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The asking price is $75. Worth it or not?
Need a lot more information to make a decent evaluation, but I wouldn't give $200 for it myself. There are quite a few Regals around, and they were lower-end instruments to begin with. I understand that Regal used solid woods, not laminates -- a plus -- but this appears to be a pretty basic model. The clearly-visible major back repair, which might not be professionally done from its appearance, is a significant detraction from market value.
However, "what it's worth" is whatever someone's willing to pay; there's no "Blue Book" on miscellaneous entry-grade instruments, and it may sound and play quite well. If it's in playable shape, someone might well want to buy it in preference over an Asian-import plywood mandolin, as a learner instrument.
One minute later: just saw your nearly-simultaneous post. How wrong can you go for $75?
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
Thanks for your help. I am going to go try it out.
That's an all mahogany, solid instrument, with a short scale. It was an inexpensive instrument in its day. The tone won't have great clarity but, assuming it's set up decently and with light strings, it would be fun to play. Old time tunes and blues. Was a time that's all many people could afford and were glad enough to have it, I imagine.
Cary Fagan
I have a virtually identical one though sold under a different name but undoubtedly the same maker. The solid wood top and bottom are very thin and my top sags a bit,,, but it has good and fairly loud tone probably due to the thin wood.
I would guess $75 tops.... It is a player, not a collector item. It has been refinished so has lost its original appearance. It likely once had a paper lable inside. One would also guess that the repair is not a professional repair and who knows whether there is any problems inside and how it was repaired. but I think the refinish job has reduced any collector value if it ever had any. These show up quite often on ebay (in a more original condition) for roughly that figure or less. It has been a few years since I paid any attention though.
Bart McNeil
Have you played it? If it sounds good and is comfortable to play then it is worth $75. If you are looking for an investment and are thinking about flipping it then it is worth $10.
--- Fiddlemike
Fiddle: A violin played with attitude
Banjo: Best with whiskey and a rocking chair
Mandolin: Let the Madness begin!
-Jason
www.opposablechums.com
These can sound pretty good, at least mine does. Got mine for $65. Pretty sure they're birch.That's an all mahogany, solid instrument, with a short scale.
Jim Richmond
It's birch. I've worked on a few of these and they're pleasant beginner's instruments.
That said, "like the rest of them were" is a little ridiculous to say. Regal made a lot of higher end models as well, and many spruce/hog, spruce/rosewood models for the Washburn line which are as good as any Vegas/Larsons I've played in the same bracket.
Also, FYI, that tailpiece is a more than likely replacement probably from a teens bowlback mandolin.
Hey, take three friends out to dinner, you spend $75, and the next day you have pleasant memories and digestive by-products. Spend $75 on this ol' gal, and who knows? You may have a long-term friend.
I bought a badly-cracked Strad-O-Lin (OK, stop me if you've heard this one) 20 years ago for $25, from a little old lady who had it under her bed -- really. Had it fixed up for a C-note or so, and I'm still playing it. I say go for it.
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
-Jason
www.opposablechums.com
That ain't nice, but it sure is funny.
The asking price is $185.
just caught up with this post. Of course it`s birch, not mahogany. Just a slip.
Cary Fagan
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