1930-31 National Duolian

This all original early thirties National resonator is one of a couple of true jewels in my modest collection. The Duolian was a lower priced model National guitar at the time of it's issue featuring a galvanized sheet metal body joined at the twelfth fret. This is the same model as used by Bukka White, Son House and many other famous blues players. This is a round neck model as opposed to the square neck meant for lap playing. The necks on these are often replaced as they usually did not last well over time or were found to be a bit awkward and clunky to play, but this example has the original neck and does not play badly at all (a bit clunky). The sound is like nothing else, it puts most reissues and newer models to shame with it's deep dark almost amplified sound. The finish is worn just as it should be and the colouring and patina are exquisite.

I play slide in both open G and open D on this guitar. The National can be heard as a soloing instrument on my Echo Broadcast recording on the tracks Bluetown, Bud's Guitar and as the guitar holding down the groove and all the other guitar parts on the dub/blues/sound-scape instrumental Crows as Big as Airplanes. I have just begun to play some live solo shows including this guitar and will slowly over time make it a more prominent part of my solo show.