How To Buy a Vintage National - Resonator Guitar Buyers Guide

[@TomO.3678]

Excellent vid as always, Martyn! Several years ago, I bought a 1930 National Triolian online from a guy who lied about the work he did on it. There was a crack in the neck heel (it creaked, in fact). Also, some of the frets had lifted and there was a ripple in the fretboard. Luckily, I sent it to National in CA and they replaced the fretboard and repaired the neck. It plays great and, 100 years from now, someone will still be playing it! 😎✌🏻👍🏻🎶☘️

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Common take that one. Heard great things about NRP doing fixes. Especially on old metal bodies with splits!! It’s great to be part of the history and keep these beautiful guitars alive! 🎯

[@brianmckinley6177]

That was an outstanding video. Covered all the things one thinks about when buying an old national and then some. This is greatly helpful. Both Triolians sounded great. I was partial to A and planned to listen a few times. Well done!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks Brian! A longgggggg and complex subject. I’ve covered all these points across dozens of videos but never in one place. Missed loads of points too but it’s a good start for the less initiated. 🎯

[@TomScurry]

There's a lot to learn. Thankyou this will help begin the Resonator ride.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Loads. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty trying stuff. So long as you’re buying with good backup or under dealer / reverb prices you can get through a few until you get a good one!

[@tobyrutter3776]

Great stuff Martyn, good to see her up close and hear it. I agree with you she sounds massive, can't wait till Saturday i feel this is like dangling the carrot for me

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Ha! It’s a GREAT guitar. Very cool piece.

[@johnwashburn3793]

This is very informative and interesting. Thank you. I had care of a friend's Dobro for a while. I am hoping for anything usable with tons now.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎯🎼🎯

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

Thanks, interesting stuff. I also have a '31 Triolian. Needed a new fingerboard right off the bat, but the seller and I were able to make a deal that worked for both of us, and I had NRP put it on. Such a cool guitar. I think everything else is original.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Cool guitar. They need keeping as original as possible but they do need help. Sounds like you did that! Congratulations on having a cool guitar!

[@rjwh67220]

I have a friend who wanted a particular old National. It was at a festival and he’d pissed off the vendor so much that my friend was banned, he couldn’t by that National at any price. So he gave me the $300 asking price, (this was in 1971) and I bought it for him. It was the best sounding National I’ve ever heard. It’s the same model as Son House played.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

So cool! He was seen with at least six different Nationals and I have anecdotal evidence that other people brought him theirs to play on gigs. Nice story of this one back in 1971!! 🎼🤘🏻🎼

[@rjwh67220]

@@TheWashboardResonatorsIt was exactly like the one on the Father of the Delta Blues album, anodized brass.

[@TobylikesFenders]

Great video Martyn. See you tomorrow - Trevor (Toby's dad).

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Will do! 🎯

[@StevenParrisWard]

Thanks Martyn this is very helpful.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Glad it helps!!

[@LXferg]

Great video thanks, I did like the sound of B over A but as soon as I heard A , I knew that it had the flat radius neck like my 1932 Triolian. Makes it tough when your playing something like "Romeo and Juliet" :-) I had to get a custom made flat Capo made for it also. Thanks again for the useful info.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

It’s part of that ‘old time’ sound! The fingerboard definitely makes you play like the old guys.

[@mikefullerton832]

Love your videos. I’m not looking for a vintage National, but the information was interesting and in general very helpful to me as a beginner reso player. I’m currently thinking about buying a Reso Rocket WB. I realize that National and National Resophonic are different companies, however, as food for thought, maybe in the future a video could have a look at the considerations to think about in choosing wood versus metal resos. Another idea, and to declare my bias, is to interview Ben Powell, a National player and harmonica player who has given me a few lessons to get me moving along my reso playing journey. Again, love the videos, and cheers from Ottawa, Canada. Oh, forgot to mention that I’m thinking of the wood Reso Rocket because it’s lighter, and has a cutaway, while being loud and with good tone. Cheers.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

We have a video about ‘choosing a resonator’ which talks about body types and wood vs metal. Also, the video about ‘identifying models’ talks about it too. Wood is certainly lighter and I’d say a more usable general sound. We LOVE Ben and everything about him. He’s a 100% decent human being and a MONSTER musician. One of the best. 🎯

[@abloke8834]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks very much

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎯

[@richmiller_music]

I learnt a lot on this one mate, excellent video

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Bless ya. X

[@alexevans5148]

Fascinating, thank you!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks!

[@russlgtr]

A and b both sounded good

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I agree! They do. The compression on KZbin levels them out. B is putting out 30% overall in the room. A is very balanced and ‘dry.’

[@mariomortara7286]

Great info! The newer nationals are much more easy to play. I think the old cones sound better if they are in good condition. Maybe the alloy they used.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Lots of factors in making good cones. Even the tool you use to spin them.

[@russlgtr]

Thank you, this is amazing. I have a question, may be answered in your other videos... If you have to choose only one would go biscuit bridge or spider ? Thank you! Realistically I would have to go with a cheaper new guitar

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Only one resonator? For me I’d have a wood body Tricone. Then a wood body biscuit closely followed by brass. Then spider. TBH I love them all for different reasons hence having about 40 guitars and 15+ resonators!

[@abaddonbolero9605]

Why not tell about the One you're HOLDING? I like it! Is it OLD? How did you electrify? What's the best sounding way to electrify an OLDIE without doing TOO much modding or structural changing? Or how best to do it on a Newer one where you might not care much about resale value, etc? FIRST thing I would ask is what body material do you want- wood, brass or My Fave..STEEL. Next is old or New. 12 or 14 fret neck? Electrified or acoustic? Dobro, National or Fancy Boutique (Mule, etc,)? US made or import? Biscuit or spider bridge? Lots of variables. TRY SOME OUT! Nice collection, btw!! Astounding....OUTSTANDING! PS: TELL THEM NOT TO BUY ONE w/a BAKELITE NECK!! Those are the ones that warp the Most.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Videos answering all these questions are on the channel. Lots of ways to electrify. Depends on preference.

[@quantumheartgaming3942]

I live in the usa and my grandmother has a resonator guitar from maybe 1930's -? It belonged to her dad and he got it new who knows how long before she was born. All she knows is he use to play it with her sitting in the case as a baby. He died when she was a infant and my great grandmother had it stored in its case for many many years . Sadly she knows nothing about resonator guitars we aren't even sure it's year,condition,worth, just able to read national on the top of the guitar sadly we have Noone near us that knows anything about them so she sits in silents on a shelf till we can find someone who does know.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Email pics at [e-mail] and we’ll figure it for you!

[@Schlumpf.Meister]

I am looking into a supposedly 1934 or maybe 1935 14 fret rounded f-hole ducco Duolian with maple neck and rosewood (!) fretboard. The neck has a c94xx serial number, but not a patent no. stamped in. I am worried if this is really the original neck, as I was under the impression they always had dyed fretboards up to 1937? It is sold as untouched. Any suggestions or advice?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Sounds fairly legit. Usually rosewood fretboards after 34 but maple sounds wrong. Could be misidentification of wood. Email us or even better put it on the National page on Facebook and a load of us will be able to advise.

[@Schlumpf.Meister]

@@TheWashboardResonators Thanks Martyn, I don't have a FB acount; I have sent you an email instead. Thanks for your support!

[@DavidBelkhouni]

hi Martyn I always wondered this Is the neck of a resonator glued with some kind of glue?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They have a neck stick like a banjo that joins at the strap button on the body. Sometimes people put glue under the fretboard to the body. I’ve also seen it get put into the body to secure loose joins etc.

[@DavidBelkhouni]

@@TheWashboardResonators my guitar has a joint between the body and the neck but it must be taken off on one side so my neck slams sometimes there is a slight rotational play at the base of the neck

[@DavidBelkhouni]

@@TheWashboardResonators it's true I had an old 6 string banjo and it rotated at its base

[@DavidBelkhouni]

@@TheWashboardResonators thanks you

[@davidgray9897]

I am chasing a 80s or 90s style 0...

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They come up!

[@krisyoungsteadt9139]

Guitar B

[@TheWashboardResonators]

🎯🎯🎯