{"product_id":"national-model-1155-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1954-8469","title":"National Model 1155 Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1954)","description":"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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall 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.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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.","brand":"National","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853414748300,"sku":"8469","price":2950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_b46ca70b-0182-4618-8ce3-4f4b91b0238f.jpg?v=1774338113","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/national-model-1155-flat-top-acoustic-guitar-1954-8469","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}