National Westwood 72 Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Chicago, transparent wine red lacquer finish, molded Res-O-Glas body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The National "Map" Guitars represent some of the most exuberant examples of vintage American guitar design, utterly distinctive even 60+ years on whether in Res-O-Glass or wood like this cherry red example from 1965. Unlike their molded fiberglass body siblings, the "Westwood" series were designed as a more a traditional solid body in feel with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish over a sculpted mahogany body and maple neck. Likely intended to appeal to more conservative players put off by "plastic" guitars the Westwoods never quite reached tip top commercial heights, but their playful design has made them a beloved kitschy relic among collectors. This wooden model is more comfortably playable than some other "Maps" with a smaller body and less eccentric feel. While they carry a sort of funky blues/trash culture connotation today, these Nationals were actually not all that cheap when new.
The Model 72 was the lowest priced of the 3-guitar Westwood line. The bodies and necks were the same, but the 72 mounts only a single excellent Valco "Vista-Power" magnetic pickup by the neck. This unit is provided with three different tone settings selected via a 3-way lever switch, making it relatively versatile for a single pickup guitar. Each setting has its own volume control above the strings, with an additional master volume located beside the output jack. As the three tones are "pre-set" there is no tone control. The back is mostly covered by a large black plastic plate; underneath this are not only the electronics bays but a large rout intended to reduce the weight. Another unique aesthetic touch is the little silver press-on buttons covering the screws holding the bolt-on neck in place.
The dramatic look of the guitar as a whole is enhanced by a clear back-painted pinstriped plastic pickguard with a "NATIONAL Val-Pro" shield logo echoing American hotrod culture of the period, sophisticated and downhome at the same time! This budget model cost $139.50 (plus case) in 1964-5, in range with the cheapest Fender and Gibson offerings of the period. This Westwood has stood the test of time better than some of its Res-O-Glass counterparts, still a funky time machine that transports the player back to the 1960's (or at least to when The White Stripes got together). It remains a super cool and utterly distinctive guitar by any standard.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This is a nicely original example with mostly light wear, but much of the celluloid binding on the fingerboard has shrunken and cracked, heavily on the entire bass side but only at the very high end on the treble side. It has been stabilized in spots and is not flaking away so playability is not impeded, but is noticeable. This brings the guitar's overall condition rating down, as otherwise it is pretty clean. The bright cherry finish on the body and neck show only relatively light wear; there are a few dings and scratches here and there consistent with some play time throughout the guitar's life, with one touched-in spot on the body's top edge.
The headstock's unique construction may look at first like a repaired seam, but it's simply how this multi-piece laminated headstock was made and the guitar is free of any structural cracks. The neck has a bit of light wear commensurate with the body's wear, nothing to impede playability and not even worn through to the wood. The original frets have a healthy amount of life, and the Kluson strip tuners, National logo badge, and plastic pickguard are all well in tact.
This guitar retains all the charming original National trimmings from the six white mini tone control knobs to the inlaid Lucite pickguard to the block tailpiece. The original pinstriped painted pickup cover is bit worn by pick action over the years. Internally the electronics are all original. The guitar plays well for one of these and resides in a nice non-original but older Fender-style hardshell case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
