This is a Regal built mandolin from approximately the 1930s. The headstock and fingerboard shape are clear Regal indicators. It comes with a very beat up original semi hard case. The mandolin has a birch top, back and sides. The fingerboard is the classic "Mother of Toilet Seat" material that was so prevalent in the 30s. It has the original tuners, nut, bridge and tailpiece. It is painted black on the back and sides and has a black to almost green sunburst with lovely vine decals on the top.
 
Work Done: This mandolin was in very rough shape with both the top and the back coming off and in clear need of a neck re-set, but I loved the decals. Many of the inside braces were also loose, so I took off the back for better access, removed, cleaned and re-glued the all of the original braces. The top was warped due to loose braces and I flattened it out and re-glued the top braces, then added popsicle braces on each side of the sound hole to add in extra strength. In the meantime, with the back off, I had removed the neck and re-set it to the correct angle. The instrument was re-assembled, cleaned, the tuners were lubbed and the tail piece was buffed out. The mandolin still had its original maple bridge (painted black), but there was damage to the bass string area. I cut out the damaged wood and inlaid in new maple saving the bridge.
 
The frets and fingerboard were cleaned, then strung up with new John Pearse light gauge phosphor bronze mandolin strings. It has a bright clear sound as a birch instrument should but with the body nearly 2 3/4 " deep at the butt end, it has a warmth and depth to the tone above and beyond the usual Birch mandolin. Other than a bit of minor pick wear near the sound hole, the mandolin is in very good condition.
 
It's a cool, funky vintage mandolin that plays well, sounds good, and looks great at a working musicians price range! I'm asking $425.00.