1927 National Tricone "Style 1" Tenor Guitar Four String Resonator 4-String

This all-original German silver National "Style 1" Tenor Tricone 4-string guitar is in lovely shape! Its body is plated in bright chrome without engraving. It carries serial #164, dating to circa 1927. The body has three original cones fitted in a metal well in a triangle pattern under its T bridge. The maple one-piece neck has a bound ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay. Its banjo-style headstock sports a nice and clean original national decal logo.

The Tricone Tenor is one of the very few tenor guitars that can sonically compete with 4-string banjos in terms of volume, while offering that lovely Tricone tone. It’s excellent in the traditional Jazz tenor fifths C-G-D-A tuning, its current Irish G-D-A-E, or "Chicago" style D-G-B-E guitar tuning. These were not in production for very long and are rare, wonderful, and versatile instruments for the four-string player and the guitarist or mandolin player who doubles!

Overall length: 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm.)
Lower Bout: 14 in. (35.6 cm.) 
Rim Depth: 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm.)
Scale length: 23 in. (584 mm.)
Nut Width: 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.)
12th Fret Action: Treble 3/32 or .9 In (2.5 mm.) 1/8 or Bass .12 In. (3mm.) 
Serial Number: 164

This Tricone tenor is in very nice condition and remains entirely original with the exception of the replaced heel cap. The chrome is bright with a nice patina. It has age-appropriate finish marks and shallow dings. It sounds clear and powerful and will work well for many styles. Only one... Grab it now! 

Very Good Plus (VG+) Condition