❌SOLD❌ National Tricone Style 1 12 Fret Resophonic Nickel Brass Guitar, 2001

The National Tricone Style 1 is based on the seminal National String Instrument Corporation guitars built from 1927 to 1943. National’s first design was for a three-cone amplification system, and the prototypes used a round cover for the three cones but by the time production began, a triangular cover plate was developed. An interesting aside is that many of the early components were made for National by Adolph Rickenbacker, who had a nearby metal shop and an interest in musical instruments.

Here we’re looking at used National Tricone Style 1 with a 12-fret neck dating to February 2001 at the National Reso-Phonic plant in San Luis Obispo, California and featuring an un-engraved, Nickel plated Brass body. The slotted-peghead neck is Mahogany with a grained-ivoroid bound Ebony fingerboard. This example is in good shape and good working order. The nickel plating has some light tarnish in a few spots, as nickel tends to develop, but fret wear is pretty much non-existent.

This National Tricone Style 1 plays well, and has the warm distinctive sound of a brass body tricone with all of the projection and volume the resophonic guitar was designed to deliver.

The original National branded hard shell case is included.

More From The Builder On The  National Style 1 Resophonic Guitar:

“When he invented the original National Tricone all the way back in 1927, John Dopyera was seeking to create a louder guitar with internal amplification — but he also insisted that the guitar’s tone be absolutely clear. His groundbreaking design patented in 1927 with three resonating cones projected the guitar’s sound so it could be over the sound of dancers and cut through a band or orchestra. As John rightly boasted, “The Tricone guitar flowed like a river,” and the company’s early ads proclaimed it “The Greatest Musical Sensation of the Age.”

Now, ninety years later, Tricones are still revered by musicians everywhere for that special sound. Like the originals, our Style 1 Tricone is built with a Brass body and coverplate — the same, unique alloy used by the Dopyera Brothers. And like those guitars, our body, coverplate, and tailpiece are nickel plated and polished to a mirror-like shine. The mahogany neck is finished in a rich, warm burst and fitted with an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style tuning machines work on the classic slotted headstock, topped by the famed National shield decal.

An early National advertisement in 1927 touted the Tricone’s tone, power, and quality of sound, and our new reissues proudly carry on that tradition.”