National Style 0 Resophonic Guitar, 1932 [USED]

This National Style 0 Resophonic Guitar in a 'Etched Silver' finish is a prime example of the seminal resophonic guitar. It was first introduced in 1927 by the newly established National String Instrument Corporation in Los Angeles, and this particular model dates back to 1932. The innovative resophonic design was a response to the need for increased volume to keep up with the louder sound of banjo players and quickly gained popularity.

This 1932 National Style 0 is a 12 fret, single cone, round Maple neck model with nickel plated brass body. The body features a characteristic Hawaiian scene, etched into the plating using sand-blasting. It dates to mid 1932, based on the serial number located at the tailblock. The National Shield decal is missing from the headstock. The original strip tuners are in place. The black neck finish is not original.

This guitar has recently been serviced and refurbished at The Twelfth Fret Repair Shop, including a neck reset, full setup and finish cleanup. The guitar now plays well and sounds very good. It has some minor play wear scratches on the body.

It with its original shaped double-arched hardshell case, black with green interior.

While tri-cone models were the first National design, the single cone Triolian in 1929 and then the Style 0 in 1930 offered more volume and lower production costs, though the harmonic content is not as rich as the tri-cone.

In general, single cone models provide a sharp attack and quick decay, somewhat like a banjo, while tri-cones deliver a smoother rise and more sustain. Contributing to this difference is the use of plated brass for single cone metal bodies, with tri-cones using steel, often with a painted finish. Necks are Maple with bound Ebony fingerboards, and early models don’t have truss rods. For a time, Bakelite was tried as a neck material but these have not held up well.

When National first introduced the Style “O” in 1930, the catalog promised it was “sure to win the admiration of everyone because of its beauty of design and marvelous tone quality.” Advertisements soon proclaimed it National’s “best seller ever!”

The National String Instrument Corporation was launched in Los Angeles California by guitarist George Beauchamp and builder John Dopyera, but their partnership didn’t last long. Within two years, Dopyera left and with his brothers started Dobro. That name references both their brotherhood and their native language; it means ‘Goodness’ in Slovak. Interestingly, both companies used the same supplier for many of the metal components – Adolph Richenbacher, who went on to change his last name to 'Rickenbacker' and found his own guitar company.

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

 

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DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model: Style 0
• Instrument Manufacturer: National
• Instrument year:  1932
• Instrument Finish: Nickel plate, sandlblasted
• Instrument Class: Resophonic 
• Instrument serial number: S3048, built during 1932 at Los Angeles, CA
• Country of Origin: USA
• Instrument Condition: Neck and fingerboard refinished, no decal on the headstock, minor cosmetic scratches on body
• Playing Condition:  Good
  
• Right-handed 
• CITIES Documentation Required:  No
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  Yes
• Case Type: Black hardshell
• Instrument Weight Imperial: 7.5  lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:  3.4 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:   25 in
• Scale Length Metric:    635 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:   1 11/16 in
• Nut Width Metric: 42.86 mm
  
• Items in Case: Strap
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 190085

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here