Resophonic Guitars

by Robert F. Gear

Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #20, 1975



Since the late sixties the National metal-bodied guitars and Dobros have become one of the hottest items among collectors, blues players and bluegrass enthusiasts alike.

The Dopera brothers built the first National in 1926 and had it on the market in 1927. The Dobro was invented in 1928 and out by 1929.

The first National was a triple resonator available in both round Spanish and all metal Hawaiian square-neck models; in addition, a tenor banjo/guitar was also made.

The triple has a very mellow tone; and with two resonators under the bass and one under the treble, a stereo effect in produced. By 1929 a single resonator National was being offered; this had greater volume but a more strident tone. About this time the Dopera brothers formed a new company and began to sell Dobros. The name Dobro is a contraction of Dopera Brothers; it also means “Good” in the Slavic languages.