National metal body reso mandolin ?

I was doing a search on National reso mandolins and ame up with this metal-body mandolin.

http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...px?Item=860524

I don't think this mando model is in their current catalog - right? The RM-1 walnut body mando is a KILLER! I'm wondering what this one might sound like?

Anyone here into National Reso Mandos?

thanks

I have an older (1930s) metal-body National (like the one in the photo) and one of the newer wooden-body ones. #

No contest, IMHO -- the newer ones sound and play better, and are far more versatile.

The old one is a hoot for ragtime and jugband music, but it sure can sound like an icepick in the ear sometimes.

i have an old ('30's) Triolian, painted brown faux wood-grain. Louder than anything, no subtlety at all, great for blues, jug band, and I've used it for klezmer to stand up to a clarinet. There's been some discussion of whether the new National Reso-Phonic Co. will decide to make a metal-body mandolin; this might well be a prototype. They seem to be doing real well with their wood-bodies, however, so this may be a "one-of."

I have a #2 silver mandolin from the late 1920s. Great sound but the scale is rather long (I think 15" and prob for extra volume. I had it originally strung to std pitch but realized that as a blues instrument it might be better tuned down to E. I addition I have the two lower courses with octaves a la Yank Rachel.

I think this used to be my old mandolin. It's a Johnson. I simply wiped the logo off with some mineral spirits and put a National sticker on it. I sold it for $300, so I'm not sure what this person is trying to do. Even the hand rest is crooked like most Johnsons.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by (ortha @ Jan. 29 2008, 10:04)

I think this used to be my old mandolin. It's a Johnson. I simply wiped the logo off with some mineral spirits and put a National sticker on it. I sold it for $300, so I'm not sure what this person is trying to do. Even the hand rest is crooked like most Johnsons.

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That's funny. I was really thinking that looked like a re branded Johnson, but I didn't want to cast any aspersions on the dealer's integrity without knowing more.

I guess if one puts a sticker (fender/gibson/national,etc.) on one's personal instrument for amusement, it may be sold down the road unwittingly as the real deal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by (ortha @ Jan. 29 2008, 10:04)

I'm not sure what this person is trying to do. Even the hand rest is crooked like most Johnsons.

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I think it's pretty clear what the seller appears to be trying to do. Not just the hand rest that's crooked...