Regal Musical Instrument Company
The Regal Musical Instrument Company was established in 1908 in Chicago. By the 1930s, they were one of the largest manufacturers of musical instruments in the world.
Regal specialised in:
- Hi-End student instruments, sold under the Regal name through major Dealers.
- Custom-built instruments, produced for professional musicians in the Regal custom shop.
Regal was heavily involved in the production of resonator fretted instruments from their first development until 1941, manufacturing components and bodies for both the National String Instrument Corporation and the Dobro Manufacturing Company and producing whole instruments which sold under many brand names including Dobro. The bodies of their Laminated bellied guitars were particularly suited to resonator conversion.
Production of resonator guitars ceased in 1941, and of all fretted instruments in 1954. However, in 1965, Fender distributed five models of banjo under the Regal name, as the exclusive distributors.
In 1987 the Regal name and trademark reappeared as a brand of Saga Musical Instruments. most notable for their 4-string bass resonator guitars,
Previous users of the Regal name
- Emil Wulschner & Son, Indianapolis, used the Regal brand name c.1884-1901.
- The new owners of Emil Wulschner & Son renamed the company the Regal Musical instrument Manufacturing Company in 1901 and continued using the Regal name on instruments through 1904.
- Lyon & Healy bought the rights to the Regal name in 1905 and used it until 1908.
External links
- http://www.mugwumps.com/faq.htm Banjo FAQ.
- http://www.ukbanjo.co.uk/abjo1.htm The Banjo Story.
- http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/electricguitar/pop-ups/01-07.htm Metal-bodied Regal Dobro, 1940, with historical background.