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Post by hh1978 on Sept 27, 2020 21:35:07 GMT
Hello,
I currently own 3 vintage National's :
- A 1928 wooden Triolian (screen windows, hula girl, no serial) - A 1929 steel Triolan (#107P, that I acquired following the precious advices of Michael and Mark) - A 1930 variation 2 Style O (#s1001, brass back, steel front and sides)
I'm considering getting a 14 fretter style O, for the crystalline clarity in the treble I heard in the few ones I've tried. I'm not in a hurry at all, as puchase is unlikely to happen before the end of 2020, but I'd like to hear your thoughts about the different variations.
All the ones I've tried were variation 7. The most obvious thing with these is the thick but narrow neck shape, with the hard V profile. Mike Lewis said it's because the neck is made of basswood, which is too soft and so needed the added thickness. It felt strange at first, but I felt quickly accustomed to it and like it a lot.
So I'm curious if I should expect something similar on variations 6 and 8?
Any other consideration on the merits/unconvenience of the years/variations is welcome!
Many thanks!
Hugues
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Post by 5slide on Sept 30, 2020 9:37:19 GMT
Hi Hugues,
Sorry I don't have a lot of info, only that I have a 1935/6 Style 0 14 fretter and I love it (I cannot remember which variation it is?). I find the neck very comfortable, it is fairly thick but I wouldn't describe it is a hard V, more of a medium, though this may be due to it being worn down through the years! It also isn't narrow.
I haven't played many vintage Nationals so don't have a lot to compare it to but to my ears it has a beautiful tone and like you describe the treble is very clear but sweet sounding - it definitely has some warmth to it and is not harsh at all.
Here's a recording of mine so you can get an idea of the sound:
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Post by hh1978 on Sept 30, 2020 10:25:21 GMT
Hi 5slide, Thanks you so much for sharing your thoughts and the video. What a beautiful, soulful playing! That's a variation 6 you have  Absolutely the sound I'm after (though I realize a good part of the sound comes from the player). |
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Post by 5slide on Sept 30, 2020 15:23:36 GMT
Hi 5slide, Thanks you so much for sharing your thoughts and the video. What a beautiful, soulful playing! That's a variation 6 you have Absolutely the sound I'm after (though I realize a good part of the sound comes from the player). Thanks Hugues! Ah yes, variation 6 - I remember now! I would love to compare mine to a 12 fret version to see how the tone differs. In any case, if you find a Style 0 14 fret in good shape I don't think you can go wrong |
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Post by leeophonic on Sept 30, 2020 16:57:12 GMT
Personally I prefer a 14 fret Resonator guitar to a 12 fretter, as luck would have it virtually all of mine are 12 fretters, there's ya luck....
Lee
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Post by hh1978 on Sept 30, 2020 21:34:37 GMT
From what I remember from playing each of Mike Lewis's vintage National, the difference between 12 and 14 frets was much more apparent on the style O than on the Triolian. But then, the only 14 frets Triolian I've ever played was Mike's. I've played various 14 frets Style O, and they all had that sound. More crystalline in the treble, than a 12 frets, at the expense of a little low end content. By the time I was trying those guitars, I remember thinking I had no preference between 12 and 14, but they were different. And back then I did know that the desire to acquire a 14 frets version to compliment my 12 frets would grow. My preference would be a variation 7, because of that peculiar neck shape that I found so much inspiring, but since it's the model used by Mark Knopfler and Keith Richards, they usually go for a premium just for that reason (ironical, because, as much as I appreciate and respect them as guitarists, none of them I associate with National resonator guitars).
So I'm more likely to find a variation 6 like yours, or maybe a variation 8, but they seem rare.
Lee, I totally get you. Sometimes it's the guitar that finds you. But in my case, owning three 12 fretters (and I've owned also an El Trovador and a Walnut Triolian), I will restraint my research specifically to 14 frets Style O. Like I said above, their sound has been growing on me for the last 3 years...
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Post by leeophonic on Oct 1, 2020 5:28:41 GMT
Marshcat on here (Brixham blues on facebook) has some lovely 14 fretters, in another league is his Don but he also has one of the nicest 14 fret Walnut Triolians which has the sound most people have in there minds eye.
Lee
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Post by marshcat on Oct 1, 2020 6:30:30 GMT
You're right, Lee. I made the dreadful mistake of selling my beloved 14-fret Style 0 eighteen years ago as part of a (retrospectively) silly horse-trade involving Denmark St... Unbelievably, it re-surfaced on eBay last year and I was able to bring her home. Here she is, in the company of a nice Kalamazoo:
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Post by gaucho on Oct 1, 2020 15:26:34 GMT
I have several 12 fret and 14 Fret vintage Nationals, Including a 12 and 14 fret Style 0 (just like 5slide's with the slot head). I've absolutely have come to prefer the 14 fret for tone, access to upper frets and especially the neck shape! That said, I still think looks wise, a 1932 - 12 fret is my favorite with it's ribbed coverplate and flat F wholes.
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Post by 5slide on Oct 4, 2020 11:20:07 GMT
From what I remember from playing each of Mike Lewis's vintage National, the difference between 12 and 14 frets was much more apparent on the style O than on the Triolian. But then, the only 14 frets Triolian I've ever played was Mike's. I've played various 14 frets Style O, and they all had that sound. More crystalline in the treble, than a 12 frets, at the expense of a little low end content. By the time I was trying those guitars, I remember thinking I had no preference between 12 and 14, but they were different. And back then I did know that the desire to acquire a 14 frets version to compliment my 12 frets would grow. My preference would be a variation 7, because of that peculiar neck shape that I found so much inspiring, but since it's the model used by Mark Knopfler and Keith Richards, they usually go for a premium just for that reason (ironical, because, as much as I appreciate and respect them as guitarists, none of them I associate with National resonator guitars). So I'm more likely to find a variation 6 like yours, or maybe a variation 8, but they seem rare.
Lee, I totally get you. Sometimes it's the guitar that finds you. But in my case, owning three 12 fretters (and I've owned also an El Trovador and a Walnut Triolian), I will restraint my research specifically to 14 frets Style O. Like I said above, their sound has been growing on me for the last 3 years...
That's interesting to know. I know exactly what you mean about the sweet highs of the 14 fret. I've never thought that mine needs more bass, but obviously playing each side by side I'm sure the difference would be very obvious. |
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