hubcap
MM Forum Member
Posts: 13
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Post by hubcap on Feb 27, 2022 12:06:10 GMT
I recently bought a used Regal Dobro RD45CH. I believe this model is no longer manufactured by Regal and wonder if anyone can assist with some questions I have?
The serial number on the headstock is 9611564 and I wonder if anyone can shed light on when it was produced and country of manufacture?
The other issue I have is regarding open E tuning. I am aware this adds stress to the guitar and wondered if it would make sense to install medium light acoustic strings for the purpose of this tuning? I would like to play slide and finger pick and am a little concerned with the action on this instrument as I'm finding it a little high. I measured the action at the 12th fret and this came out at 3/16". Is this the correct height for my purpose or is the guitar set up for slide work only? Many thanks.
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 27, 2022 12:23:12 GMT
Hello Hubcap,
Welcome to our forum.
Regal guitars have not been manufactured in the USA since the 1940s. The company name and logo has been owned for many years by the Saga company and until 15 or so years ago, they were made in Korea. Since then they have been made in China, I think at the AXL factory in Shanghai. There is absolutely no connection whatsoever between the original Regal company of San Francisco and the company that built your guitar. Regarding the serial number, it would be easy to make assumptions based on the first two digits, but I know nothing about their numbering system.
I hope that is helpful
Shine On Michael
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Post by khayman on Feb 27, 2022 13:55:56 GMT
Hello, it's best to send an email to Saga with a photo and ask them directly!
At some point I also wanted to know how old my Regal Dobro is I don't know when your Regal was built, but in the 1990's there were also Regal Dobros made in Japan. I have an RD 70C that was built between 1990 and 1993 and is made in Japan. I asked Saga directly a few years ago and got an answer. However, my RD70C also has a “Made in Japan” sticker on it.
sorry for my bad English
best regards Gerd
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Post by Michael Messer on Feb 27, 2022 14:22:22 GMT
The problem with what Gerd has said is that in the early 1990s I reviewed a Regal RD45 for Guitarist magazine, and when writing reviews I always researched which country and factory instruments were manufactured in. The answer I got in around 1992/3/4 was that all Regal resonator guitars were made in Korea. However, if Gerd's guitar has a Made In Japan sticker on it, it was either manufactured in that country, or somebody in the packing room was a Deep Purple fan.
I once did a similar research with the Tanglewood company and was told that Tanglewood has guitars built in so many factories all across the Far East, that it would be difficult to work out exactly which factory built each instrument.
Another problem I have encountered while doing this type of research is that two phone calls to the same company on the same day has brought two different answers. In other words, many of the staff you communicate have no idea either, they just say anything.
Shine On Michael
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Post by khayman on Feb 27, 2022 15:07:02 GMT
Hello Michael, Hello Hubcap, My questions back then weren't where it was made, but when, which woods were used and whether it was still in its original condition. My Regal does not have a serial number. The "Made in Japan" was confirmed to me, to cost $525 in 1993. It was built from spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides. It appears to be original save for the pearloid truss rod coverplate, nut and extra strap button on the heel. I have no reason to doubt the provenance, the little gold "Made in Japan" decal is on the rear headstock where it is on thousands of Japanese guitars from the period. Gotoh Tuner... You don't see the RD-70C very often, it's a 14fred model with a cutaway.
Greetings Gerd
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hubcap
MM Forum Member
Posts: 13
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Post by hubcap on Feb 27, 2022 15:17:24 GMT
Hello, it's best to send an email to Saga with a photo and ask them directly! At some point I also wanted to know how old my Regal Dobro is I don't know when your Regal was built, but in the 1990's there were also Regal Dobros made in Japan. I have an RD 70C that was built between 1990 and 1993 and is made in Japan. I asked Saga directly a few years ago and got an answer. However, my RD70C also has a “Made in Japan” sticker on it. sorry for my bad English best regards Gerd Thanks for your comments, Gerd. Prior to putting the question on this forum, I contacted Saga. I received a very courteous reply from them informing me they had no records of serial numbers for the instrument. They did however make an educated guess that my guitar was made in 1997, but could not inform me as to where it was made. Quite possibly Michael is correct in his opinion that contact with the company again would result in different info forthcoming.
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