National Polychrome tri-cone vs National M1 Tri-cone..

[Eatapeach1965]

I'm wanting a tri-cone to oppose my current Delphi.
But I cant decide which one.
I know the real answer is play both. But I cant. There arent any to play.
I assume the M1 will be warmer than a steel tri. But what about sustain etc??

All things relative , what are the experiences and preferences here?

Thanks

[Teleplucker]

I have a polychrome tricone with a cutaway. I sent it to National to get a baritone neck put on it. I have also owned a steel body Resorocket, a wooden body Radiotone bendaway, and most recently a wooden Resorocket.

If I could only have one I would keep the wooden rocket. I have found I prefer wooden body single cone more than the others.

The tricone is a completely different animal, still good but different. I have played an M1 tricone and I enjoyed it but it was too long ago to remember specifics.

For what it's worth, there have been several tricones on ebay for very reasonable prices.

[Eatapeach1965]

Thanks for the input...
I was looking at the resorockets too.....
Just wondered how much different it would be than my Delphi.
I played a tri one once before and thought it'd be nice to have a polar opposite of my Delphi.
I would love a cutaway tri,but it gets more expensive.

[Teleplucker]

If you look around and wait you can find decent deals of tricones and singled ones with cutaway. I absolutely believe that the cutaway models ate the ones to get, but that's just me.

Have you considered a brass Tricone as well? They have a much sweeter, rounder tone than the steel. Haven't had the pleasure of playing a wooden M1 myself... sounds great from what I hear though.

2nd what Teleplucker said... wood bodied single cones are my favorite sound... my Estralita is my my main guitar.

[Eatapeach1965]

Brass is definitely an option....
I want to play some side by side, but there just arent any around to try

[tdq]

My take: I have a single cone steel which is what I want in a reso. But I have played the various tricones here and there, although unfortunately not side by side. I even had a non-national tricone squareneck at one stage.
While they have all been great guitars, the wooden bodied ones are further away from the typical resonator sound - they can even sound like a regular boxy flattop. Imagine a sliding scale, with a regular a regular flat-top (warm, sweet) and one end and a steel single cone at the other (brash, loud) I'd put flat-top -> Wood tricone -> Wood Single Cone -> Steel Tricone -> Steel Single cone. And of course there is much "it depends", along with the pinch of salt, applied liberally.
Others would undoubtedly disagree but that's how I picture things.

[Eatapeach1965]

I was thinking about the El Trovador too...
Also the Model D Spider cone.

I just want a total opposite of my Delphi....

[Gypsyblue]

I've owned many of National's Polychromes and Vintage Steel guitars.

I would go for a Tricone and I'd go for steel.

I'd stay away from brass.

Steel sounds better to me.

Brass sounds kind of dull in comparison.

My search for the ultimate Tricone ended with my purchase of a National Vintage Steel several years ago.

Sold all my other resonators soon after because I knew I'd never play them again.

[Eatapeach1965]

The Poly is steel too( if I read correctly). But what's the coating? An enamel?

[blue]

Originally Posted by Gypsyblue

I'd stay away from brass.

Steel sounds better to me.

Brass sounds kind of dull in comparison.

A steel tricone does sound great. But so does a brass. So does German silver. I have all three.

I like to say that steel is Strat, and brass is Les Paul. Steel cuts more, and there are more harmonics floating around.

Neither is better. Just depends what you like.

My only wood one is a radiotone bendaway. Based on that I know I would love a wooden tricone. I know I would also love the weight of wooden one. I mostly know I would love the wipedown requirements of a wooden one versus a nickel one .

[blue]

Originally Posted by Eatapeach1965

The Poly is steel too( if I read correctly). But what's the coating? An enamel?

A baked on "industrial" paint finish. I have the "volcanic ash" finish. Extremely durable. Mine doesn't show a mark, and I've had it 7 years, and until I got my german steel last year it was my most played guitar.

[Eatapeach1965]

Originally Posted by blue

I like to say that steel is Strat, and brass is Les Paul. Steel cuts more, and there are more harmonics floating

......I mostly know I would love the wipedown requirements of a wooden one versus a nickel one .

I like the analogy..



And I actually thought of the wipe down factor too,as I am very particular with the prints/stains on my guitars...
It'd be nice not to worry about that...

[blue]

Originally Posted by blue

A baked on "industrial" paint finish. I have the "volcanic ash" finish. Extremely durable. Mine doesn't show a mark, and I've had it 7 years, and until I got my german silver last year it was my most played guitar.

edited because there is no such thing as "german steel" End of semester grade issues with kids will derail your brain

[Eatapeach1965]

Originally Posted by blue

edited because there is no such thing as "german steel" End of semester grade issues with kids will derail your brain

I knew what you meant