO CARLISLE semi acoustic. Issued towards the end of National/Valco around 1968 - this one has a six a side Fender type headstock in red. It also has different fret markers, additional bars and odd 12th fret marker. The knobs and switches have also been moved around.  Shine On Michael |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 22, 2019 11:23:51 GMT
Here is a "Tonemaster" brand version of the early pearl covered Supro Ozark or National Cosmopolitan type solid body. These instruments were issued in 1952/3 in cream pearl but this one seems to date to 1956/7. It seems 1956 to 1958 were big years for "Accordion Red" pearl plastic! At the moment, this is the only known example of this particular non-cutaway instrument being issued with twin pickups. Valco seemed to do this quite a lot - issue an older instrument with modifications to a Trade House customer at a later date. Perhaps it is a case of designing to a price point for the customer.  Shine On Michael |
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