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Post by nohomatt on Jul 15, 2010 16:07:20 GMT
Can anyone tell me more about this instrument? It is supposedly a 1933-34 12 fret. 1. The tailpiece seems to be incorrect for any national, can anyone confirm this is not original? 2. I thought 12 fretters ended in 1932 3. Is this a triolian or what? Check out the color 4. I am 9/10ths sure the neck has been off this thing at some point what do you think? Any help is greatly appreciated
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 15, 2010 16:34:11 GMT
Hi Nohomatt,
That is a National Triolian with a polychrome finish. The colour, although quite weird, is all original. The neck is all original and doesn't look to me like it has been removed. That gap is often there. Also the tailpiece has been replaced with a short homemade one probably to compensate for a bad neck angle or sunken cone. The short tailpiece gives more break angle over the bridge. As for the date; I know what date I think it is, but without a serial number I cannot be sure.
It is a nice looking all original instrument. It most likely needs a neck reset and definitely a new tailpiece. If it going for a good price, you can't go wrong.
It doesn't really affect its value and don't tell the dealer (or are you the dealer?), but that colour and the very low sunset are quite rare.
For confirmation of its date, please let us have the serial number.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by nohomatt on Jul 15, 2010 17:35:57 GMT
Thanks Michael, The serial no is 2096P and I can buy it for $1900. I must confess I don't know much about steel guitars as I am an acoustic finger-stylist in the Martin Simpson genre, First, I just fell in love with this color, I have never seen another like it and I've always wanted to learn to play a reso. Curious to hear your thoughts on the serial no and price. The neck felt pretty straight though the action was low.
Best, Matt
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 15, 2010 17:54:49 GMT
Hi Matt,
Just a quick reply as I am heading out.
I would put that serial number as a 1930 instrument. But just to be sure I would like to hear from forum member and expert on National serial numbers, Mark Makin?
As for its price; I try not to get involved in valuations over the Internet. From looking at the photos and reading your description I can see nothing negative about this instrument, and the asking price is lower than a brand new copy of the same guitar.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Mark Makin on Jul 15, 2010 18:40:41 GMT
These guitars changed over to 14 fret necks around september 1934 with serial numbers close to 2300P. The 12 fret instruments immediately prior to this change had rolled f holes and were made during the first half of 1934 (numbers from around 2200P). As your instrument has sharp cut f holes and is numbered 2096P - I would guess that you are correct about it being made sometime around the mid to end of 1933. These Triolians were usually a mustard yellow with blue and red highlights but occasionally a different hand is on the spray gun and they have exceptionally high levels of blue oversprayed on the mustard - this results in a particularly vivid green combination such as the one youhave. Other than this, your guitar is a particularly nice example of a stock National Triolian. As Michael and yourself have noted, the tailpiece is wrong - an easy substitution can put this right.
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Post by nohomatt on Jul 15, 2010 21:14:39 GMT
Thanks Mark! This is of great help. You certainly know your Nationals. So, do you think the price $1,900 is fair and I suppose it may need some work, what do you think a guitar of this age typically needs and do you have any idea what that would cost?
Best, Matt
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 15, 2010 22:43:53 GMT
I stand corrected. There is no question about Mark's knowledge on this one.
Mark, as you know where I got that information from; either I have misunderstood something, or .................?
Shine On Michael.
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Post by Michael Messer on Jul 16, 2010 8:37:15 GMT
It is a nice looking all original instrument. It most likely needs a neck reset and definitely a new tailpiece. Shine On Michael
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