1996 OMI Dobro Duolion "Hula Blues" Biscuit-Bridge Resonator Guitar

Before the modern version of National started-up and truly revived the biscuit-bridge resonator guitar lineage in the US, OMI made instruments like these in the '90s to sate the desire for this style of guitar. This is called a "Duolian" but it has no real connection to the original metal-bodied National Duolians of the '30s. It's really just a typical woodbody OMI Dobro from the time but with a National-style soundwell, cone, and coverplate setup. The coverplate is flat, though.

Still, I really like these "Hula" guitars. They're charming, they sound good (after they're buttoned-up), and the necks are quick and comfortable despite a wider nut (which is very much unlike the current National-brand runs with their massive back profiles). This handles like a "modern" guitar but with a wider nut.

Much work was needed to get this playing spot-on, however. Someone had monkeyed with the dowel and we repaired and reinforced a split in it, knocked the neck angle back (reset), made the neck joint more secure (hidden bolt and shims internally), replaced bad internal "mushroom" blocks with bigger wood blocks, and then did our normal setup-side and fretwork. The end result is something that plays spot-on and is functional and ready to serve. It has a compensated saddle, too, and is setup for "fingerpicking" action height.

Both Jose and Tim helped me with aspects of this repair but I did much of the groundwork.

Repairs included: neck reset, dowel repairs, fret level/dress, neck joint work, cone seating, saddle work, setup, etc.

• Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: slim-medium C
• Board radius: flat
• Body width: 14"
• Body depth: 3 3/8"
• Body: plywood
• Cone type: single-cone biscuit-style
• Bridge: maple
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: probably maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: there are minor scuffs and scratches throughout (not tons). There's a filled hole on the back just below the heel from where a bolt is hidden that stiffens/strengthens the neck joint and keeps the heel in place -- the original factory joint was not satisfactory. There's a little touchup to the finish around the neck joint, too. Overall it's in good order.

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MM