Hi gang,
As i work in the junk/treasure picking 'business' (my family has run a pawn/2nd hand store since '86), it was bound to happen EVENTUALLY... I finally scored (what i think is) a hidden treasure. I won't go into all the boring details, but i'll let the pictures tell the story. I'll put the rest of the pics on my page here eventually.
I belive it to be a California-made Dobro model 27 from the years 1934-1937 (based on the headstock slots and the s/n: 64XX stamped on the top of the headstock), but I would greatly appreciate any info/insight you brilliant Nation brothers can give me!!
The pics show it in 'as found' condition... it was in the case with slack strings (which i'm gonna replace tonight), complete with cheesy fret numbers, but it shows very little wear for a guitar of this vintage, and appears original with the exception of one of the sets of tuning keys.
Too bad i've got to work today, cause i'm dying to clean it up, string it up with a fresh set and see what kind of noise I can get out of it :)
Looking forward to your wisdom,
Jason
Replies
Any old find is worth the bragging rights on any forum around the world. This forum is stringed instruments, other forums I belong to are old car stuff, motor cycles, guns, and so on. It is good to here of the great barn find on any gender. I found a 1945 Harley Davidson for $200.00 some 30 years ago. it was under a trailer out west of Orlando Florida in the swamps. Several crates and what a find. The bike is worth over $50K now and sits at the Daytona Beach International HD museum.
Maximo 8-)
You just dont know how long I have dreamed of such a find. Every time I get a lead on something, I seem to quickly find that the owners knows some collector somewhere will pay way too much.
The last vintage reso I saw was in unplayable condition, weathered and rough, badly in need of a neck reset to get the action back down to earth etc. At best a "wall hanger". $650
Honestly, I dont care what its worth in $, and I am glad it has landed in the hands of someone who will just play it and enjoy it for its true value.
I just wish those hands were mine.........
Trust me, I probably deserve all the slung shit you can muster and then some. I'm appreciative of this git-fiddle though, and maybe that's enough....
I guess it couldn't have happened to a nicer asshole, anyway!
J
Edgel R Gillespie II said:
You know mark, for a guy named bliss, you certainly seem unhappy lol
trust me, this guitar is way better than i deserve (i don't feel worthy), but as the saying goes: 'The sun even shines on a dog's ass some days'.
(I guess that means there's hope for you as well) lol
J
Mark Bliss said:
One of my closest player friends scored an early fender last week, being a first generation, first 100 series.
I told him he sucks too much to be getting great deals. Anyways, I don't know you well enough to be slingen shit at you, but you have found a real nice piece of Early American history which is worth something. Glad the good Lord was watchen over you on the find. 8-) Maximo
I haven't pulled the bowl out yet... i'm a little afraid that it might buzz lol. There is part of a dobro decal, and the shape of the headstock slots and s/n seem to confirm the 34-36 CA dobro era dating. I do believe the black tab tuner set is original (and proper), but one has been obviously replaced. I've let a couple more knowledgeable people scope it out for me :), but i'll get it to an 'expert' soon enough.
It is indeed a sweet sweet instrument, and the more i play it, the more i'm enthralled. I never tried to play 6 string slide before this, and i'm amazed by the tone that comes out of it!!! Once i get to feeling a little more comfortable in my (minor) skills, i'll post a video, so you guys can see and hear it as well.
Thanks to everyone for the excellent information and encouragement!!!
J
Nice pictures you have. Only word I can offer over what everyone else has said, are you sure those tuners arn't original? reason for the question is for the over all value of the player. In auction values, the more original it is, the more valuable the player is for re-sale. I would do my best to find a reputable historian to help validate the age first hand. I have a couple old players from doing some horse trading, nothing comparable to your sweet find, I am sure you looked all over for tags and labels in the sound hole? Sometimes, if you pull the bowl out, you might find a label in the box, just be carefull of the brittle lip holding the bowl.
Have fun........ 8-)
Maximo
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