Weight of 1930s National Duolians and Triolians?

[archtopeddy]

Since some of you folks have these guitars within an arm's reach, I thought I'd ask the question here.

I hear the 1930's National Duolians and Triolians weigh less than the current models made by National Reso-Phonic Guitars. How much do the the vintage guitars weigh? What is the difference in weight vs a newer NRP Duolian and Triolian? Thanks! 

[leeophonic]

We did something a few years ago where people weighed various nationals to get an idea of the variations in builds, the information was on www.notecannons.com, at the time NRP Delphis style zero etc were heavier but around 2088 or so they started using thinner steel and got lighter when they introduced their sunburst triolian, what the comparison and variation is now I am not sure, all I can say is there are timelines within the NRP production years, Handbuilt, to factory evolution I guess.

Regards

Lee

[snakehips]

Hi there !

Vintage Nationals seemed to vary a fair bit, for starters !

I have a 1930 Polychrome Triolian (steel) with Maple neck that is really light. It does have a body with the extra top hole that was meant for Bakelite necks.
I have a 1930 Style N (brass) with a baseball bat mahogany neck that feels a good bit heavier.

Maybe I'll get the kitchen scales out & weigh my Nationals.
I only have one National Resophonic guitar these days - a Style 1.5 Tricone (German Silver) - and it's quite heavy.
I seem to remember the vintage squareneck Tricones I had felt v heavy too.

[archtopeddy]

Hi guys, thanks for the quick and thoughtful responses. Thanks leeophonic for the info about www.notecannons.com. What a fabulous site! I would never have found it on my own. And snakehips, great info. While I was thinking about (but didn't make clear) the steel-body guitars, your point about the different neck woods, dimensions, and body materials making a big difference in weight is right-on. I appreciate both of your help.

[1928triolian]

My 1930 3 pc body Triolian is 3,250 kg.
I had a good number of wood body Triolians and they were about 2,800 kg

[archtopeddy]

Thanks 1928triolian for checking your guitar weight. I believe you mean 3.250 kg (which would equal 7.17 lbs). At 3 thousand 250 kg, the guitar would weigh 7,165 lbs. That would make it one "heavy metal" guitar - hehe.