Details
The 12-fret Style O is National Reso-Phonic’s flagship model, but a large contingent of resonator guitar aficionados have a soft spot for the 14-fret version. The original guitar was introduced in the late 1930s but it became more visible in 1985 when Mark Knopfler pictured it prominently on the cover of the Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms album. The 14-fret body makes it easy to reach the higher frets and many players think the smaller body produces a tighter, more focused tone than its 12-fret sibling. This example was made in 2023 and it has a steel body with a raw, unplated finish. It’s in excellent structural and cosmetic condition.
The original Style O was designed to be heard acoustically in the noisiest circumstances. It was originally built for Hawaiian-style guitarists, hence the tropical imagery etched into the top and back, but blues and country musicians soon discovered its utility. These days, the Style O is very popular with guitarists who play bottleneck-style slide but musicians who play 1920s jazz, old-time country and jug band music find the guitar’s powerful sound hard to resist.
Specs
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Back sides
Steel
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Frets to body
14
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Neck material
Maple
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Nut width
1.82"
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Scale length
25"
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Top material
Steel
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Total frets
19
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Tuners
National Open Gear
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Year
2023
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Case type
Original Hardshell
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Serial number
192
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SKU
NATRAW14-192
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UPC
142272
