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Post by hh1978 on Jan 4, 2018 23:12:04 GMT
Hi, I'm Hugues, from Belgium. This is my first post, though I've been a long time reader. Many thanks for all the helpful informations! I've been playing resonators for a couple of years now, and really dig it. So I'd like to buy a vintage Triolian. I'm not in a hurry, as I want to take the time to find a good one. Unfortunately, there's little chance that I could try it before buying, and I'm not knowledgeable enough to spot all the important details in the listing and pictures, so I thought it would be better looking for advices here. I play finger fretting more than slide, so I prefer lower action. There are currently two listings on Reverb that retained my attention : This one, but the action looks a bit high on the pictures : reverb.com/item/4883245-national-polychrome-triolian-1932And this one : reverb.com/item/4077094-national-triolian-1931Many thanks for your inputs, Hugues
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Post by leeophonic on Jan 4, 2018 23:35:00 GMT
Take a trip to see Mike Lewis in Paris, he is wise on these old tin cans and makes fine modern variants.
Lee
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 5, 2018 18:13:06 GMT
Thanks Leeophonic, I'll sure do that as soon as I find some time.
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 5, 2018 18:30:02 GMT
Hello Hugues, Welcome to our forum. I have only just seen your post, otherwise I would have responded sooner. If you are not in a hurry to find a Triolian, my advice is to hold on until a really clean nice condition one turns up. The two Triolians you are asking about look like good guitars, but for my taste they are not in good enough condition to warrant the price tags that are on them. A clean one will be expensive, but worth getting. You should call Francois Charle's shop in Paris and ask Francois to look out for a nice Triolian. www.rfcharle.com Shine On Michael
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 5, 2018 19:27:48 GMT
Hello Michael, Many thanks for your answer and the advices. I'm not in a hurry at all, I would like to find one in 2018. The visual condition doesn't matter much, I like guitars that feel old and have an history. If I learned that through the years, playing mostly electric. I ended up selling all my modern guitars and keeping the vintage ones. Not necessarily better guitars, but they feel better in my hand. That said, the playability and sound do matter a lot, and I realise that old Nationals are a totally different construction than electric guitars, and certainly more tricky. I'll give François Charles a call, I didn't know about him Hugues
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Post by purpleorange on Jan 5, 2018 20:05:10 GMT
I don't know anything about vintage guitars, but I came across this one today and the price has been reduced. It is in the EU so you would avoid import duties. notomguitars.com/collections/national-and-dobro/products/1931-national-triolianIt still looks overpriced to me, it has been re-fretted, has a replaced bridge and has a strap button fitted to the heel. (The strap button would be a deal breaker for me)
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 5, 2018 21:57:26 GMT
Thanks, I would never add a strap button to a vintage acoustic, so definetely a deal breaker. I would worry about the new bridge also, sounds like they did replace the bridge instead of resetting the neck.
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 6, 2018 10:28:09 GMT
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2018 10:50:39 GMT
Don't deal with Lenny--end of story! Here's why: LINK
And in the unlikely event you need more convincing: SCAM ALERT!
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 6, 2018 11:47:45 GMT
Thanks, I had the feeling something was wrong with him, but wasn't sure!
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Post by leeophonic on Jan 6, 2018 12:06:33 GMT
Lenny has unfortunately lost his trust, it may be the case that he is back on his feet and has interesting guitars to sell,but unless you can drop in on him & collect the guitars or have connections with the American mafia look elsewhere.
Lee
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 6, 2018 20:46:30 GMT
Sure. Finding it in Europe would be ideal anyway. I'm not in a hurry.
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Post by linkous on Jan 7, 2018 10:04:24 GMT
I once built a Reso-Phonic myself, but I have nothing to do with this one: Sundown (If you are from the dutch speaking side of Belgium (like me), HH, you will understand the advertisement..) Cool instrument that seems interesting to me, with the adjustable tailpiece: This is mine (not for sale): Em.
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Post by hh1978 on Jan 7, 2018 22:53:25 GMT
Thanks, I'm french speaking but I understand dutch as well Seems like a nice instrument, but not really what I'm after. By the way, regarding Triolians, I remember having read on this forum more than once that early 3 pc body guitars are better than 2pc. Should I look specifically for one of them, and if so, is there a way to spot them visually when the serial number is not displayed? Or is the difference minor? I mean, I'm an average player. The difference could be obvious under better fingers than mine, but not so obvious when I'm playing. But at the same time, I guess I will also progress, and mean to keep the instrument for my whole life. Also, should I expect a higher price for an early one?
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 8, 2018 8:48:17 GMT
Hi Hugues,
You should just look for a really nice 'honest' Triolian. You are correct about those details, but I don't think you should worry about a 2 or 3 piece body. What I mean by 'honest', is one that is all original and that hasn't been tampered with, or put together from more than one guitar. Due to dishonest dealers and too many people opening them up to either change components, or just clean them, they are harder to find these days, but they're out there. I am sure you will find a nice one.
Shine On Michael
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