National Style 1 Tricone 2024

When he invented the original National Tricone in 1927, John Dopyera was looking for a louder, amplified guitar—but he also insisted that the guitar’s tone be absolutely clear. John rightly boasted, “The Tricone guitar flowed like a river,” and early company advertising proclaimed it “The Greatest Musical Sensation of the Age.”

Now, nearly a hundred years later, Tricones are still revered by musicians everywhere for that special sound. Like the originals, the new Style 1 Tricone is built with a brass body and coverplate—the same alloy Dopyera used. And like those guitars, the body, coverplate, and tailpiece are nickel-plated and polished to a mirror shine.

The mahogany neck is finished in a rich, warm burst and topped with an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard. The vintage-style tuners sit on the classic slotted headstock, topped by the famous National shield. An early National ad from 1927 touted the tone, power, and sound quality of the Tricone, and the new reissues proudly continue that tradition.

Tri-cone resonator guitars, as the name suggests, have three cones in the body of the guitar. These cones are triangular in shape and are made of brass. Tri-cone resonator guitars have a more complex sound than single cone guitars, with a warmer, more rounded tone. If you're looking for a more intricate and nuanced resonator guitar sound, a tri-cone resonator guitar is a good choice.

This 2024 National Style 1 Tricone has only minor playwear on the body and neck, and is virtually indistinguishable from a new guitar. Comes with a TFOA passport and comes in a hardshell case.