National Duolian Resophonic Guitar (1931)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 6542
Prices subject to change without notice.
National Duolian Model Resophonic Guitar (1931), made in Los Angeles, Frosted Duco finish, steel body, mahogany neck with ebonized fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This "C" series Duolian hails from the deepest period of the Great Depression, when instruments had to be made and sold as inexpensively as possible. The steel body has a crystalline silver/green body finish and the first style "flat cut" F-holes. The natural-finish 12-fret mahogany neck has an ebonized maple fingerboard. The "National Duolian" logo is stamped on the face of the headstock with the serial number along the top edge.
These were the least expensive resonator National; offered at $32.50 with a thin-gauge steel body and minimal appointments they may well have enabled the company to survive the hard times of the early 1930's. Despite the guitar's status as an economy model (or perhaps because of it!) Duolians are considered one of the classic Blues guitars of all time, and remain unsurpassed for an "authentic" slide and fingerpicked tone. This is a fine-playing example, truly "Blues approved"!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This old Duolian is fairly well used but still very original and good sounding. There is general overall finish wear, chips and dings to the edges and the finish worn through on the back of the neck and the face of the coverplate and handrest where the player's hand rests. The tuners, tailpiece and frets are original; the nut is old but a bone replacement for the ebony original. Several tuner buttons are a bit bent but still functional. The cone and biscuit appear original as well. The neck has been reset; there is a repaired crack at the bottom end of the heel that has not seen any added finish. A strap button has been added to the upper bout long ago. The instrument is set up with a fairly low action and is perfect for fingerstyle blues playing with a great period vibe. Very Good + Condition.
This "C" series Duolian hails from the deepest period of the Great Depression, when instruments had to be made and sold as inexpensively as possible. The steel body has a crystalline silver/green body finish and the first style "flat cut" F-holes. The natural-finish 12-fret mahogany neck has an ebonized maple fingerboard. The "National Duolian" logo is stamped on the face of the headstock with the serial number along the top edge.
These were the least expensive resonator National; offered at $32.50 with a thin-gauge steel body and minimal appointments they may well have enabled the company to survive the hard times of the early 1930's. Despite the guitar's status as an economy model (or perhaps because of it!) Duolians are considered one of the classic Blues guitars of all time, and remain unsurpassed for an "authentic" slide and fingerpicked tone. This is a fine-playing example, truly "Blues approved"!
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This old Duolian is fairly well used but still very original and good sounding. There is general overall finish wear, chips and dings to the edges and the finish worn through on the back of the neck and the face of the coverplate and handrest where the player's hand rests. The tuners, tailpiece and frets are original; the nut is old but a bone replacement for the ebony original. Several tuner buttons are a bit bent but still functional. The cone and biscuit appear original as well. The neck has been reset; there is a repaired crack at the bottom end of the heel that has not seen any added finish. A strap button has been added to the upper bout long ago. The instrument is set up with a fairly low action and is perfect for fingerstyle blues playing with a great period vibe. Very Good + Condition.