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  #1  
Old 03-11-2018, 04:41 AM
rsmillbern rsmillbern is offline
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Default National M14T Thunderbox (?)

So, I have been semi-looking for a resonator for a while now and wanted to check out some Nationals.

Yesterday I drove up to a shop in the Netherlands and played a few.
I was quite take with the M14T Thunderbox and nearly bought it :-)

I resisted and drove home to do a little research and I find that there is actually very little online regarding the M14T.
I am keen to play an M1 Wood body Tricone, but have not found one yet to compare...

Anyone have any info, opinions on the M14T??
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  #2  
Old 03-11-2018, 02:44 PM
frankmcr frankmcr is offline
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Well, I can tell you that whoever decided to name it that was obviously not British ...
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Old 03-11-2018, 03:31 PM
joe paul joe paul is offline
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I have played the M1 model a few times and an M14 once, both can be nice guitars. I think it mainly comes down to the single, biscuit cone sound or the tricone sound, whichever one you prefer.
It's not an absolute rule, but single cone Nationals tend to have a punchier sound and more depth.
If I may ask, was it at the Fellowship of Acoustics? And if so, did you try the vintage 1930s Nationals they have on their website?
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Old 03-11-2018, 05:21 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankmcr View Post
Well, I can tell you that whoever decided to name it that was obviously not British ...
National Thunderbox ? hilarious - what next the Tricone Latrine?

Seriously don't care for the body shape.

The M2 looks nice - a dead copy of the early Estralitas (I like Estralias}

Attached Images
File Type: jpg National Estralita s125 (2) copy.jpg (14.1 KB, 61 views)
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Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer.
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  #5  
Old 03-12-2018, 11:52 AM
rsmillbern rsmillbern is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe paul View Post
I have played the M1 model a few times and an M14 once, both can be nice guitars. I think it mainly comes down to the single, biscuit cone sound or the tricone sound, whichever one you prefer.
It's not an absolute rule, but single cone Nationals tend to have a punchier sound and more depth.
If I may ask, was it at the Fellowship of Acoustics? And if so, did you try the vintage 1930s Nationals they have on their website?
Yes, I was at the Fellowship of Acoustics (first time there).

I played the 1933 Style O and was pretty impressed. The condition, in my opinion, was very good for a 85 year old guitar (but I have little experience with guitars of this vintage).
I also played the '32 Duolian. While I was not taken with the tone as much, it was in very good condition and played nicely as well.
Both are a bit above my arbitrary limit for a reso of about 3K
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Old 03-12-2018, 12:08 PM
rsmillbern rsmillbern is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
National Thunderbox ? hilarious - what next the Tricone Latrine?

Seriously don't care for the body shape.

The M2 looks nice - a dead copy of the early Estralitas (I like Estralias}
Looking at the M2 and the M14 side by side the body shape look very very similar to me. The difference (aside from ornamentation) "seems" to me 12 fret Vs. 14 fret.

Sound wise (to my inexpert ear) the M14T had a bit more bass response, but mileage may vary there due to strings and playing style.

The name, while silly everywhere, does not have the same connotations outside of the UK as far as I can tell (being and American in Germany)

The M2 sounds really great fingertsyle (e.g. you video).
Part of me really wants to like the tri-cones better, but I keep coming back to a single cone with a bisket bridge...
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