National Triolian tenor on Ebay

[Martin Jonas]

Now, this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270525915569) is what one might call a "project". Let's see: no resonator cone, no biscuit bridge, no cover plate, no tuners, no nut, highly dubious neck joint, and an amount of rust in the body work that would bring tears to a car mechanic...

Still, interesting to see the innards of one of these, they're normally hidden by the cover plate. Are those support feet linking the resonator base to the back plate normal or elephant dentistry?

Martin
Edit: Oops, I meant to post this in the "auction sites" forum, but I guess it fits just as well here in vintage instruments.

[brunello97]

Elephant orthodontics might be a more appropriate metaphor, but I wonder, given the body size whether some structure might be necessary. This is a helpful image as we are trying to suss out cutting parts for a resonator on our new water jet. I have never seen the inside of one of these either. I have a resonator lap guitar but it has different set up all together. I hope someone can clarify. Coming from a family of gear-heads it seems like this could get fit up with aftermarket parts and be back on the road. Guitar Mopar.

Mick

[journeybear]

Poor things been through a war or two or three ... I have a Triolian but it's the guitar shaped variety, not the triangular. I've never been inclined to take it apart - as they say, if it ain't broke, don't wreck it - so I couldn't really say much about the innards or lack thereof. Coming up with spare parts for that might be a bit tricky. Oh, it's a project all right!

You might want to post this at the Tenor forum, (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=59) too. These babies do get discussed every now and then - here's one thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54313) I was involved in a few months ago. Also, this great site (http://www.notecannons.com/) has a ton of pics and info. :mandosmiley:

[allenhopkins]

The patent drawing for the single-cone resonator guitar, reproduced on p.31 of Bob Brozman's The History & Artistry of National Resonator Instruments, shows the supports under the resonator assembly. I'd guess they're original.

[JimRichter]

The support feet are original. My 29 Triolian mandolin has them.

[JimRichter]

This is a pic of the National polychrome tenor I'll be taking ownership in the very near future:

[journeybear]

Here's my 1930 walnut sunburst. It's in pretty darn good shape - bought it that way, and I've been kind to it. And yes - it's a cannon! :mandosmiley:

[JimRichter]

Here's my 1930 walnut sunburst. It's in pretty darn good shape - bought it that way, and I've been kind to it. And yes - it's a cannon! :mandosmiley:

Excellent looking walnut sunburst. My triolian mando is a walnut sunburst, but nearly in as good of condition as that.

[journeybear]

Thank you. I hope yours can be made to look as nice. Of course, looks ain't everything, it's all about the sound, but still ... Fact is, I was looking for a steel mandolin (I was in a jug band at the time), and my luthier had one in his shop, but it was not for sale. This was, though, so I went with it. It's a bit tough on my fingers - so used to frets being closer together (especially chords) - but it's been a great addition to my arsenal.

[JimRichter]

Neck and body on mine are in pretty good shape--just need cleaned up. It will need a couple tuners and Marc Shoenberger is crafting a tenor tailpiece out of a 6 string one, I believe. It needs the requisite neck reset as the neck is loose. But, once Marc gets it going, it'll be a nice piece.