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View Full Version : What do you think? Regal reverse scroll



Ben Milne
Apr-30-2012, 2:14am
I was thinking about this one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230780355135&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:AU:3160#ht_642wt_1059) as a project if it remained cheap enough, though it went beyond what i was willing to pay for such a project at this point in time.

Knowing that it needs some work etc, did somebody get a bargain? Is it an expensive wall hanger? I would think to have someone perform the required work would be more than the instrument is worth, so perhaps a project for someone.

bmac
Apr-30-2012, 8:05am
These come up now and then on eBay, sometimes with different brand names attatched to them... Mine is labled "LYRA". I purchased one a few years ago in roughly similar condition... If I recall I paid about $30 plus shipping. They are not particularly well built instruments, in my opinion, but they are so odd looking that i just had to have one for my own collection.. They were made with cheap components but are unlike any others. I really doubt that you would get much tone out of them. Mine is, at best, acceptable tone-wise. But what a great conversation piece.

bmac
Apr-30-2012, 8:30am
Looking at mine again in comparison. The mando in question is in overall better condition than mine was when I purchased it. So I think I would put its value at around $60-$80. In my opinion the buyer didn't get a bargain... but then again there is the "cool" factor which is priceless. If you keep watching I suspect you can get one more reasonable in price. The one in question is about the sixth one I have stumbled across on eBay and I have not really been looking for them. So keep looking.

Jim Garber
Apr-30-2012, 8:46am
They are quite common over here in the US but i would think much less so down under. I do love the wacky design and the few that I have seen in playing condition are not too bad considering what they are and what they are made of. I think Regal sold them as wholesale lots and to other companies to resell with their own labels. My favorite name was the one Lyon & Healy used: Guydyu... not sur of the meaning but I suppose it would equal Guide-You.

Pete Summers
Apr-30-2012, 9:20am
I was thinking about this one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230780355135&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBUAA:AU:3160#ht_642wt_1059) as a project if it remained cheap enough, though it went beyond what i was willing to pay for such a project at this point in time.

Knowing that it needs some work etc, did somebody get a bargain? Is it an expensive wall hanger? I would think to have someone perform the required work would be more than the instrument is worth, so perhaps a project for someone.

I would say, judging by the condition in the photos, that particular instrument was in excellent condition for it's age. It probably needed some work, but these old reverse scroll Regals have a certain charm to them, and a sweet, mellow tone (albeit without much volume -- at least the two I've owned did). I don't think that buyer paid too much -- though these things come up on Ebay fairly regularly, they are rarely in this condition with such a nice original finish, and usually sell for around a 100 bucks or so, in my experience.

I currently have one I bought for $106 on Ebay and, after some fretboard work, it has become my favorite instrument -- but I have to admit, that is probably because it reminds me of my youth -- I had another back 35 years ago that I later sold and came to regret selling.

Of course, they are not useful for professional performances, being too quiet, but for solo work (or accompanied by a guitar and such in small groups), they are fine. They also have a 13 inch scale, which may or may not be an advantage to you. Personally, I like the short scale -- my old arthritic fingers sometimes have trouble making the stretches often called for on a 14 inch scale, although I'm sure most folks find the difference to be pretty minor.

They were constructed of solid birch and very heavily braced, which I think accounts for the quiet volume as well as their durability over the years. I play mine daily and love it, though I have 3 other mandolins. If they appeal to you and you are prepared to do a bit of work on it, they are a unique mandolin and look, play and sound pretty good, IMO.
:)

barney 59
May-01-2012, 5:17pm
Not long ago a thread came up about Regal and it turned out that the scroll design of that mandolin is referred to as a "Reverse Kruddick" in Regalese-- maybe I have it wrong but I think that is close---so maybe all scrolls are "Kruddicks" and that one is in reverse,----gee, I hope so!

Pete Summers
May-02-2012, 11:01pm
Not long ago a thread came up about Regal and it turned out that the scroll design of that mandolin is referred to as a "Reverse Kruddick" in Regalese-- maybe I have it wrong but I think that is close---so maybe all scrolls are "Kruddicks" and that one is in reverse,----gee, I hope so!

I think they mean "Kordick" after Frank Kordick (of the Regal Company) who held the original 1914 patent for this design. If the OP is still interested in purchasing one of these there is currently (May 2) several of them listed on Ebay under "vintage mandolins," including this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200753430731?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649#ht_14041wt_940

And also this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/200753430731?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649#ht_14041wt_940

Both appear to be in excellent shape -- the second listing includes sound examples.
:mandosmiley:

bmac
May-03-2012, 8:32am
Another reverse scroll Regal delux model in remarkable original condition:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-Vintage-1920s-ORNATE-reverse-scroll-MANDOLIN-REGAL-mother-of-pearl-/110848643214?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cf18108e

Jim Garber
May-03-2012, 9:09am
Bart: that one does look nice but at $600 priced a bit high. Someone made the seller an offer -- we will see where that goes. I do like the clown barf pickguard and the MOTS.

Pete: I think you posted the same ebay auction twice.

Pete Summers
May-03-2012, 9:36am
So I did. I meant to post this one also: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350560538750?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4901wt_798

bmac
May-03-2012, 11:48am
Yes $600 is a bit high but if in new condition it would compare with a Big Muddy I believe at around $600 new... But where else could you get that kind of MOJO for $600?

I can't think of any mandolin, at any price, with that pizzaz!.... OK,,,, maybe the Harmony batwing....

Jim Garber
May-03-2012, 1:29pm
I always liked the oddness of this design... this one and the Kaykrafts. If I ever attempt to build I would try to make a reverse scroll flattop.

barney 59
May-04-2012, 10:11pm
That would be a Reverse Kordick?