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1928 National Style 1 Tricone
The Style 1 Tricone is widely considered the epitome of true Art Deco design at National, with its austere German silver body, geometric coverplate and soundhole patterns, and utilitarian appointments. Higher-end styles received engraving that became more and more complicated and ornate with the price point, but many art historians would comment that National’s engravings were of an older style that didn’t align with true Art Deco philosophy. Strangely, we’ve read that there are players who prefer the sound of the more plain Style 1 Tricones over the fancier models, but we’ll let you be the judge.
This example is a wonderful sounding and playing Tricone. Its cones and frets have been replaced but it is otherwise original and in very fine condition. The string action is set at a very comfortable 6/64ths across the fretboard at the 12th fret, which allows for easy hybrid slide/fingerstyle playing. The guitar appears to have had a neck reset, and the tailpiece has been shifted to the right by 1/8” for better string and fretboard alignment. The neck finish and body plating are original.
Rounded V neck carve with a deep carve and a chunky feel. The nut width is 1-13/16, and the depth of the neck tapers from 1.0” at the 1st fret to 1.2” at the 9th. Scale is 24.9”.
With original hardshell case
