~1932 Dobro Model 27 Black

Dobro Model 27 c 1932 | $1275 | (v1318) In 1928 John and Rudy Dopyera left their brothers and the National Company in California to form the Dobro Corporation. These two patented and marketed a 'spider' type resonator setup, different from that of a National. By 1932 Dobro sales were booming and the brothers licensed Regal in Chicago to begin manufacturing the wood bodies for their Dobro and other branded resonator instruments. The metal parts were supplied by Dobro and the wooden parts by Regal. Based on the patent number stamped on the cover plate, this guitar dates to the 1932-33 time period.

The Model 27 was an entry level guitar, but shared the same innards as the more expensive offerings. The body is made from plywood, and painted black with, oddly, a sunburst on the back and neck. This is the third black Dobro we've offered, but this iteration is actually pretty rare. The neck is made from poplar and carved in a 'V' shape. The fingerboard is an ebony replacement of the 'ebonized' original. The head stock sports the Dobro decal.

The body measures 14 1/4" across the lower bout. Scale length is 25". The fingerboard measures 1 13/16" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 3/16" at the saddle.

The guitar retains its original cone and cover plate. The tuners are replacements. The tailpiece and end pin are original. The finish is the original paint.

We recently reset the neck to a steeper angle to allow for better playing and break angle over the saddle, which provides optimal sound. The fingerboard, nut, saddle and frets are replacements. The finish is original but shows signs of glue applied at some point, and a good amount of nicks and scratches.

The action is set low at about 4 & 5/64" and the guitar plays smoothly. This is a solid guitar that plays well, looks cool, and provides the classic 'high and lonesome' Dobor sound.

Comes with a 60s soft case.

Check out the sound clip!