Serial # numbers

[Pam2]

Ive posted in General category and come up empty... I have a Dobro Mandolin (wood/sunburst finish) Ive
tried to age it and have cross referenced everywhere I know to for info. on it. Can someone please tell me where I can learn more about this instrument? Im not paying Gruhn or anyone else $50.00 to do a basic info. search when I know someone in the Cafe' knows what Im asking. Any leads would be most appreciated!

[brunello97]

$50! I'm sure Mike E will call it for much less than that.....(and probably be more informative.)

Seriously though, posting a picture or two of the instrument here in this will probably get you some feedback. The 'General Discussion' forum gets lots of new threads each day, and some things can get buried in a hurry. Do you have the serial number?

Mick

[Pam2]

Yes A 5764(spider bridged)

[Charles Johnson]

If its an old mandolin the Gruhn book gives 1933-1934 as the manufacture date. They were only made from 1929 until 1941, with "made in the mid 1930s" about as close as you can come. Early serial number records are not very complete for Dobro or Regal (who built many under license for Dobro).

Hope this helps.

best regards,
Charles Johnson
Mandolin World Headquarters, Inc.
www.vintagemandolin.com

[Pam2]

Charles I thank you for the info. I did all the searching I knew to on my own and kept coming up empty as I said. I learned (for ? some reason) that Dobro records were scarce and or unclear so your confirmation is really appreciated! This is in fact and old piece and Iam the second owner of it. The man who bought it, loved it and played it which is visible because it was taken care of and has fretwear common on frequent players. There is one similar in the Dopyera collection listed for sale on this site (or was) somewhere. Another responder suggested I post a photo to get a ballpark for ins. purposes and if I can figure that out I will perhaps do so for more help.