Regal 12-String c. 1930 | HOLD | The Regal guitar factory in Chicago made a lot of guitars, appealing mostly to the entry level buyer of 'catalog' guitars, or the mid-level, where the guitars featured decent materials and construction. Regal also made many niche instruments, such as this grand concert-size 12-string acoustic. Not as iconic as a Stella, but actually more rare when compared to what's offered on the vintage market at any given time. And, when a vintage guitar fan thinks 'Regal 12', the Regal jumbo with a solid headstock comes to mind. So this particular example is a pretty rare bird in the realm of vintage 12-strings and Regal guitars as a lot. In fact, we've only seen two other examples of this type Regal 12 over the years.
The body is constructed with a mahogany-dyed birch back and sides, and a ladder-braced, spruce top, which is set of by multi-colored purfling typically seen on Regals. Back and top are both bound in white celluloid. The neck is likely poplar or basswood carved in a comfortable 'C' profile, and features a slotted head stock with a worn green 'Regal' label. The fingerboard is replacement ebony but retain the original position dots (The original board was cracked and dry, the new board makes for a vast improvement in both strength and looks). The tuners and tailpiece are original. Missing its endpin.
The body measures 14 1/4" (grand concert); the scale length measures 24 3/4", which makes this guitar a breeze to play! The neck is 1 13/16" wide at the nut, and string spacing is 2 3/8" across at the saddle. Body depth is 4" at the end pin.
The guitar has had a number of repairs which include the afore mentioned fingerboard replacement and refret; new nut; recent neck reset; new ebony (floating) bridge (original was dyed white wood); one top crack repair; side crack repair east and west of the heel; several braces reglued, and one replaced (this was a 'back off the guitar' restoration); small hairline glued along the slot, treble side.
The guitar is now very solid, and plays like a dream with its short scale and comfortable neck, in fact, we had it finished and ready in the shop for a number of months but couldn't quite bring ourselves to set it free, it was that much fun to play. It's not a growling boomer like a jumbo Stella, but rather a sprightly little ragtime box, more a sports car than a muscle car if you will.
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the pictures and sound clip.
The body is constructed with a mahogany-dyed birch back and sides, and a ladder-braced, spruce top, which is set of by multi-colored purfling typically seen on Regals. Back and top are both bound in white celluloid. The neck is likely poplar or basswood carved in a comfortable 'C' profile, and features a slotted head stock with a worn green 'Regal' label. The fingerboard is replacement ebony but retain the original position dots (The original board was cracked and dry, the new board makes for a vast improvement in both strength and looks). The tuners and tailpiece are original. Missing its endpin.
The body measures 14 1/4" (grand concert); the scale length measures 24 3/4", which makes this guitar a breeze to play! The neck is 1 13/16" wide at the nut, and string spacing is 2 3/8" across at the saddle. Body depth is 4" at the end pin.
The guitar has had a number of repairs which include the afore mentioned fingerboard replacement and refret; new nut; recent neck reset; new ebony (floating) bridge (original was dyed white wood); one top crack repair; side crack repair east and west of the heel; several braces reglued, and one replaced (this was a 'back off the guitar' restoration); small hairline glued along the slot, treble side.
The guitar is now very solid, and plays like a dream with its short scale and comfortable neck, in fact, we had it finished and ready in the shop for a number of months but couldn't quite bring ourselves to set it free, it was that much fun to play. It's not a growling boomer like a jumbo Stella, but rather a sprightly little ragtime box, more a sports car than a muscle car if you will.
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the pictures and sound clip.