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Post by gaucho on Sept 19, 2012 11:32:30 GMT
A friend found a tricone in a pawn shop in his area. He described it to me but I don't know a lot about NRP's. Its shiny with no etching. Solid headstock with a metal National badge (says National but not National Resophonic) and no serial # that he saw on the top or back of it. He said the top of the headstock had some ornate curves to it. A first I thought maybe it was a late 30's but had not heard of the metal badge on those. Then he mentioned a white truss rod cover. Seems to me it's either a 30's body w/a modern neck, an older NRP, or a fake. He describe a pick up that sounded like a NRP slim line or Lace. Any thoughts? Where else should he look of a serial #? I suggested the end of the fretboard (on the body), by the tail piece or by the strap pin.
I didn't think there were any deals to be had in Pawn shops anymore, but if this one is real, it's pretty cheap. He's going to try to go back and take some photos today. Anything else I can tell him to look for? I also suggested the magnet test....
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Post by gaucho on Sept 19, 2012 18:36:23 GMT
He went back today to check on some things I told him to check. It actually has a slotted headstock and the pick-up is a National slim line. Still no serial # tho. Is it possible it was on a paper label inside that maybe fell off? He said he could see inside that it looks like a label was once stuck in there. Just checked my NRP Radio Tone and the serial # is on a paper label inside. It's priced at $899, only problem is he's a lefty. He was thinking of buying it and if he doesn't like it he could re-sell or trade it for a single cone that he could convert to lefty.
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Post by waffle on Sept 19, 2012 19:14:01 GMT
Hi Gaucho,
Like you have said ,it could be anything? It would be nice for it to be an original or NRP in that fact...12 fret or 14 fret ? It's horrible when you don't have the knowledge as to look out for? i don't.. i can tell you that! Pictures are good..but..i think you need someone in ' The Know ' also to just look,.. and from their experience regardless of serial numbers to just know what it is?
There are fakes out there as we know.I wish i could spot the genuine ones, because quietly i bet ' Them In The Know' find some real good bargains.
I hope your friend as found a Gem ! Sincerely.
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 19, 2012 20:34:04 GMT
Some of the early NRP guitars had the metal badge on the headstock, but.......back then you could buy a National pin-on brooch to wear on your jacket lapel. These were pale blue enamelled metal with 'National Trade Mark' on them. Quite a few ended up on guitars....including one that I used to have. The truss rod cover sounds like an NRP one....but.....we really need to see one or two photos of the guitar to identify it.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by gaucho on Sept 19, 2012 20:47:57 GMT
He sent me photos but they are on a text on my phone and I can't seem to download or forward them. It looks just like the one only no engraving. This one has no visible serial 3 either. I'm thinking it's real at this point... www.elderly.com/vintage/items/50U-2375.htm |
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Post by gaucho on Sept 19, 2012 23:47:50 GMT
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Post by rbe on Sept 20, 2012 4:29:30 GMT
That looks like an NRP. The badge and the truss rod cover are correct. Looks like it has correct tuners for that era NRP too. It also probably has a flat back. Good price. I would look it over to see if there is something wrong, like a neck, or headstock crack or a bad neck angle. I have never found pawnshops to be cheap. If that is in the US, it is almost suspiciously cheap for a pawnshop. Could be a deal. Not sure why the label would be gone. Missing serial number??
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 20, 2012 8:47:19 GMT
Hi Gaucho,
It all looks real to me too, and it is an extremely good price. All the detail that I can see is original early period NRP. As Rik says, it should have a flat back, which I am sure it will because it has the correct coverplate screw-holes. It has been through some stuff and the lack of serial number could be because it has at some time in its life been stolen.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by gaucho on Sept 21, 2012 2:48:43 GMT
My friend went in and plunked down $700 cash and they took it! I guess you can still find some deals in pawn shops....
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 21, 2012 7:13:59 GMT
Hi Gaucho, That is a result. $700 is cheap, but in pounds it is £435! If your friend spots any more, let me know...  Shine On Michael. |
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Post by gaucho on Sept 21, 2012 10:20:59 GMT
I didn't feel too bad advising him to talk it down. Figured they were going to sell it based on a percentage of what they had into it. I told him to go in with $750 but he got bold and went with $650. They started poking around on the 'net to see what they were selling for and he thought he was screwed, but they pulled up a Republic Tricone and said "here's one like it that sold for $600!! Only thing is he's a lefty. He's going to make a new nut and bridge and see how it plays for him. Anyone ever done that with a tricone? If that doesn't work out he's going to look into trading it for a singlecone that he can swap to lefty.
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Post by Michael Messer on Sept 21, 2012 10:39:04 GMT
That was definitely your friend's lucky day.
I have a friend that plays an upside down Tricone, left handed, and it sounds fine.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by gaucho on Sept 21, 2012 18:19:50 GMT
Thanks Michael!
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Post by blueshome on Sept 22, 2012 17:28:21 GMT
My 1995 NRP Style O has the blue metal badge. They started to put a truss rod in their guitars mid/late '95 so it would seem to date from around then.
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