Odd Stud tailpiece variant early roundneck

[flowslikeariver]

I recently encountered an early roundneck tricone (in the low 0100s; Style 1). It's a wreck and in pieces but mostly salvageable. Wood sound well, soldered-strips grille, crushed ribbed cones (beyond hope). I don't have photos at the moment but hope to have some soon. Instead of having a true stud tailpiece this has one with six of what look like rivets in the same locations--small flat-top mushroom heads flush with the top of the tailpiece--with no elevation to accept a loop-end string. Has anyone ever seen another one (if my description isn't too Rube Goldberg-ian)?

[Michael Messer]

Hello flowslikeariver,

Welcome to our forum.

Your Style 1 Triplate sounds interesting. Early ones with wood sound wells are beautiful sounding guitars.

Regarding the question you have asked about the tailpiece; it is only a guess because I need to see a photo to be sure, but from your description I think the studs have been removed and what is left are six pieces that look like rivets. Those old stud tailpieces are a bit fiddly to use with ball-end strings and I have seen one or two others with the rivets removed.

Please post some photos of your guitar and can you let us know its serial number. The number is important for the database of serial numbers that Mark Makin diligently updates to record as many existing National instruments as possible. This is the only way that a true and accurate history of these instruments can be properly put together.

Shine On
Michael

[leeophonic]

There have recently been two tailpieces on Ebay.com, Washboardchris on here has a squareneck style V with the tailpiece in situ.

Regards

Lee

[flowslikeariver]

Guitar is half a continent away (North America) and I've requested photos. When I first saw it, it was as an admirer. After returning home, I decided to make an offer on the disassembled beast as it sits. I'm waiting for the luthier to relay it to the owner.