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1933 National Triolian, Frosted Duco Finish

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Serial #: 87 B

Scale length: 25" Nut width: 1 3/4"

Materials: Rolled steel body; solid one-piece maple neck; ebonized maple fingerboard and bridge; bone nut; pearl dot fingerboard inlays.

Hardware: Original hardware includes nickel 3-on-a-plate tuners; ribbed perforated coverplate; nickel stamped tailpiece; 10" spun aluminum cone.

Notes: Introduced in 1928, the National Triolian model was originally named for the tri-cone resonators of the earliest prototypes, a design that was abandonded in favor of a single large cone when the model went into production. A 12 fret steel bodied guitar with a conventional (Spanish) neck, the Triolian was initially decorated with floral or Hawaiian scenes in an opaque polychrome finish. This remarkable guitar from 1933 is an example of the rarest variant of the model, with rolled-in f-holes and a distinctive green crystalline finish known as 'Frosted Duco".

Pictured on page 94 of Bob Brozman's authoritative History and Artistry of the National Guitar, this striking instrument was in the personal collection of the author, a renowned performer and foremost authority on resophonic instruments. With its proprietary frosted finish, this rare "B series" guitar is arrayed with abstract crystalline patterns ranging from trippy fractal to floral Nouveau. Well maintained over many decades, the rolled steel body is without cracks or dents, and shows original hardware and finish. (An unfinished area just above the nut suggests the instrument may have originally been fitted with a wider Hawaiian nut.) A patch of plating wear is visible on the coverplate, and near the fingerboard where the original pickguard once sat, along with a bit of typical thumb, elbow and knee wear.

The voice of this instrument is simply thunderous: with massive volume and a cavernous natural reverb, the lively spiral cone simply rings like a cathedral bell. In either standard or open tunings, the guitar is a powerhouse of clarity and projection. Action is set to accommodate either slide or fingerstyle play, with a comfy gentle V profile neck and lightly radiused fingerboard. Rarest of the rare, this imaginative guitar anticipated the Psychedelic Revolution by more than a generation. Call now.

Setup: String slots at nut and bridge inspected and recut as necessary; fingerboard oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

This instrument is strung with medium gauge bronze strings (.013-.057). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.

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