I have an older Dobro mandolin, from the "National Dobro Co." period which I guess is from 1935 through 1942. When I had the neck reset, my repairman friend said that the neck block was made of "balsa wood" -- which I didn't take literally, but merely as an indication it was a very soft wood which had contributed to the neck angle problems.
Innovative, interesting and melodic as those old resonator instruments are, both National and Dobro cut many a corner with regard to wood selection, as shown by pervasive history of neck problems. At least that's been my experience with National and Dobro guitars and mandolins from the '30's and '40's.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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