SOLD - National Tricone Style 2 Roundneck - 1931 USA

Here is a 1931 National Style 2 Tricone resonator guitar, an original pre-war instrument from the golden era of American resonator design. First developed by John Dopyera in 1927, the Tricone system was created to achieve greater volume and projection without sacrificing tonal clarity, using three resonator cones to distribute and amplify the instrument’s voice. The result remains one of the most respected and musically complex resonator designs ever produced.

This Style 2 example reflects the Art Deco influence of its time, featuring an engraved German silver body with intricate wild rose detailing and a nickel-plated finish that has aged to a soft, vintage patina. The design is both ornamental and functional, with the lattice-style soundholes and metal construction contributing to its distinctive visual identity and tonal response.

It is fitted with a mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard in a Spanish roundneck configuration, making it comfortable for both traditional slide and fretted playing. The feel is solid and immediate, with the Tricone system delivering a notably even response across the frequency range.

This instrument remains in highly original condition for its age, retaining its original cones and showing no evidence of non-factory modifications or extra routing. It has undergone a professional neck reset to ensure proper playability. As expected from a nearly century-old instrument, there is light tarnishing to the metal, along with minor dings and surface wear, but nothing that impacts structural integrity or performance.

Specifications: 

Year: 1931
Country: USA
Model: National Style 2 Tricone resonator guitar
Finish: Nickel-plated brass with engraved German silver-style art deco detailing
Body: Brass body with nickel plating and engraved wild rose coverplate design
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Biscuit-style resonator bridge (Tricone system)
Case: Original hard shell case