1930 National Style 1 Tricone Squareneck, Polished

Superb Squareneck Style One National Tricone dating to to 1930 in fantastic cosmetic and playing condition. Developed by inventor John Dopyera and Hawaiian guitarist George Beauchamp as a way to increase volume and projection the National Tricone was first released in 1927 and is widely considered the best-sounding of all acoustic Hawaiian guitars. The range consisted of the Style 1 and Style 2 in 1927 before being joined by the more ornately decorated Style 3 and Style 4. The Style 1 Tricone was the most simply appointed model made by National and the least expensive guitar they produced before the introduction of the Duolian but even so it was still one of the priciest guitars available, retailing at $125 a similar price to a contemporary pearl-top Martin.

Featuring a hollow, German silver body (solid nickel alloy) with a metal neck with mahogany headstock. The slot Headstock is simply appointed with the famed National Shied decal. The serial number is stamped in to the top of the neck. The Ebony fingerboard has 19 low profile frets. Underneath the cover plate and bridge cover there are three cones, two on the bass side, one on the treble side with a metal T-bar and saddle connecting them. The resonator has had a replacement nut and the tuners are modern reproductions otherwise we believe the resonator to be original. The body and coverplate are in fantastic condition with no dents or marks, the top is free from sag and  none of the nickel plating having worn through. The tuners have been reversed, a handy mod meaning the buttons are easily adjustable when in the lap position.

An early National advertisement in 1927 touted the Tricones tone, power, and quality of sound, and this example from 1930 does not disappoint strung with …. It has the smooth, deep and sustaining sound these Tricones are known for. The resonator comes with a new, National Resophonic Hawaiian case.