1947 National Archtop -- Body by Gibson FS/FT

[JP McD]

I'm pulling this down and will repost with improved information discovered during the thread

Here's a very interesting guitar that plays great as sounds fantastic!

Every guitar maker needed an archtop back in the mid-20th century, and National was no exception. They got the great big bodies from Gibson and added their own necks. This particular guitar has a nice tabaco sunburst finish and a cool acrylic pickguard.

It is very playable with low action and tons of volume. This baby really projects and has that great Gibson archtop tone.

This is a player, not a museum piece. It has some scuffs, scratches, and shrinkage of the binding, as you might imagine, but the body is sound and there are no cracks in the top or back. There is a gouge near on the side of the upper bout that is stable and doesn't affect anything - pictured below.





I can get you some more detailed pics if you're interested.

The original Lifton case (in very good shape) is included.

It's a great guitar, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm clearing out the big guitars and moving more into small bodies.

I'm asking $1800 shipped to the lower 48. I'll consider all offers. Interesting trades plus or minus cash are also welcome. Here's your chance to get hold of that vintage Gibson archtop you've always wanted without the vintage Gibson price!

[JP McD]

Bump for better pics!

[JP McD]

Happy New Year bump!

[JP McD]

I picked this up from Buffalo Brothers a while back in a complicated trade, so it's tough for me to value. All offers considered.

[robkreole]

Can you please post the serial number and model?

Thanks,

Rob Krumm
Urbana, IL

[JP McD]

I've been told the model is N1150, but have never been able to definitively prove that. The serial is in the pic below, V1xxx6. I think that might put it into 1948 now that I googled a few things...

[JP McD]

Friday bump for the big archtop -- 17" across the lower bout.

[JP McD]

Saturday bump for an interesting guitar that does not need a neck reset!

[JP McD]

Sunday Bump. I'm not hearing anything on this guitar. Any feedback? Is it priced wrong? Bad pics? Too much of an oddball? Let me know...

[robkreole]

Your guitar was definitely made in 1948, just going by the serial # list in the Vintage Guitar Price Guide. In the guide, the National Model 1155 Jumbo is listed as a "Flat-top acoustic with Gibson Jumbo body, mahogany back and sides, bolt-on neck." Note that the description identifies this guitar as having a jumbo body, not an archtop.

In the Price Guide, there is a National model 1135 archtop and your guitar might be one of these. Here is the description.

Model 1135 Archtop, 1948-1954. 17.25" full body acoustic archtop, carved top, split pearl markers. Price range for EC is $1000 - 1200.

I think that the "split pearl markers" is the big clue here. The year of manufacture also fits.

In all of my digging around about National guitars (I have a '52 Debonaire archtop 1107 in my stable), I've never heard about Gibson providing archtop bodies to National. Certainly, there are Gibson flat-top bodies with National necks that are well documented. Gibson did a lot of business with National over the years so who knows...this could be an L-50 body on your guitar. The VG price guide doesn't mention Gibson within the context of the Model 1135, but Gibson is mentioned for the model 1155.

I hope that some of this info. is helpful.

Rob K.

[JP McD]

THanks, Rob --Great stuff! I appreciate it as I've found reliable information about these Nationals (other than steel guitars) to be tough to come by. I think I'll close this thread and re-post with the better information and a new price.

Thanks again, very much!

JP