My latest obsession.

[fog rider]

My latest toy. An early 30's Regal tenor (4 string) resonator guitar. Before and after restoration pics (I did the work myself).

 

I play it as a slide guitar. Very nice......

 

[☆VixenGypsy☆]

BEAUTIFUL! I didn't know you played! Post us a video, when you feel comfortable.

[fog rider]

This is a "resonator" guitar. There is a bridge (made out of wood in this case, but more often made of aluminum) that mounts on an aluminum cone. As a string vibrates, the sound is transmitted throught the bridge to the cone. Sound is then reflected up through the holes in the cover plate. Some mellower sound also escapes throught the "f" holes in the top of the guitar. The net effect is to produce a louder sounding guitar (resonators were developed in the days before electric amplification) so that early performers could project their sound in crowded juke halls of the 20's and 30's. They also produce the shimmering sound ("sustain") that defines the Mississippi delta blues sound.
Originally developed with Hawaiian lap guitar techniques in mind (square neck models), they were quickly adapted to blues and bluegrass music (round neck models) by a variety of early artists.
Famous brands include National, Dobro, Regal, and a host of other manufacturers.
This particular guitar is a little unusual in that it is a "tenor" guitar. It has 4 strings instead of the usual 6. It was originally developed so that banjo players could easily switch to guitar during a performance. 7 and 8 string resonator guitars also exist.
I purchased this particular guitar, off e-Bay, from a shop in Arkansas. Apparently they obtained it from the original owner (he's 94) who bought it in the early 1930's. It was in a non-playable state, and required a fair bit of work. The finish was rough, the tailpiece was broken, the fingerboard was warped, worn, and had come unglued from the neck, etc....
The finish is still original (sanded down and finished off with fine steel wool and lemon oil). The brass tailpiece had a new piece silver brazed onto it, then finished by hand. The fingerboard was removed, straightened, re-installed, planed down, refinished and re-fretted. A new plastic binding was wrapped around the top. New strings should be here shortly.

This was my first attempt at a guitar restoration. I think it turned out nicely.

I look forward to learning how to play this guitar properly (we have "Jam Nights" every Thursday evening at the college where I teach).

Next purchase? Maybe a 1930's steel bodied National? Anybody have an extra $3,000-$4000 they could lend me? :)