95 years ago, when John Dopyera first presented the National Tricone to the world, he was so pleased with its sound that he gushed, “The Tricone guitar flowed like a river!” The company’s ads were no less adulatory, hailing the Tricone as: The Greatest Musical Sensation of the Age. And then the Telecaster happened! But, in the world of acoustic guitars, there’s absolutely nothing like a National tricone – and if you’re a blues player, you 100% needs you a National tricone!
Fully hand built
Fully hand built at the National Resophonic facility in San Luis Obispo, California, in 2016, this model is technically the NRP Vintage Steel, but as everyone calls these a Style 1, so shall we. This is the hand-rubbed nickel-steel finish, quite different to our right-hand model in satin nickel.
Designed to age
A factory left-hand model – note the reverse coverplate – the nickel plated finish is specially designed to age, giving the instrument a real vintage appearance within just a few years of regular playing. (See pic # 6)
Made for the blues!
The steel body of the 12/19 fret Style 1 gives noticeably more projection and presence than other brass and silver bodied models – this guitar is LOUD – with a tone that National describe as “deeper and darker” – ie, one-hundred percent made for the blues!
Painstakingly hand rubbed
Solid Mahogany neck, (with two-way truss-rod), Ebony board, mother-of-pearl dot inlays, bone nut, three National 6” resonator cones, and as noted earlier, the nickel-steel finish on these guitars is painstakingly hand rubbed, to both bring out the shine and initiate the ageing process. The work that goes into completing any metal body guitar is prodigious, but the extra finishing touches on these is quite extraordinary.
Condition
Built with many of the same processes, parts and equipment that created the very first models, almost a hundred years ago, your National Model 1, (NRP Vintage Steel), comes complete with its original dark blue lined deluxe National hard shell case, cleaning cloth and original paperwork. National’s ageing process aside, the guitar’s condition is Excellent+, with no fret or fingerboard wear whatsoever. The case is in almost brand new condition.
Free courier delivery
National are currently running at a 10 to 12 month production wait on all metal body resonators, and who knows how long on a lefty! But grab this ‘un and we’ll have it at your door pronto! FREE COURIER DELIVERY is included to any address in Australia. ($100 airfreight to New Zealand, $175 to the US, Canada, UK and mainstream European countries. International freight added at checkout)
Weight: 8lb 6½ oz / 3.8kg
Just Guitars
