3167g of pure Delta Blues : here’s the best steel-bodied National model you can get for the tone... ... This claim is based on the particular characteristics of this one, no hazardous marketing here.
Highly collectible, this early exemplar of the walnut finish production is a 3 pieces body construction (top & back soldered to the side) unlike the later Triolians made after April 1930 & all the Duolians (on those last ones, the top and side was from one stamped piece of steel with a stiffer reaction to vibrations). This type of construction gives a little something you just can't find in other metal-bodied National guitars...
3167 g : it’s light for a « big body » (12 frets model) made of steel...
The most important about tone is that you have here an original cone & biscuit in excellent shape. I’ve played vintage single-cones & Dobros (steel and wood bodies) and this particular model represents to me the epitome of delta blues in matter of tone, even if you can play a lot more styles with it !
If you're not convinced, please contact Mike Lewis (of "Fine Resophonic", one of the very few best National guitars luthier & keeper of the resonator guitars heritage) who restored it at the end of 2010 for a neck stick scoliosis. He did a wonderful job and it’s ready to go for 50 more years in the best playing conditions for slide & non-slide uses (new frets & neck set).
Neck is made of maple, body is steel.
Cosmetic conditions : The original "National Triolian" badge is still intact. The body finish is in good condition if you considered that most of those walnut finishes have peeled off with time. A few scratches here & there, mostly on back, a little corrosion on the side & back but no indentation... The original maple fretboard has been refinished in the original way by Mike Lewis in 2010. Authenticity : Everything is original except the tuners... ... BUT I've replaced the 30's OAHU SAFE-TI tuners found on it with vintage National ones used at the same period. Unfortunately, I didn't got this one with the original case, but it will be sold with an adapted hardshell case.
QUESTIONS & OFFERS ARE WELCOME ! I'm living in France and know how to safely pack a valuable instrument. For more details, please don't hesitate to contact me !
