National Model "D"

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 28 Mar 2001 2:45 pm

Spent a while today in a store playing around with a new National Model "D" resonator guitar (squareneck). Sure sounded good to me! What do you guys think of this model? How does it compare in tone, quality and value with other choices out there?
Thanks,
jc

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www.jimcohen.com

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Mar 2001 4:12 pm

Pete Grant bought one a while ago and has been raving about it on the resoguit mailing list. He keeps promising to bring it by so I can review it, but so far we haven't been able to coordinate our schedules.
I wonder if I can convince the guys at National that I need to do a review...

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 28 Mar 2001 6:50 pm

What I'd really like to see is the National company reissuing the original metal Hawaiian TriCones. The metal-clad squareneck models with the upper bout that flows gracefully into the neck.

I wrote to National a month or so ago asking if they were considering reissuing this. They said no.

I'd buy one would you?

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Gerald Ross
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 29 March 2001 at 06:01 AM.]</p></FONT>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Mar 2001 3:04 am

I spent about 15 minutes playing a Model "D" a couple of weeks ago in a store. My impressions were that it was extremely well contructed and very heavy - this is a solid guitar. It has a REALLY thick laminated top which I thought hurt the overall tone of the instrument. I was more impressed by a Gibson Jerry Douglas, all-Mahogony model that the same store had a while back (and for about the same price). That instrument seemed to really sing. Just my two cents.

Steve Honum · Post by **Steve Honum** » 29 Mar 2001 10:58 am

I too enquired to National about a proper tricone squareneck reissue and they said they had no plans to do any but would put the "D" neck on any of their guitars as an option. The old ones with the neck curving into the body are way cooler. I think the old National company put regular wood square necks on their Hawaiian models including tricones in later year (40's?) Beltona sent me a photo of a couple of custom square neck tri-cones with chrome covered necks and slanted-end fretboards. They looked great but are fairly expensive. Maybe if National keep getting enough enquiries they may reconsider.
Haere mai,
Steve

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 29 Mar 2001 11:32 am

Thing about the squarenecks is that you can still get a decent Style 1 for less that National could sell a new one for. Vintage squarenecks still go for $1500-1800 depending on condition, are made from German Silver instead of Brass and will still be worth $1500-1800 the day after you buy it.