1931 National/Sears Duolian

[hidesert]

New to the forum. I’m set to purchase a very original and unmolested 1931 National/Sears Duolian. 100% original parts, original duco finish with some playing wear, small fingerboard tongue crack but no other damage or repairs, cone/biscuit/saddle appear original and not sunken. Never apart. Original case. I’m having it sent directly to Marc for whatever adjustment and setup it needs.
My question…in today’s world is $3100 a fair purchase price?
I’ll try to add pics later

[bonzo]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Sounds like a nice guitar. Price is a bit up there but you could look for ages and not find a better deal. (Maybe you have been)! If you're buying as a keeper and you think it's ok I think most of us on the forum would say go for it.
You've done your research and seem happy, you might never see another one as good.
Pictures please, we all like a drool over some nice duco!👍🙂🎶

[hidesert]

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[hidesert]

[jromano23]

I was a couple hours too late on putting in an offer on this one. It looks fantastic. I’ve seen “asking” prices really tick up on Duolians lately, particularly the Sears model. There was one that was beautifully photographed a week or two ago at Folkway that had an asking price of $6k, and it sold quickly. Probably an outlier. Reverb has a couple in the $4-5k range that haven’t seemed to have had much traction. Things start to move quicker in the high $2k-low $3k on well played examples. All that said, keep me in mind if you’re ever looking to find a new home for yours. I think you got a good one at a good price.

Thanks

[snakehips]

Lovely !!!!

[bluesdude]

That's a good price,,,,,,,,,, enjoy 31 Duolians are great especially the early ones with the thicker Triolian bodies!



Kenny,,,,,,,,,,

[hidesert]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I’ve owned and played Nationals for around 40 years, so I’m not a total novice. That said, I traded my last Duolian (a 12 fret with flat cut f holes, killer sounding and playing) in 1996 for a hot tub…which was definitely well used and enjoyed for the time that I owned it!

Meanwhile, I’ve had my eye out for a vintage replacement but nothing seemed to pan out until this one. I am sure that after Marc “molests” it, that it will be a great playing and sounding Duolian. I just wish I could see it and play it before buying it. Good luck with that in New Mexico!

So, now that I’ve pulled the trigger, I ordered Mark Makin’s book, corresponded with Mark and Marc about Nationals, and realize that I’m way behind the wave of information that has come out about these amazing instruments. It’s really fun to be learning and experiencing new ideas and perspectives and approaches to something I am already deeply passionate about…music, slide guitar, and resophonic Nationals!

[leeophonic]

Nice grain on that neck

Lee

[michaelsegui]

that's a beauty

[pascal]

Dec 5, 2022 20:13:59 GMT hidesert said:

New to the forum. I’m set to purchase a very original and unmolested 1931 National/Sears Duolian. 100% original parts, original duco finish with some playing wear, small fingerboard tongue crack but no other damage or repairs, cone/biscuit/saddle appear original and not sunken. Never apart. Original case. I’m having it sent directly to Marc for whatever adjustment and setup it needs.
My question…in today’s world is $3100 a fair purchase price?
I’ll try to add pics later

A pretty fair purchase price, to my opinion! Duolians/triolians are in the $5000/6000 range by now...

[simonf]

Sounds a great price. If I could find a good one for that in the uk I would not hesitate.

[1928triolian]

Wonderful instrument. Tought there were no more chances to see such a nice, totally original Duo for sale somewhere at any price. Could need nothing, hard to say from the pics anyway.

[vastopol]

Always great to discover another survivor; these Sears are very special when you think about the fact that they was send by Sears way out in the sticks, where peoples doesn't have access to a music store...
For 29 dollars, what a bargain...but dollars are scarse in these times...
When I see one of these I always think that who ordered this guitar from Sears certainly had serious reasons and great hopes for the future to buy it.

(In a book wich I can't remember the tittle...but certainly a Toni Morrisson book; she's talking about the Sears & Roebuck's catalog, named by the country peoples "the book of dreams"...because it was the only chance to see progress, prosperity, good looking poeples and brand new things for someone who lives in the middle of nowhere.

I'm a country boy myself so don't misunderstand me, there's not any contempt here !)

Perhaps Mark could make some light on the question of the datation?
Everybody call them "1931" Sears, (perhaps due to an error in a certain book made long ago, as the same book talks about a meeting, made in 1933 between National factory heads and Sears to talk about the special coverplate and cuts in painting layers).

[hidesert]