1930s National Triolian Resonator Ukulele Conversion

I took this instrument in trade from a friend of mine. I adore National resonator mandolins but when I get beat-up ones like this in, I always see potential for branching-out to other uses for them. These old Nationals have an odd, 15" scale length which makes them somewhere between a mandolin and a mandola in scale and normal mandolin strings feel quite over-tense when tuned to normal pitch, so I normally set these up with slack tension with a low E or F rather than G for the lowest string.

I've made these into 4-string mandolins before (with great success) but this time I converted it into a 4-string format but strung it up as a ukulele as the 15" scale makes a perfect "concert ukulele" scale length. Besides, National did make a tricone ukulele in this body shape in the late '20s. I suppose it could be strung-up like a 4-string mandolin again, however, with a quick alteration to the saddle for better intonation.

All that out of the way, how did it turn out? Well, excellent of course! The cone on this guy feels even thinner than normal and so it's quite the resonant, sweet, and loud little beastie. I also plugged 4 of the headstock tuner holes, too, and fit Gotoh UPTs (4:1 geared uke/mini-banjo pegs) to the headstock to give it a little more of a classic look. The instrument needed all the other usual stuff, too, and now that it's all done it plays excellently and is sturdy and ready to serve long-term. I did all of the other work but new recruit Jose did a nice level/dress job on it.

This particular neck has a thinner (front to back) profile and a wider (side to side) one, so it's actually pretty ideal for playing uke-style chords on. It feels rather like playing a modern concert uke.

Repairs included: a neck reset, blocking work inside the body, fret level/dress, side dots added, headstock alterations and tuners install, saddle repairs/adjustments, cleaning, etc.

Weight: 4 lbs 8 oz

Scale length: 15"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Neck shape: medium C/very slight V

Board radius: flat

Body width: 12 3/4"

Body depth: 2 5/8"

Body: steel

Cone type: full size single cone

Bridge: maple biscuit and saddle

Fretboard: ebonized maple

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: D'Addario fluorocarbon EJ99T set

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: lower/smaller

Condition notes: clearly, it's quite beat-up in the finish department. It's either missing or tatty all over that steel body -- but in such a great way, no? This thing was loved! Everything on it is original, too, save for a replacement felt gasket under the hood, the tuners, added side dots, and a strap button I added at the heel. Someone put a hole through the logo decal on the headstock, too, at some point -- presumably to hang it from the wall or tie a strap through.

It comes with: its original case (this is amazing in itself -- cases for these are very hard to find).

Consignor tag: JW