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A for me - much fuller and balanced tone to my ears. I have a 1936 steel Duolian and just got a new Raw steel Reso-phonic tri-cone. The Duolian is louder, while the tri-cone has a deeper low end. I love them both. Thanks for the vid. J
How did I miss this one? Great video. I had a hard time with this one. I liked them both and figured the second one was the original. The NRP one sounded great. I'm re-watching some of these videos but now I feel like picking up my 1930 Triolian. Strong work as usual. Thanks again for taking the time.
I recently bought a National resophonic style O deluxe 14 fret. I use it for Romeo & Juliet. I love it. A real party piece. I so wanted to prefer the new one. But tbh I preferred guitar B. Keep it up!.
I went with A. I have a very early NRP estralita and can"t say enough how much I love that company. The first one had better(clearer) bass response and the cone has a bit more "wobble" to it and sustain. The older ones definitely sound more "vintage" as it were which is awesome but I just always want a more flexible sound. Now we need a Mule vs National shoot out.
This Estralita’s are really cool. There’s something really good about the NRP general quality compared to the old ones. Flexibility is a good word for describing the newer ones. I find them incredibly reliable too. Mules are cool guitars and a master class in running a decent small specialist guitar business. Different beasts though. I know of a few. Perhaps after lockdown I can get to one and make that video.
Did you open up your vintage O when you got it? I think there was only two years they did it, but they used to put flocking in the sound well so the cone wouldn't rattle. It mellows out the timbre. My '33 has it. The thing that's the most amazing about the construction of the vintage Nationals is how the biscuit was attached. How the hell they did that without f-ing up the cone is mind boggling.(it's attached with what looks like carpet tacks)
Early ones are racks then they go to screws. The felt gasket thing is weird. There seems to be original factory ones occasionally through most of the 26-42 era. I’m not sure they were ever fitted as standard. Mine doesn’t have one. It’s a newer cone!
@@TheWashboardResonators my ‘33 Style O has it, and it’s completely intact. It really mellows the timbre of the instrument, but it’s an amazing instrument, still very loud. The only thing that’s not original are the buttons on the tuning machines. They were either missing or crumbling, but everything else is original.
Lots to look for. We did a video trawling Reverb.com looking at vintage ones and what to look out for. In short - there are lots of people charging top dollar for them as collector items and TBH many are in bad playing order. Generally it’s important to check that a competent resonator specialist has checked it and done a rebuild or factor the $400-1000 to do it so it’ll play and sound proper.
so: at 4:50 I have the video stopped and I'd say: both sound great. My educated guess is guitar A is the 1934 original and B the newer one. Guitar A sounds a bit softer or "broken in" which I'd attribute to metal fatigue . Guitar B sounds crisper and a bit punchier. If I had a choice I'd prefer guitar A. Now waiting with bated breath....(LOL!)
Hello, I’m doing a bit of a Doctor Frankenstein experiment with my resonator and was wondering. If you on anyone in the reading the comments know where to find a National Guitars neck? I’ve emailed them and they sent me a few ideas to think on. I figured I’d ask around on blogs or videos such as this one before settling on the first option.
They’ve offered to make me one at around $700 a few years ago when I was keen to turn a 6 string into a 12. Loads of custom luthiers will build a neck but likely a similar price; Beltona, Fine Resophonic, Marc Shoenberger. You could take a neck off a cheap used or damaged instrument. Loads of options to get one made. In 12 years of looking almost daily online at resonators I can’t think of a time I’ve seen a neck for sale separately.
I'm guessing the vintage is A and the new one is B. A sounds a bit brighter, which I'm guessing is because of thinner metal. And you play it a bit faster, so I'm guessing it's the lighter one as well? We'll see if I'm right!
OK, after a few listens I enjoy the vintage - guess it has that old tinny sound of the music I like to listen to. But I do hear the mellow sounds of the new one - and I enjoy that as well!
both of them are not made of brass…the old Nationals are German silver. and of course, it is not the same company, but what are you trying to say? the original National company closed for decades and then Don started making them again in the 90’s. if you really wanted to do a comparison, you could have put the same cone in both of them and even the same strings.
You’re simply wrong. Buy any of the two main books on these guitars (Brozman/Makin) to see how absolutely factually wrong the statement ‘old Nationals are German silver’ is. We did a video on the vintage models… Triolians are wood and Steel, Style 0’s are brass (although some very early ones are even steel or brass or mixtures with copper sides and brass tops under the plating), Tricones are usually German Silver etc. This fact alone blows a hole in your statement. Style 0’s are basically by 1931 all brass. These two guitars are brass. The new one is a ‘deluxe’ edition Style 0 made with the same spec; 12 fret, maple neck, rolled F holes etc. It’s the nearest comparison that could be done. It’s only a fun video to help prove a point to many newbies that ask about old vs new. The general consensus with longtime collectors of these is both are good but in different ways. Have a good day.
You finally, "finally" start playing/demoing at 7:41 of an 8:35 minute comparison. I can tell you that 99 of 100, but probably 100 of 100 viewers who watch guitar comparisons want to "hear" the instruments a lot, and get some info as well. Hey, it's your channel, not mine, rock on and do your thing! Wahi' Valleys
I know why you’d say it. They’re both great though. It’s the interesting thing about getting outside views. I speak to resonator collectors often and this subject is discussed often. Which sounds best? I honestly think both new and old have different merits. Proud to have both. What’s interesting to be are the reasons people pick. I think this is a case of 🍏’s & 🍊’s. Both are perfect but different.
Help us by clicking the description above and...
🎯Put something in the tip jar.
🎯Subscribe to the mailing list.
🎯Find us on other social media.
Thanks all!
❤️❤️❤️
I've said it before, but this is one of my favorite YT channels. Your content is so awesome!
Ha! That’s kind. There’s probably about 6 people that agree! It’s a niche interest. Happy to be of service though. Reso-fans unite!! 🎯
A for me - much fuller and balanced tone to my ears. I have a 1936 steel Duolian and just got a new Raw steel Reso-phonic tri-cone. The Duolian is louder, while the tri-cone has a deeper low end. I love them both. Thanks for the vid. J
Interesting that the Tricone has deeper low end. They’re normally thinner across the board. NRP does really good work.
How did I miss this one? Great video. I had a hard time with this one. I liked them both and figured the second one was the original. The NRP one sounded great. I'm re-watching some of these videos but now I feel like picking up my 1930 Triolian. Strong work as usual. Thanks again for taking the time.
Glad these are piqueing your interest!
I recently bought a National resophonic style O deluxe 14 fret. I use it for Romeo & Juliet. I love it. A real party piece. I so wanted to prefer the new one. But tbh I preferred guitar B. Keep it up!.
They’re both beautiful but with different voices! Apples and oranges!
I went with A. I have a very early NRP estralita and can"t say enough how much I love that company. The first one had better(clearer) bass response and the cone has a bit more "wobble" to it and sustain. The older ones definitely sound more "vintage" as it were which is awesome but I just always want a more flexible sound. Now we need a Mule vs National shoot out.
This Estralita’s are really cool. There’s something really good about the NRP general quality compared to the old ones. Flexibility is a good word for describing the newer ones. I find them incredibly reliable too. Mules are cool guitars and a master class in running a decent small specialist guitar business. Different beasts though. I know of a few. Perhaps after lockdown I can get to one and make that video.
I'd like to see a Mule vs National video too. I'm debating between the two.
Both sounded great. I'd preferred B (my guess is it was the vintage.)
Reveal at the end! I’m not saying in the comments lest it changes people’s response. Can honestly say both are great!
Did you open up your vintage O when you got it? I think there was only two years they did it, but they used to put flocking in the sound well so the cone wouldn't rattle. It mellows out the timbre. My '33 has it. The thing that's the most amazing about the construction of the vintage Nationals is how the biscuit was attached. How the hell they did that without f-ing up the cone is mind boggling.(it's attached with what looks like carpet tacks)
Early ones are racks then they go to screws. The felt gasket thing is weird. There seems to be original factory ones occasionally through most of the 26-42 era.
I’m not sure they were ever fitted as standard.
Mine doesn’t have one. It’s a newer cone!
@@TheWashboardResonators my ‘33 Style O has it, and it’s completely intact. It really mellows the timbre of the instrument, but it’s an amazing instrument, still very loud. The only thing that’s not original are the buttons on the tuning machines. They were either missing or crumbling, but everything else is original.
Guitar B my favorite!
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I liked B. Sounded more open or relaxed
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ThanQ.
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Well, I was surprised. Both lovely of course. Nice vid 😎
Both perfect in different ways. ❤️
I preferred A and thought it was the 30's . I liked the drier , tighter sound .
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I prefer the vintage National style 0. To me the vintage has a "fuller" sound! I have listened 3 times and compared!
Thanks! TBH they’re both great!
Wow I'm surprised. I have a National Resophonic Style O 2003 and i thought that was the second one. (I actually preferred the first one). Haha
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I liked B, it’s more open and less nasally. I would guess A is the vintage one, it sounds like an old blues record.
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Awesome video! What would you suggest to look for in a vintage national?
Lots to look for. We did a video trawling Reverb.com looking at vintage ones and what to look out for. In short - there are lots of people charging top dollar for them as collector items and TBH many are in bad playing order. Generally it’s important to check that a competent resonator specialist has checked it and done a rebuild or factor the $400-1000 to do it so it’ll play and sound proper.
@@TheWashboardResonators Thanks! will definitely check out the other vids. Didn't realize the vintage would sound as good as it did
so: at 4:50 I have the video stopped and I'd say: both sound great. My educated guess is guitar A is the 1934 original and B the newer one. Guitar A sounds a bit softer or "broken in" which I'd attribute to metal fatigue . Guitar B sounds crisper and a bit punchier. If I had a choice I'd prefer guitar A. Now waiting with bated breath....(LOL!)
Fascinating. I’m not revealing in the comments so as not to sway anybody! Reveal at the end. Thanks for the comment. It’s appreciated. 🎯
Guitar B is definitely the one
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Hi, thanks for posting the video, really helpful. Do you know when NRP started using the thinner gauge metal for the bodies. Thank you once again
,
Thanks. Can’t remember. Perhaps 2010 ish.
@@TheWashboardResonators OK thanks for that. Cheers.
Hello, I’m doing a bit of a Doctor Frankenstein experiment with my resonator and was wondering. If you on anyone in the reading the comments know where to find a National Guitars neck? I’ve emailed them and they sent me a few ideas to think on. I figured I’d ask around on blogs or videos such as this one before settling on the first option.
They’ve offered to make me one at around $700 a few years ago when I was keen to turn a 6 string into a 12.
Loads of custom luthiers will build a neck but likely a similar price; Beltona, Fine Resophonic, Marc Shoenberger.
You could take a neck off a cheap used or damaged instrument.
Loads of options to get one made. In 12 years of looking almost daily online at resonators I can’t think of a time I’ve seen a neck for sale separately.
I chose B
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I prefer A. Also, what’s the song in the introduction? I couldn’t find it going through your material.
Another for A. Very interesting... the reveal is at the end. The intro is Jivin Women Blues a Blind Boy Fuller cover. It’s early in our uploads. 🎯
Hi...really interesting. which tune do you play during the....mmh.. "cover test"? Thanks
Hey. It’s just a stock blues pattern. An eight bar. Kind of like ‘Key To The Highway’ or ‘Pistol Slapper Blues.’
I prefer the sound of guitar A. Also, I think the fretboard on the NRP is ebony.
Interesting. Again, A is the thicker, warmer one. Thanks for commenting! 🎯
Guitar A for me
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I liked guitar B in blind test.
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A, easily.
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They sound different but I can’t pick a favorite. I’d probably go with the vintage one just for the history
No right or wrongs. It’s apples and oranges! They are different though.
I preferred the B guitar and assume it was the old one.
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i chose B!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Amazing that, old fart that I am, I liked the new one better. But I liked both, for sure.
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B… Definitely!
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I prefer first one , A
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I'm guessing the vintage is A and the new one is B. A sounds a bit brighter, which I'm guessing is because of thinner metal. And you play it a bit faster, so I'm guessing it's the lighter one as well? We'll see if I'm right!
Ha - wrong!
When you cut back and forth between them, I really couldn't tell the difference!
They’re both great but different! Most people think the fatter and warmer one is old. It’s interesting!
OK, after a few listens I enjoy the vintage - guess it has that old tinny sound of the music I like to listen to. But I do hear the mellow sounds of the new one - and I enjoy that as well!
Guitar A by far 🎶👍
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I liked B better for resonator music. Sounded more "old timey".
Rings like a bell that ‘B’ guitar. Interesting range of answers so far. Seems to be about equal. Thanks for taking the time! 🎯
Guitar A!
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Bis the old one?
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both of them are not made of brass…the old Nationals are German silver.
and of course, it is not the same company, but what are you trying to say? the original National company closed for decades and then Don started making them again in the 90’s.
if you really wanted to do a comparison, you could have put the same cone in both of them and even the same strings.
You’re simply wrong.
Buy any of the two main books on these guitars (Brozman/Makin) to see how absolutely factually wrong the statement ‘old Nationals are German silver’ is.
We did a video on the vintage models…
Triolians are wood and Steel, Style 0’s are brass (although some very early ones are even steel or brass or mixtures with copper sides and brass tops under the plating), Tricones are usually German Silver etc.
This fact alone blows a hole in your statement.
Style 0’s are basically by 1931 all brass. These two guitars are brass. The new one is a ‘deluxe’ edition Style 0 made with the same spec; 12 fret, maple neck, rolled F holes etc.
It’s the nearest comparison that could be done.
It’s only a fun video to help prove a point to many newbies that ask about old vs new.
The general consensus with longtime collectors of these is both are good but in different ways.
Have a good day.
I like A better fullness
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I’ll take guitar A please 😃
Well well well. Hello! Thanks for voting. It’s winning by probably 80/20. 🎯
@@TheWashboardResonators Hi Martyn! 😁👋🏻
B
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Prefer B. A sounded like vintage National
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It was an A for me
A seems to be winning. Hmmmm... 🎯
@@TheWashboardResonators think for me it had a lovely balanced tone, some some a little light
Interesting!
No, don't discuss, and discuss, and discuss, just do the VS part! Wahi' Valleys
Nah. We like to share information on this channel to educate. That’s what we do here.
You finally, "finally" start playing/demoing at 7:41 of an 8:35 minute comparison. I can tell you that 99 of 100, but probably 100 of 100 viewers who watch guitar comparisons want to "hear" the instruments a lot, and get some info as well. Hey, it's your channel, not mine, rock on and do your thing! Wahi' Valleys
A is old b is new
Hmmmm... we reveal at the end. I won’t spoil it for people still deciding that see the comments. 🎵🎵🎵
Guitar Afor me but I wouldn’t throw either of them out!
They’re both killers.
B by a mile more tone fatter just much more rich and open! More jangle and richness
It’s definitely more open! Thanks for the comment!
Guitar A is warmer and has a better tone.
Another vote for A. Many thanks for taking the time. 🎯
B - more depth.
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Prefer guitar A
1st comment! Congratulations!! It’s thicker and fuller. For sure! 🎯
Guitar A sounds best
Thanks for the vote!!
Guitar b
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guitar b
Thanks for the vote!!
Guitar b sounds better
Thanks for the vote. 🎯
A-sounds better
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A has a slightly richer tone.
It’s definitely the ’fatter’ of the two. Both beloved. Both excellent!! 🎯
Guitar A
We have a clear winner so far. Thanks for taking the time! 👌🏻
Edited...
I know why you’d say it. They’re both great though. It’s the interesting thing about getting outside views. I speak to resonator collectors often and this subject is discussed often. Which sounds best? I honestly think both new and old have different merits. Proud to have both. What’s interesting to be are the reasons people pick. I think this is a case of 🍏’s & 🍊’s. Both are perfect but different.
@@TheWashboardResonators Changed my comment to not let the cat out of the bag... ;-)
Ha... 😫
@@TheWashboardResonators Sorry - typo - fixed once more....
Guitar A for me
Thanks! 🎯
B
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B
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B
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B
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