What an exciting way to start our new blog! We were able to get our hands on a 1931 National Duolian, Frost Green Duco, in amazing original condition… and to top it off, local St. Louis musician and Blues extraordinaire, Brian Curran stopped by to show us what it can do!
It doesn’t get much better than that!
A little background on the Resonator… from my research when I was trying to find the value, I came across some great info.
Similar to the Triolian, the Duolian was made of thinner metal and an unbound fingerboard, making it the cheapest National model released to date in 1931, at a cost of $32.50. It was a favorite with blues musicians because of its sturdy build, low cost, and single cone projection. Perfect for the gigging man.
From 1931 to 1937, National used a finish on the Duolians called Frosted Duco. It appeared in a few tints, but the one here at Music Go Round St Louis is the Frosted Green Duco which gives the resonator a perfect aged patina.
National employed another well-known company to build the metal bodies – The Rickenbacher Manufacturing Company. Using their facilities, National was able to pump out 50 guitars a day! The owner, Adolph Rickenbacher, went on to become a board member for National, and from there he began Rickenbacker guitars.
As for this particular 1931 National Duolian, it is as nice as an 85 year old steel guitar can get. The neck is straight as an arrow, the intonation is almost spot on, the cone is still extremely loud and pleasant, and there isn’t even a dent on the body. The original owner, being a sheet metal worker, took the time to build his own case out of sheet metal with the inside lined in a purple velvet. Like I said, it doesn’t get much better than that!
And as always – be sure to check out the Music Go Round St. Louis Web Site to see and buy all of our gear!
