National Tricones | M-1

National Guitars, based in San Luis Obispo, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest wood and metal-body resonator instruments in the world. Their commitment to craftsmanship is evident in every guitar they make, with nearly every part of the process - from processing raw lumber to forming and soldering metal sheets, to mixing and spraying lacquer, and finally to the assembly and setup - completed in-house by a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen and women. This hands-on approach ensures that each instrument is of the highest quality, merging modern innovation with time-honoured tradition.

One of their standout models is the M-1, part of the renowned Tricone range. After years of research and development, National introduced this wood-body Tricone to offer musicians something truly unique. Traditionally, Tricone resonators have been made with metal bodies, but the M-1 offers the same iconic resonator sound, with the added warmth and depth that only a wood-bodied guitar can provide.

The M-1's mahogany body, paired with National's traditional aluminium resonating cones and T-bridge, creates a sound that is both familiar and distinct. It retains the crisp, metallic resonance of a classic Tricone, while the laminated mahogany adds a layer of warmth, creating a rich, full tone that sets it apart from its metal counterparts. This guitar is not only visually striking, with its vintage Tricone styling, but also features a sturdy wood soundwell and a hand-painted steel coverplate, blending craftsmanship and durability.

The mahogany neck is topped with an ivoroid-bound ebony fingerboard, offering smooth playability and a vintage aesthetic with dot inlays and a slotted headstock. One of the M-1's standout features is its weight: It's roughly three pounds lighter than a traditional metal-bodied Tricone, making it more comfortable to hold and play without sacrificing any of the tonal qualities for which National guitars are celebrated.

The result is a guitar that combines the best of both worlds: the unmistakable resonator sound of a Tricone, but with added warmth, depth, and a distinguished tone unique to the M-1's wood construction.

The M-1 Tricone comes complete with a deluxe National hardshell case, ensuring it is well protected.

Specifications:

• Nut Width: 1.82"
• String Spacing E-E: 2.31"
• Body Depth: 3.125"
• Scale Length: 25 21/32"
• Fingerboard Radius: 16"

The National M-1 Tricone represents a perfect fusion of tradition and innovation, offering the tonal brilliance of a metal Tricone with the warmth and richness that only a mahogany body can provide. Whether you're a traditionalist or a player looking for something new, the M-1 delivers exceptional sound and craftsmanship in equal measure.