2010 National El Trovador Baritone Resonator Guitar (Bass VI Mod)

Overview: This is the same National El Trovador baritone I've had in the shop for a while. I'd taken it in trade towards another resonator some time back. These are quality guitars and have a big, booming, full-on voice and a longer, 27" scale length as compared to the normal Trovadors. This one was right in the grey area of needing a neck reset, but I finally got around to it and then further modified it to have an adjustable, archtop-style bridge/saddle setup and a Bass VI-style tuning (EADGBE standard but an octave down from normal).

I like this alteration a lot! I'm always on the fence about baritone guitars because I detest transposing the altered keys and, while the low E string is not as full as the same string on the 3rd fret at G, you're basically playing-around in the same range as a normal baritone guitar without having to think about it. As another benefit, if you're a bassist like myself, you can easily flit between bass-style playing, bajo sexto-style three-note chordal-stuff, and straight-up crosspicked guitar work without it sounding too clunky.

As before, it's a fairly clean guitar but does have a little playwear in evidence here and there (the satin finish is buffed a little in places on the back and edges). I was planning on using this for some upcoming recordings and band stuff, but I am a little divided about it as I have never been able to really adapt well to the wider nuts on modern Nationals and find myself going back and forth about it. I do love the instrument the way it's setup and playing right now, though.

Repairs included: I just gave it a fresh neck reset, minor level/dress work on the frets before, a modified saddle setup (for proper EADGBE compensation and to fit an adjustable-height saddle), and general setup work. It's playing bang-on, has adjustment room for action tweaks at the bridge, and is ready to go.

• Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz
• Scale length: 27"
• Nut width: 1 15/16"
• Neck shape: medium-full soft V
• Board radius: 14"
• Depth at first fret: 0.91"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.97"
• Body width: 14 3/8"
• Body depth: 4"
• Top wood: ply mahogany
• Back & sides wood: ply mahogany
• Cone type: National Hot Rod
• Bridge: biscuit w/adjustable saddle (thumbwheels)
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: hair-above 3/32” bass to 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 95w, 75w, 55w, 35w, 32w, 24w or close to it, phosphor bronze
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-bigger

Condition notes: There's a little playwear in evidence at the edges and some buffed-up finish on the back (from clothing rubbing) but overall it's nice and clean. The coverplate was aged to begin-with but does show plating-wear here and there from use. The tailpiece has a split on one side of it at the "hinge" and it's been that way since I've had it here and it has not budged. I have a spare tailpiece for it in the case pocket just "in case." Note my modifications in the overview of the instrument. I can, of course, restring and set this up as a normal baritone if desired.

It comes with: It has its original hard case.

Consignor tag: JW