1933 National Style O Roundneck 12 Fret Brass Body Single Cone Resonator Acoustic Guitar w/ Case

Up for sale, a 1933 National Style “O” in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An early iteration of National’s flagship design, this 12-fret roundneck model features rolled edge F holes and a nickel-plated brass body etched with National's iconic graphics of the Aloha Isles. With less than 1,000 units produced, this particular Style “O” variation is significantly rarer than its previous “flat cut” and subsequent 14-fret renditions, retaining the original cone, biscuit, and sieve coverplate.

A single-cone, biscuit bridge design, this Style “O” features a mahogany neck capped with an ebonized rock maple fingerboard. This resonator has a whole lot of get-up-and-go, with a crisp, sweet punch that is an ideal blend of tautness and breadth. Power and projection is ample; just one strum is an immediate reminder of the effectiveness of John Dopyera’s design and amplification goals. Yet despite this guitar’s prodigious presence, the tone is never harsh or booming, retaining its charm and character at all volume levels and highly responsive to picking dynamics. Weighing 8lbs, this Style “O” has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and comfortable action.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Rock maple
• Shape: Chunky C, measuring .950” 1st fret, 1.085” 9th fret
• Fretboard: Ebonized maple, pearl dot inlays, deep finger wear on frets 1-2
• Frets: Slender, moderate wear on frets 1-8
• Scale Length: 25”
• Nut: 1 ⅞”, bone
• Headstock: Slotted, National badge, Pat. # stamp on top edge
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe single-line strip (replacement, originals included)

Body Specs:

• Wood: Brass (nickel-plated)
• Bridge: Biscuit
• Cone: Single
• Hardware: Sieve coverplate, trapeze tailpiece
• Marquetry: Rolled edge F holes
• Serialization: S-prefix (1933), stamped

The nickel-plated brass body has light buckle wear central to the back, with a few small areas of wear through to the bare brass and some minor marks on the body as a whole consistent with decades of careful handling. The neck profile is smooth and clean, with one cleanly doweled strap button hole just above the heel and natural palm wear through the finish along the profile length.

A modern hardshell case is included.