|
|
Post by richclough on Nov 19, 2015 7:31:49 GMT
Hi,
I hope you can help. I live in the UK, near Manchester. I'm looking to get my hands on a National Tricone for fingerpicking and some slide. I've tried, and loved an NRP steel body Tricone at Frailers in Runcorn, but since I have acid hands I'd prefer a brass body to steel. And it'll be a bit mellower. So I'm looking for a Style 1, ideally with a cutaway.
However, I'm really concerned about spending that kind of money buying a guitar I haven't played. So whilst I could order from the US (Catfish Keith etc) am a reluctant to do so. I'm not experienced enough with these guitars to know how they vary from new.
Are my concerns valid? How should I go about this? Should I sacrifice the cutaway for the ability to try before I buy. Even just to try a standard Style 1 will require a trip to London I suspect.
Any advice gratefully received.
Regards,
Rich
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Nov 19, 2015 8:01:32 GMT
Hi Rich,
Welcome to our forum.
I don't know if I can, but I will try and answer your questions.
My gut reaction to your question is that if you have seen and loved a steel bodied National Tricone at Frailers, that you should buy it. Guitars are funny things and if you like what is in your hands, that is the one. Personally speaking, I am not a fan of steel Tricones, or cutaway Tricones. I think they should be brass, German Silver or plywood, and that to cut a chunk of the body away, kills tone and looks wrong. I am sure there are plenty of people that disagree with me, and that is what makes the world go around. Steel is the one material that for me doesn't work with the Tricone system.
National Reso-Phonic Guitars are built using CNC machinery, and from my experience they are all almost identical to each other when they are new. It is the player that injects character into them.
My advice to you at this point in time, is that you need to see and play more National guitars. You should not buy one until you are sure about what you want. Or....just get the one you "loved" at Frailers.
I hope that is helpful information.
Shine On
Michael
|
|
|
|
Post by dagobert on Nov 19, 2015 10:51:01 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by richclough on Nov 19, 2015 11:15:33 GMT
Michael, Dagobert. Thanks for responding!
I think Michael's point is correct. I need to do some more ear training, play some more guitars and make sure I know what I'm looking for. When I ordered my last serious guitar from Brook in Devon, ten years ago, it wasn't until I'd spent several hours with a few of their models.
The other point re consistency of manufacture increases my confidence in distance buying. I think I need to do a tour around the south and visit Dave King, Wunjo and Guitar village...? Anywhere else?
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by blueshome on Nov 19, 2015 17:03:51 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2015 18:01:15 GMT
Interesting: Wunjo claims to be the exclusive dealer for NRP in the UK?
|
|
|
|
Post by Ian McWee on Nov 20, 2015 12:20:19 GMT
Wunjo Guitars allegedly had a big falling-out with Steve James when he toured the U.K last year ~ Steve was apparently so incensed he told N.R.P about the incident & they dropped Wunjo from their roster. Ron Smith at NoTom Guitars just across the road doesn't have a dealership with N.R.P ~ but he usually has more reso stock than Wunjo!!  Slide On! Ian. |
|
|
|
Post by richclough on Nov 20, 2015 13:01:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Ian McWee on Nov 20, 2015 14:27:15 GMT
That's a weird one ~ we advertise our slides in the U.K. 'Acoustic' magazine and for the past couple of years N.R.P have had a glossy, full-colour advert in every edition, complete with a listing of current U.K. & European stockists....Wunjo Guitars used to be on there but disappeared off the list earlier this year ~ all the rest of the U.K. stockists are still listed :/
Slide On!
Ian.
|
|
