1930 National Polychrome Triolian
Pickup available from Folkway Music
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The Triolian was National’s first single-cone instrument upon its introduction in 1929. The earliest of these featured wood bodies, but by later in that year the Triolian became a steel-bodied guitar. The yellow lacquer-finished models with airbrushed color highlights were given the name Polychrome Triolian, and their own “P”-suffix serial number. This guitar is a very early Polychrome with a low two-digit P serial number and a 1929 wood body stencil pattern.
In exceptional condition, this Polychrome Tricone likely spent many of its years in a case. It appears to have been only played lap-style with a nut riser, and as such there is no playwear to the frets or neck. In recent years the guitar has seen its neck reset, and scratched-in numbers on the fretboard have been touched up tastefully. There is a small, repaired chip on the neck’s heel that is shown in the accompanying photos. The cone and biscuit bridge are newer National-made replacement parts, but the balance of the guitar is factory original and unmodified. In our shop the original frets were seated and dressed, and the guitar set up with 13-53 strings. The action measures 5.5 – 6 64ths and is well suited to fingerstyle and slide hybrid playing.
The guitar sounds incredibly good, with rich harmonic overtones, ample sustain, excellent definition, and a warm low end. It intonates much better than most ‘30s Nationals, too, which is a definite plus.
The neck has a modern feel and a rounded carve that’s best described as 80% round, 20% V. The first fret depth measures .838”, and the nut width is about 1-13/16”. 25” scale, 2-3/16” string spread at the bridge.
With its combination of great vintage looks, excellent tone, top-notch playability, and relative rarity, there’s not much that this Triolian should leave you wanting.
With modern hardshell case.
**USD Price includes Shopify fees
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