National Reso-Phonic Resophonic Guitar (1956)
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Item # 7283
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National Reso-Phonic Model Resophonic Guitar (1956), made in Chicago, serial # X-64786, yellow pearloid finish, hardwood body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original two-tone chipboard case.
One of the National company's oddest fretted experiments (and that's saying something!) the 1950's Reso-Phonic model is essentially a solidbody resonator guitar, which only functions as an acoustic instrument despite looking like it really ought to be electrified! The 1930's style resonator cone is set into a small solid wood body covered in yellow pearloid, with a second coverplate on the back to allow some sound to escape. There is a plastic pickguard on the upper half of the body, decorated with pinstripes, a script "RESO-PHONIC" and a metal plate National shield logo. The bolt-on neck is a very short scale, similar to the one used on the company's budget Supro student guitars. The instrument is not particularly loud but has a very distinctive tone, somewhat like an original 1930's National already recorded onto a 78 RPM record. Odd, endearing and one of our dark-horse favorite eccentricities.
Overall length is 34 in. (86.4 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). A bit worn overall, with a repaired crack to the body just above the tailpiece (solid but visible) and finish worn off the top of the headstock. There is an extra small screwhole in the top, and a round hole in the rear coverplate where it looks like a jack for some sort of electronics was fitted. Otherwise original and complete except for a new brifge saddle, nicely set up and a good player with as much sound as these ever produce! Includes a cool but not especially useful original chipboard case with the handle lost. Very Good + Condition.
One of the National company's oddest fretted experiments (and that's saying something!) the 1950's Reso-Phonic model is essentially a solidbody resonator guitar, which only functions as an acoustic instrument despite looking like it really ought to be electrified! The 1930's style resonator cone is set into a small solid wood body covered in yellow pearloid, with a second coverplate on the back to allow some sound to escape. There is a plastic pickguard on the upper half of the body, decorated with pinstripes, a script "RESO-PHONIC" and a metal plate National shield logo. The bolt-on neck is a very short scale, similar to the one used on the company's budget Supro student guitars. The instrument is not particularly loud but has a very distinctive tone, somewhat like an original 1930's National already recorded onto a 78 RPM record. Odd, endearing and one of our dark-horse favorite eccentricities.
Overall length is 34 in. (86.4 cm.), 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). A bit worn overall, with a repaired crack to the body just above the tailpiece (solid but visible) and finish worn off the top of the headstock. There is an extra small screwhole in the top, and a round hole in the rear coverplate where it looks like a jack for some sort of electronics was fitted. Otherwise original and complete except for a new brifge saddle, nicely set up and a good player with as much sound as these ever produce! Includes a cool but not especially useful original chipboard case with the handle lost. Very Good + Condition.