National Resophonic Student Model 1133

[1928triolian]

...great infos, thank you Michael!

it looks like these little gems really worth...

yours 1928

[Deleted]

Resurrecting an old, old post.

I recently saw a Valco National student model 1133 in good shape and was considering buying it. I wasn't thrilled with the acoustic sound but was considering putting a pickup on it.

What do you think they are worth nowadays? I've seen them go for $400-500 online but not lately. Would a pickup install drastically reduce the value?

[Michael Messer]

Hi eastmountain,

I cannot comment on how much you should pay for one of these wonderful guitars, but I can tell you that fitting a pickup would drastically reduce the value and would rob the world of another original antique National guitar.

Shine On
Michael.

[Deleted]

I went back to the store and spent some "quality" time with the 1133. Another look at the price tag convinced me it was too rich for my blood. You're right about the best sound coming out the back cover. I'd have to figure out a way to hold it that didn't bury that in my belly. I really do see your point about the pickup, Perhaps a mic configuration or a clip-on Dearmond type that doesn't alter the guitar.

[slidemad]

I have the Diving Duck LP on vinyl and it is very good!

'The secret of a long life is knowing when its time to go'

[Michael Messer]

Wow, a vinyl version of the album! Do you know it is slightly different to the CD version. Wild Canadian Swan is a different mix and on the CD it is track one. I prefer the vinyl, it was mastered better and has a warmer sound.

Phew....that was recorded 23 years ago



Shine On
Michael

[Michael Messer]

Hi Eastmpuntain,

Yep, most of the sound gets lost in your clothes! They are wonderful little guitars and although the sound does mostly travel backwards, they are loud machines.

An easy way to amplify them is to take back coverplate off and stick something onto the underside of the cone, under the biscuit. Then after the gig you can remove it and put the coverplate back. The best pickup would without any doubt be a Highlander properly fitted, but they are not cheap.

Shine On
Michael

[slidemad]

Hi Michael,

That album has a great sound. The guitars came out very well and it has the photo of your collection on the back.

Didn't you play on the Paul Jones radio show at that time?

[Michael Messer]

Hi Slidemad,

Thank you! It has a fresh 'live' type of sound and when it was released in the summer of 1988 it created quite a buzz. I have appeared six times on the Paul Jones BBC show; 87 90 01 04 06 09. I did not do a PJ session when Diving Duck was released because all the record company's energy on promotion was used for BBC radio 1 and mainstream daytime radio 2. I appeared on radio 1 a couple of times, both were interviews and live sessions. Liz Kershaw was one and I forget the other. It was the afternoon show. PJ probably played a track or two, but I did not do a session on that show between 87 and 90.

Shine On
Michael

[Stevie]

Michael, the Jeff Lang link is 404'd. This seems OK though;

www.jefflang.com.au/equipment.php It's just the extension that is different.

[pascal]

Cyril Lefebvre, our "National" first class player had one in the 70'.
Unfortunately this one was stollen in the 80' on stage...
He did put a p.u on it and had a "crunchy" sound using effect pedals.

[percythewonderant]

There is at least one in Norfolk., as close inspection of my avatar will reveal. (Excuse the fanciful headstock).

They have a really sensible tilting neck adjustment for setting the action. It operates by popping a chrome cover on the back of the body and simply turning a screw with a scewdriver. A great piece of kit.

They mic up very well for a great tone and probably due to lack of body resonance they don't seem so prome to feedback problems as a full bodied reso.

Funky, fun and an additional attraction - due to the lap style scale length, they fit in a 747 overhead locker too! I bought mine in A shop on Canal Street New York back in the late '80's. I didn't pay very much at all. (from what I remember about $250).

Mine is covered in sexy red fablon. There was another in the same shop in a grey crushed cabbage effect livery which was far cheaper for being grey. At the time a friend that I was traveling with was shocked that I'd pay so much for 'a toy guitar'.

I used to gig it but the Fablon is getting a bit fragile. I'd love a square neck to keep it company.

Like Michael I love mine.

[Michael Messer]

Percy, I didn't know you have a 'Diving Duck' too! Photos please

Shine On
Michael

[percythewonderant]

Sorry for the delay I had to remember how to use a camera!

She was Nicknamed 'Lady Penelope' by an old friend who thought she was the kind of guitar that you might see being strummed in 'Thunderbirds', though I thought something more 'R&R like 'Lil' Queeny' was more appropriate the name has stuck and Lady Penelope she is........










And she still sounds great though due to my girth a little muffled from the back.

[percythewonderant]

Just to show how attached I am to Lady Penelope, my Avatar in full Funk OVision'