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Thread: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

  1. #1

    Default Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    This was my husband's and I know nothing about it but believe it to be quite old. It has the serial number 5041. I'd be grateful if anyone can tell me the year of manufacture and anything else about it.
    Many thanks, Chris H.
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  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Is that a National label on the headstock? The tuners are not original to the instrument.
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    It's a Dobro brand resonator mandolin, I used to own one, looks to be a 1933 California made by the serial number.
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  4. #4

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    No it's a sticker from a shop in Liverpool - Hesslers I think. The serial number shows through it.
    Thanks for the reply.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Thanks. I thought it was about that period.

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    My Chicago-made Dobro mandolin has no serial number. This 2010 thread[/U] discusses an electrified resonator mandolin with a similar cover-plate design.

    Is the tailpiece engraved? And is their a stamp in the cover-plate mentioning the "National Dobro Co."? That would narrow down the year of manufacture.

    This Vintage Guitars page references Dobro serial numbers, though it's focused on metal-bodied Dobro guitars. I'd be definite on "1930's," vaguer on a more specific years.

    Dobro was a company started by two of the Dopyera brothers who were dissatisfied with the National Guitar Co., the originators of the resonator guitar, and left National to start their own firm. After prolonged squabbling over patent issues -- Dobro came up with a resonator design that differed from National's -- the two companies merged in the mid-'30's, and located to Chicago. Mandolins of this design were labeled Dobro, and also Regal, who built the wood bodies for Dobro.
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  8. #7

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Hi Allen, thanks for this. There is no National logo, only the two Dobro logos and no carving on the tailgate.
    Would you be able to give me any idea of the value of the instrument?
    Thanks again.

  9. #8
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    I'd guesstimate $500-750, though I see asking prices over $1K. I paid $250 for mine, but that was a quarter-century ago. Depending on condition, of course.
    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

  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    The sold prices on these are all over the place.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  11. #10

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Thanks

  12. #11
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Gruhn's ID book lists this as a Dobro "Mandolin No. 5." This model was made from 1929 to 1933.

  13. #12

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Many thanks

  14. #13
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    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    The price will also depend upon where in the world you are. I think people are assuming you're in the US but, if the instrument is still in Liverpool or elsewhere in the UK, it'll be worth considerably more.

  15. #14

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Hessy's was a famous Liverpool music shop which closed in the 80's and supplied the Beatles amongst other Merseybeat groups. I've had a 1930's Kalamazoo (Gibson)Guitar with a Hessy's label so they were an important Dealer in their time to be importing from the USA.

  16. #15

    Default Re: Can anyone help identify this Dobro Mandolin?

    Good to know. Thanks

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