Mid '50's To Late 60's Regal Branded Parlor Guitars

 

Here we have a couple funky and rare parlor sized guitars.  As you can see they are Regal branded, but were actually made by Harmony in Chicago sometime during the 50's or 60's.  The Regal name was licensed to Harmony in 1954.  You will see the Regal headstocks on some of the Sovereign models like the 1260, the 1203, and these little parlors.  I have a Regal branded sovereign 1260 and for some reason it feels more muscular/better built than its Harmony branded counterpart.  What I love about these catalog guitars is that you never know what you are going to get.  One would think that with so many guitars distributed out of the Chicago factories the process would be pretty streamlined.  Maybe it was, but that doesn't explain the random differences you will encounter between two instruments that are seemingly alike.  Case in point with these two parlors.  They are essentially of the same specs but the blond parlor on the right is a lot heavier than its brother.  You will also notice the six fret markers on the blond one with only four on the shaded top.

The shaded top on the left was sent to Scott Baxendale for a rebuild.  It is now a terrific playing guitar.  Because of its size it can't do it all and fits into a niche, but is a great fingerpicker with one of the most refined, balanced parlor tones you will hear.  That fact that it is beautiful to look at doesn't hurt.  It is teaching me a thing or two about employing a little lighter touch.

These guitars are really cool,  They are like mini Sovereigns.

All solid woods on many of these old Harmony made guitars.  Solid spruce top as well as mahogany back and sides.

Definitely had to change out the tuners.  The originals were crappy old strip tuners.

Action is super low and fast

Probably going to keep this little guy all original.  It plays pretty well and has a little more of that parlor bark with regards to tone.  As I said earlier it is oddly a little heftier.  For their age, both guitars have fared well over time. They are pretty rare. I have only seen two others in all my years.  I hate to give away a big secret, but these Regal branded instruments are a great buy and excellent candidates for a rebuild.

I love the little mysteries and inconsistencies about these guitars.  You will note that the headstock on this one doesn't peak as much as the headstock on the shaded top guitar.

Here is a final shot of the two parlors with their big Regal brother.