The first Regal-branded guitars appeared in the late 1920s. In 1932, Regal received a license from the National-Dobro Corporation to build guitars with a Dobro resonator, and in 1937 Regal acquired the rights to exclusively make all Dobros. Regal continued to produce a variety of mostly entry-level and intermediate instruments through the 1940s. Aubert VB-7X Select Figured Self-Adjusting Violin Bridge – 4/4 Size. Golden Gate F-2710 Carbon Fiber Neck Reinforcement Rod – Acoustic Guitar – 16 inch. Golden Gate MP-101 Deluxe Flat Pick – Large Triangle – Extra Stiff – Ivoroid – Dozen. Golden Gate MP-407 Deluxe Flat Pick – Large Triangle – Medium.
About the Regal BRW Parlor 1910’s
The condition of this circa 100 years old Parlor is quite remarkable. These early Regal guitars don’t have a serial number. So, unfortunately it’s not easy to determine the exact age.
Regal Resonator Guitar Serial Number
This old Regal features a stunning Brazilian rosewood back and sides with a (adirondack) spruce top. As you might know, Brazilian rosewood is very pricey and hard to come by these days, but back in the good old days it was pretty common to use. The guitar is equipped with ladder-style bracings and has a bound body. It really has a sweet and open voice!
Our Luthier did a great job conserving this guitar. His work included a proper neck reset, fret level/dress, regluing some of the braces, new bone saddle and nut, general cleaning and setup. This Parlor probably had gut strings at the time it was built. We decided to use steel .011 strings. Due to the construction and non-original oversized bridge it’s possible to use steel strings instead of nylon.
It’s very hard to see, but there’s a small hairline crack at the backside of the headstock. We checked it with UV-light and it doesn’t appear to be a headstock crack, but we do want to mention it.
Comes with a non original vintage case.
Specifications
| Brand | Regal |
|---|---|
| Model | Parlor |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Condition | Very good |
| Year | 1910s |
| Origin | USA |
| Top | Spruce |
| Finish | Natural |
| Case | HSC |
The paper label in your Washburn was used from 1906/7 - 1915. The serial number A3991 would date your guitar to 1907. It's hard to quit make out but it appears to be a style 115 (see bottom of the paper label). The bridges would typically be Ebony and normally have flattened pyramid wings, this one looks more like one you would see on a Regal made guitar. They also owned Regal Instrument Co. and there was a lot of parts swapping done at that time.
Here is a picture I had handy in my computer from a vintage instrument exhibit we hosted in 07 of my Style 115 Washburn. It has the Ebony, flattened pyramid bridge I mentioned.
Regal Guitars Serial Numbers Lookup
This instrument would have been built for gut strings originally. It will be ladder braced and have a bridge plate that is in all likely hood be made from Spruce. The straight across, non-compensated saddle will not play in tune with steel or silk and steel strings. I use Nylgut 'Alabastro' strings on mine and they sound and play great, Elderly Instruments has them. Any plastic strings for classical guitar would work though.