Info on 1930’s Dobro Round Neck

[domojo]

Hi Folks - new member here. I just got a battle-scarred Dobro resonator in trade for some guitar building work. The end of the headstock has 6635 stamped on it. The back of the headstock has 22 CP stamped. My research so far shows this being made in California in the 1934-36 period. The headstock was partially broken at some time long ago, and it’s got 11 screws and one cut off nail holding it solidly on.

I’d love to have more information on it. Thanks!

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[Michael Messer]

Hello domojo

Welcome to our forum.

Dobros can be devils to identify because there are many variants within each range of instruments. Add into that the possibilities of one-offs that don't abide by all the rules, and it can be a can of worms.

Your Dobro has a few points for discussion....

I have not checked into the serial number yet, but the square cut slots in the headstock makes me think it is earlier than your research has found. These are generally found in 1932/33 instruments.

It looks like a model 27, but there is no soundwell and there doesn't appear to be any marks where there once was one?



It has a stamped lug cone with a short legged spider. These are quite sought after as they have a classic old sound. The lugs are the little wedges that the spider legs are resting on.

The tailpiece is not original or correct, it should have a standard Dobro/National tailpiece. Those are easy to get online.

This looks fine...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373869089305?chn=ps&_ul=GB&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Fa8BjSUzQ2WOskFrPuWhPg6&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=373869089305&targetid=1647205088280&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007239&poi=&campaignid=17206177401&mkgroupid=136851690655&rlsatarget=pla-1647205088280&abcId=9300866&merchantid=9543454&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWSWYBg5rOHsFbxBoACCNmKUSptJVi0yD-a1OHWLJU0_Ga9pjmslh7kaAqX0EALw_wcB

Nice guitar. It should be carefully restored and along the way you may need some advice. That headstock looks like it could do with some help, but should fix up nicely.

Shine On
Michael

[domojo]

Thanks so much, Michael, for you reply. Regarding a soundwell, no there are no marks from one having been there. Is it unusual to have none? I’ve made a new nut and crowned the frets, which were filed completely flat on top. I restrung with custom light strings and it’s sounding really nice.

Any idea what the “22 CP” stands for on the back of the headstock?

[davey]

I have read that Dobro would leave out soundwells on Guitars sold under cheaper brands to lower the costs. The Decal on your Guitar is a bit messy, perhaps it started out life with something different on the headstock. Nothing to worry about anyway, just a part of it's history.

I think the mark on the back of the headstock is probably identifying a Dealer it was going to, I've had various odd marks on guitars over the years in that position.

[mckinleybe1]

I just bought a 1934 Model 27 round neck Dobro last weekend. It has the square cuts on the headstock, lug cone and short spider. It’s number 5986. Parallelogram sound hole. Everything is original except the tailpiece. The following is a serial number list which is similar to what Mark Makin has in his book.
Number range Year
800 - 1400 1929
1400 - 2000 1930
2000 - 2600 1931
2600 - 3200 1932
3200 - 3900 1933
4000s 1933 (mostly Regal made)
5000 - 5600 1933 (California made)
5700 - 7600 1934-1936 (California made)
8000 - 9900 1936 & 1937
L9000s 1937 (Regal made)
A prefix 1936
B prefix or suffix 1931-1932 (most Cyclops wood models)
M prefix 1935-1937

I scoured every possible source to educate myself on dobros of this era before buying. I am guessing mine is a 1934 after looking at the production numbers above.
The early dobro history has some similarities to the early history of nationals. Within most of the models there always seems to be exceptions. There are a lot of people that have great knowledge about all these guitars…this forum in particular. It’s all a wonderful education. It helped me purchase a really good guitar at a great price.
Enjoy that Dobro of yours. They are great old guitars. I will enjoy mine along side my old Nationals. All have different voices and most importantly each get played daily.

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[pascal]

Here is my 30' Regal Dobro model 27, has soundwell and lug cone, fantastic for hawaiian playing, much sweeter and less loud than my National vintage tricone...