Regal 'Custom Built' c 1928 | HOLD | (vbg#1952) Regal guitars are mostly known as 'entry level' or 'catalog guitars', and the Chicago factory produced them in the hundred of thousands in the early twentieth century. But by the late 1920s, possibly spurred on by the success of Martin's X-braced flat tops, Regal developed its "Custom Built" line. From their catalog: "Regal Custom Built Guitars are strictly hand made, designed for the Artist and excel in musical tone qualities. They .. are marked by skilled workmanship in every detail." The Custom Built guitars were the only Regal guitars with a serial number, and not rebranded and sold under another name. Based on its woods and appointments, this guitar would be competing with a Martin 0-28 or possibly a Martin 0-45.
This example is a 12-fret, slotted peg head, X-braced 0-sized guitar. The serial number, 4050, is stamped on the heel block and the paper label. The body is rosewood and both top and back sport white celluloid binding and tiny checkered marquetry, with a back strip of the same material. The neck is mahogany, topped with an ebony fingerboard. The board is profusely inlaid with fancy position markers and an ornate, urn-like inlay at the extension. The head stock is overlaid in rosewood with multiple fancy inlays.
The body measures 13 3/8" across at the lower bout and 3 13/16" deep at the end pin. Scale length is 24 3/4". The neck measures 1 7/8" across at the nut, and is carved in a very soft 'V' shape. The string spacing at the saddle is 2 7/16".
Past repairs are a neck reset, replaced bridge and replaced tuners. The is a 3" repaired top crack on the lower bass bout. There is some re-glued/replaced binding around the finger board extension. Missing its end pin. Overall, the guitar finish is in excellent condition, with only a few nicks and dings from wear.
The action is set at 5 & 6/64", and the guitar plays easily. Best of all, due to its very light weight, X-bracing and rosewood body, the guitar produces stellar tonal qualities. The is no muddiness at all, each string ringing out strong, but pure, tones with excellent sustain. One of the more pleasurable guitars we've heard. This is a rare beauty of a guitar, excellent for finger style playing, and punchy enough for flat picking.
Comes with a newer hard case.
Check out the sound clip.
This example is a 12-fret, slotted peg head, X-braced 0-sized guitar. The serial number, 4050, is stamped on the heel block and the paper label. The body is rosewood and both top and back sport white celluloid binding and tiny checkered marquetry, with a back strip of the same material. The neck is mahogany, topped with an ebony fingerboard. The board is profusely inlaid with fancy position markers and an ornate, urn-like inlay at the extension. The head stock is overlaid in rosewood with multiple fancy inlays.
The body measures 13 3/8" across at the lower bout and 3 13/16" deep at the end pin. Scale length is 24 3/4". The neck measures 1 7/8" across at the nut, and is carved in a very soft 'V' shape. The string spacing at the saddle is 2 7/16".
Past repairs are a neck reset, replaced bridge and replaced tuners. The is a 3" repaired top crack on the lower bass bout. There is some re-glued/replaced binding around the finger board extension. Missing its end pin. Overall, the guitar finish is in excellent condition, with only a few nicks and dings from wear.
The action is set at 5 & 6/64", and the guitar plays easily. Best of all, due to its very light weight, X-bracing and rosewood body, the guitar produces stellar tonal qualities. The is no muddiness at all, each string ringing out strong, but pure, tones with excellent sustain. One of the more pleasurable guitars we've heard. This is a rare beauty of a guitar, excellent for finger style playing, and punchy enough for flat picking.
Comes with a newer hard case.
Check out the sound clip.