How much do you think this is worth?

[curtis9murphy]

I am told its a Regal from the 30's.
There is a big crack in the back that has been repaired.
How much do you think it is worth?

[mrmando]

How much is in your coin purse?

[curtis9murphy]

The asking price is $75. Worth it or not?

[allenhopkins]

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?

[curtis9murphy]

Thanks for your help. I am going to go try it out.

[Cary Fagan]

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.

[bmac]

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.

[fiddlemike]

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.

[Jason Kessler]

Was a time that's all many people could afford and were glad enough to have it, I imagine.

Well put.

[MikeEdgerton]

That's an all mahogany....

Not even close. These aren't mahogany, looks like some sort of birch or other mystery wood like the rest of them were.

[Jim]

That's an all mahogany, solid instrument, with a short scale.

These can sound pretty good, at least mine does. Got mine for $65. Pretty sure they're birch.

[Jake Wildwood]

Not even close. These aren't mahogany, looks like some sort of birch or other mystery wood like the rest of them were.

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.

[Jake Wildwood]

Also, FYI, that tailpiece is a more than likely replacement probably from a teens bowlback mandolin.

[allenhopkins]

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.

[JeffD]

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.
.

And no digestive by-products!

[Jason Kessler]

And no digestive by-products!

I don't know; we haven't heard him play.

[maki]

That ain't nice, but it sure is funny.

[curtis9murphy]

Thanks for the all the posts guys. I played it the other day and it didn't as good as I would like.

Here is another mandolin I am looking at.
Its a Phebe.

[curtis9murphy]

The asking price is $185.

[Cary Fagan]

just caught up with this post. Of course it`s birch, not mahogany. Just a slip.