Uber rare 87 yr old National Resonator 1934 'Don', VGC, less than 100 made VGC

Description

Here is a
1934, first year of production,
National "DON" style "1".....These are highly collectable guitars and very rarely appear on the market....It has a German silver body that is nickle plated, and was
Nationals top of the line single cone
, round neck resonator guitar.
Less than 100 Dons were ever made.....And according to records at National less than half of those are known to have survived.
..So this is a extremely rare instrument.
The Don was
t
he flagship single cone resonator guitar produced by National,
but Nationals use of German silver in constructing the body and accompanying hefty price tag placed it out of the reach of most players, who were reeling from the tumultuous effects of the ongoing "Depression" of the times. By 1936 the line was discontinued.
Here is the info on the DON from
Bob Brozman's definitive book on National resonator guitars "The History and Artistry of National Resonator Instruments"
a guide to National Guitars from 1927 to 1941.
National Don Resonator Guitars
Description:
National Don Resonator Guitars
Available:
1934 to 1936.
General Comments:
National's highest quality single cone resonator
replacing 12 fret Style N model, German silver body with nickel plating (same metal as used on National Tricones), pearloid peghead veneer with engraved National logo, round mahogany neck, slotted peghead, bound ebony fingerboard, 14 frets clear of the body, "DON" engraved on handrest. Came in three style numbers:
Style 1 (border line engraving and dot fingerboard inlays),
Style 2 ("modernistic" body engraving somewhat resembling sheaves of flowers and diamond fingerboard inlays), and Style 3 ("conventional" flower-style body engraving and diamond fingerboard inlays).
This is a fully functional, 1934 Don guitar
....The guitar has it's 84 years share of swirls, dings and scratches which I have tried to capture in the photos and will try to describe herein : The cone has been replaced w/ a newer National cone but
the one that came with the guitar (original?) will be included.
... it appears to have the original frets and there is moderate to heavy fret wear, on the first few frets, especially on the first fret and diminishing as you move up the neck, the frets still function and intone so I chose to leave them as they were........there is also moderate to heavy scalloping, heaviest on the lowest part of the fret board  where you fret the highest strings and lessening as you move up the neck....there are a couple of hairline cracks in the fret board, the longest of which extends from the upper end of the neck to the middle of the neck which are stable and do not affect play-ability....there is a moderate ding in each side of the body in the lower bout where the guitar would naturally rest when a case would be set down on its side, these appear to be repairable to some degree should the buyer wish to do .....there is a semi-circular  ring / discoloration / flaw in the nickle finish in the upper left bout about the size of a silver dollar.....there is a small chip in the wood on on side of the neck where the neck meets the body....My good friend is an excellent delta blues guitarist and has consented to me videoing him playing this ultra-rare, historic and beautiful cannon of a National guitar
.  *Any best offers accepted must be payed in full within 24 hours of acceptance.*
It will ship out boxed and packed for Armageddon. Shipping quote to CONUS only.
Any interested parties outside the CONUS please ask about shipping.
I make every effort possible to grade, describe, and photograph my items accurately. But that doesn't mean that I am an expert on an item just because I have it for sale. If something important to you is not addressed in my description, please ask before you buy. Communication is the key to a win/win transaction. I strive to make every step as smooth, clear and concise as possible... Cheers
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Product Specs
Condition:
Very Good (Used)
Brand:
National
Model:
'Don'
Finish:
Nickle
Categories:
Resonator
Year:
1934
Made In:
United States