This terrific archtop comes from the short period of time where Gibson and National were both owned by the same parent company – CMI, (Chicago Musical Instruments). Initially Gibson supplied National with complete guitars, which were simply rebadged as National models, however by 1955 it was mostly Gibson bodies and National necks. And seventy years later, the arrangement makes for awesome bargains on quality Gibson products!
Thirty thousand dollars
So, instead of looking at upwards of twenty or thirty thousand dollars for a fifties Gibson-branded L-5, here’s a National Dynamic, (catalogue Model 1125), at a mere fraction of the cost. The Dynamic was a slightly more player friendly incarnation of the bigger bodied 1120/New Yorker model. The New Yorker was a full 16¼”, (and blonde), whereas the Dynamic was a slimmer 15½” – more manageable, but, as the name suggests, a mighty powerful unit, all the same.
Highly desirable
The real bonus is National’s hand-fitted ‘Stylist’ neck. The combination of their own exclusive “neck supporter, (see pic # 3), and a lightweight magnesium core, has made these necks highly desirable down through the years. Seventy years later, just as straight and true as the day it was competed.
Fully acoustic
The 1125 Dynamic originally featured a neck pickup, with pickguard-mounted jack and controls. At some point in the instrument’s distant past, these have been removed, making the guitar fully acoustic – so even more equivalent to an L-5. The D-profile neck fills the hand nicely, while avoiding the baseball bat meatiness of many other guitars of the time.
Fine Gibson pedigree
All up, an extremely fine archtop, with a very fine Gibson pedigree. In the words of guitar guru George Gruhn, “The National instruments with Gibson neck and body, which were made at the Gibson factory, are today viewed as some of the finest Gibson alternative-brand instruments ever made.” And being (largely) a seventy year old Gibson L-5, it sounds absolutely stunning!
Original
Back in the day, new guitars could be purchased with a variety of cases, and we believe this is the original blue felt-lined chipboard version from 1955. Latches and hinges all work, and while a little tight at the bridge, as we said, we believe it is original.
Superb condition
Overall condition is Excellent-, with probably less playwear than seven decades might indicate. No breaks, no dings, no cracks, just a few little touch-ups here and there. The frets are perfect – they look they’ve never been touched. The Brazilian Rosewood board is in likewise superb condition. The National headstock logo is absent – though you can make out its ghost, (pic # 6) – and replacement logos are generally available on eBay.
With our FREE COURIER DELIVERY to any address in Australia, this is a guitar that you will hang on to. And play and play and play…
NOTE: Could very easily be converted to a LEFTY
Just Guitars
