












Here we have a very early 1970’s National EG-685-2RG guitar, made in Japan under some uncertain parentage. This “National” was one of the last gasps of the Valco company, which owned the American National line famous for its steel guitars and reso-glas guitars of the early 1960s. Production shifted to Japan late in the company’s existence. This guitar has features that are at once reminiscent of Matsumoku guitars and of the Teisco line and the information online points to both sources as possible manufacturers.
Here is what we know about this particular guitar. It is too cool for school. The body is a laminate rosewood, the neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard, and the twin hum buckers sound great through slider volume and tone controls which work perfectly, without any noise. Everything on the guitar is original, with the exception of a replaced pickup control switch. The original jack and tremolo tailpiece function perfectly.
What you’ll love about this guitar is how distinctive and unusual it looks, how well the electronics function, and the bluesy tones that come out of the pickups. The neck pickup has a round, warm tone, and the bridge pickup is bright without being brittle. The neck is a little chunky but also not overly wide, and I found it quite comfortable. The body has that distinctive, ES-335 shape, but is a little bit smaller overall, more like a contemporary ES-339.
UPDATED: The action of the guitar, measured at the twelfth fret, is 6/64ths on the low E and 5/64ths on the high E. The neck has been shimmed to lower the action considerably, more so than shows in the original photos.
The neck itself is dead straight. Now the angle is perfect. The thumb wheels under the bridge each have a little more room to come down, so you could probably sneak the action down further, if you’d like. I find it entirely comfortable, with no buzzing frets anywhere on the fretboard.
The guitar has a couple small cracks on the top and back side of the body. Like a lot of laminate body guitars of this era, small stress cracks tend to show up. None of them go through the body, and all are stable. Emanating from the two corners of the neck, where it joins the body, are two cracks in the top which were the most significant of the cracks on the body. Both have been glued and are perfectly stable.
If you are looking for a cool vintage guitar that is sure to stand out and generate some attention at your next gig, this could be the one for you.
The National EG-685-2RG will ship in a used, but excellent condition SKB 35 Hard Case with TSA locks and keys.
This instrument is sold AS-IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographically portrayed, here.
Price: $795 (was $1000) + $125 shipping (Lower 48 of USA only)
Assessing Instrument Condition
Instrument condition is a concern for sellers and buyers alike, and it is important that we are both on the same page. Often, terms used in defining instrument condition, are somewhat misleading because they only reference appearance, and not functionality. All instruments that we list are defined in the following ways, and under the accompanying understandings:
Brand New - Brand new simply means that it has never been sold, previously. It is safe to assume that a Brand New instrument functions perfectly, but it is NOT necessarily the case that it is without blemishes. Think of going into a guitar store and taking a new instrument off the wall; it will occasionally have dings or scratches that it has picked up by bumping into other instruments or from another person, trying it out. If we sell an instrument as Brand New and it has blemishes, they will be photographed for the listing.
Mint - Mint condition is Flawless. It is an instrument that is both flawless in appearance and perfect in its functionality.
Near Mint - If our listing stresses that the instrument is Near Mint, it may have a cosmetic flaw or two. They will be photographed or described as part of the listing.
Excellent - An instrument in Excellent condition will function perfectly, but may show some signs of use on close inspection. Minor nicks and dings, cloudy spots of finish, or fading color or finish, is all par for the course. The determination of Excellent condition will also depend on the age and overall quality of the instrument. A 1940s Gibson J200 with a scratch or two, a nick in the finish, and even a repaired bridge plate, but otherwise perfect and with a great playing action, can be said to be in Excellent Condition. At the same time, a five year old Gibson J200 with the same blemishes might be considered to be in Excellent Minus condition. And a 1970s era guitar that has been played regularly, gigged out, and has some scuffs and dents to show for it, but which don’t tend to show from a short distance, and which sounds and plays great, is still in Excellent Condition. There is a degree of “it’s all relative,” at work here.
Very Good - An instrument in Very Good condition is still perfectly functional, but will have blemishes, scuffs, dents and dings that are readily apparent, at a reasonable viewing distance (like from the audience to the stage). That instrument also may have signs of prior repairs, or may have been retrofitted or customized with non-original parts. Any of these conditions with an instrument will be photographed and described as part of the listing.
Good - An instrument in Good condition will play well, but perhaps not without some minor issue. For instance, an electric guitar with a scratchy potentiometer, may still be considered to be in Good condition if that pot does not affect the output of the pickup. Or a guitar might lack a tremolo arm or pick guard. The instrument is playable, the part can be replaced if the buyer wishes to do so, and thus it is in good condition. Again, any and all defects or limitations to the instrument will be defined or photographed for the listing.
Fair, Poor or Project - This instrument is most likely to be in need of substantial work to make it fully functional. It may be a violin with an open seam along the back, a guitar with a lifting bridge or non-working pickups, a saxophone in need of a repad, or a guitar or mandolin with a high action and in need of a neck reset.
The Bottom Line - The bottom line is this: Functionality is more important than Aesthetics (though aesthetics ARE important), and the quality and recognized market value of the instrument takes precedence over minor cosmetic concerns. Read the listing carefully. Study the photos thoroughly. Reach out and ask questions first (we are always happy to talk shop!).
Reverb Buyer Protection
Reverb has your back if your item is lost, damaged, or doesn't match its description. Simply report any issues within 7 days and we'll help you get a full refund.Learn more about Reverb Buyer Protection.
Listed | 4 years ago |
Condition | Very Good (Used) Very Good items may show a few slight marks or scratches but are fully functional and in overall great shape.Learn more |
Brand | |
Model |
|
Finish |
|
Categories | |
Year |
|
Made In |
|
Body Type |
|
Product safety information may be available here.