c.1928 (or so) Regal Octofone (pics & video!)

[Jake Wildwood]

Just finished up resto & setup on a late 1920s Regal Octofone (birch b&s&n) and you can listen to it in this YT clip:



More photos and more information can be found at:

Antebellum Instruments: c.1928 Regal Octofone

Enjoy!

[jefflester]

So if I fill out the order form and send you $15 can I have it?

[neal]

That's a masterpiece. Worthy of the Smithsonian. The Octofone is equally nice.

[Jake Wildwood]

Jeff: You wish.

Neal: Too kind! But thank you, anyhow!

[Jill McAuley]

Thanks for posting that Jake - I've been wanting to know what one of those sounded like! It looks and sounds awesome!

Cheers,
Jill

[MikeEdgerton]

What's stamped into the back of the headstock?

[JEStanek]

Always a fan of your work, Jake. Wonderful. Any pre-resto shots? I think lots of folks would be impressed by how much work you do on rescuing these old gems.

Jamie

[billhay4]

Nice, Jake: restoration and playing.
Bill

[Jake Wildwood]

Mike: Pat. Apld. For

Jamie: I might have some, but most likely not. I have a bad habit of starting projects right away...! Thanks for the kudos, though.

[thistle3585]

Nice restoration Jake. So, do you think you can do anything for my '33 Octofone. It didn't fair too well in the flood.

[Jake Wildwood]

Heh heh... I could, but I wouldn't want to work on it if I didn't have to.

[thistle3585]

Actually, I was going to just take dimensions from it and build myself one then offer it to any aspiring repairman. I also have the original hardware if anyone wants it.

Jake, did you do anything to beef up the bracing? On mine, the soundboard ws sinking between the bridge and the soundhole.

[allenhopkins]

How do you have yours tuned? I have mine in octave mandolin tuning, except I've got octave pairs on the G and D strings. Makes a nice full sound for vocal accompaniment. The action on mine is a bit high, which keeps me from using it a lot for single-string "lead" work.

[Jake Wildwood]

Andrew: I didn't bulk up the bracing as the top was in perfect shape. The neck had been pulled out and a hair warped by probably too-heavy strings. The strings I have on it right now (GHS Irish Bouzouki Mediums in octave pairs) are 040w to 010 or 011 on the top (can't remember).

This is a little "light" for octave mandolin strings, but seems to be just about perfect tension on this instrument. It's easy on the fingers, easy on the top, and drives the top enough but doesn't feel forced.

Allen: I think I just answered your question! But it indeed does make a great accompaniment instrument. I really like playing chord shapes up and down the neck, but like any tenor banjo-feeling neck, it feels too thin to me to be comfortable for true melody playing.

I like wider necks, though, to be fair.