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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 15, 2011 23:52:29 GMT
Hi vinnie,
Welcome to our forum.
The coverplate is the same diameter, but I think it is less domed than a new National coverplate.
I see no reason why a National Reso-Phonic Hotplate won't fit, but to be sure you should check with the manufacturer. Send an email to info at National Guitars . com and ask. To make sure they know which guitar you are asking about, include a photo with the email.
I am fairly sure it will fit, but it is worth checking before buying one.
Shine On Michael.
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Post by guitarnowski on Aug 19, 2011 12:15:50 GMT
Hi all, I'm new to the forum here. I can't believe I found a (relatively) active thread about these guitars! I have a grey MOTS model that is apparently a '57 (x74311).
just recently I a) realized that I might really like this guitar I've had for 20 of the last 30 years and, b) discovered those 2 screws in the back are for adjusting the action. That's cool, but nobody I know knows which screw does what. Could you explain them to me please?
Also, I was told the cone is an 8". does that sound about right. I think mine is trashed. I see StewMac has those, fortunately. Thanks for any info you might have!
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 19, 2011 12:35:10 GMT
Hi Guitarnowski, Welcome to our forum. Regarding the serial number and date, forum member and expert on the history of all things National, Mark Makin, will be able to confirm that detail. The two screws are very clever and very simple; the front one holds the neck on and the back one adjusts its angle and therefore changes the height of the strings. It is so clever because to adjust the angle you don't even need to slacken the strings. You cannot harm anything by experimenting with different neck angles on these guitars. Cones - Stewmac does sell 8 inch cones, but I have never tried one. They are made by Beard and in my experience while Beard make the best Dobro cones, their National cones leave a lot to be desired. However, there is not much choice so you may have to get one. There are two points to consider about cones in that guitar; 1 > is your cone really trashed, or can it be restored? If I could see a detailed photo of yours I could advise you about that. 2 > You can rout out the wood so that a regular 9.5 inch National cone fits. This does give the guitar more tone and bigger bass, but is no longer original. I hope that helps. Anything we can do to help you get your 1133 back on the road, we will do They are wonderful guitars. As a little extra - the term for plastic Mother of Pearl on guitars 'Mother of Toilet Seat' or MOTS actually comes from Mark Makin who as a graphic designer has always found easy, amusing and clever ways to describe guitar parts, and this term came about in the early 1980s when we all used to communicate by phone and Mark needed to find ways of describing Mother of Pearl on National guitar headstocks. It is amazing how these things spread and become part of the language.Shine On Michael
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Post by Mark Makin on Aug 19, 2011 12:54:51 GMT
Hi Guitarnowski Resophonics, like yours were only catalogue advertised in 1956 and 1957. In 1956, they were available in red and white. In 1957, they were issued in red pearl, black pearl and white pearl ( sort of pink, grey and cream actually!).
Some dealers still had them for sale as late as 1965.
At the liquidation sale of Valco in 1968, more were assembled from spare parts and sold off - these had flat tops to the headstocks (not domed), no logos whatsoever and the serial number appears on a piece of silver foil.
1133 was spanish guitar, 1033 was hawaiian guitar.
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Post by guitarnowski on Aug 19, 2011 14:47:41 GMT
Thanks for the responses guys. Michael.. not trying to be dense, but when you say "front" and "back" screws....um, which is which? I'm thinking "top" and "bottom" lol.
I don't have to slacken the strings? wow...that's really cool.
I probably won't go inside of the axe to see the cone unless I find myself having problems (a friend has had it for the last 10 years, so I'm getting reacquainted with it.), but if I do I'll take pics. I didn't know cones could be restored.
And routing it for a bigger cone is an interesting concept too. sheesh.. all these choices!
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 19, 2011 15:01:58 GMT
Just a quick reply as I am heading out.....
It is the bottom one that adjusts the neck angle. Just pull out the silver stopper and with a big screwdriver experiment ....loosening the screw brings the neck forward and tightening it....takes it back. The top screw holds the neck on and works like a pivot.
If you take the back coverplate off you can see most of the cone without dismantling the guitar. As I said....such a clever design!
Restoring cones is perfectly possible and unless absolutely necessary, don't replace it. These days too many so called National guitar experts are far too quick to dive in and replace parts. These are antique guitars, not modern Fords, so really.....unless absolutely necessary, don not replace anything. Before spares were available - pre NRP days, there was no choice, you either repaired the part or sold the guitar.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2011 16:15:37 GMT
Ah - routing! I'm no expert, but I've done some recently. Don't try it by hand - you either need a jig or something to pivot round (e.g. a big protruding screw right in the centre of the hole) with a hook clamped firmly to the router. I did it on my home made dobro a while ago (with a big screw) - it worked perfectly until the hook slipped from the router clamp. Luckily, I only damaged the guitar. I do think the risk of shredding a valuable guitar (and losing a finger) is great, and maybe only an expert should do it. I am however liking the 1133 model a lot, and my next home made reso may well be a 'homage to the duck' - router 'n all. TT
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Post by guitarnowski on Aug 20, 2011 19:12:49 GMT
you know it! i gotta guy for just such occasions.
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 31, 2011 2:00:49 GMT
for anyone who has read these threads, and wonders what the hype is all about, here's a chance to find out: www.ebay.com/itm/National-Valco-Resophonic-Solid-Body-Pick-Slide-/130538774802?pt=Guitar&hash=item1e64b7a112to tell you the truth, his price seems kinda high to me. but the instrument does appear to be in very good shape. non original case is much stronger than OEM offering was. and this is the first i've seen advertised for sale since the last time i posted in this thread. for the most of you (UK), don't bother, he doesn't mention/offer overseas shipping. his is a much fancier [earlier] model than mine--and i am tempted, but mine still plays/sounds great. besides, i just got finished buying a newly built G6156 gretsch named valco 510-1C amp chassis, and need to schedule some american inflationary notes to buy an eminence commonwealth 15" speaker, and get cabinets built for them. chassis should arrive this week! maybe my loss could be your gain? mitchfit PS- Michael if you'll tune me up on how to do it, i will send you the schematic for said amp, it is a 2 x 6V6 version of the schematic @ notecannons.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2011 7:29:57 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 31, 2011 18:56:54 GMT
Hi Mitchfit,
That looks like a very clean 1133 on eBay, a shame the seller won't ship to the UK.
Have I missed something >PS- Michael, if you'll tune me up on how to do it .......how to do what? If I can, I will.
Shine On Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 31, 2011 22:17:12 GMT
Deuce,
..."this seems a little better value, if its a 1133 that is."...
roger that, and i like the appearance better also! one may wonder at the mindset that could/would ship this in just cardboard boxing without a hard case for back-up....
mitchfit
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Post by mitchfit on Aug 31, 2011 22:40:23 GMT
Michael,
..."Have I missed something"...
no, afraid i'm the one guilty of that. was searching for valco schematics on google to find out if they ever made that particular amp under their own name, and what model # it was given. the search brought up a link for notecannons.com, a highly reso-friendly site, that also has links to valco/supro/national schematics that archaeologists had unearthed from a hidden chamber below the great pyramid.
remembered a thread i read here in the past where you voiced a fondness for national amps, added the "notecannon" name at their site, and their fondness for national amps and geee-tars with funny little aluminum speakers in them....
it's obvious, 1+1=11. at least in mitchfit's math book.
my bad, mitchfit
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Post by guitarnowski on Sept 7, 2011 20:41:40 GMT
I just thought I'd follow up and say thanks again for all the info. And that neck adjustment couldn't be easier! I originally thought one was a set screw that needed to be loosened first, etc, etc. .. wrong-o. just twist 'n go. nice.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 15:34:21 GMT
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