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Lot 39
39
DOBRO, LOS ANGELES, CIRCA 1933
DOBRO, LOS ANGELES, CIRCA 1933
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Please note lots marked with a square will be move… Read more THE DOBRO The term “dobro” has become a commonly used term for any wood-bodied guitar made with an internal aluminum cone resonator, however the name stems from the trademarked name Dobro, derived from the Dopyera Brothers. The Dopyeras began making these unique instruments in 1929, based on the earlier work of John Matthias Augustus Stroh, who in 1899 incorporated an aluminum cone diaphragm to increase the tonal volume of string instruments. By the mid-1930s the application of resonator guitars became obsolete due to the advances in electrical amplification. Played with either a slide, bottleneck or traditionally fingered, the instrument’s unique sound was first embraced by Hawaiian musicians, followed by blues, country and bluegrass musicians.
DOBRO, LOS ANGELES, CIRCA 1933

A RESONATOR GUITAR, MODEL 27

Details
DOBRO, LOS ANGELES, CIRCA 1933
A RESONATOR GUITAR, MODEL 27
Bearing the later Dobro logo decal at the headstock, stamped at the end of the headstock 5617, stamped on the cover 1896484 / other pats. pend., with later semi-hard case bearing a label inscribed RESONATOR SUNBURST - WOOD BODY #5617 of 5617 DOBRO 1934 SERIAL NO. DG1090; accompanied by a facsimile copy of the original sales invoice from California Guitar, made out to Mr. David Gilmour and dated 15th December 1979, and a candid color snapshot of David Gilmour playing this guitar in 2001
Length of back 19 ½ in (49.7 cm.)
Provenance
Special Notice

Please note lots marked with a square will be moved to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn) on the last day of the sale. Lots are not available for collection at Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services until after the third business day following the sale. All lots will be stored free of charge for 30 days from the auction date at Christie’s Rockefeller Center or Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn). Operation hours for collection from either location are from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, Monday-Friday. After 30 days from the auction date property may be moved at Christie’s discretion. Please contact Post-Sale Services to confirm the location of your property prior to collection. Lots may not be collected during the day of their move to Christie’s Fine Art Storage Services (CFASS in Red Hook, Brooklyn). Please consult the Lot Collection Notice for collection information.
Lots made of or including (regardless of the percentage) endangered and other protected species of wildlife are marked with the symbol ~ in the catalogue. This material includes, among other things, ivory, tortoiseshell, crocodile skin, rhinoceros horn, whalebone certain species of coral, and Brazilian rosewood. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on any lot containing wildlife material if you plan to import the lot into another country. Several countries refuse to allow you to import property containing these materials, and some other countries require a licence from the relevant regulatory agencies in the countries of exportation as well as importation. In some cases, the lot can only be shipped with an independent scientific confirmation of species and/or age, and you will need to obtain these at your own cost.
Sale Room Notice
Please note this lot incorporates material from endangered and/or protected species of wildlife which could result in export restrictions. Please see Paragraph H2(b) of the Conditions of Sale for further information.

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Lot Essay

David Gilmour purchased this Dobro in December 1979 from Frank Lucido of California Guitar in Ventura, California, during a brief interlude between completing final recording and mixing sessions for The Wall at Producers Workshop in Los Angeles in November 1979 and beginning production rehearsals for the upcoming Wall Tour in January 1980. The Wall Tour opened at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on 7th February 1980. Gilmour kept this guitar for both home and studio use.

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