‘29 National wood body Triolian

[Deleted]

This showed up on ebay yesterday with asking price of $1295 or best offer...so I said what the hey and dropped my line at $850 and woke up this morning to find he accepted. Didnt tell the wife yet... I think I did OK. Seems to be all there except tailpiece. Neck setup with string nut riser and has a slight bow. Painted on neck dots...and the paint has been mostly stripped.

Four digit serial number 14NN, says cone looks original. I have an approval period once it arrives. Just need to go out for several cans of krylon spray paint...

[bonzo]

Well done Fred! Nice one! If your missus is anything like mine she'll be over the moon for you! Maybe best tell her as you're giving her something nice for her birthday!

Best wishes and good health to you all, John

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2020 11:20:59 GMT bonzo said:

Well done Fred! Nice one! If your missus is anything like mine she'll be over the moon for you! Maybe best tell her as you're giving her something nice for her birthday!

Best wishes and good health to you all, John

Well...we’ve been up in the attic past week cleaning out accumulation and tripping over guitar cases...saw along with her cleanup she tossed out most of the cards I sent her over the years...l guess I need to visit the jeweler...

[bonzo]

Maybe a charm bracelet with a little silver guitar.......

[Pickers Ditch]

Krylon spray paint and a bottle of Champagne for the missus?

[tokyo]

Get her a set of pink fingerpicks....just sayin like

[niaro]

Great pick! Pretty sure you're not expecting a tricone though?

[Deleted]

Niaro, Thanks for your comment. Looks like you have a triolian in your photo.

No its not a tricone (though the first prototypes in 1928 were). I have several metal body Nationals but do not own a wood body National and feel fortunate to have the chance to acquire the wood body triolian. I always buy guitars that need to be fixed. I am 51% repairman and 48% musician...and yes 1% crazy...

[resotonic]

I was wondering where it went!! Nice one! Keep us posted...

[Deleted]

Hello Resotonic, Nobody was more surprised than I when it became sold (to me). I plan to base the restoration, which aside from neck straightening and new tailpiece, will be a coat of lacquer...based on images as per Mark Makins book. It looks like the last series of wood body triolians were basic yellow-tan-ish with the black palm tree image on the back.

Update:
I revisited Mark Makins book and checked the serial number registry. My triolian comes in between several Hula Girl models, so that adds more complexity to my restoration. I could do the basic color coat but would have to find the stencil or some shop that would do it. Thinking that is very unlikely so it will stay at the base color...

The cone and biscuit will need some work though initial indications are they may be original but had some screws put into the cone/biscuit mounting...

[5slide]

Congrats! I'm sure that will play and sound great once you've worked on it

[leeophonic]

Fred drop Mike Lewis an email at fine Resophonic in Paris,also there has been some interesting stuff done also in Austria by Gottfred at www.gottfriedgfrerer.at he incidently released recently the album titled polychrome with just the artwork you might be looking for.

Put the feelers out before you start the job.

Enjoy the restoration.

Lee

[Deleted]

Lee thanks. I checked out Gottfred...what a collection of triolians...I see one of his that may be the model for what I do

[Michael Messer]

Apr 19, 2020 22:50:15 GMT @fredcapo said:

Lee thanks. I checked out Gottfred...what a collection of triolians...I see one of his that may be the model for what I do

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Gottfried is a really good man. I am sure he would be happy to hear from you.

Shine On
Michael