National Style 3 Roundneck Model Resophonic Guitar (1929), made in Los Angeles, California, nickel plated finish, nickel silver body, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
A Style 3 Roundneck Tricone is simply one of the most superlative resonator instruments it is possible to own. Generally considered even rarer than the slightly fancier Style 4, the style 3 with its extremely delicate "lily of the valley" engraving is to many the most aesthetically pleasing of all Nationals. This example was built late in 1929, just as the era of opulence of the 1920's was coming to an end. These ultra-modern fancy resophonic guitars would continue to be built until WWII, but the great bulk of National's production from 1930 on would be the far cheaper single cone instruments.
The Style 3 features a mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard inlaid with pearl diamonds. The headstock is faced pearloid with an engraved National shield logo. The floral engraving pattern was designed by John Dopyera himself and is extremely finely executed; this version has no fronds running through the coverplate but a decoration on the handrest.
The guitar plays perfectly and has the smooth deep tricone sound, fabulous for both slide and standard playing.
Overall length is 39 1/4 in. (99.7 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.).
Overall very clean and original; one dent in upper bout on top edge and some plating loss to T-bar handrest. Original cones, frets, and treble side tuners; bass side are slightly later 1930's style. A great example of one of the rarest and most desirable National instruments. Excellent Condition.
