National Resonator Guitar Models - A Guide To Vintage Guitars

[@TheWashboardResonators]

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[@andrewdprice]

Thanks for this very interesting video. I’ve been fascinated by Nationals and Dobros since I was a kid. My dream guitar was a Style O. When my grandparents died in 1995 and left some money to my parents they had an American friend of ours source a National Resophonic Style O in the USA and they imported it for me as a gift. Dream come true! However I was newly married and a year later we fell pregnant and then needed to replace our car. We had no money and so I reluctantly sold the guitar to a friend from the Eastleigh area, hoping to buy it back one day. He then sold it, and I lost touch with him. Boy would I love to find that guitar again now… Love your videos 😊

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Kids come first! The NRP’s circulate and can be found for reasonable money if you search!!

[@media_dept]

Loving this! I used to jam with Steve Philips around 1990. Didn't get my own resonator until 2004. Steve had taught me a few songs and I wrote a couple of my own. Just getting back into it all now - rescued my resonator from the attic and have cleaned it up and will upload my own video. I'm starting a new channel where I learn new songs on the modest guitars in my lifelong collection - sharing the joys and woes. Thanks for sharing your genius and talent Martyn!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

That’s awesome. I truly think Steve is one of the best roots / country blues guys I’ve heard. Not had the pleasure of meeting him but he seems to know how to ‘put across’ the music so we’ll even despite the obvious cultural differences. Let us know how it all goes.

[@abaddonbolero9605]

My 1st Intro to National was from Johnny W. on the 'progressive Blues Experiment' LP and was blown away, thinking for the 30's they could've only come from Space, not mankind. So the tricone for looks, but ALSO the Palm tree style 'O' and the one w/the frosted finish, not sure of model. But for a keeper give me a walnut Triolian in good kit. Bought my first one at a yard sale......FOR $10. US!!! And I had to run home to ask to borrow a sawbuck while my friend watched the guitar for me so no one else beat me OUT!!! I knew what it was in 1968 at 15, thanks to Johnny- but had never seen the 'wood painted' triolian before!! I fixed it up, made it perfect, and thought I was Peter Green!! Or later, Rory G!! (of COURSE! My other hero.) GOOD VID & WELL LAID OUT. Nice Timeline rundown. Didn't early resos use bakelite necks that were prone to bad bowing? Remember seeing some. And WOW...the Shieks! Bo Carter! Dirty Blues! Flashback! -Al

[@TheWashboardResonators]

The Duolian is the frosted one!! They’re all cool in my humble opinion but yes the painted Triolians (called ‘piano grain’ finish) are really cool!!

[@No-jq4jy]

This youtube channel has been my favorite find in recent months. I am narrowing down my search for my first resonator. Unfortunately a National or a Mule is probably a bit out of budget at this point, but Martin's insight and knowledge have been super helpful in terms of helping me decide what I want to look for among the guitars that ARE in my price range. Keep up the good work, good sir. Your passion for this niche of the guitar world is a gift to us all! Cheers!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Kind words indeed. It is a niche but a rich one responsible for so much great and influential music. The great thing is that you can now buy an instrument especially second hand for as little as £200 or $250 that is usable. Get going and trade and save your way up to a National or Mule and you’ll be doing just fine! All the best.

[@prns1]

Aahhh.. Another very interesting article.. Thanks. Well done, and not boring.. at all, not one bit!!.. Now.. I'm going to listen to your music..

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Lovely! Many thanks! We’ve made some playlists of our originals and cover tunes. Hope they help!

[@prns1]

Thanks man, I do appreciate.. Indeed!! Havaniceday.

[@MrDotneck]

Another great video, Martin - Cheers! Ever since I first spotted one (I think it was in a photo of Johnny Winter who played it on his first Columbia album) my dream resonator has always been a tricone and the new National Resophonic company made it possible for me to get my hands on such an instrument, probably from the first batch they made. Such a great slide guitar. On the other hand there's that garbage can sound of a steel body single cone style that sounds great as well so I picked up a MM Blues about 10 years ago and now I can enjoy both ends of the spectrum of National sounds.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Hey! That’s great to hear. The NRP Tricone is a fantastic instrument. Totally in love with mine. Not listed to Johnny Winter for a while. I’ll put him on this afternoon while doing my emails. He’s a monster player. The MM guitars rule too. I think you’ve got a great pair there. 🎯

[@jacksondemarre8057]

My dream resonator would either be the first Triolian with the Tricone setup and small coverplate, or Tampa Red’s Tricone. Though in many ways I have my dream resonator, which is a 2016 polychrome Triolian that I dreamed about owning as a teenager.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Mike Lewis in France made a repro of the first Triolian which was actually a Tricone. I’m told it’s awesome. We have it on good authority that an original was seen in California about 30 years ago in a furniture shop. It’s likely 1-3 were built before deciding to make it a single cone model. The one in the 1928 catalogue is definitely a photo of a real one. We think it’ll show up one day. The Tampa Red one is in Seattle and I can’t wait to visit it one day! Both cool instruments!! 👌🏻

[@craigdunn3231]

They are so beautiful I love it

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They are!!!

[@MDLinzee]

Thanks. You’re right, there seem more flavors of these tricones than one could imagine. Not suggesting you try to be exhaustive, great that you can point folks to other historic references. With NRP again offering Style 1.5 models, I just thought the issue was not purely historic now. Hopefully NRP will keep style 1 vs 1.5 distinct.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

There aren’t enough hours in the day to cover all varieties. I know Mark well and almost every week a new National / Dobro shows up with interesting details. It’s expanding hugely. I have the 1.5 NRP for gigs. It’s great. I’ll look forward to sharing the ‘Style 5’ square neck I recently got.

[@BadTemperJoe]

Really enjoy the part where you tell who played which model. Some new names for me!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Fantastic! You know your not the first person to say that. Might do a ‘guide to resonator players’ or something similar.

[@BadTemperJoe]

That's a great idea.

[@KBRblues]

I Proud owner of a National Resophonic Delphi! Mighty, meaty heavy and loud! Getting a Mule tricone next week though!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Two killer guitars there. You’ll be melting peoples eyebrows off when you play them out. 🔥🎵🔥

[@keyote3]

Yeah, I have a 1992 Duolian 12 fret, excellent guitar indeed. Well, I love it, I also like my Ozark whatever it's called. Both sound good of course, but the differences are so pronounce. Obviously value makes a big alteration, the different metals have an input, lengths of scale, plus the different strings now available, can radically alter the things. Neither have pick ups, although I tried one internally on the Ozark. I was greeted with inescapable feedback. Horses for courses, though in a playing sphere. I use open 'G' for most of my tunes, but Open 'D' on the Ozark thingie for a swift change of key. I try other tunings, and I have to say that the vast majority of listeners, with due respect, cannot tell the difference at all, especially in the function hall environs. The more discerning listener however, tend to perhaps bore me with their pronouncements of quality. I suffered the ear bending drones of the Hi-Fi experts years ago with their Bangs and Ollufson's etc, brilliant bits of technology no doubt, but the quality of the recorded music was often rubbish, and one did not need a million squids worth of electric replay stuff to hear it. Maybe some did, but I never really met them. I did, inadvertently touch one of those invisible touch control knobs in a shop, and nearly deafened the entire town, I gave that shop a miss for years..... I had an early, believed 1940's National a while back, but it hurt my fingers to play for some reason. I think it was down to scale length, the action was okay though. If you did not get the fingers placed perfectly on the fretboard, it sounded off key a little, but enough to annoy. I moved it on and got something else instead (Gibson 335 dot). This was years ago though. I bought the Resophonic National within the last two years, secondhand from U.S.A. when I needed to go down the slide route. It is accurate to a fault, sounds wonderfully 'live' all the time, incredibly well made, robust, and really pleases a crowd of revellers every time, and that makes me happy to see. They do not have time to study the mysteries of guitar technology, but it is nice to hear it anyway on here....!!! thanks for your clips.....

[@gfirob]

Very nice video. I had a '33 style O many years ago, but sold it in a time of hardship (at a big loss) then later got an Amistar tricone, made in the Czech Republic, which I sold because it was too loud, and now have a '32 Style O which is the real keeper. The American blues player Scott Ainslie also has a '32 Style O, but his is a little brighter, (he thinks) because of upgrades he made to the biscuit and saddle. For me, Style O is the best looking and they have a wonderful sound.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Hey Robert. All great points. A pal has a ‘32 Style 0 and reckons it’s one of the best resonators ever and owned 40+! Style 0’s are so cool!!! 😎

[@bispal172]

my dad picked up one n Manchester way back in 1960

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Way cool!

[@filianablanxart8305]

I wish I owned either one , but I have played my ultimate National . 1934 Tri Cone Squareneck , base model , in very good condition . Runner up was a 1936 of the same , in " player grade" . But alas , both were priced USD $4,000 .

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Square necks can be found for less with hunting. I saw one sell on UK eBay a few years back for the equivalent of around $1700. Still big money but more reasonable. Hopefully one day your dream will come true.

[@filianablanxart8305]

The 1934 was probably close to market value , due to both visual and playing condition . The 1936 was high for being only fair to good condition , and was reduced to " only " $3600 about a year later . But still too rich for me . Realistically for me , any Tri Cone itch would have to be satisfied with a Republic . ( Import , but with substantial reworking in Texas ) . Particularly for me , since it is a personal affection , and not one used in the styles of music I play . Unfortunately , for some segments , the market has been driven up post Covid , with vintage lap steels , and certain vintage resonators hard hit .

[@louiesmooth6761]

Friend of Rich. Just starting to look into to resonators. Great video very informative!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Fantastic! He’s a ridiculous player. Would love to be 50% behind him!! Welcome to the channel. 🎯

[@louiesmooth6761]

@@TheWashboardResonators I'll definitely be getting some tips! I'm still fumbling around the 'budget' resonator category for now!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

We’re glad to help. If you’re ‘budget’ then the Republic or the Michael Messer brand will see you right. 👌🏻

[@MDLinzee]

Vintage squareneck tricones had formed necks as well (not quite hollow as thought by many - perhaps attempting to adopt Weissenborn structure). You should show this body diff vs roundneck as you clearly have example of each.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

They are formed. But they are hollow with a wooden headstock ‘plug’ at the end. There will be a a square neck video in the next day or two.

[@MDLinzee]

I look forward to your squareneck video. I enjoy your efforts.

[@markgiles8527]

Is this why its so difficult to purchase just one National, old or new? Collectors with several Nationals filling up a room. Good for you, buddy, good for you.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Of course one good guitar that you connect with is possible and a great way to go. In terms of these old Nationals, the difference between say a wood body Triolian and a Steel 14 fret Duolian in terms of sound is quite marked. You can cover the whole resonator base with about 4-5. But why stop there ha ha! It’s also nice preserving history for the next generation.

[@markgiles8527]

@@TheWashboardResonators That's true. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

A pleasure. Many thanks. Hope it helps you buy many many many resonator guitars!!

[@MDLinzee]

For sake of a complete overview on early National tricones, you should be sure to include style 1.5.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

The people that need that level of detail will buy the Mark Makin book and get the full range of tricones shown. I know of at least 30 variations and obviously on a video like this we can’t share them all. The 1.5 is an interesting thing because technically for a while it was actually a style 1. 🎯

[@MDLinzee]

@@TheWashboardResonators I fully understand the challenge when it comes to vintage Nationals. Since NRP is again offering Style 1.5 models, I just thought it might be good to cover this (at risk of the style 1 & 1.5 mix). Couldn’t help myself - I’m biased as the owner of a ‘38 Style 1/1.5 squareneck. Keep up the good work!

[@lilchuck858]

Nice one!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Thanks squire! 🎯

[@martineley1]

Hay Martin, did you do a review on the National Hotplate?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

I didn’t specifically but did a video on amplifying resonators and mention it. I think they’re excellent.

[@NiekkieNick]

Hi, what do you think a National Tricone style 2 from 2006 with a Slimline pickup and Schatten piezo pickup is worth it? I have my eyes on one. The guitar has no dents or other damages. Thanks.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Will be a great guitar with two great pickups for different sounds. By in large the newer NRP Tricones are always good.

[@NiekkieNick]

@@TheWashboardResonators Thanks! I can buy one for 3000 euros. What do you think? Good price?

[@brady_pearson]

Are modern nationals just as good as vintage? Or is vintage the only way to go?

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Look back over our previous videos and you’ll find a comparison one. Vintage vs new. There are ups and downs to both. New National Resophonic (a completely separate newer company) are well made and reliable instruments. The old ones are cool and good ones have a magic that is very special. However they need to be dialled in by specialist luthiers to be at there best. Good old ones are lighter sounding but have a sort of 3D quality. Newer ones generally are fatter in the bass and less open in the top end. I have both and love them for different reasons. The best sounding resonators I’ve played were vintage as well as some of the worst.

[@wheninroamful]

Im about to make a hard decision, maybe you all can helo me....I want a National RAW series Steel. I have to choose between 12 and 14 fret. I want the 14 fret as like to reach the next octave on the high E, just my style of playing, i enjoy it; BUT i played a 12 fret the other day (first time in my life, finally, my dream guitar was always a Duolian) and i absolutely Love how it sounds and surprised how much bass it has and just how great it sounded and don't want to lose any of that if i decide for a 14 fretter and people say that they can tell the difference with a 14 fret shorter body..... that you lose the 'fullness' of the 12???? And hard enough to find either of them, let alone a 12 and 14 in the same room to compare..... and input from anyone is welcome.!!!!!

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Generally there is a difference but TBH it’s negligible. I wouldn’t let that 12/14 fret sound difference rule any decision. They’ll both sound excellent. If you ever plug in it will make no difference as you just turn the bass and low miss up by 5% and you’re there.

[@resomony]

All the original shiny Nationals were nickle plated, not chrome. Never cared for the look of the modern-made chrome plated resos---tooo shiney for my liking.

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Correct! I’d spent years talking to regular folks at gigs asking questions about the resonator guitars and nobody knew what nickel plating was so I’d just say they were chrome. When I did the video and started editing I was suddenly aware I was saying chrome. Those that know, know. I just say nickel now. 😔

[@opengee]

tree-olians? You mean TRY-olians! haha

[@TheWashboardResonators]

Somantics and a Northern English accent with flattened vowels. A heady mix of KZbin fun. 🎯