A superb and highly characterful 1931 National Style 0, featuring the iconic nickel-plated brass body with the famous Hawaiian scene etched on both front and back.

This example has developed a wonderful dark, naturally aged patina over the decades, giving the instrument a particularly striking appearance while the palm trees, mountains, clouds, stars and tropical landscape remain clearly visible.

The guitar is fitted with a National Reso-Phonic replacement cone. The internal photographs show the construction and body structure in detail.

The neck has been refinished at some point in its life and was probably slightly slimmed down at the same time. The fingerboard shows normal playwear consistent with the age of the instrument. There is also a small dent to the metal body, clearly pictured. Otherwise, the guitar presents very well for a 95-year-old instrument, with the expected oxidation, plating wear, scratches and signs of use.

It retains its slotted headstock, vintage-style three-on-a-plate tuners and original-style tailpiece. The body is stamped “PAT. PEND.” at the end of the fingerboard.

The guitar was sold in Japan by the well-known Dr. Sound shop in Tokyo in 2022, and the Dr. Sound paperwork is included. The document identifies it as a 1931 National Style 0 and records serial number S2387.

Most importantly, this is a great playing pre-war National with all the projection, metallic attack, sustain and complex overtones for which the early Style 0 guitars are renowned. A beautiful instrument for blues, fingerstyle and slide, with considerably more personality than a pristine collector-only example.

Comes with its vintage hardshell case, Dr. Sound documentation, original cone and additional parts.

Year: 1931
Serial number: S2387
Body: Nickel-plated brass
Resonator: National Reso-Phonic replacement cone
Original cone: Included
Neck: Refinished and probably slightly slimmed
Condition: Naturally aged patina, plating wear and small body dent
Documentation: Dr. Sound, Tokyo, 2022
Case: Vintage hardshell case included