Skip to main content
Electric Hawaiian guitar
Electric Hawaiian guitar
Electric Hawaiian guitar

Electric Hawaiian guitar

ALTERNATE NAME(S)
  • Lap steel guitar
Date1936-1937 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelDobro
Serial No.1142
SignedLocated on body: DOBRO
MarkingsOn back of neck: 1142
DescriptionThe National and Dobro companies originally produced spun-aluminum cone resonator guitars in the 1920s. In 1935, these competitors merged under the leadership of the original inventors, the Dopyera brothers. While resonator guitars were much louder than all-wood-bodied instruments, they were still no match for electrics, and the National Dobro Company introduced this cast aluminum electric guitar in the Fall of 1935.
DimensionsHeight: 36.5" (923 mm)
Body Width: 5.5" (265 mm)
Fingerboard Length: 19 5/8" (500 mm)
Vibrating String Length: 25" (633 mm)
Published ReferencesTimothy D. Miller. The Origins and Development of the Pedal Steel Guitar. M.M. Thesis. Vermillion: University of South Dakota, 2007.
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 1999
Object number06756
On View
Not on view
Resonator guitar
Dopyera Brothers
1978
Electric bass
Zorko Musical Instrument Company
1960 - 1962 ca.
Electric bass
Gibson, Inc.
1938 ca.
Electric mando-cello
Vivi-Tone Company
1932-1933 ca.
Electric guitar
Vivi-Tone Company
1934-1935 ca.
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site or by closing or clicking "I agree", you agree to the use of cookies. I agree