2018 National NRP 12-Fret "Rubbed" Finish Resonator Guitar

February 06, 2022

2018 National NRP 12-Fret "Rubbed" Finish Resonator Guitar

Modern Nationals evoke the old '30s models but go a few steps better in terms of making them excellent for a working musician. The bodies tend to be thicker-gauged steel and that makes them more resistant to bumps and dings and, in turn, this also seems to give them a mellower top-end and a much-fuller low-end. This last bit is really useful if you're, say, a lone-wolf country-blues picker wanting to be the band with only two hands to spare. You can get some good "chug" out of them.

The necks are also truss-rodded and feature radiused fretboards (thankee, gods) and modern-size fretwire.

This "NRP" model is like a stripped-down 12-fret Style O of the early '30s and has no binding at the fretboard or etching on the body. The rolled f-holes make its body a little stiffer but the 12-fret body joint means it does have a bigger, rounder sound compared to a 14-fret instrument. It's punchy as all heck, too.

Its finish is the "rubbed" option which basically means brushed. It's got nickel-silver plating on the body but it's been mellowed-out a bit by removing the high polish that most of these have. Personally, I find it more attractive because it's easier to live with (you don't have to clean it all the time to a mirror finish for it to look good) and it reminds me more of the look of the actual old Nationals.

After some glorified setup work, it's now playing spot-on and quick, too.

Repairs included: fret level/dress, bridge adjustments and saddle compensation, cleaning, and setup.

Body: steel

Bridge: maple biscuit & saddle

Fretboard: ebony

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Neck shape: medium-big C/V (soft)

Board radius: ~12"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Scale length: 25"