An Icon of American Music
The 1940 National Style O Resonator is a celebrated icon of American luthiery, instantly recognisable from its appearance on the cover of the Dire Straits album, "Brothers in Arms." This instrument represents a perfect marriage of vintage history and modern playability, making it a truly exceptional find.
Born from a need for greater volume before the age of electric amplification, the Style O provided players with the power to be heard in a full band setting. This example from 1940 comes from the golden era of production for these revolutionary instruments.
Artistry in Metal
The guitar's body is crafted from brass and plated in nickel, giving it a brilliant shine. It features the beautiful and intricate "Variation 7" sandblasted Hawaiian etching, depicting a serene tropical scene that makes the instrument a functional work of art.
At the core of its signature sound is the original single resonator cone. This cone acts as a mechanical loudspeaker, producing the loud, sharp, and metallic tone that is the hallmark of a vintage National. Retaining its original cone ensures this guitar possesses a truly authentic voice.
This model features a 14-fret neck join, allowing for easier access to the higher frets compared to earlier versions. The neck is topped with a classic paddle-style headstock and the original metal National logo shield, completing its timeless profile.
Key Features
The main features of this Resonator guitar include:
- Model: 1940 National Style O Resonator
- Body: Nickel-plated brass with "Variation 7" Hawaiian etching and F-holes
- Cone: Original single resonator cone
- Neck: 14-fret paddle headstock design with metal logo
- Fretboard: New ebony fretboard with ivoroid binding
- Frets: Modern stainless steel frets
- Inlays: Parallelogram markers up to the 12th fret, dot markers above
- Restoration: Professionally restored by Chris Melville Guitars in Brisbane
- Upgrades: Full neck reset, new fretboard and installation of a carbon fibre truss rod
Meticulous Restoration
To ensure perfect playability, the guitar has undergone a complete, professional restoration by Chris Melville Guitars in Brisbane. This included a crucial neck reset, which optimises the string action and feel for the modern player.
As part of its restoration, the neck was reinforced with a modern carbon fibre truss rod. This provides superior strength and stability against string tension and climate changes, a significant improvement over the original non-adjustable design.
Authentic Finishing Touches
The playing experience has been further enhanced with a brand new, premium ebony fretboard fitted with durable stainless steel frets. This combination offers a smooth, fast feel and ensures the frets will withstand many years of playing without wear.
This vintage National Resonator amp is in Melbourne, Victoria.
The new fretboard is framed with classic ivoroid binding for a comfortable, finished feel. The original fret marker scheme has been faithfully preserved, with parallelogram inlays up to the 12th fret and dots above, maintaining the guitar's vintage aesthetic.
| Year: | 1940 |
| Brand: | National |
| Model: | Style O |
| Modifications & Repairs: | Neck Reset, Carbon Fibre Truss Rod, New Ebony Fretboard with Stainless Steel Frets and Ivoroid Binding. |
| Case: | NHSC |
