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National NRP B Series Black Rust 12 Fret

National Triolian Polychrome with Hawaiian Scene Stencil

National Style 1 Tricone Cutaway with Brass Body

National Dueco 14-Fret Silver Crystalline Finish Single Cone

About our Luthiers: Smith and Young Spider Cone Guitars

National Style N-14 German Silver with Custom Chicken Foot Coverplate

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National NRP B Series Black Rust 12 Fret

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

Hear This Instrument: National NRP B Series Black Rust 12 Fret

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

National NRP B Series Black Rust 12 Fret

The National NRP Black Rust looks like it just came out of the swamp, perfectly suited for those hot southern blues licks. This National features the new color, Black Rust, and each finish is unique. Nationals have been played by many blues legends, but they definitely were not playing one with a finish like this. No two of the Black Rust finishes are alike. The best part is, you don't have to wait 50 years for a vintage finish, you can have one right now!

This model is a 12 fret version of the Black Rust series. Each Black Rust instrument is finished with a multi-staged hand-textured finish for an individual look and semi-smooth surface profile. Capturing the look and feel of an original 12 fret National Duolian, the thin-gauge steel body is highlighted by stamped "f" holes, a formed back, and period-correct, traditional ribbed coverplate. Each mahogany neck clears 12 frets to the body and features an unbound ebony fretboard complete with mother of pearl position markers. Vintage style plain tuners, ebony nut, and "National" stamped headstock complete the look of this classic.

With the ebony fretboard and the ebony nut, notes practically jump of the fretboard and chase that hell-hound on your trail down. Classic blues fingerpicking sounds like it is coming from a porch in Mississippi on a hot summer evening. Authentic in it's tone and in it's appearance, the Black Rust NRP drives itself to the Delta!

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Tags: 12 fret, black rust, mp3 included, national, national black rust, nrp

National ResoRocket N Brass

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Brass | Back: Brass

Hear This Instrument: National ResoRocket N Brass Body

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

National ResoRocket N Brass

While the folks at National Reso-Phonic have a reputation for building reissues and replicas of classic National resonators of the 20's and 30's with painstaking detail and accuracy, the ResoRocket is a shining example of the progression and innovation that National is known for.

The National ResoRocket N is designed from the ground up; built with a focus on the faithful players needs. The ResoRocket has a distinct tone unlike a typical single or tricone designs; drawing from both in a special way. The cone itself is a single standard 9.5 National with biscuit bridge. But, the top and coverplate is designed with tricone stylings.

The open upper grills lend to a dynamic sound, but with more of the single cone focus, projection, and volume. The ResoRocket has ample volume and an The resulting blend is unique and versatile, easily switching from open-tuning slide to western swing. Adding to the versatility, the ResoRocket is built with a graceful cutaway - finally allowing easy access to the upper register.

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Tags: mp3 included, national, resorocket, style N

National NRP Steel

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

Hear This Instrument: National NRP Steel

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

The new NRP from National is built from light gauge steel and features a "nickel rubbed finish" (same as the cover plate on the El Trovador models), and priced the same as their NRP painted models.

The rubbed finish is desirable for two reasons... It has a vintage look, and it doesn't show fingerprints. For years we have ordered this finish as an option on otherwise highly polished nickel finishes, and it looks good and wears well. This finish usually carries a $300 upcharge on other models like the ResoRocket Style N, and the Style 1 Tricone, so we expect it to be very popular.

The thin-gauge steel body is highlighted by rolled f-holes, a formed back, and traditional ribbed sieve-hole coverplate. The thin-gauge steel provides increased resonance over the traditional thicker steel bodies. Chords are rich and complex with slight overtones, for a pronounced note quality that allows it to shine when played with one of our Diamond Slides. It sustains, and has a beautiful roundness to each note.

When you pick up a National NRP resonator guitar and begin playing, you can instantly see the reasons why players prefer Nationals over any other brand of resonator guitar. They are not only easy

to hold and play, the volume and tone delivered almost sounds like it has it’s own rhythm section built in. Even the simplest rhythm and lead passages take on a supercharged quality.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Tags: 14 fret, mp3 included, national, national resophonic, nrp, steel

National Triolian Polychrome with Hawaiian Scene Stencil

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

In 1929, the first steel body Triolian was released as a replacement of the original wood body. The use of steel gave players much increased volume and bark - quickly becoming a favored material. It was originally offered in two finishes - a walnut sunburst and the polychrome yellow. From 1929 to 1934, many changes were made to the finish options and details. The original polychrome finished Triolians featured a hand painted Hawaiian scene stenciled on the back; with a lovely palm tree and warm, red setting sun. The stenciling work was somewhat crude and varied from guitar to guitar. Still, the polychrome finish has been sought after for years by collectors and enthusiasts alike. National Reso-Phonic has certainly done their homework, and this reissue will please any fan of the original.

The National Triolian Polychrome is built with a thin gauge steel body with a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. The fingerboard is bound with ivoroid. The tone is smoothed out considerably on this Triolian with lots of natural reverberation making slide passages sound especially nice and wide open.
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Tags: hawaiin, national, polychromel, triolian

National NRP Tricone Black Rust

Scale: 25 21/32" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

This National NRP Tricone features National's "Black Rust" finish. This is a very unique looking finish and has become a shop favorite. Our customers have really gravitated towards this muted, vintage looking finish. The Black Rust finish looks like it just came out of the swamp, perfectly suited for those hot southern blues licks. Nationals have been played by many blues legends, but they definitely were not playing one with a finish like this. No two of the Black Rust finishes are alike. The best part is, you don't have to wait 50 years for a vintage finish, you can have one right now!

The Tricone design was originated in the 1920's and was based on the same principle as the mica disc on a Victrola. The designers settle on a very thin, conical shaped aluminum resonator design, used in a set of three connected with a T-bar inside an all metal body. Three were used due to the mellowed sound and increased sustain it produced, as opposed to using one large cone which was louder, but brighter in tone.

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Tags: 12 fret, black rust, national, nrp, steel body, tricone

National Style 1 Tricone Cutaway with Brass Body

Scale: 25-21/32" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Brass | Back: Brass

The National Style 1 Tricone shares many of its features with the original National Tricone created by the Dopyera brothers in the late 1920s. This beauty has, as John Dopyera himself once said, Tone that flows like a river.

The tricone design is perfect for players who focus on open tunings and slide. The beauty of the design is the increased sustain without sacrificing any volume. Classic players like Tampa Red heavily relied on the original National Tricone, and he would be pleased to have this one in his hands. This custom model has a cutaway for easy access to high frets for soaring lead lines.

The brass body on this National Style 1 Tricone is polished to a mirror-like shine and nickel plated. The tone of brass is unmatched – that’s why it has been used for decades. The mahogany neck, finished in a rich mahogany burst, has an ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style National tuning machines sit on a traditional slotted headstock, finished with the distinctive National shield decal.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Specifications:

Top: Brass
Back and Sides: Brass
Scale: 25 - 21/32"
Nut Width: 1.825"
Serial Number: 16608
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: T Bridge
Headstock Shape: Slotted
Headstock Overlay: Decal
Tuners: National Brand
Inlays: Dots
Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid
Nut Material: Bone
Frets To Body: 12 Fret
Body Depth: 3.125"
Lower Bout Width: 14.25"
Upper Bout Width: 10.25"
Tricone

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Tags: cutaway, national, style 1, tricone

National Style 3 Brass Tricone

Scale: 25 21/32" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Brass | Back: Brass

Hear This Instrument: National Style 3 Brass Tricone

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

The book "History & Artistry of National Resonator Instruments" best describes the National Syle 3 as a top of the line Tricone Guitar with an exquisite hand engraved motif. The original engraving detail of the Lily-of-the-Valley motif was designed by John Dopyera and his wife. Made from 1928-1941, five variations were produced. While the original pattern of the engraving was consistent, the positioning of the fronds of lilies was changed on the top of the guitar.

Originally constructed with a German Silver body the modern day Style 3 has an all Brass body. Similar to the original Style 3 this guitar features such appointments as an Ebony fretboard, diamond MOP inlays, and a slotted headstock with an engraved National logo. The National Style 3 also features new and updated appointments such as an Grained Ivoroid overlay on the headstock, Honduran mahogany neck, Waverly Tuners, with a matching Grained Ivoroid bound fretboard.

The historic Style 3 with intricate hand engraved details is a true work or artistry & craft. Hand engraving is done on a workbench, entirely by one engraver, over the period of many weeks. On average, National receives commissions for just a few Style 3 instruments each year, making this one both unique and rare. (Note: This guitar shows some minor scratches to the top back and sides that may be seen in the photographs below... We suspect that this guitar may have been played by an artist in residence visiting the National shop prior to shipping - simply adding to it's Mojo!) Please call us toll free at 866-265-5993 to inquire about the price and further attributes of this instrument.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Tags: mp3 included, national, resonator, style 3, tricone

National ResoRocket Vintage Steel

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

Hear This Instrument: National ResoRocket Vintage Steel

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

The National ResoRocket "N" Vintage Steel is one of National's newly designed single resonator guitars. This model incorporates a redesigned coverplate pattern to complement the distinctive Tricone-style grill work. The upper bout has been modified with a graceful cutaway for easier access to the higher frets. The name “Vintage Steel” refers to the plating process in which the satin-nickel plating on each Vintage Steel instrument is designed to look aged with use and the passage of time.

This steel body National has a smooth balanced tone with plenty of bite and lots of reverberation thanks to the design of the sound grills, providing a wide open sound that is full of character and attitude. The ResoRocket has a distinct tone unlike a typical single or tricone designs; drawing from both in a special way. The cone itself is a single standard 9.5 National with biscuit bridge. The top and coverplate, however, have been designed with tricone stylings. The open upper grills lend to a dynamic sound, but with more of the single cone focus, projection, and volume. The ResoRocket has ample volume and the resulting blend is unique and versatile, easily switching from open-tuning slide to western swing.

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Tags: mp3 included, n, national, reso rocket, resorocket, vintage steel, vs

National Dueco 14-Fret Silver Crystalline Finish Single Cone

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Steel | Back: Steel

Hear This Instrument: National Dueco 14-Fret "Cystalline Silver" Finish

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

We are pleased to offer National's newest version of the Dueco finish, this one a single cone steel body featuring the silver crystalline color. Historically, all Duolians had a painted "frosted duco" finish until the late 1930s. National went through several patents and continue to refine their process to this day, as many of the old finishes were prone to chipping and flaking.

The new finish is the result, we believe, of some form of chemical reaction and every finish will be unique to that specific instrument, offering patterns and designs that will vary widely depending on the viewing angle and the way the chemicals react... you could get lost staring deep within the finish of this guitar!

This steel body National Dueco has a smooth balanced tone with a more controlled, focused sound than some of their other finishes. The trebles are warm without losing clarity or definition. Chords are rich and thick and lead lines powerful.

Just as our recent 12 fret model, this 14 fret Dueco also has an ebony fingerboard that is quite stunning, with striping from top to bottom.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Tags: 14 fret, ducco, mp3 included, national, national dueco, silver, silver crystalline, single cone, steel body

About our Luthiers: Smith and Young Spider Cone Guitars

We are proud to introduce the newest line of instruments from the Smith and Young Stringed Instruments division of National, the Smith and Young Spider Cone guitars!

There is an art to reproducing guitars from a by-gone era in today's day and age. The folks at National have certainly proven they can not only faithfully recreate historic models, but also update them tastefully with modern day technology & materials that offer improvements. Today's National ResoPhonic is a constantly evolving company, which is always trying new ideas, reissuing classic models, and pushing the envelope as far as tone is concerned.

For many years, National ResoPhonic has been in research and development of the original Dobro's, as those models were part of the fabric and historic beginning of the original National company founded in 1927. This is the instrument that spawned an entire industry, a sound, and inspired a tone like nothing else. The Dobro company was founded in 1929 by brothers John Dopyera, Rudy Dopyera, Ed Dopyera, and Vic Smith. The name "Dobro" represents an early acronym for the Dopyera Brothers, thus: Dobro.

The name Dobro was never intended to mean a specific instrument, like a banjo, or mandolin, however, over the years, the name Dobro became synonymous with any squareneck spider-bridge resonator guitar, held in the lap, and played with a bar in open tunings, rather than fretting the strings on a fretted fingerboard.

Over the years the Dobro company changed ownership many times, and was shuttered from 1942 to 1954, bought by Semi Mosely, then lost, and finally bought by Gibson.

Fast forward to today's modern era National ResoPhonic instruments, located in San Luis Obispo, where founder Don Young started his company in 1989. Having worked for the Dopyera brothers several times during his career, Don is uniquely qualified to recreate these iconic guitars. We are proud to introduce the newest line of Spider-Cone guitars from Smith & Young Stringed Instruments!

: Smith & Young Stringed Instruments

Their new catalog of instruments includes both round neck & square neck models, offering both a light guage steel body spider-cone dubbed the Model 1 & wood body spider-cones in the Model 11.

Tags: Smith & Young dobro, smith & young model 1, smith & young model 11, smith & young round neck dobro, smith & young spider cone, smith & young square neck dobro, smith and young guitar

National Style 1 Tricone Cutaway with Brass Body

Scale: 25 1/2" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: Brass | Back: Brass

National Reso-Phonic’s Style 1 Tricone shares many of its features with the original National Tricone created by the Dopyera brothers in the late 1920s. This beauty has, as John Dopera himself once said, Tone that flows like a river.

The tricone design is perfect for players who focus on open tunings and slide. The beauty of the design is the increased sustain without sacrificing any volume. Classic players like Tampa Red heavily relied on the original National Tricone, and he would be pleased to have this one in his hands. This custom National Style 1 Tricone model has a cutaway for easy access to high frets for soaring lead lines.

The brass body is polished to a mirror-like shine and nickel plated. The tone of brass is unmatched – that’s why it has been used for decades. The mahogany neck, finished in a rich mahogany burst, has an ivoroid bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style National tuning machines sit on a traditional slotted headstock, finished with the distinctive National shield decal.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

Learn more about the history of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

Specifications:

Top: Brass
Back and Sides: Brass
Scale: 25 1/2"
Nut Width: 1.825"
Serial Number: 16608
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fretboard: Ebony
Bridge: T Bridge
Headstock Shape: Slotted
Headstock Overlay: Decal
Tuners: National Brand
Inlays: Dots
Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid
Nut Material: Bone
Frets To Body: 12 Fret
Body Depth: 3.125"
Lower Bout Width: 14.25"
Upper Bout Width: 10.25"
Tricone
Cutaway

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Tags: cutaway, national, style 1, tricone

National Style N-14 German Silver with Custom Chicken Foot Coverplate

Scale: 25" | Nut Width: 1.825" | Top: German Silver | Back: German Silver

The National Style N-14 is constructed with the famous "German Silver" alloy. This material, used for the body and coverplate, is the same alloy used by the Dopyera Brothers to create the first National Tricone guitars in the late 1920's. German Silver produces a bit more clarity and focus than the bell-like brass bodies. The tone is a bit mellower and more controlled, with a bit less reverberation and overtones and a more extended low end.

National's reproduction Style N-14 Fret meets the demands of players needing easier access to the higher frets. Based on the original models, the hard rock maple neck clears 14 frets to the body. The German Silver body is made of thin gauge material polished to a mirror-like shine and nickel plated. The custom chicken foot coverplate, formed back, and inlaid rosewood peghead complete the authentic look of this guitar.

Notice: Click here to compare the sound of German Silver and Brass Body Style 0-14s.

Browse our fine selection of National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

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Tags: german silver, gs, national, style n-14

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Browsing Metal Bodies

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National NRP B Series Black Rust 12 Fret

National ResoRocket N Brass

National NRP Steel

National Triolian Polychrome with Hawaiian Scene Stencil

National NRP Tricone Black Rust

National Style 1 Tricone Cutaway with Brass Body

Specifications:

National Style 3 Brass Tricone

National ResoRocket Vintage Steel

National Dueco 14-Fret Silver Crystalline Finish Single Cone

About our Luthiers: Smith and Young Spider Cone Guitars

National Style 1 Tricone Cutaway with Brass Body

Specifications:

National Style N-14 German Silver with Custom Chicken Foot Coverplate

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