National Model 1107 Debonaire Model Arch Top Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1955), made in Chicago, serial # X-51733, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body with spruce top, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown alligator chipboard case.
The medium-flashy "Debonaire" was National's version of a single-pickup full-depth 16" guitar, generally similar in intent to an ES-175 although not built on a Gibson body. The laminated single-bound body has a spruce top with a striking sunburst, which is also applied to the back, sides and neck. The tone and volume controls for the single Valco pickup are located somewhat unusually on the upper cutaway bout. The decorated cream white plastic pickguard has a pinstriped edge and a "Debonaire" script logo. The neck is the typical 50's bolt-on National "stylist" unit with a metal core and plastic headstock facing, emblazoned with a raised cream plastic logo. Light and easy to handle, the Debonaire is a sharp looking, good playing and sounding guitar especially suitable to '50's "funky" Jazz, Blues, early Rock'n'Roll and R+B styles.
Overall length is 41 5/16 in. (104.9 cm.), 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 11/16 in. (9.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). Superb, all original condition with only a few tiny chips and dings. A small area of loss in the top edge of the pickguard pinstriping; the plastic National logo has been re-glued to the headstock less neatly than we'd prefer, but this is only noticeable on close inspection. Overall this is easily the finest of these we have ever seen, and in exceptionally good cosmetic and playing condition for a guitar of this vintage. Excellent + Condition.
