Regal Professional Model Flat Top Tenor Guitar, c. 1928, made in Chicago, natural lacquer finish, rosewood back and sides, spruce top.
Regal is generally remembered as a maker of inexpensive budget instruments, but they were quite capable of turning out higher-grade pieces, and this little guitar is a fine example of their better work. While small even for a tenor guitar, it puts out quite a powerful sound and is very nicely made.
The body is nicely grained rosewood. The spruce top is bound with colored wood marquetry around the edge and soundhole; the same pattern is also used for the backstrip. The fingerboard has large shaped abalone inlay and "Regal" is inlaid in pearl in a circular inset in the multi-bound headstock. Tuners are pancake Grovers and the tailpiece is a banjo-style "eagle claw" mounted directly to the rim.
Currently strung and tuned tenor, this little instrument would also be very useful in either guitar or tenor ukulele tuning. Regal made a number of variations on this general design, but this is the highest grade we have seen. This guitar was quite expensive for a Regal instrument in its time and this was definitely a flagship line for the company.
Overall length is 32 1/2 in. (82.6 cm.), 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 21 in. (533 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
All original with some minor playwear; no damage or repairs. Excellent Condition.
