There is no evidence of prior repairs or alterations. The guitar is in original, excellent condition. (A celluloid heel cap may be missing at the tip of the heel.)The fingerboard is likely 'ebonized' wood, and sports four pearl position markers. The head stock is covered in MOTS celluloid with GRETSCH stenciled in black. The neck is likely poplar, and is carved in a 'V' shape. The nickel plated cover plate is of the 'poinsettia' style and bears a stamped patent number. Additionally, this construction method has no neck 'stick' but rather a traditional dove tail to attach the neck. Inside is the typical Dobro setup of eight-legged aluminum 'spider' and stamped cone but no soundwell as found on many Dobro-labeled instruments. The top has two 'f'-holes, and is bound in white paint both front and back. The body is ply, which was used in all wood-bodied Dobros and Nationals we've seen. It's difficult to date, since the off-brand instruments rarely had serial numbers, but we'd guess c. This guitar was made sometime before WWII shut down production of the metal parts due to the war effort. These guitars were distributed through jobbers, and were ultimately sold through stores or catalogs, such as Sears and Montgomery Wards. Additionally, it's well known that Regal built many resonator guitars without the Dobro or Regal name, or made for another retailer such as this example, which bears the Gretsch logo. In 1936, all California assembly had moved to Chicago. In the early 30s, the California-made National-Dobro resonator guitars were selling like hot cakes, so the Regal factory, in Chicago, was contracted to build the wood body, and install the metal parts shipped from California. The National-Dobro/Regal connection story is fairly well known in vintage guitar circles, but it's worth repeating.
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