The National M1 Tricone Wood Body Resophonic Guitar is a wonderful instrument and are hard to find given the worldwide restrictions during Covid-19 and this is one of the few making its way to us! You’ll see its wood body National M1 Tricone, like its close relative the M-1 Cutaway, blends the unmistakable sound of a tricone with the warmth of wood, and has a lighter weight as a bonus.

Outfitted with National’s new-alloy cones and aluminum T-bridge, the National M-1 uses a mahogany laminate for the body, with solid mahogany for the neck and ebony for the bound fingerboard. The cover-plate is steel, and is hand-painted to match the colour tone of the top woods.

The National Tricone design dates to the late 1920’s when John Dopyera designed the first resonator guitars at the urging of George Beauchamp, a prominent steel player of the time; even then, more volume was needed to compete with other band instruments. The first National models went into production in 1927.

The National Tricone design promises and delivers projected volume with a clear, articulate tone. On the new National Reso-Phonic M1, the sometimes brash sound of the original steel or brass body models is tempered by the mahogany laminates used. The result is a full, rich and warm tone with lots of low end – it’s quite a fat sounding guitar, yet with the clarity and articulation of the metal body versions.

The National M1 Tricone available with a number of options – including a cutaway body. Click here to read our feature on the cutaway National Reso-Phonic M-1 Tricone.

These are excellent instruments for steel or slide playing, but also for straight fingerstyle.

Here is what National  has to say about the  M1  Tricone:

“After years of research and development, we are proud to introduce our new wood-body M-1 Tricone. With its mahogany body and traditional aluminum resonating cones and T-bridge, the M-1 is truly extraordinary: It boasts the traditional styling and resonator sound of a classic metal Tricone, but with the beloved warmth and depth of tone that a wood-bodied guitar adds.

Featuring vintage Tricone styling, the M-1 is constructed of laminated mahogany, highlighted by a sturdy wood soundwell and a hand-painted steel coverplate. The mahogany neck is capped by an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard with dot inlays and a vintage-style slotted headstock.

A big plus is that the M-1 weighs some three pounds less than its metal-bodied counterpart, yet it gives up nothing in sound. The mahogany provides its own, distinguished tone, combining the unmistakable sound of a Tricone with a rich, deep, full tone.”

The National M1 Tricone is sold with the original National-branded Hard Shell, arched top case. ​

National M1 Tricone Specifications:

Visit the manufacturer’s website for more about the National M1 Tricone!