I’ve just spent the first days with a new Raw brass 12 fret National, probably the only left in EU still for sale (wait list is approx 1 yr.) and I like it, a lot. Out of the Nationals I had, including a great ‘37 duolian, style Os and also a steel Mule, all single cones, this is the best of all in terms of sound. Big, thick, warm and sustained with excellent balance across the range. Not as loud as a steel National but definitely louder than the Mule. One concern I had, shared by many, was the finish of the neck. A pastel brownish color which leave some grain visible on the back of the neck, solid everywhere else. I hated it on the photos and I was ready to strip it down and finish it with tru-oil. But seen in real life, it’s.. interesting, unusual, very well made, not “plastiky” like someone described it. Kudos to National for trying something away from the masses.. anyway, love it! Next is going to be a Krivo rosewood pickup and then just play the hell out of it and let it age like only raw brass can
