National Style 1 Tricone Roundneck Model Resophonic Guitar (1932), made in Los Angeles, California, German Silver finish, German silver body, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
One of the classic guitar designs of all time, the National Tricone is currently enjoying renewed popularity. Widely considered the finest acoustic instrument ever created for slide playing, the roundneck Tricone is also an excellent and totally distinctive guitar for many other styles of play.
The round neck "Spanish" Tricone is considerably rarer then the square neck "Hawaiian" variant, and has long been sought after as the ultimate acoustic blues guitar. This Style 1 is from the early 1930's when the Tricones were being heavily outsold by the newer -- and much cheaper -- single cone designs. A Style 1 tricone retailed for $125.00, a tremendous sum for 1932, the height of the depression, so it's not surprising that few were sold.
This guitar is a good playing example, suitable for both open-tuned slide and regular Spanish play, with the rich sound only Tricones can produce. The Style 1, with the unengraved body, is the 'purest' example of National's Art Deco aesthetic, and mysteriously often seems to be the best sounding as well, although there is no scientific reason why that should be!
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) deep. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.).
All original except for a recent neck reset and new saddle. Cones and T-bar are original.
This guitar has been well-played but not abused; the finish is intact but has typical clouding and light pitting, with some noticeable light scratching into (but not through) the finish on the back. Numerous small dents and dings, but again, no serious damage; the most noticeable is a 1" indentation in the player's armwear area of the lower bass bout.
Neck finish worn but substantially intact, as is the "National" logo decal, often missing on well used examples. Fingerboard, binding, and frets also original; some playing wear but no damage. One gouge into the back of the neck at the seventh fret area on the treble side. Had other tuners for some time, but the original engraved plate set has been repaired and re-installed.
Overall a great-playing Tricone in "Blues-Approved" condition. Includes more recent HSC. Very Good + Condition.
