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1930's National Trojan Wooden Body Resonator Guitar

$ 1108.8

Availability: 37 in stock
  • Condition: Solid, well worn, great sounding, very playable, personality plus, 85+ year old wooded body resonator guitar
  • Brand: National
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted

    Description

    I have had this 1930’s National Trojan resonator for a little over twenty years.  Over the past 85 years, it has been played, not only by me but by others.  It is well worn, shows its age and has tons of character in both sound and appearance.
    I used this guitar mostly for slide, but it is not limited to that style alone.  The neck is in good playable condition…not bowed or warped.  The strings are a nice height even up the neck.  All in all, the guitar works for lots of styles, even those that require more “fingers on strings.”
    On the front, the finish is worn off in the usual places…especially where arms rested on the upper part of the lower bow and guitar picks strummed below the strings.  The only cracks I see are two that were repaired eons ago on the top of the lower bow.  The back seems to be crack free.  I have never taken the resonator out to look inside.  Didn’t see any reason.
    The back of the V-neck is well worn.  All the finish is gone.  Also, years ago, somebody didn’t like the V aspect of the neck and took their pocketknife to it and did some whittling to get rid of some of it.  It is now more of a round neck.  This was done so long ago that the whittle marks are somewhat smoothed out.  Feels nice on your thumb…a few hills and valleys…but nice.
    Worn divots in the first few frets of the fret board are filled in with what looks like the correct material, but the job is not so hot when it comes to looks, but feels fine when the guitar is played.  The first few frets could stand a polish job, but they play well as they are and don’t cause any buzzing are anything.  As usual, the first fret needs the most work.
    The National decal has been gone from the headstock for what I would say is a long, long time.  Another decal is there in its place.  It is the word J O H N N Y, stuck on for what I am sure is decades and decades.  Johnny, whoever he was, is now certainly playing in that big jamboree in the sky.
    The number on the top of the headstock has a hole drilled in the center.  I can’t imagine what the reason for that might be.  The number is either 3XX4 or 3X4.  It could be either.
    The tuners look as though they could be original.  They work well, and I have never had any trouble with the guitar holding tune.
    Last but not least, the guitar comes in what is probably its original, well-worn, cardboard style case.  It will continue to protect the guitar on its trip to its new home but that’s about it.  It is not is great shape, but after 85 or so years the two should stay together.
    Lots of memories with this instrument, but it’s time for someone else to enjoy it.  I am just one in what I am sure is a long line of folks.  When a guitar is as well worn and used as this one, there is only one reason…it sounds good.
    Sold as is in the US only.  Review the photos.  They tell the tale.