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, original brown alligator chipboard case.
This guitar is a result of the intertwining of Gibson and National/Valco with the CMI (Chicago Musical Instrument) empire in the 1940s and '50s. 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 fitted 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) dating to 1954. 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 1950s "Populuxe" tinge. The triple-bound sunburst top is a bit less artful if more dramatic than the period Gibson style with a lot of deeper red tint. The heavy rosewood bridge has a point on the bottom end and three securing screws covered with pearl dots. The Kluson Deluxe tuners have "butterfly" plastic buttons particular to National.
This is a good-sounding guitar with a distinct "retro-cool" look beyond the typical Gibson aesthetic. As early J-45s have become rather 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.).
This is a very clean, original example of this cool hybrid creation, one of the nicest we have had. It is all original and complete except for the headstock logo, which is a modern repro. (The original is included, but it had fallen off and now reads "ational", as the "N" is missing). Other than this, the guitar shows only a slight repaired seam separation to the top behind the bridge. There is some light finish wear overall with a few larger dings and a large worn spot on the lower side where it rubbed against the case hinge. This is a very good-sounding 1155, with a deeper resonance than many and plenty of power when pushed. Excellent Condition.
