National Triolian replica with 1930 National bakelite neck

[tomgiemza]

National Triolian REPLICA.

First of all, I'm in Poland, so I guess this offer might be more appealing for people in EU (but I can ship it anywhere).

Photos: drive.google.com/drive/folders/10nU-SpfcY6iKBnHO2sHhnWO1oSeMxgpA?usp=sharing
Asking price: €950

This guitar was put together (1930 bakelite neck + 2014 import body + 2018 National cone) by Jędrzej Kubiak, polish resonator guitars guru.
Jędrzej told me, that the bakelite fretboard was deliberately broke at the 12 fret to set a proper neck relief. He also told me that these necks were often warping in 1930's but after all these years bakelite became rock solid and this neck won't warp again. He also told me, that he would advice NOT to use thicker strings than 13-56 and don't tune it very high (like open E or A).
I usually use 13-56 strings tuned to open C# (half-step down from D) and I never had any problem with this guitar.
I think the body was lightly aged at the beginning and it grew some further wear from frequent playing. So there are some scratches, small dents and marks, but nothing serious.
Intonation is nice, frets are quite good, it stays in tune, and it's very loud.

Here's the most recent clip of me playing it (rather lousy playing, published only for a guitar demonstration)


And here's the maker playing this specific guitar himself

[snakehips]

Woah !
That guitar has great tone.
Great bass definition, very clear articulated notes, but the bass still has grit to it !

[archtopeddy]

NIce looking/sounding guitar, and nice playing in both videos. I'm confused though, if it's the same guitar why does one have a single dot marker on the 12th fret, and the other double dots on the 13th?

[tomgiemza]

Aug 30, 2023 2:05:40 GMT archtopeddy said:

NIce looking/sounding guitar, and nice playing in both videos. I'm confused though, if it's the same guitar why does one have a single dot marker on the 12th fret, and the other double dots on the 13th?

I believe Jędrzej changed it, because dots on 13th might be misleading. On this photo you can see where the old dots used to be:

[archtopeddy]

That makes sense! Thanks for the quick response. And again, nice guitar. I'm sure it will find a good home!

[Michael Messer]

Steel bodied guitars with bakelite necks always sound great. They are loud with very powerful bass and singing highs.

Many years ago I had a Triolian with a bakelite neck that was bent. I loved playing this guitar, but it was difficult. So in my naivety I decided to get a replica neck made for it, but instead of bakelite, the new neck was wood. A few months later I sold the guitar because while it was a nice sounding instrument, it had lost everything that made it a great instrument.

Interesting to see one used on a new guitar.

Shine On
Michael

[leeophonic]

I have played a few Bakelite triolians and action aside they havea lovely tone & resonance, with slide in hand they are hard to beat.

Lee

[tomgiemza]

The goal of building this guitar was to recreate this tone, Jędrzej built it for himself and said this is the best sounding guitar he ever built, but now he's playing vintage Nationals that he restored. He sold this replica to a blues pub owner who sold it to me, when he acquired two vintage Nationals...

It's great especially for a slide, the action is quite low at the low frets (you can see it on the photo), and up the neck, it goes up to around 3.5mm at 12th fret. The neck is rather slim. Comfort of playing is subjective matter, in right hands (like Jędrzej) it can do wonders. In my opinion, it excels in open D, is good in open G, but not that good in standard.

[gordon]

Knowing how good Jędrzej's work is, I'm interested, I'll send you a PM.

Thanks,
Gordon