Sold! National Dueco Silver 12 Fret Triolian Resophonic Guitar

The National Dueco Silver 12 Fret Triolian Resophonic Guitar model is a re-creation of an almost lost art. The frosted finish effect found on some pre-WWII National guitars was the result of an additive to Duco finish, creating a random crystalline pattern. The effect was uncontrollable and no two finishes are the same.

NOTE:  The National Dueco Silver, along with other Dueco finishes, has been discontinued and this is the last one!   Please contact us for currently available models. 

The National Resophonic Guitar company has re-discovered the technique and for some time offered the ‘Dueco’ finish in silver, gold and eventually ‘Black Rust’. Though it was not always a regular production item – because of the complexity of the finishing process –  National sent us some every once in a while. Here is a brand new National Dueco Silver in the 12-fret configuration.

This is one of the last National Dueco models available as new, anywhere; the finish has been discontinued and references to it removed from the National website.

Like all Nationals, it is extremely well built and the tone and finish are fantastic. The gold Dueco effect is distinctive and very attractive. 

However, this is the last of the National Duecos we have available as new, and as National discontinued them some time ago,  more new models are not in the cards.  

Here’s what the build has to say about the National Dueco Silver model:

“The original 1930s Duolians were National’s budget guitars, and as such, were often the model of choice for bluesmen and -women wanting to be heard above the sound and fury of a juke joint. Like the musicians, the guitars led hard lives, and most of the surviving instruments require a repair regimen, if not complete resurrection.

The Dueco is the remedy. And it comes with something those old guitars don’t include — rock-solid reliability. The Dueco is available in both the early 12-fret, large-body or later 14-fret, small-body version. That steel body houses National’s 9.5-inch handspun resonator — a new resonator that’s so sweet sounding many players insist on swapping them into their vintage guitars.

Best yet, the new Dueco boasts a truss-rod-supported neck that won’t bow like a piece of archery equipment. You can choose the Dueco in either the traditional gray-green crystalline frosted or the rare golden finish. And playing the Dueco is like playing the best vintage Duolian — except there are no rough edges, no roadblocks, no excuses needed.

It’s like stepping back in time and finding a brand-new National, and instead of compensating for 80-year-old foibles, you can focus on making music.”

The National Dueco Silver is sold with its original National-branded hard shell case.

This model was also available in Gold,  which can be seen at our original posting here.