National Duolian Resophonic Guitar (1931)
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Item # 8881
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National Duolian Model Resophonic Guitar (1931), made in Los Angeles, serial # C-1551, grey/green crinkle enamel finish, steel body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, brown hard shell case.
The $32.50 Duolians was the least expensive resonator National guitar offered in the 1930's, built with a thin-gauge steel body and minimal appointments. They were sold in fairly large numbers, and may well have enabled the company to survive the hard times of the early 1930s. The model was popular with period blues and hillbilly musicians, offering an unbeatable combination of value and volume. While they are generally considered as the perfect Delta-style blues instrument, the Duolian is just a great-sounding guitar for blues and many styles beyond. This is a heavily restored example that sounds great and is an excellent playing instrument.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 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 is an excellent player's National guitar, built from a relatively clean original body and fitted with a more modern replica neck. The body and tailpiece are original with a well-preserved green/grey crinkle finish showing only light wear; the cone and biscuit are high grade reproductions. Likely the original neck was damaged or warped beyond repair.
The current neck is a very nice replica of the original, made of mahogany with a round-backed profile and dot inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The headstock carries 1970's Grover openback tuners and a small replica National decal. The original serial number was not re-stamped on the headstock but is noted on a piece of paper in the case pocket. All work done on this guitar is very high-grade and this is an excellent gigging National retaining the original aesthetic combined with excellent playability. Restored to Excellent Condition.
The $32.50 Duolians was the least expensive resonator National guitar offered in the 1930's, built with a thin-gauge steel body and minimal appointments. They were sold in fairly large numbers, and may well have enabled the company to survive the hard times of the early 1930s. The model was popular with period blues and hillbilly musicians, offering an unbeatable combination of value and volume. While they are generally considered as the perfect Delta-style blues instrument, the Duolian is just a great-sounding guitar for blues and many styles beyond. This is a heavily restored example that sounds great and is an excellent playing instrument.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 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 is an excellent player's National guitar, built from a relatively clean original body and fitted with a more modern replica neck. The body and tailpiece are original with a well-preserved green/grey crinkle finish showing only light wear; the cone and biscuit are high grade reproductions. Likely the original neck was damaged or warped beyond repair.
The current neck is a very nice replica of the original, made of mahogany with a round-backed profile and dot inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The headstock carries 1970's Grover openback tuners and a small replica National decal. The original serial number was not re-stamped on the headstock but is noted on a piece of paper in the case pocket. All work done on this guitar is very high-grade and this is an excellent gigging National retaining the original aesthetic combined with excellent playability. Restored to Excellent Condition.