1931 National Duolian

Chris Vallillo of Orphan Instruments shares his latest restoration (not for sale), a 1931 National Duolian resonator guitar. This guitar had an original composite fingerboard that had shrunk radically over the years causing a massive neck warp. This was a restoration for a friend whose great grandfather played this guitar as an itinerant minister and musician.

[@malthuswasright]

Sounds spectacular - great work.

[@dkehrerproductions]

Sounds amazing .

[@MarcEdelstein-wk9ek]

So glad you added a bit of "Cliche Rag"!

[@chrisvallillomusic]

Thanks Marc! I'm still buzzed from performing it with you at FARM. I'll be in touch soon.

[@tommytramp]

AHHH the voice of a duolian, Nothing like it ! Would have loved to hear it in open tuning with a slide but what you played in standard said enough . That is one lucky son in law!

[@chrisvallillomusic]

I did actually put it in open tuning and played slide a bit on it just to try. Great sound! I had set it up for fingerstyle playing, though, so I didn't think it would sound as good on slide in the video.

[@tommytramp]

@@chrisvallillomusic Nothing like a duolian Thank you for getting back to me!

[@HistoryHeights]

Trust me, that son-in-law is appreciative. And I'm thrilled to hear the instrument *sing* again! Chris did an amazing job on it!!

[@chrisvallillomusic]

Hi Gail! Hope you are doing well. This project was a joy, particularly knowing it's family history!@@HistoryHeights