Regal Resonator Guitar Serial Numbers
otdobro - Posted - 09/02/2014: 14:39:41
I'd guess not more than 20 years old. Definatly Asian made.
JIMBO53 - Posted - 09/03/2014: 06:48:50
Is there a sticker of country or origin on the back of the heads stock? Looks like a RD-45 Korean made as opposed to Chinese made seem to have better build quality. Estimated value stock-$200-300. Korean models were made approx before 2000-after 2000 they moved production to China. You can email Saga Music-they distribute Regals and can tell you more based on the serial number.
The Korean made models are excellent candidates for an upgraded cone, bone nut, ebony tipped maple inserts and #14 spider bridge along with proper set up. I have a 95 Korean made RD-45 cherry sunburst slot head with tuners turned up and I love it. Good luck!
Edited by - JIMBO53 on 09/03/2014 06:53:29
Slideman1939 - Posted - 09/03/2014: 10:01:23
'Old Regal' vs 'New Regal'. The last REAL Regal resonator was from the Chicago plant was 1941. The last fretted instrument from Regal was made in 1954. After the trademark was not renewed for 33 years, in 1987 Saga instruments bought the rights to the Regal name to put a famous old brand name on IMPORTED instruments from various countries. There is absolutely no connection between the words Post-war Regal and 'American made'.
Ajay Johnson - Posted - 09/15/2014: 12:34:27
Plus, the old Vintage Pre-War Dobros either had the serial number on the top of the Peghead or non at all.
Ajay Johnson - Posted - 09/17/2014: 08:04:11
I have one of the old ones that was my Father's. He was learning to play before He went off to serve during WW2. I'm glad that he didn't take it with him! It lived in the same closet from 1941 until 2013. He never felt like playing after he got back. I think that seeing the things that those great men saw took the song from their heart. At least some of them.
Edited by - Ajay Johnson on 09/17/2014 08:17:16
Our batsmen could learn some lessons in consistency here. 
This trademark expression typically involves our piggy chops jee acting/reacting with half open mouth, slightly flared up nostrils, eyes half closed, and somewhat raised eyebrows. AANCHHOOO.b) Amisha Patel?Me: The “ deer-caught-in-the-headlights” expression (source: ), extra-heavy heaving in emotional scenes, and forced cuteness.c) Kareena Kapoor?Me: The “ I-just-puked-and-it has-left-a-bad-taste-in-my-mouth” expression.d) Aishwarya RaiMe: Hasn’t she been sent to Kaalapaani already??e) Esha Deol?Me: Biting her lower lip with her upper teeth in every scene.
My Dobro | My Dobro |
Ajay Johnson - Posted - 09/17/2014: 08:07:41
Here's a few more.
My Dobro | My Dobro | My Dobro |
Ajay Johnson - Posted - 09/17/2014: 09:06:09
I can't find an exact match for the tuning buttons that are gone. Does anyone know where I can get a set of tuners that is an exact match for these? I just don't want to buy a new set only to find that the screw holes don't match. Stew Mac has sets, and I'm just not sure if they are an exact match. I want to get a new pair so that I can preserve the originaf buttons that are still left.
rexhunt - Posted - 10/15/2014: 11:15:00
That peghead looks a lot like the one on my old square neck. Mine developed a crack and just could not be repaired. I realized later on that the peghead was quite a bit thinner - thickness wise - than a modern peghead. The original tuners didn't really fit properly in the new neck - the shafts were very short. I was able to install an old set of Klusons but eventually went with the Stew Mac Golden Age tuners which work great.
Three on a plate tuners have been pretty standard for years so I wouldn't worry too much about fit. You can also get new buttons to fit on the old tuners. It's a process but can be done a number of different ways. There are a lot of online instructions. I've got a triple neck 8 string National with the original tuners and all new buttons.
Rex
Ajay Johnson - Posted - 04/06/2015: 20:35:19
It's a 1937 Regal Dobro Model 37. There is no serial number, but my Dad bought it new in 1937. I have received his Hawaiin Guitar study material dated from 1937 to 1942, at which time He went to War in the European Theater. This is the finest Model 37 on the Internet. I have seen Model 37's in not nearly this condition that Sold for $3,000, so it has to be conservatively appraised at $3300. I put new strings on it, and it rings like a bell. I am now studying, Bluegrass Dobro, and Zi'm newly dedicated to learning to play My Dad's awesome Dobro.
Regal announced that their six string models would be distributed through a number. Regal now offers a traditional resonator. Acoustic Guitar. Jun 03, 2008 I've been tasked with dating an old Regal resonator, but can't find any accurate way to do so. There is no serial number.
Vintage Dobro Serial Numbers
Posted -: 14:04:09 One thing you'll notice in the pictures, there are no small holes between the two larger sound holes. Most of the Dobros I've seen have three small holes between the larger holes. Does this help any?and what is the significance of absence of the smaller holes. I re-checked the exterior of the guitar, closely looking all over the headstock.no numbers. Ben quote: posted by meldooby Need pictures. It's easiest to put them in your photo album. I think all the Korean ones had a serial number on the back of the headstock.
The current Chinese ones have just about killed the market for used Regals. Posted -: 08:34:13 The guitar was more than likely given a professional setup by Paul Beard's shop.
Prior to the introduction of the Paul Beard-designed Gold Tone guitars, they did sell Regal guitars through their web site. Slade. There are no numbers on the guitar in question because Saga/Regal probably didn't give their guitars serial numbers when they started selling them.
You should contact Saga Music for identification of your guitar. Assuming it's a Regal RD-45, I would guess a worth between $200 and $400 in the condition shown in the photo. Brad's Page of Steel: A web site devoted to electric and acoustic lap steel guitars. Posted -: 09:18:54 Brad is probably right, Saga should be able to tell you. I ran across a Regal about a month ago in one of our local music shops and it had a slotted headstock like yours. I couldn't find any identification markings or numbers anywhere on the guitar but figured it was either an RD40 or RD45 from the early/mid 1990's era.
Most Regals produced since then have come out with solid headstocks (I believe?). If you find out the model, please ensure that you follow-up on this thread to let the rest of us know what it is.
Posted -: 09:28:48 Thanks, Chip.and also to you, Brad. I drop an email to SAGA, and see what they say. Ben quote: Originally posted by chipmunk Brad is probably right, Saga should be able to tell you. I ran across a Regal about a month ago in one of our local music shops and it had a slotted headstock like yours. I couldn't find any identification markings or numbers anywhere on the guitar but figured it was either an RD40 or RD45 from the early/mid 1990's era. Most Regals produced since then have come out with solid headstocks (I believe?). If you find out the model, please ensure that you follow-up on this thread to let the rest of us know what it is.