National Model 1155 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1954)
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Item #4368
National Model 1155 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1954), made in Chicago, sunburst top, natural back and sides finish, mahogany back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black soft shell case.
This guitar is a result of the intertwining of Gibson and National/Valco with the CMI (Chicago Musical Instrument) empire in the 1940's and '50's. As National had no high-quality wood shop, a deal was struck for them to purchase Gibson-made bodies "in the white" (unfinished) for their better grade instruments, to be fited out with National necks and hardware. This flat-top Model 1155 is built on a Gibson J-45 body with the neck block bearing a Gibson FON (factory order number) 0f 72424. The bolted-on National "Stylist" heelless neck has a deep "C" profile, the headstock is covered in deep maroon plastic. The neck joint sports a screwed-on cream plastic plate covering the empty dovetail joint.
The pickguard is a translucent "tiger striped" celluloid peculiar to National, which gives the guitar a typically 1950's "Populuxe" tinge. The triple-bound sunburst top is a bit less artful if more dramatic than the period Gibson style and the heavy rosewood bridge has a point on the bottom end and three securing screws left in plain sight (Gibson covered theirs with pearl dots!). These are very good sounding guitars with a distinct 'retro-cool' look beyond the typical Gibson. As early J-45's become ever more costly these "half Gibson" Nationals look better and better!
Overall length is 41 1/4 in. (104.8 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). All original except recent repro headstock logo and nut. Nice condition overall; top seam resealed but very little finish wear to top mostly around soundhole. Some dings and scratches overall but in general an extremely nice and exceptionally fine sounding and playing example of this model. Generally Excellent Condition.
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This guitar is a result of the intertwining of Gibson and National/Valco with the CMI (Chicago Musical Instrument) empire in the 1940's and '50's. As National had no high-quality wood shop, a deal was struck for them to purchase Gibson-made bodies "in the white" (unfinished) for their better grade instruments, to be fited out with National necks and hardware. This flat-top Model 1155 is built on a Gibson J-45 body with the neck block bearing a Gibson FON (factory order number) 0f 72424. The bolted-on National "Stylist" heelless neck has a deep "C" profile, the headstock is covered in deep maroon plastic. The neck joint sports a screwed-on cream plastic plate covering the empty dovetail joint.
The pickguard is a translucent "tiger striped" celluloid peculiar to National, which gives the guitar a typically 1950's "Populuxe" tinge. The triple-bound sunburst top is a bit less artful if more dramatic than the period Gibson style and the heavy rosewood bridge has a point on the bottom end and three securing screws left in plain sight (Gibson covered theirs with pearl dots!). These are very good sounding guitars with a distinct 'retro-cool' look beyond the typical Gibson. As early J-45's become ever more costly these "half Gibson" Nationals look better and better!
Overall length is 41 1/4 in. (104.8 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). All original except recent repro headstock logo and nut. Nice condition overall; top seam resealed but very little finish wear to top mostly around soundhole. Some dings and scratches overall but in general an extremely nice and exceptionally fine sounding and playing example of this model. Generally Excellent Condition.
