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Melophonic Resonator Guitar - $450 (New Castle)
condition:
fair
make / manufacturer:
Resonator Guitar
model name / number:
Melophonic
size / dimensions:
36 1/4 x 14 1/4"
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Dimensions 36 1/4" long
14 1/4" widest part of body
fretboard 16 7/8" long, 18 frets
steel resonator
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Based on the photos, this is a **Melophonic brand metal-cone resonator guitar**, most likely **1960s Japanese-made**, sold as an **import budget instrument** rather than a U.S. factory brand.
Here’s a detailed breakdown.
## What “Melophonic” Was
* **Melophonic** was **not a manufacturer**, but a **brand name / stencil name**.
* It was used by **U.S. importers** in the late 1950s–1960s for guitars made in **Japan**, primarily for:
* department stores
* mail-order catalogs
* regional music shops
You’ll often see similar instruments under names like:
* Kingston
* Silvertone
* Holiday
* Global
* Tempo
* Marquis
---
## Construction & Features (What Your Photos Show)
### Body
* **Wooden body** (likely laminated birch or similar)
* **Single-cone resonator** with:
* stamped steel coverplate
* biscuit-style bridge
* F-hole shaped sound ports (decorative + acoustic)
This is **not a Dobro-style spider bridge**, but closer to **National-inspired budget designs**.
### Neck & Headstock
* Slotted-style silhouette but **solid headstock**
* Painted black headstock with **hand-applied logo**
* Simple open-gear tuners (likely original)
* Nut appears to be **plastic or bone replacement** (common)
### Fingerboard
* Likely **maple or stained hardwood**
* Simple dot inlays
* Narrow nut width (typical of Japanese imports of the era)
---
## Country & Date of Origin
**Most likely:**
* **Made in Japan**
* **Early to mid-1960s**
Why:
* Headstock logo style
* Resonator hardware type
* Wood selection
* Tuners and finish techniques
* Absence of serial numbers or factory markings
Japanese factories commonly producing these:
* Teisco
* Guyatone
* Matsumoku (possibly)
* FujiGen subcontractors
---
## Original Use & Market
* Designed for:
* blues
* slide guitar
* folk revival players
* Sold as an **affordable alternative** to National or Dobro instruments
* Typical original price: **$40–$75 USD** (1960s)
---
## Sound Characteristics
These guitars typically have:
* Dry, boxy tone
* Strong midrange bark
* Less volume than U.S. Nationals
* Great for:
* bottleneck slide
* roots blues
* lo-fi recording textures
They are **not refined**, but very characterful.