National Style 0 Resophonic Guitar (1930)
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National Style 0 Model Resophonic Guitar (1930), made in Los Angeles, California, serial # S-433, nickel plated finish, brass body, steel coverplate; maple neck with ebonized fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is a well-worn but super vibey early National Style 0 single-cone resonator guitar, from the first year of production of this classic pre-war instrument. This Style 0 has a 12-fret brass body with flat-cut F holes and typical sandblasted Hawaiian scenes; it was one of the company's earlier single-cone designs. The elaborate Tricone resonator guitars (priced from $125 up) had done well enough in the 1920s, but in 1929-30 with the Great Depression kicking in the National firm heeded less expensive instruments fast. The Style 0 was the most striking of the pro-grade single cone guitars, much flashier than the cheaper painted Triolian and Duolian models with its gleaming nickel plated and decorated surface.
The body is adorned with whimsical sandblasted Hawaiian scenes in variation #1 as per the Brozman book. The maple neck has a bound fingerboard and pearl dot inlay in the "ebonized" fingerboard. The coverplate appears to be made of steel (early Style 0's often mixed brass and steel parts) in the earliest style with no raised ribs, and the f-holes are the original "flat-cut" style. In 1930 this guitar was sold at $62.50, half the price of as Tricone Style 1. Although that for many Americans a considerable sum at the time, the Style 0 was hard to beat for its combination of volume, tone, and beauty even in those economically tough times. 95 years on the Style 0 remains an enduring classic; a favorite of many players then and now, especially for period musical styles with the spotlight on early blues.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This early Style 0 has seen some fairly heavy use over nearly a century but remains nicely original and an excellent player. The nickel plated finish is a bit subdued, with some corrosion overall and heavier scratching and scuffing to the back. The etched designs are not as bold as some we have seen but have a fairly subtle look. The coverplate has escaped the usual finger wear spots, but the plating has fairly heavy corrosion on the surface. There is a decent amount of wear to the finish on the back of the neck, dings and long scrapes but no deep capo wear spots. The headstock is cleaner; the National logo decal is fully intact but has darkened dramatically.
The "ebonized' fingerboard has wear down to the underlying maple at both ends; the frets appear original with less wear than one would expect. The neck has been neatly reset and the angle is good. The cone and biscuit are original, the maple saddle is newer. The tuners are period but not original; they are fairly fancy strip machines but we don't know what they came off of! This is a fine playing and sounding Style 0, set up to be compatible for either standard or Delta style with the action fairly low at 4/32" at the 12th fret. Despite (or maybe because of) the wear this is one of the cooler Style 0's we have seen in a while, a very early depression era survivor with a lot of vibe in a modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a well-worn but super vibey early National Style 0 single-cone resonator guitar, from the first year of production of this classic pre-war instrument. This Style 0 has a 12-fret brass body with flat-cut F holes and typical sandblasted Hawaiian scenes; it was one of the company's earlier single-cone designs. The elaborate Tricone resonator guitars (priced from $125 up) had done well enough in the 1920s, but in 1929-30 with the Great Depression kicking in the National firm heeded less expensive instruments fast. The Style 0 was the most striking of the pro-grade single cone guitars, much flashier than the cheaper painted Triolian and Duolian models with its gleaming nickel plated and decorated surface.
The body is adorned with whimsical sandblasted Hawaiian scenes in variation #1 as per the Brozman book. The maple neck has a bound fingerboard and pearl dot inlay in the "ebonized" fingerboard. The coverplate appears to be made of steel (early Style 0's often mixed brass and steel parts) in the earliest style with no raised ribs, and the f-holes are the original "flat-cut" style. In 1930 this guitar was sold at $62.50, half the price of as Tricone Style 1. Although that for many Americans a considerable sum at the time, the Style 0 was hard to beat for its combination of volume, tone, and beauty even in those economically tough times. 95 years on the Style 0 remains an enduring classic; a favorite of many players then and now, especially for period musical styles with the spotlight on early blues.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 7/8 in. (48 mm.).
This early Style 0 has seen some fairly heavy use over nearly a century but remains nicely original and an excellent player. The nickel plated finish is a bit subdued, with some corrosion overall and heavier scratching and scuffing to the back. The etched designs are not as bold as some we have seen but have a fairly subtle look. The coverplate has escaped the usual finger wear spots, but the plating has fairly heavy corrosion on the surface. There is a decent amount of wear to the finish on the back of the neck, dings and long scrapes but no deep capo wear spots. The headstock is cleaner; the National logo decal is fully intact but has darkened dramatically.
The "ebonized' fingerboard has wear down to the underlying maple at both ends; the frets appear original with less wear than one would expect. The neck has been neatly reset and the angle is good. The cone and biscuit are original, the maple saddle is newer. The tuners are period but not original; they are fairly fancy strip machines but we don't know what they came off of! This is a fine playing and sounding Style 0, set up to be compatible for either standard or Delta style with the action fairly low at 4/32" at the 12th fret. Despite (or maybe because of) the wear this is one of the cooler Style 0's we have seen in a while, a very early depression era survivor with a lot of vibe in a modern HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.