Grandpa's Dobro

[mcblink]

1935 Dobro made by National. I believe this is an M-14 "fiddle edge". Grandpa bought it brand new at Sears for like, 25 bucks. Still in original case, and still even has a receipt in there too, from '58 when it needed some tuning pegs, apparently. And of course, a pic of my grandpa playing it. Grandpa is no longer with us, he died at 93 years old, just a couple of years after Grandma left us. I can remember him playing it sometimes when I was a kid.

 

[SG John]

Nice! Is it yours now?

 

[Kerry Brown]

Very cool!

 

[mcblink]

Nice! Is it yours now?

It is. I let my dad think that he gets to hold onto it for a while first though

 

[mcblink]

My grandpa also sang in a barbershop quartet for many years.

 

[mcblink]

Someday I'll write a song that requires some gritty delta blues sounds and I'll pull this old dobro out. I like open tunings and slide with this thing. It's a lot of fun

 

[eSGEe]

Ive not embraced those (or owned one) though I like plunking around on Hackmasters when I visit his side of the swamp........maybe one day I score one but Im in no hurry

 

[mcblink]

Ive not embraced those (or owned one) though I like plunking around on Hackmasters when I visit his side of the swamp........maybe one day I score one but Im in no hurry

They are quite fun.
Normally I'm all things rock/metal/heavy. This guitar turns me into something else.

Someday I'll use it on a recording of some kind.

 

[TCE63]

Newer had the change to try one, but i hope i get a chance in the future.

Looks great

 

[SG John]

This is mine. It's a '70ish Dobro.






This is what it sounds like in open E tuning.

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Dsg-john%252Ftoo-much-alcohol%3Btrack_id%3D128918631

 

[mcblink]

Several years ago, we had it appraised and it was worth several thousand dollars then. Not sure what it might be worth today - not that it's going anywhere, it's definitely not- but in my own research I found this one sometime back:

ca 1934-35 DOBRO M14 “Leader” Fiddle Edge - Vintage Licks Guitars

It’s well established that metal body DOBRO resonator guitars were made at the National Guitar Company plant in Los Angeles, California and the Regal plant in Chicago, Illinois only between 1934 and 1940. And that’s all they made and they were all fiddle edge. The M14 Leader model was offered...

vintagelicksguitars.com

IIRC, it sold for ~10k. It's (was?) in better shape than my grandpa's is.

 

[mcblink]

https://soundcloud.com/id%3Duser-799323795%252Fgrandpas-dobro%3Btrack_id%3D677827242

 

[eSGEe]

Damn dude-- that sounds AWESOME!

 

[eSGEe]

what a great family heirloom piece-- do not sell it--- this from a Ferengi-- do not sell it.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

that things bad ass.

 

[mcblink]

I'm not sure how old the strings are. They look and feel very old. No doubt contributing to the extra vintage feel and sound of the instrument.

Ferengi rule of acquisition #131:
If it gets you profit, sell your own mother.

Damned glad I ain't no Ferengi right now lol this guitar is staying put.

 

[eSGEe]

Lol-- Ferengi Master personal rule --- HANG THE CODE --wait no thats Ferengi Pirate rule # 32 .....damn--- uhm

Do what feels right -- yeah thats it

 

[eSGEe]

Ferengi rule of acquisition #131:
If it gets you profit, sell your own mother.

ALSO if you train her right--- she keeps coming back so you can profit MULTIPLE times on this one

 

[mcblink]

Lol

 

[Thatbastarddon]

Damn! That clip gives me the same Willies that my 19th century banjo puts out, when I ever indulge in it!