The new Dobro resonator was dish shaped, and made from aluminum. It’s bridge, nicknamed a “spider” is also metal, and had a central section (with a wooden saddle on top of it) making contact with the strings. It also has eight radiating “legs” that carry vibrations to the edge of the cone. The resonator’s excellent design means that it’s sound has more resonance and longer sustain than the National version.

When demand outpaced supply in 1932, the brothers signed a licensing agreement with Chicago manufacturer, Regal. In 1935, resolving their dispute with National, the companies merged, forming National-Dobro.

The model here is a later copy of the metal Model 36. “Fan”-style coverplate holes on the body occur on many Dobro instruments.