Dobro Model 55 Standard Resophonic Guitar (1931)
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Item # 11844
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Dobro Model 55 Standard Model Resophonic Guitar (1931), made in Los Angeles, serial # 1491, shaded walnut lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with red bean fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This Model 55 a/k/a "the Standard" was one of the initial line of Dobros built in California starting sometime in 1929. This one likely dates to 1931, although little hard information on serial numbers and dating has survived. This was the "second model up" the line retailing originally at $55 with a body made of laminated hardwood finished overall in a shaded dark walnut stain. The Dobro upwards facing cone and "spider' bridge assembly are the defining features; this design was reversed from the single-coil system patented by National. John Dopyera had recently left National and this new design allowed the Dopyera Brothers to effectively compete with his former employer. The coverplate is marked "Pat. Pend." at the edge closest to the neck.
The Model 55 has no binding on the laminated wood body but the mahogany neck has a bound, dot inlaid red bean wood fingerboard. There are two large screened-in holes in the top and an additional three small holes arrayed between them just below the fingerboard; this was the classic original Dobro look. The slotted headstock is fitted with inexpensive strip tuners and carries the dobro logo decal on the face.
By the end of 1931 the model 55 had become the model 56; eventually the company merged with familial rivals National and moved to Chicago. The first Los Angeles Dobros, made in the years just after company founder John Dopyera's split from the National company are higher quality instruments compared to the Chicago-made examples that follow. This guitar has a round neck but is set up Hawaiian-style with a nut raiser to be suitable for the classic twanging slide style for which Dobros are prized. It sounds exactly as it should, a nice example of the earliest and best of its type.
Overall length is 38 3/8 in. (97.5 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This early Dobro remains original 90+ years along, showing some general wear but nothing tragic. There are dings, dents and scrapes overall but no really heavy wear and no structural repairs. The headstock decal is partially worn away but still legible. Everything on the instrument appears original, including the cone, spider, coverplate and tuners. The treble side screen hope has become concave, but there are no tears or separations. The plating on the coverplate has scuffing and light scratching but is not heavily worn.
The instrument was played Spanish style at some point and has some old fret wear, but it more usefully set up in Hawaiian style for slide use with an old period nut raiser. The sound is classic and delightful with echoes of players from Bashful Brother Oswald to Uncle Josh Graves toTut Taylor. Authentic original Dobros are one of the few pre-war vintage instruments that remain relatively affordable well into the 21st century; the early California made models like this are very nice instruments and relative bargains still. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This Model 55 a/k/a "the Standard" was one of the initial line of Dobros built in California starting sometime in 1929. This one likely dates to 1931, although little hard information on serial numbers and dating has survived. This was the "second model up" the line retailing originally at $55 with a body made of laminated hardwood finished overall in a shaded dark walnut stain. The Dobro upwards facing cone and "spider' bridge assembly are the defining features; this design was reversed from the single-coil system patented by National. John Dopyera had recently left National and this new design allowed the Dopyera Brothers to effectively compete with his former employer. The coverplate is marked "Pat. Pend." at the edge closest to the neck.
The Model 55 has no binding on the laminated wood body but the mahogany neck has a bound, dot inlaid red bean wood fingerboard. There are two large screened-in holes in the top and an additional three small holes arrayed between them just below the fingerboard; this was the classic original Dobro look. The slotted headstock is fitted with inexpensive strip tuners and carries the dobro logo decal on the face.
By the end of 1931 the model 55 had become the model 56; eventually the company merged with familial rivals National and moved to Chicago. The first Los Angeles Dobros, made in the years just after company founder John Dopyera's split from the National company are higher quality instruments compared to the Chicago-made examples that follow. This guitar has a round neck but is set up Hawaiian-style with a nut raiser to be suitable for the classic twanging slide style for which Dobros are prized. It sounds exactly as it should, a nice example of the earliest and best of its type.
Overall length is 38 3/8 in. (97.5 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This early Dobro remains original 90+ years along, showing some general wear but nothing tragic. There are dings, dents and scrapes overall but no really heavy wear and no structural repairs. The headstock decal is partially worn away but still legible. Everything on the instrument appears original, including the cone, spider, coverplate and tuners. The treble side screen hope has become concave, but there are no tears or separations. The plating on the coverplate has scuffing and light scratching but is not heavily worn.
The instrument was played Spanish style at some point and has some old fret wear, but it more usefully set up in Hawaiian style for slide use with an old period nut raiser. The sound is classic and delightful with echoes of players from Bashful Brother Oswald to Uncle Josh Graves toTut Taylor. Authentic original Dobros are one of the few pre-war vintage instruments that remain relatively affordable well into the 21st century; the early California made models like this are very nice instruments and relative bargains still. Overall Very Good + Condition.