El Trovador | Style O | Delphi

In Stock National Resophonic Instruments
SOLD - National Resophonic Guitars, 2007 National El Trovador - Recording Artist Mike Dowling is responsible for National reviving the wonderful El Trovador design originally built in 1932-1933. The deeper than usual, all mahogany body and longer 25.6" scale make the El Trovador unique. The deeper body enhances the bass response which gives it a menacing, all wood tone. The longer scale is great for low tunings and slide. This is a great deal of fun to play and it's very versatile as the wood body gives it broader boundaries. Whether you play blues, rags or are looking for a new voice for your own music, this is inspiring. This instrument features:
  • National ResoPhonic El Trovador, Mike Dowling Signature Model
  • Year: 2007
  • Hear this guitar played by Al Petteway
    [recorded naturally, close pair, no EQ]
  • View a movie of this guitar. Requires Windows Media Player 10
  • Serial #: 13105
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany, Bound in Ivoroid
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Headplate: Slotted, with National Symbol
  • Fret Markers: Dots
  • Frets to body: 12 Frets
  • Cutaway: No
  • Tuners: Kluson Style, 3 per side
  • Case: TKL
  • Condition: New
  • Body Length: 19 5/8 in.
  • Lower Bout: 14 5/8 in.
  • Upper Bout: 10 1/4 in.
  • Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 1/2 in.
  • Body Depth @Tail Block: 4 in.
  • Scale Length: 25.6 in.
  • Nut Width: 1 3/4 in.
  • Strings Spacing: 2 1/4 in.
  • Comments: "This mahogany bodied, single-cone guitar is very much like the old 1930's models. The tone is warmer than the steel bodied guitars but it's still clear as a bell." Al Petteway

    "I just love this guitar. I've always been a resonator guitar fan and a National fan. It's exciting to see the company take Mike Dowlings idea and recreate the El Trovador. This is a great guitar for fingerstyle blues and I could sit on my porch into the wee hours of the morning with this one. The playability is superb and it's voice works well for many other styles as well. As a songwriter it's an inspiring color to have at your disposal and will surely lead to new material. Slide players will love the El Trovador as well, not as much sustain but great mahogany clarity and sweet, haunting tone... " - Paul Heumiller


Slot Head With National Emblem


3 on a plate tuners Ivoroid Buttons

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View A Movie Of This Guitar


National Resophonic El Trovador
Mike Dowling Signature Model


Mahogany Back and Sides with Ivoroid Bindings


Mahogany Sunburst Neck


Single Cone, All Mahogany construction
Modeled after the 1930s El Trovador

SOLD
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SOLD - 2006 National Resophonic Style O - The Style O embodies the wonderful brass body tone and wonderfully styling that has made it famous. This guitar is outstanding for both slide and fingerpicking. Blues and rags never sounded so good. The Hawaiian scene is timeless and beautiful. The bound fingerboard and toned neck add elegance to this guitar from the other side of the tracks... This instrument features:
  • National Reso-Phonic Style O
  • Year: 2006
  • Hear this guitar played by Al Petteway
    [recorded naturally, close pair, no EQ]
  • View a movie of this guitar. Requires Windows Media Player 10
  • Serial #: 12065
  • Body: Brass with Chrome Finish, Hawaiian etching
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany, Bound in Ivoroid
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Headplate: Slotted, with National Symbol
  • Fret Markers: Dots
  • Frets to body: 12 Frets
  • Cutaway: No
  • Tuners: Kluson Style, 3 per side
  • Case: OHSC
  • Condition: New
  • Body Length: 19 3/4 in.
  • Lower Bout: 14 in.
  • Upper Bout: 10 1/4 in.
  • Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 in.
  • Body Depth @Tail Block: 3 1/8 in.
  • Scale Length: 25 in.
  • Nut Width: 1 13/16 in.
  • Strings Spacing: 2 5/16 in.
  • Comments: "This is the classic National that we all marveled at. I love the faithfully reproduced Hawaiian design and the clear bell-like tone of the brass body." Al Petteway

    "A National can add another color to your collection of guitars and give you countless smiles. It's so much fun to play a guitar with this much attitude! I've had a long love affair with National and always will." - Paul Heumiller


Slot Head With National Emblem


Single Cone, Chrome Finish

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View A Movie Of This Guitar


Style O


Hawaiian Design Etching


Mahogany Sunburst Neck
SOLD
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SOLD 2006 National Delphi - The Delphi model offers the barbaric clang of the steel body and a carefree finish. This guitar in black is full of attitude. The steel body single cone is great for delta style blues where a bit more grit is required. This one is easy to play with fingers or slide and we love the look. This instrument features:
  • National Reso-Phonic Delphi
  • Year: 2006
  • Hear this guitar played by Al Petteway
    [recorded naturally, close pair, no EQ]
  • View a movie of this guitar. Requires Windows Media Player 10
  • Serial #: 12065
  • Body: Steel with Black Finish
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany, Bound in Ivoroid
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Headplate: Slotted, with National Symbol
  • Fret Markers: Dots
  • Frets to body: 12 Frets
  • Cutaway: No
  • Tuners: Kluson Style, 3 per side
  • Case: OHSC
  • Condition: New
  • Body Length: 19 3/4 in.
  • Lower Bout: 14 in.
  • Upper Bout: 10 1/4 in.
  • Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 in.
  • Body Depth @Tail Block: 3 1/8 in.
  • Scale Length: 25 in.
  • Nut Width: 1 13/16 in.
  • Strings Spacing: 2 5/16 in.
  • Comments: "There's nothing quite like the sound of a National steel guitar. It's a bit darker than the brass and creates amazing reverb-like qualities while you play. This one is extra cool looking and really blasts out the volume." Al Petteway

    "Al and I had fun making all the harmonics pop out of this one. I love the nasty sound of steel for the blues and slide really works well on it. The steel body has a faster decay which gives it that old time sound. The black finish is super stylish..." - Paul Heumiller


Slot Head With National Decal


Single Cone, Black Texture Finish

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View A Movie Of This Guitar


Black Delphi


Mahogany Sunburst Neck


Kluson Style Tuners
SOLD
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SOLD 2004 Vintage Steel Delphi Deluxe - The Vintage Steel is a plated version of the steel body single cone. With it's mother-of-pearl diamonds inlaid into the ivoroid bound fretboard and an ivoroid heelcap. It also sports a headstock with an ivoroid overlay engraved with the National logo and closed gear deluxe Kluson™-type three-on-a-plate tuners. Very vintage vibe, classic steel tone. This instrument features:
  • National Reso-Phonic Vintage Steel Delphi Deluxe Single-Cone
  • Year: 2004
  • Hear this guitar played by Al Petteway
    [recorded naturally, close pair, no EQ]
  • Serial #: 1531
  • Body: Steel plated with Satin Steel Finish
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany, Bound in Ivoroid
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Headplate: Slotted, Ivoroid with National Symbol
  • Fret Markers: MOP Diamonds, First Fret Flame
  • Frets to body: 12 Frets
  • Cutaway: No
  • Tuners: Kluson Style, 3 per side
  • Case: OHSC
  • Condition: New
  • Body Length: 19 3/4 in.
  • Lower Bout: 14 in.
  • Upper Bout: 10 1/4 in.
  • Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 in.
  • Body Depth @Tail Block: 3 1/8 in.
  • Scale Length: 25 in.
  • Nut Width: 1 13/16 in.
  • Strings Spacing: 2 1/4 in.
  • Comments: "We've had a ton of requests for the Vintage Steel. The finish is care free and designed to age over time. This one has the deluxe inlays and headstock making it a really cool piece. The steel single cone sound is hauntingly familiar to anyone who's ever heard Son House do his thing. That wonderous clang...." - Paul H.


Slot Head with Ivoroid Overlay


Single Cone, Carefree Finish
Click on any image to view closeups


Vintage Steel Delphi Deluxe


F Holes


Mahogany Neck, Sleek Design
SOLD

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