This guitar is very Schmidt-like in design, with a few distinctive Regal touches. At the time the blues 12-string sub-genre was just beginning Regal would have likely had no expectation of selling these to itinerant African-American musicians in the deep south! Listings in period Jobber catalogs show 12 string guitars in general had been in limited circulation since the early aught years it was a small but apparently steady market and it must have seemed worth Regal's while to try to score a bite of it for themselves. This particular guitar is noted in c.1928 Regal literature as Model 2060 and described as "Mexican" style, then a generic term for double-strung guitars. The Regal 12 string lacks this ostensibly legendary connection but is in some ways a better made instrument, actually considerably rarer. This grand concert-size 12-string was aimed at a different market, looking to challenge the Oscar Schmidt company's iconic Stella branded guitars, now revered as the ultimate pre-war blues machines. ![]() Over the first half of the 20th century the Regal guitar company in Chicago made a lot of guitars, including the "Custom" line designed to compete directly with Martin. 1928, made in Chicago, natural top, mahogany stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top, poplar neck with ebonized fingerboard, hard shell case. ![]() Regal Model 2060 Model 12 String Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |