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1993 National Style O

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Serial #: 15144

Scale length: 25" Nut width: 1 13/16"

Materials: Bell brass body and coverplate; solid one-piece maple neck; grained ivoroid binding; solid bone nut; pearl dot fingerboard inlays.

Hardware: 100% original hardware includes nickel 3-on-a-plate tuners; nickel stamped tailpiece; spun aluminum cones; adjustable truss rod.

Notes: An iconic instrument for blues, Hawaiian, and early country msuic, the National Style O was introduced in July of 1930. With its powerful large single-cone resonator, bell brass body, and fanciful tropical graphics, the Style O was an instant hit. Credited with saving the firm from collapse in the Great Depression, the popular Style O remained in production through 1941. The original version of the instrument had the elongated 12 fret body shown here, with the rolled F-holes added in 1933. By 1935, this classic model was superceded, and original Style O Nationals became a treasured find for players and collectors alike for over half a century.

Revived in California in 1989, the new National Resophonic Guitar Co. reissued the Style O as one of its first offerings, and has kept the classic model in production to this day. Meticulously faithful to the original design, these hand crafted instruments recaptured the look, tone and feel of the originals with uncanny accuracy.

This gleaming guitar is in 100% original condition, and shows mirror-like polished nickel plating throughout. Apart from a bit of fogging on the resonator cover, and a few lacquer nicks, the guitar appears much as it left the factory, with smooth low action over a solid ebony fingerboard and a traditional full C profile solid maple neck. The voice is brilliant and punchy, with exceptional projection and natural reverb, with a generous 1 13/16" nut width ideal for fingerstyle or bottleneck play. Finally, the original Polynesian lagoon motif has been sandblasted in the traditional manner into the gleaming nickel finish, in a whimsical matte finish design.

An island fantasy, from the golden era of resophonic technology. One only: 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 original black arched plush lined hardshell case.

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