1929 National Triolian Resonator Guitar (Newer Neck)I

Overview: I'm a big fan of 1920s and 1930s Nationals -- they just have a thing that newer resonators don't do. Whether it's the thinner metal in the bodies, the way the cones were spun, or whatever -- they have a more airy, upper-mids-focused, punchy snap to them that's a little different from modern instruments that tend towards hyping more of the lows and lower-mids to give them a "bigger" sound for the solo player. At least that's my own interpretation. This guitar is a 1929 body and all of its related original hardware with a 2000s National Reso-Phonic neck and dowel fit to it. The original neck was probably a bakelite one that had subsequently warped over time to an unusable state.

Tone: It's forward, punchy, and bites in the upper mids like a champ. These make great band/jam instruments because they fit in their own space beautifully and respond really quickly to fingerpicking and the like.

Feel: Modern National necks like this one have a chunky, generous feel. It has a wider nut and soft V shape to the back profile so it feels pretty dang retro in the hand. Folks who like closer string spacing and a more "rock and roll" feel should avoid this entirely -- you will find something you like in '80s and '90s Dobros instead...!

Interesting features: Well, for starters, the mated neck/body is pretty curious and fun. It also has much better tuners than original-spec National ones because of that and you gain a truss rod and reliability. This particular guitar also has a National Slimline magnetic pickup fit to it which gives you an excellent, feedback-resistant, easy-peasy, no-batteries sound for live work. It's got some body sensitivity, too, which is nice because it adds-back some more of that "steely" sound that you sometimes lose with magnetic pickups on resonators.

Repairs included: It's had a thorough setup and adjustments done by Ancel. It's ready to go and plays quick and easy.

• Weight: 8 lbs 5 oz
• Scale length: 25"
• Nut width: 1 13/16"
• Neck shape: medium soft V
• Board radius: 16"
• Body width: 14"
• Body depth: 3 1/8"
• Body: steel
• Cone type: single cone (biscuit)
• Bridge: ebonized maple
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: 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: The body, coverplate, cone, and tailpiece are all original and it has all of its original hardware in the body save for one coverplate mounting screw. The neck and dowel is an early-2000s National Reso-Phonic replacement. Presumably, this originally had a squirrelly bakelite neck and that is why the neck was swapped-out. The body shows plenty of finish loss, wear, and tear but nothing major as far as nicks, dings, or bad dents. The neck has the usual issue with early-2000s National instruments where the clearcoat has cracked and come off in places leading to a blotchy look here and there. It matches the aesthetic of the body, though, so I actually think perhaps it's an improvement for this particular guitar?

It comes with: This has a good, National-branded hard case (sorry, not pictured).

Consignor tag: HKS