National New Yorker 1956 - Vintage Blonde

Up for sale, a 1956 National New Yorker archtop in playe-grade condition. This rare archtop was produced by the Valco company in Chicago under their top-tier National banner. The highly figured fully hollow all-maple body is 3 3/4" deep, and measures 15 1/2" across the lower bout, yielding a natural acoustic tone with both breadth and bite.

The previous owner modified the pickup and all electronics- sports a Lollar low wind p-90 with VI 280k pots and s.22uF bumblebee capacitor. The low midrange response is an ideal combination of warmth and woody cut, harmonically complex while still retaining clarity for complex chord voicings. This New Yorker weighs 5lbs 11oz, professionally setup with easy playing action and accurate intonation. Previous owner did have to drill out larger square in body for the P-90 while removing part of the top bracing (purely cosmetic).

The maple neck has a very substantial soft V-shaped profile carve at the nut, quickly rounding out to a “baseball bat” C carve in the upper registers, measuring 1.005” deep at the 1st fret and 1.055” at the 12th. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard retains the original slender fretwire which only exhibits very light wear beneath the strings on the crowns of frets 1-5. This guitar plays cleanly in every register, and the neck is straight. The original nut measures 1 5/8“ in width. The headstock retains the large raised  “National” logo on the face and the small metal serial badge on the back (the X6-prefix serial dates to 1956). The original Kluson Deluxe "no line" strip tuners turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch, with the original large white plastic buttons reserved for Valco-made guitars.

The electronics function as intended, with the oversized single coil pickup governed by Master Volume and Tone controls. All of the original hardware is intact, including the nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece and the compensated Brazilian rosewood bridge, and the top has excellent curvature, with no sinking. The original pickguard is not installed due to the p-90 shims but is included and the pair of knobs are vintage replacements of a similar style.

The gloss lacquer finish highlights the tight, curly flame extending liberally across the top and back, while the maple rims have dense quilt figuring. There is one small, touched-up (with white) finish chip on the treble-side edge of the neck pocket, and cosmetic wear is limited to a few minor nicks and faint finish scratches on the body as a whole, with light buckle worming on the back central to the lower bout and an unusual spot of light discoloration on the back as well, likely from contact with a strap or other object in the case. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with some palm wear through the finish in the first position.

A modern TKL black tolex hardshell case is included.