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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 Hawaiian guitar
National Dobro Corporation
1938 ca.
Electric guitar
Vivi-Tone Company
1934-1935 ca.
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