VINTAGE NATIONALS
Vintage Inventory
I personally inspect every National on our site. All issues are dealt with. You are buying a guitar that has already had the normal issues found on these 70+ yr old jewels addressed!
I personally guarantee all guitars we sell!
Updated -9/21/2008
TRICONE'S / RARE NATIONAL'S
Tricones were made of german silver w a 3 pc. body construction. The three cones give it less volume but far more sustain than it's single cone brethren. Engraved tricones are very rare and collectable. Any Nat made of german silver is very desirable and sweet of tone! Slide players love tricones! They came w round and square necks. Square necks make great lap style guitars.
Style O's
Typically nickel plated brass bodies, but early models can be made of either brass, steel, or german silver.... or a combination of the three. Most after the first 600 or so tend to be consistent brass 2 pc. bodies. When National converted to a 14 fret guitar in late 34, they kept the same scale length and shortened the body height to achieve the two extra frets. They also switched to the chicken foot coverplate seen left.
TRIOLIAN'S
Triolians were in effect the upper level steel bodied Nat. It came in several varieties. Polychrome (left) w yellow/pea green and palm tree scene, a Walnut sunburst finish, or even a piano grain painted finish. It came w a bound maple neck and fretboard and engraved tuners like an O. Earliest were made of wood w floral scene then hula girl motif on the back, but quickly went to steel w the palm tree scene and setting sun seen left.
DUOLIAN'S
This seems to be the guitar everyone is after. This was a lower cost steel bodied Nat that typically came w an unbound mahogany neck and super cool Duco Frost finish in the following colors..... Grey, Green, Walnut, Brown, and Gold. By far most are grey or green. The earliest were Dark Walnut. These guys growl w an incredibly raw steel tone!
Beyond the above, there are several wood bodied models, including El Trovador, Trojan, Estralita, and Aragon. (El Trovador to the left)
There are many unlisted Nat's in the Nat Hospital, soon to be available. Ask if you don't see what you want, it may be days away from being ready.
NOW ARRIVING The Amazing DON!
Available NOW, only 100 to be made.
Amazing german silver 14 fretter, mahogany neck,
engraved wiggle border, heel cap, an amazing guitar!
VIEW $5,520
1935 National DON Wow!
Fantastic condition, all original, super rare!
Straight neck, low action, original cone, fine mahogany neck w heel cap, german silver construction. The best single cone National ever made! Neck just reset, original case too!
$16,500 VIEW
Super nice 1934-5 14 fret Triolian Walnut Sunburst.
Fantastic condition, straight neck, set up beautifully.
Amazing condition, plays and sounds great.
$3,600 VIEW
Wow, BAKIE Conversion....
Super cool 1930 Triolian w green palm tree scene. This was a bakelite necked Triolian in great shape. We decided to replace the warped bakelite neck w a super nice new neck tinted like the early ones. Add a beautiful maple fretboard that is unstained, and you get a gorgeous guitar that plays like new yet sounds like it should w it's original cone.
A great guitar that is beautiful to boot!
NEW PRICE...... $3,100 VIEW
Worlds nicest 1933 original El Trovador!
Letting some of my favorites go, this is my pick of 8 El Trov's I've owned. One of the nicest you'll ever come across and a rare opportunity. Only a few hundred exist, and this one is fantastic. Reset neck, plays and sounds fantastic. Original case in minty shape.
NEW PRICE $4,495 VIEW
1935 National Style O
This had a square neck that someone amatuerishly rounded to play upright. I've replaced that silliness with a new Nat'l Resophonice duplicate slotted headstock maple neck and ebony fingerboard. This guitar plays like a new Nat w a gorgeous original body. Original neck included with it. New Nat'l hard case. I can't put this one down!
$3,395 VIEW
TRI O MY !!! ......... AMAZING MINT Style 1 Tricone Sq Neck
Try and find a nicer example, this is as nice as they come! Gone thru by National Resophonic 3 years ago, this tricone is tight as a drum. Tone to die for, if you've been waiting for the right one to come along, wait no further. Plating is fantastic,not a ding.
VIEW $4,250
Super rare 1928 large bodied Concert UKE!
Very early (21st made)
A National treasure, see it discussed in the BLOG here...
Pics to follow, new ebony bridge, call for full story!
Only +/- 80 made in concert size! VIEW $6,500
1929 rare!
Early National Mandolin w Screen Coverplate
super sweet very early example w original case.
One owner gem, blog arcticle and pictorial to follow.
$2,995 VIEW
Very Rare Gold Duco Duolian 1935
Fantastic no prefix serial number, mahogany neck
a great sounding and super rare Duolian. Mint cone.
From my personal stash....
VIEW Call for price
Gorgeous and rare National Reso Model 97.
Only 23 total made, only 18 in the painted body.
Super cool, block inlays, plays and sounds like
a great tricone should. Super condition. $3,895
1935 Duolian, green duco frost finish, slight body wear....
14 fretter, new NRP Mahogany neck installed.
Original brass coverplate looks so cool, this guitar sounds
and plays fantastic!
VIEW $3,250
1932 Style N
Super cool and rare
Reset neck, new ebony fingerboard, plays like new, sounds
fantastic. Super hard to find, very few exist!
$7,500 VIEW
Fantastic 1937 14 Fret Duolian
Great one family owned Duo w very light play wear. Straight neck, super clean example. Replaced decal. A great sounding and playing duolian. Duco finish is closer to gold, fingerboard and frets like new. Sweet duo w a huge sound. Neck just reset, plays great!
$3,495 VIEW
1932 STYLE O
Excellent condition, very light, .026 body.
12 fretter, cool hooks on coverplate, low action, plays
fantastic. Sweet playing early O.
$3,395 VIEW
Just In, Super cool 1930 Triolian, It's a beast!
VIEW $2,995
Early 1931 Style O
Hooks on coverplate, reset neck, a fantastic example of
an early Style O. One owner guitar, grandpa special.
Original tuners, decal worn away, great vibe, super straight neck.
Plays and sounds fantastic, hard to put this one down!
VIEW $3,500
EYE CANDY!!!! TRICONE HEAVEN!!!!!
See a photo spread of two of our style 1 tricones, both in MINT shape.
Thought I'd cause some drooling out there! Both Sold.
1933 Duolian, 12 fret, rolled F holes.
Reset neck, new fingerboard, great playing and sounding duo.
Minor repaired crack on side on outside of headstock slock, very solid and no issue. Replaced tuners, big sound!
HOLD VIEW
Early 1930 steel bodied Style O
Super cool O, big steel bodied sound. Sweet original cone.
Replaced tuners. One Italian family owned, see here!
SOLD VIEW
1932 Style O, hooks on coverplate
Super nice earlier Style O, flat cut F holes, reset neck.
Great playing and looking Style O w straight neck.
sold! VIEW
SOLD ...... EYE CANDY!
Amazing and rare, National Don!
14 fret single cone, german silver construction, fine mahogany neck w heel cap, wiggle border around body and pearloid headstock. I've only seen 3 in 10 years of collecting! Less than 175 total made, don't get much more rare than that! Just reset the neck, plays beautifully, and the tone!!!!
JUST IN!
Very cool 1933 El Trovador
H prefix body, shorter 25" scale, low action.
Light overspray on body, reset neck, refretted, plays like
a parlor guitar. Great fingerstyler, gorgeous example.
Only 600 or so made, $3,400 VIEW HOLD
Coming soon, 1939 14 fret Collegian
Body stripped years ago, new 14 fret Mahogany Duolian
neck w Hot Rod cone. A screamin 14 fretter!
$2,995
Very cool early Stella Banjolin
20's, plays and sounds great.
Great deal at $195.
Coming Soon
Super minty early Duolian 12 fret
pics to follow....