tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 3:15:14 GMT
I bought a 1941 National tricone M3 . Has a wooden square neck but it's so small it plays good as a round neck after I made a new nut and lowered the saddle. Was painted but striped when I got it.it appears to be German silver. It's brass colored but the brass is a paper thin Coating the metal underneith appears German silver has a steel cover plate. Came with the original yellow tweed case. . Any one seen one of these before ? They were the last tricones made. I put new cones in it sounds good. I have 1928 style 2 1/2 tricone round neck also. Early one with flat back one of about 6 that were made . It sounds a bit different then the M3
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Dec 3, 2023 9:25:04 GMT
Hello tricone,
Welcome to our forum.
I can see that you are passionate about your Tricones, but you appear to be caught up in mythology, rather than facts. When discussing what might be rare models, it is so important to be sure of and clear about the facts.
You talk about your 1928 round neck style 2½ being one of about six that were made. What do you mean by that. Which details make it one of six and why do you refer to it as a style 2½?
The M3 is an instrument that over its period of manufacture had variations. This was likely due to the factory using up old parts on this model. Coverplate and handrest materials vary, and while we have not heard of body materials varying, it is not impossible.
It would be very helpful and in fact necessary to know the serial numbers of the two guitars you have posted about, because without the numbers we cannot be sure of what these are, especially the 1928 Tricone. We could also do with seeing photos of them, because this will clarify what you are explaining.
Shine On Michael
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 18:37:37 GMT
The M3 is a buget model I believe using up old parts like a late prewar gibson banjo referred to as a floor sweep. Serial is 2929 G. Unlike the square necks that are all metal body it's basically a style 1 body with wooden square neck instead of a wooden round neck. I've seen one like this where they shaved the neck down to a roundneck. The style 2 is referred to as a 2 1/2 because it had ingraving on the cover plate. The later ones didn't. The ingraving on the first ones is more elaborate. The flowers are more detailed. It also has a flatback and a studded Tailpiece which only the early ones had. I new Bob Brozman from back in the 1970s we were both street musicians. He was a wealth of information and so is his book. The M3 could be brass but like u said it is plated with a thin layer of brass. When scratched inside it looks more like German silver. I could be wrong. It does sound different the the 2 1/2. The cover plate is definitely steel in has no plateing its heavy and its Magnetic.
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 18:39:23 GMT
Not sure how to post pictures
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 18:50:20 GMT
In the back of Brozmans book he has a copy of the prewar National catalog of the M3 Listed it with unbound neck rosewood finger board And painted. Also called the Hawaii model (square neck). Tim Kummers in Florida USA is also very knowledgeble
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 19:16:28 GMT
I would like to add that National still called my early tricone a style 2. It was later refferred to as a style 2 1/2 by collectors because it has engraving on the cover plate which the later ones did not.
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 19:23:01 GMT
It's also a flatback round neck with studded tailpiece and not that many were made. Makes a style 2 like this pretty rare.
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Dec 3, 2023 20:03:31 GMT
I am not particularly interested in the M3, it is the Style 2.5 that is of more interest. The reason I asked for its serial number is to check and see if that guitar is already listed in . the current up to date list of serial numbers. I also knew Bob Brozman and he was indeed very knowledgeable. At the time of publishing his book thirty years ago it was the most up to date and comprehensive document on the subject of National guitars that had ever been put together. However, since that time another far more comprehensive book with many more models and thousands more serial numbers has been published and is regularly updated. The book "Palm Trees, Senoritas & Rocket Ships!" by Mark Makin, was written over an eight year period and was published ten years ago. Here is the link to Mark's website.... markmakin.co.uk/book.htmlMark helped Bob create the serial numbers list that he published, but sadly was not properly credited for his involvement in that book. Your facts on the subject of both guitars are correct, except that more round neck 2.5 Style 2s have turned up in recent years. I was not trying to catch you out, I was concerned that like so many people these days, they think they know what they have, but actually they don't. If you are unable to post photos, email them to me and I will post them for you. My email is on my website at www.michaelmesser.co.uk Shine On Michael
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 23:21:47 GMT
Serial # is 0225 on the tricone. And I think the fact it's a flatback makes it a little more rare. I know of another style 2 1/2 it's for sale here in the USA it's 0125 and has a wood well. Thanks for the info. On the other book.
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 3, 2023 23:31:10 GMT
Serial # is 0225 on the 2.5 tricone. And I think the fact it's a flatback makes it a little more rare. I know of another style 2 1/2 round neck it's for sale here in the USA it's 0125 and has a wood well. It has a repaired heel crack. I also owned another style 1 round neck I showed to Bob 30 years ago serial # 01010 I also owned a style 3 square neck but don't remember the number. Thanks for the info. On the other book.
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 4, 2023 0:02:50 GMT
I also have a plectrum tricone #275. I think it was origanly a tenor. It came with the Plectrum neck though. Different subject but also have 1993 Continental. Has the label inside. Also a great instrument
|
|
|
Post by Michael Messer on Dec 4, 2023 10:17:58 GMT
Yours #0225 is not in Mark's list, so thanks for that. I have attached a screenshot of a small section of the numbers list that includes where your Style 2.5 should be. Mark is currently in the middle of moving house. When he is settled and connected to the world again, I am sure he will be interested in your posts. Shine On Michael
|
|
tricone
Serious MM Forum Member
Posts: 33
|
Post by tricone on Dec 4, 2023 11:27:45 GMT
Thanks. Mine also has RSWD board and flat back. And it plays and sounds wonderful. It has a few small dents but is in great condition.
|
|
|
Post by Pickers Ditch on Dec 4, 2023 12:07:28 GMT
Any chance of seeing some photos please?
|
|
|
Post by tomgiemza on Dec 4, 2023 12:18:49 GMT
Not sure how to post pictures Don't use "quick reply" field, use "reply" button (on the right side) and use "Add Attachment" (right upper side).
|
|