Brand: National String Instrument Corporation
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars, Resophonic Guitars, SOLD
This National Squareneck Tricone Style 2.5 is one of the earliest resophonic guitars built, produced in 1929 in Los Angeles – with many components actually made by a nearby machinist and metalwork contractor, Adolph Rickenbacher.
This is an early example of a production resophonic guitar – the first production took place in 1927.The resophonic instrument was invented in 1925 by John Dopyera at the request of George Beauchamp. Beauchamp was a promoter who found that as venues and audiences grew, so did volume levels. As electric-powered amplification hadn’t yet been invented, many instruments were just not loud enough. The reso-phonic design is definitely much louder.
This fine National Squareneck Tricone Style 2.5 appears to be entirely original and is wonderful shape. The angular cover of the Tricone model, and the lovely engraving really adds to its unique aesthetics.
The original fibre semi-hard case is included.
The National String Instrument Corporation began producing Resophonic instruments in 1927, as a partnership between luthier John Dopyera and artist George Beauchamp. As many of the all-new components were of metal, the partners turned to a local metal craftsman, Adolph Rickenbacher. This led to Rickenbacher forming his own company, which is still in business.
However, the National partnership fell apart in 1928, with Dopyera forming the DoBro company with his brothers. Eventually, the Dopyeras regained control of the company and went on to produce electric guitars and amplifiers as well. After many changes in management and ownership, the National company went out of business around 1967.
- Model: Square Neck Style 2.5
- Year: 1929
- Finish German Silver
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 1606, built during 1929 at Los Angeles, CA
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 01/06/2023
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 7.832lbs 3.56kg
- Scale Length: 25in 635mm
- Nut Width: 2.109in 53.58mm
