As with other VTG Archive pages the guitars shown here reflect my likes & interests in terms of vintage guitars, particularly Blues Guitars.
From 1930s Harmony & Regal made Wood-bodied Dobro Resonators and Faux Resonators to Modern Traditionally designed Repro models the Resonator or Dobro, whatever you call it is essential to many forms of Blues, Bluegrass & Country Music.
Here are some, not all, of the Resonator Guitars I have sold in recent times - in some cases other examples of the same models may be currently available, or at least "in the workshop". Please enquire for current availability, prices and further details.
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PRE-2012 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** TANGLEWOOD TBS600 SPIDER RESONATOR BLUES/SLIDE GUITAR - National Style F-Holes Cherry Sunburst Maple Top Spider Single Cone Bound Rosewood Fingerboard Great Condition, Play, Sound & Vibe - VTG1125 Photo #2.
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*** SOLD *** TANGLEWOOD TBS700 "BLUE SOUND" ACOUSTIC SPIDER RESONATOR BLUES/BOTTLENECK GUITAR - Great Traditional Dobro-Style Looks Excellent Condition, Sound & Playing Low Action Newtone Michael Messer National Strings - Sold to gigging player in London - VTG1207 - Photo #3.
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2012 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** OZARK 3515 SPIDER RESONATOR ACOUSTIC BLUES/BOTTLENECK/SLIDE/BLUEGRASS GUITAR - Roundneck Dobro Spruce & Mahogany Body Single Spider-Bridge Cone Superb Sound Newtone Michael Messer National Strings - Sold to buyer in Oxfordshire - VTG1314 - Photo #4.
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*** SOLD *** SKYLARK 12 FRET/SLOTTED HEADSTOCK SINGLE CONE ROUNDNECK STEEL RESONATOR BLUES GUITAR - Duolian style Great Condition Sound & Play Case Included Near new condition except for added White Pearloid Scratchplate styled on those fitted to original models around 1936-1937 - Sold on behalf of the "Big Daddy of British Blues" Perry Foster to happy buyer in Kent! - VTGC1005 - Photo #1.
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2014 SALES:
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*** SOLD QUICKLY! *** BUSKER "DELTA" 12 FRET SLOTTED HEADSTOCK TRADITIONAL RESONATOR GUITAR WITH CASE - Near New Condition. Classic steel bodied, single cone, with a tough 'aged grey' plating, another ex-Perry Foster guitar - the "Big Daddy of British Blues" - to buyer in County Durham "under the Christmas Tree!" - 141204 - VTG1489 - Photo #5.
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2015 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** GRETSCH AMPLI-SONIC G9220 BOBTAIL RESONATOR GUITAR W/FISHMAN NASHVILLE P/U - Near New Condition. "Roots Collection" Classic Round Neck, Wood Bodied, 12 Fret/Slotted Headstock, Gretsch Ampli-sonic cone - Tony Boadle, Skibbereen, County Cork, who sent this feedback and consent to to attribute:-
...."Buying a guitar from a distance (I'm in Ireland) can be a stressful business. Thankfully I chose to deal with Bob Chaffer.
The transaction was smoothly handled, and the instrument was as described in every respect. 5 stars to VTG!"...."I have to say that I'm absolutely delighted, I sat for over an hour just pickin' away, purely for the pleasure of it......something I haven't done for years. I honestly can't fault it, it's exactly right for me and definitely my "keeper" guitar. I particularly like the parlour size, so easy to hold and play (especially as I switch between banjo and guitar repeatedly during gigs.
So thanks again for the chance to own this instrument, I must now introduce it to life in Irish bars, St Patrick's Day approaches!" - 150301 - VTG1492 - Photo #6.
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*** SOLD *** MICHAEL MESSER MM LIGHTNING 2011 NICKEL-PLATED BRASS 12-FRET BLUES TRADITIONAL RESONATOR - Sparingly used 2011 model, with Pod Case, Purchase Certificate & 2 Extra sets of Newtone/MM National Strings included - Sold to buyer in Manchester - 151002 - VTGC1027 - Photo #7.
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2016 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** NATIONAL RESO-PHONIC POLYCHROME TRICONE 2006 BLUES TRADITIONAL RESONATOR 12-FRET GUITAR - Superb, Steel-Bodied, Modern Traditional Tricone, Vintage/Art Deco Styling, Little-used Mint Condition in Original Case - Sold to buyer in Devon - 160902 - VTGC1033 - Photo #8.
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2019 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** OZARK 3515SQ SQUARE-NECK SPIDER RESONATOR, LAP SLIDE, BLUEGRASS, COUNTRY, BLUES, DOBRO GUITAR - Spruce & Mahogany 12-Fret Neck, Bound Flat Fingerboard, Slotted Headstock, Upgraded Reversed Stewmac Golden Age Machineheads, Michael Messer National strings - Overhauled/Upgraded & sold to customer in Germany! - VTG1313
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*** SOLD *** GRETSCH G9220 "BOBTAIL" SPIDER-CONE BLUES RESONATOR ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC GUITAR, FISHMAN NASHVILLE RESONATOR PICKUP - Gretsch Roots Collection, "Roundneck"/"Medium V" profile, Mahogany Body, 2-Colour Sunburst, Grover Sta-Tite Tuners, Martin Retro strings, Gretsch Resonator Gig Bag - Sold quickly to happy London buyer! - VTG1568
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*** SOLD *** BLUES TENOR RESONATOR - DOBRO "CYCLOPS" USA, OMI PERIOD, MAPLE BISCUIT BRIDGE 4-STRING GUITAR, LUTHIER RESTORED & READY TO GO! - Very Rare, Iconic, "Single Screen" Guitar, based on the original Early '30s model, revived in the OMI Dobro Period, and recently Luthier Rebuilt by Colin Keefe - sold to customer from Leicestershire, who came, played & bought! - VTGC1052.
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2020 SALES:
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*** SOLD *** JHS "VINTAGE" BRAND AMG3 c.2002/2005 12-FRET TRICONE BLUES RESONATOR GUITAR W/KLUSON TUNERS UPGRADE & KINSMAN CASE - pgraded w/New Replacement Kluson Tuners, Roundneck/Traditional Design Steel Body Brushed/Satin Finish "Wild Rose" Style 2 National-type Decoration, "Michael Messer" strings. - 200304 - VTG1577.
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All guitars are prepared to the same high standards as the scores of other vintage and modern guitars, which I have restored/sold over the years.
The concentration is on structural soundness and playability, rather than any cosmetic touching-up, and certainly no ill-advised refinishing, but of course the guitars are sympathetically cleaned, setup and re-strung, as part restoration.
For availability and individual details on the various guitars, and the restoration work being done on them, please do contact me by email or telephone.
I set out to achieve a 12th. fret action of around 3mm. to 3.5mm. on Resonator guitars, but each guitar is setup for correct playability, and for Lap Slide playing, the action can be readily raised using a Nut Riser costing only a few pounds.
I fit Martin Bronze Light 12 Gauge Strings as standard on most Acoustics, but have used Newtone Michael Messer National Strings on Resonators, but happy to fit other string types/gauges to buyer's choice.
The guitars sometimes do not come with cases, although some do have older type but sturdy cases. Alternatively, I may be able to offer a suitable size Hiscox Liteflite hardshell case, offering infinitely better protection. Additional case prices available on request.
