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Post by hh1978 on Oct 5, 2020 13:41:36 GMT
Well, at this point I'm not even replying to the seller anymore
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 5, 2020 12:47:30 GMT
Very interesting!
The guitar is in NY state, BUT...
Searching with the seller's name, I found it on Gbase, and the seller's account is Atomic Guitars.
Looking further, there's a least 3 listings for the same guitar, two of which are marked sold, and contain a picture of the front of the body of another Style O in much better condition.
The poor attempt at fixing the body might be a result of the guitar constantly being returned by unfortunate buyers.
Also, it has always been overpriced on Gbase. If you saw it "in the flesh" and the price was less than a half of what it was listed for, that would probably mean the seller knows he can't lie about the condition when the potential buyer examines the guitar.
He notified me the price was going up to 5000$, however, he didn't change it on the listing (and I never contacted him through Gbase, so he probably assumed I wouldn't notice). That would mean that when he thinks someone bites, he tries to up the price, lying about how much he loves that Style O and would prefer it to follow him into the grave than sell it (which such practices and pricing, seems likely to happen at the end).
Fishy...
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 3, 2020 18:44:52 GMT
The seller just sent me an email to say he decided to increase the price to 5000$... Maybe he will list it for 40 000$ at the end
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 1, 2020 22:02:43 GMT
I know it's probably the less regarded model, but I personally like them, just not at this stupid price/condition ratio.
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 1, 2020 17:23:39 GMT
I agree on the price being ridiculous. And as he seller doesn't seem to be inclined to lower it, it will probably sit for a looong time.
It's not the Mark Knopfler model, it's a later "Spade Head". Serial dates it from 1940, according to Mark's book.
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 1, 2020 14:46:02 GMT
Would it need to take the top off for repairing the cracks from the inside? Or could it be done from the outside?
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Post by hh1978 on Oct 1, 2020 6:44:30 GMT
Yep, also what I think. Seller admits the price is very high but he won't lower it, so looks like he doesn't really want to sell.
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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 hh1978 on Sept 30, 2020 18:16:26 GMT
Just had a reply from Mike who said it's falling into pieces and that's not a job for him, because it would be too costly and the result wouldn't be worth. In the meantime, I got to know the asking price. Nearly 4000$ and firm price . I got my almost pristine 3pces body Triolian for less than that (With a great help from Michael and Mark).
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Post by hh1978 on Sept 30, 2020 10:31:34 GMT
I'm not sure, I have no experience with 14 frets bodies. I thought it was one piece top and sides just as 12 frets ones.
I was indeed thinking of sending the pics to Mike, it will be also a good occasion to have a phone chat afterwards, Mike is such a nice guy
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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 hh1978 on Sept 30, 2020 9:59:33 GMT
Thanks for the reply! How did you fix it on your collegian?
It's in the US, likely an individual seller.
What do you think would be a right price for this one?
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Post by hh1978 on Sept 29, 2020 19:45:05 GMT
Hello,
Any idea as to what could have happened to this sorry condition Style O ? And how bad it is?
Not my guitar BTW, pictures were sent to me by someone knowing I was interested in old National's. It's for sale, actually, but I doubt it will find a buyer anytime soon, unless price is low.
I would guess weather corrosion combined with heavy tension, followed by a crude attempt to restore it, but not sure at all. One piece front and sides separating on a good part of the body... I doubt this is common.
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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 hh1978 on Sept 27, 2020 21:06:30 GMT
Last time I went to Mike Lewis workshop, two years ago or so, he had a bakelite neck Triolian on consignement (well, maybe not exactly on consignement, but he mentionned the owner was selling it). I tried it and from what I remember it was in great shape. But to me it didn't sound really special (not bad, but not special, compared to the other vintage Triolian's of Mike), and I didn't like the feel of the neck, even though the geometry was right.
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