National 1935 Style 1 Roundneck Tricone Owned by Blues Master John Cephas

For those unfamiliar with John Cephas, you need to go deeper! He was an amazing player and, as I found when I met him, a gentle, beautiful & soulful man. A real legend of Piedmont finger-style blues. Please check out The Country Blues or Masters of Traditional Arts Websites for more info.

This guitar was purchased from Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg, VA as part of the estate sale after John's passing in 2009.

The Style 1 was never the fanciest of the NRP line-up, but it was always in demand. Somehow, very few roundnecks survive. This example was crafted in 1935 and NRP had things really dialled in at that point; the quality is evident top-to-bottom. After 85+ years, the neck on this guitar is straight as a Mississippi preacher, the action ridiculously low! I could try to describe what this guitar sounds like, but you already know that, right?

It sounds like the ringing of a southern church bell. Can you hear it?

Notes on the pictures. A promotional photo of John & life-long friend Phil Wiggins, John's original strap, burgundy fur-lined case by case-masters TKL, and this little suitcase tag with John's writing. PanAm Airlines closed up in 1991 so it's from some time before that. One of the 3 aluminum cones has a dent so I've included 2 replacements circa 1935 which I got from NPR in California. You may also see a rough glue repair on one of the tuners.

This guitar is very hard to photograph: it's like a mirror! If something isn't clear enough, I can try to get a better view. Minor dings, pitting & scratches only.

Cheers!