The dynamic range is wide, with a sparkly presence, full mids, and a bold and snappy bottom end. There is a brightness and articulation heard in this guitar that is not often found in old resonators. The sound is fresh, thanks to an original cone that's in perfect shape. The guitar plays perfectly now, with action of 7 to 8 64ths at the 12th fret and just the right amount of relief. For months the inventor of the resonator guitar spent his evenings and weekends. Recent Neck reset and set-up by the hands of Marc Schoenberger (Marc's restoration work on vintage National guitars is of the highest quality, and we're tough judges. When John Dopyera stormed out of the National shop in January 1929, his resignation stemmed from more than a spur-of-the-moment tantrum. In perfect condition, seemingly unused, with no dents in the body, no fretwear, no cone fatigue, no wear on the tuning machines, no finish wear on the neck. Easily the finest 14 fret National to ever grace these pages, this 1937 model is a gem among gems. The FTC report claims that a 'true' resonator results is '50 to 80 percent' louder than a regular flat top guitar. Location Currently not on view Credit Line Gift of Ed Snowden 1971-1974 ID Number 2011.0002.01 catalog number 2011.0002.01 accession number 2011.0002 Object Name dobro guitar guitar Physical Description wood (overall material) metal (part material) Measurements overall: 40 in x 15 in x 5 in 101.6 cm x 38.1 cm x 12.Serial # A5494. The popular resonator guitars from the era were the National guitars which were build with all metal bodies and are associated with swamp blues. Their down-home, family style performances were a hit and became known as “The Baldknobbers Jamboree,” Branson’s first county music-and-comedy show.
This one just had a neck reset, and new frets Can still use, new pegs. Beautiful OLD 1928 -29 Nation Wood Hawaiian Resonator guitar.
The group was comprised of a washtub bass, banjo, Dobro guitar, washboard and a mule’s jawbone to provide rhythm. : National model name / number: Hawaiian guitar. The Baldknobbers, named after an 1800s vigilante group in the Ozarks, began in 1959, when four brothers, Bill, Jim, Lyle and Bob Mabe, began entertaining visitors on the Taneycomo lakefront. This resonator style guitar is listed as the Dor-Bro in a Gretsch catalog from 1973. In the 1970s, Gretsch began importing the Dorado line of inexpensive guitars. The instrument is not as loud as the company's pre-war resonator guitars but has a very distinctive tone, perhaps best described as somewhat like an original 1930s National already. It is a six course (6x1) resonator Spanish style guitar. The bolt-on neck is a very short scale, similar to the one used on the company's budget Supro student guitars and has a stenciled National logo on the headstock. This guitar was use by Bill Mabe, founder member of the Branson, Missouri based group, the Baldknobbers. This guitar was made in Japan and distributed by Gretsch in Cincinnati, Ohio around 1971-1974. This resonator style guitar is listed as the “Dor-Bro” in a Gretsch catalog from 1973. Much sought after, there was even a spin-off company formed in 1988 that continued with the manufacture of these beauties. Sounds like a resonator guitar crossed with a banjo.
I love the unique sound these guitars have. This vintage guitar is in great condition. 'Dobro' is both a contraction of 'Dopyera brothers' and a word meaning 'goodness' in their native Slovak. Recent Neck reset and set-up by the hands of Marc Schoenberger (Marc's restoration work on vintage National guitars is of the highest quality, and we're tough judges. National/Valco Reso-phonic 1033 Lap Steel Guitar. The name originated in 1928 when the Dopyera brothers formed the Dobro Manufacturing Company. Resonator guitars were originally designed to be louder than conventional acoustic guitars which were overwhelmed by horns and percussion instruments in dance orchestras. In the 1970s, Gretsch began importing the Dorado line of inexpensive guitars. This resonator guitar was made by Dobro in Los Angeles, California around 1933-1937. A resonator guitar or resophonic guitar is an acoustic guitar whose sound is produced by one or more spun metal cones instead of the wooden sound board (guitar top/face). It is a six course (6x1) resonator Spanish style guitar. This guitar was made in Japan and distributed by Gretsch in Cincinnati, Ohio around 1971-1974.