National tenor style O

**Charles E.** · May-28-2012, 7:26pm

You dont see many of these come up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1937-Nationa...item3a751fd9f3

It has a couple of condition issues but looks to be a good player.

**Ed Goist** · May-28-2012, 7:32pm

...It still plays well but it does have some flaws. There is a dent in the lower bout at the rear of the guitar (see picture) which occurred while the guitar was at sea in WWII, It does not affect playability or tone....

If this is true, I would consider the dent an enhancement.

**Charles E.** · May-29-2012, 8:00pm

I just wish the photo's were better. It would be nice to see the headstock and the palm trees-canoe motif on the back.

**Ed Goist** · May-29-2012, 8:03pm

Is the crack in the bridge/tailpiece a big deal?

**Charles E.** · May-30-2012, 8:08pm

Ed, new replacements are available on eBay. I don't know how good they are but this is what they look like...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenor-Guitar...item4cfc621f94

**Jim Garber** · May-31-2012, 8:13am

Originally Posted by Ed Goist

Is the crack in the bridge/tailpiece a big deal?

I would say that you have to get that tailpiece fixed or replaced. Harry Eibert did a great job of silver soldering my National mandolin tailpiece many years ago. It holds quite nicely after quite a few years. I have a feeling that the eBay one looks flimsier. It might be worth a try but I would still fix the original.

**journeybear** · May-31-2012, 8:54am

I looked at the pictures before reading the ad text or the comments here, and was thinking, literally, "Looks like it's been through a war" (not only for its date but its condition) - and then found out it actually had! I'm a sucker for these instruments with their stylized stencilling.* Not getting a good rendition of that from these pictures. This might be a very nice instrument once it's fixed up. It also might be worth making an offer. NFI, BTW - happy with my Triolian.

* See the gallery at notecannons.com