National Style 0 Model Resophonic Guitar (1930), made in USA, nickel plated finish, steel body, original chipboard case.
This is a very early example of the Style O guitar, with a rare STEEL body instead of the far more common brass. This guitar differs from the usual brass-bodied Style O in both look and sound. The slotted peghead is shaped to a more angular pattern, with the string slots cut square at the top. The nickel plated tuners are stamped with "fleur-de-lis" pattern design and carry cream colored plastic buttons. The round-profile maple neck has a bound flat radius ebonized fingerboard with 7 mother-of-pearl position markers and 12 frets clear of the body.
The round shoulder body with flat cut f-holes is decorated in the "Variation One" scheme as cataloged by Brozman, with a profusion of clouds and stars in the moonlight Hawaiian sky of the back. There is a broad border on the cloud-and-palm front design characteristic of the earlier guitars. The resonator cover is standard with small holes drilled in diamond patterns.
The sound of this guitar is closer to the tone of a steel-bodied Triolian or Duolian than a typical Style O, and is perfect for fingerpicked blues and bottleneck playing.
Overall length is 33 1/4 in. (84.4 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.).
All original parts including tailpiece and cone, plating generally excellent with small areas of wear and some clouding to the back. Approximately half of the decal logo is missing. A small amount of finish on the treble side of the peghead adjacent to the treble tuner plank is worn away.
Straight neck with excellent neck angle, this guitar plays perfectly for either slide or fretted work.
