' In the late 1950s, my brother and I, and a few cousins, were given all the old instruments. I ended up with a Dobro. The only marking I can find on it is a serial number stamped into the resonator cover: 1,896,484 - the patent granted to John Dopyera. I would love to ID the guitar more precisely - year of manufacture, etc.

Regal Acoustic Guitar Serial Numbers

1. Regal RC-1 Metal Body Style-O Duolian Guitar – Brushed Nickel-Plated Steel. Regal RC-2 Metal Body Style-O Duolian Guitar – Nickel-Plated Brass. Regal RC-43 Metal Body Triolian Guitar – Antiqued Nickel-Plated Steel.
2. The serial number A3991 would date your guitar to 1907. It's hard to quit make out but it appears to be a style 115 (see bottom of the paper label). The bridges would typically be Ebony and normally have flattened pyramid wings, this one looks more like one you would see on a Regal made guitar.
3. Registered User. Join Date: Sep 2001. Location: SoCal. Dating a Regal resonator. 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 on the outside of the instrument, only a 'J' embossed on the edge of the headstock.
4. The serial number of an acoustic guitar may be on the back or on the label in the sound hole. The guitar's serial number also may give you a clue to its value. Generally speaking, a lower serial number (for example, '0001') indicates an older guitar that will be worth more than one with a higher serial number (for example, '0987').

Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.resohangout.com/archive/6644

benwentworth - Posted - 01/04/2009: 13:43:47

I have a Regal square neck Dobro and can't find a model or serial number anywhere on it or in it. It has a 'Regal' logo on the headstock and a white label under the left sound-hole that reads:
GENUINE BEARD SETUP - 4/29/05
Any help in identifying this guitar and an estimated value would be appreciated.

meldooby - Posted - 01/05/2009: 08:25:29

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.
Mel

benwentworth - Posted - 01/05/2009: 10:24:14

I've posted three photos in my photo album ...I'm new to this forum, so I may have put the photos in a couple different albums ...be patient with me as I learn how to move around this forum. Thanks,
Ben

MitchellB - Posted - 01/05/2009: 13:29:55

It looks similar to my 98 RD45S except mine is a sunburst finish. I’m not sure if the “S” stands for “slot head” or “sunburst”
M i t c h e l l

benwentworth - Posted - 01/05/2009: 13:59:40

quote:Originally 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.
Mel

benwentworth - Posted - 01/05/2009: 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:Originally 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.
Mel

Old Blue - Posted - 01/06/2009: 19:47:07

Regal Guitar Serial Numbers

So, let me ask...was there a Regal/Beard...like the Gold Tone/Beard? That sticker could have come from a post purchase setup, but I'm just curious. That should be as decent as it can get with that setup!

benwentworth - Posted - 01/06/2009: 20:08:29

I'm not sure, Blue. I'm assuming that that is the case ...the sticker looks like an after market setup. What puzzles me though is why there are no numbers anywhere that I could find denoting the model.
Ben

Regal Guitar Serial Number Search

quote:Originally posted by Old Blue
So, let me ask...was there a Regal/Beard...like the Gold Tone/Beard? That sticker could have come from a post purchase setup, but I'm just curious. That should be as decent as it can get with that setup!

Brad Bechtel - Posted - 01/07/2009: 08:34:13

Regal Guitars Serial Numbers Search

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. 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 (sagamusic.com) 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:
well.com/user/wellvis/steel.html
A web site devoted to electric and acoustic lap steel guitars

Regal Guitars Serial Numbers For Sale

chipmunk - Posted - 01/07/2009: 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.

benwentworth - Posted - 01/07/2009: 09:28:48

Regal Guitars Serial Numbers Lookup

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.

Regal Guitars Serial Numbers List