National Reso-Phonic Guitars The National line of metal-bodied resonator instruments are the most uniquely American guitars ever made, representing America's cultural melting pot, as well as the transition from acoustic to electric guitars. Invented by Slovakian immigrants (John Dopyera and his brothers) and made in Los Angeles from 1926 to 1939 - and now being made again in California - these loud, shiny instruments were built to satisfy the need for a louder guitar for jazz bands and recording. ... National made nickel silver, Hawaiian guitars, mandolins, tenor guitars, and ukuleles. Their design shows a strong Art Deco influence, very modernistic, and a true blending of art and industry. No Nationals were made between 1942 and 1989, when Don Young and McGregor Gaines started the National Reso-Phonic Guitar Company. Nationals have a much wider dynamic range than either electric or conventional wooden acoustic guitars, with a profound tone that is unique among instruments. Prices are negotiable Prices listed are the supplier's recommended retail in Australian
dollars. Page up to date on May 17, 2012 |
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National Model D Western Square Neck Resonator Guitar Sold - another coming Figured maple top, solid walnut sides and an exotic quarter-matched walnut burl back. Top, back and fingerboard are bound with maple/rosewood "rope" binding. The standard square neck is walnut with a lap-style flat ebony fingerboard inlaid with white mother-of-pearl arrow markers. The headstock is overlaid with white pearloid into which the National logo has been engraved. Vintage-style, open gear, three-on-a-plate tuners. The coverplate, removable strap, and tailpiece are plated in satin nickel. |
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National M1 Tricone Resonator Guitar $3495 rrp After years of research and development, National Reso-Phonic Guitars has produced a wood-body Tricone. Nearly 3.3 lbs. lighter than its metal-body counterpart, this instrument features laminated mahogany body construction, highlighted by a sturdy wood soundwell and hand-painted steel cover- plate. Combines the unmistakable sound of a Tricone with the warmth of a wood-body. Outfitted with our new-alloy cones and aluminum T-bridge. |
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National El Trovador Resonator Guitar Sold - another coming This single cone guitar is patterned after the famous El Trovador produced from 1932-1933. Features a large, 4” deep body constructed of mahogany. The body is bound in multi-layer celluloid, with a matching purfling border around the coverplate. A wood soundwell houses the resonator. An ebony fretboard is mated to a solid mahogany neck, capped with a rosewood headstock overlay. The El Trovador’s has a deep, unique voice. |
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National Style "O" 12 fret Resonator Guitar $3495 rrp National's flagship model, the Style O recreates the look and feel of the original 1930’s single resonator guitars. This brass bodied instrument is polished to a mirror-like shine, nickel plated, and finally etched with the distinctive Hawaiian palm tree design. The maple neck is finished in a traditional sunburst. An ivoroid bound ebony fretboard and vintage-style engraved tuners complete the look of this timeless classic. |
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National Style "O" 14 fret Resonator Guitar $3495 rrp National's flagship model, the Style O recreates the look and feel of the original 1930’s single resonator guitars. This brass bodied instrument is polished to a mirror-like shine, nickel plated, and finally etched with the distinctive Hawaiian palm tree design. The maple neck is finished in a traditional sunburst. An ivoroid bound ebony fretboard and vintage-style engraved tuners complete the look of this timeless classic. |
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National Style 1 Tricone Resonator Guitar $3995 rrp The Style 1 Tricone shares many of its’ features with the original National Tricone created by the Dopyera brothers in the late 1920’s. The brass body is polished to a mirror-like shine and nickel plated. The mahogany neck, finished in a rich mahogany burst, has an ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style tuning machines sit on a traditional slotted headstock, complete with the distinctive National shield decal. |
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National Vintage Steel Delphi Guitar Sold - another coming The Vintage Steel Delphi features steel body construction with a ribbed sieve-hole coverplate, just like the pre-war original resonator guitars. The hard rock maple neck has an ivoroid bound rosewood fingerboard and slotted headstock. The name "Vintage Steel" refers to the plating process. The satin-nickel plating on each Vintage Steel instrument is designed to look aged with use and the passage of time. |
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National RM1 Resophonic Mandolin $2795 rrp Traditional features such as a biscuit bridge and vintage-style open gear tuners, combined with modern appointments, including an intonated saddle and a comfortably radiused, extended fretboard. The neck is made from highly figured maple. The body is carved from two-piece walnut, with a figured maple top. The Art-Deco cast tailpiece and antique brass parts are exclusive to this instrument. National RM1 Resophonic Mandolin with pickup $3145 rrp |
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National M2 Mahogany Resonator Guitar $2995 rrp Back by popular demand, the M-2 is the second generation of the National Reso-Phonic M-1 made from 1990-1994. An M-2's body is composed of laminate top and back, and solid mahogany sides. This instrument also features a mahogany neck with engraved pearloid headstock overlay, rosewood fretboard and mother-of-pearl position markers. Tuners are vintage-style engraved, open gear. |
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National Resolectric Electric Resonator Guitar $2995 rrp Uses an audiophile-quality Highlander preamp to mix both the magnetic and piezo-electric pickups. A Jason Lollar P-90 pickup in the neck position, and a Highlander piezo transducer under the saddle. The output of each pickup is controlled by independent volume knobs, with a master volume knob to control the instrument's overall output level. A 3-way toggle switch selects which pickups are active. The solid mahogany body is capped with a figured maple top bound in ivoroid. The figured maple neck clears 14 frets to the body, highlighted with a diamond inlaid, rosewood fretboard. |
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National Maple Uke $1995 rrp This Concert Ukulele comes with a figured maple top, back and sides. The neck is made of figured maple with an unbound rosewood fingerboard. The headstock has a tortoise/ivoroid overlay to complete this instrument. |
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National Reso-Phonic Hot-Plate $445 rrp Designed by National and Artist Mike Dowling to replace National Style 9.5" Coverplate without modifcation to instrument. Sieve hole Coverplate with Lollar Single Coil Tele-Style Pickup through a 1/4 inch output jack. Passive Volume and Tone Controls, enlarged coverplate screw holes for easy install |
