Dobro" Lap Steel info needed

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Someone contacted me asking about the following instrument (this is his description):

Dobro Lap Steel
All Aluminum
Resonator
Vol / Tone
Late 20's early 30's?
Hawaiian steel
number on the back II or LL30 (I think he means it's either II30 or LL30)

Any ideas as to the model, year, or value of this instrument? Thanks

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www.dougbsteel.com

[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 03 December 2000 at 09:08 AM.]

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Doug
I've got one, bought from the original owner. They were made in 1935, and are similar (but not identical) in design to a National model of the same era.

They are cast aluminum, with a blade pickup and string-through-body assembly, and 25" scale wood fretboard. The body has a Dobro lyre design with black painted relief section and the "Dobro" name on the body. The peghead is cutout and does not have a logo. Both Dobro and National made a model like this in 6- and 7-string versions.

I have seen them on e-Bay going from a low price of $750 to a high price of $1250, depending on condition and number of serious lookers at the time. Probably around $1000, therefore, is the ballpark figure.

From my website,

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 03 December 2000 at 01:48 PM.]

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 03 December 2000 at 01:51 PM.]

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 03 December 2000 at 11:43 PM.]

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Is this a "horseshoe crab"?

sliding bill · From: UK

I may be wrong but didn't I see one on ebay recently (maybe still there) during my daily steel guitar surfing obsession ?

Nice looking instruments!

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Aspiring to mediocrity

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Upon re-reading the characteristics of the instrument, the owner could be talking about one of the Dobro instruments that were metal body acoustic guitars with resonators, that may have had a pickup installed at some time.

These would be the Regal-made models 32, 46, and 62. Only made for two years, 1939 and 1940.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Thanks Herb and everyone for your input. I was told that the guitar is a "fry pan" lap steel made by Dobro, so it's probably like the middle one shown in your photo, Herb. I'll find out more this week. Thanks again for the info!

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www.dougbsteel.com

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