Question 1

Can I install a new cone myself?

Accepted Answer

Our resonators are direct replacements for both vintage and new National guitars.

For Tricone guitars, the installation is usually very simple. Remove the strings, tailpiece, and coverplate. Next, remove the aluminum T-bridge and the old cones. Place the new cones in the soundwell and reinstall the T-bridge. Make sure to carefully align the 3 pins of the T-bridge with the small holes at the apex of each cone.

For singlecone guitars, our new compensated bridge and saddle kit makes the 9.5" cone installation easy. A simple straight edge, 6" ruler, and Phillips screwdriver are needed. PDF Installation Instructions

Question 2

Serial numbers

Accepted Answer

This list includes National Reso-Phonic and Scheerhorn guitars built by National Reso-Phonic Guitars, Inc.. The first brass serial number plate attached to the back of the headstock started with # 11567 built February of 2006. Instruments built prior to 2006 may have a label inside which denotes the production number and build date, or a stamped number at the back of the headstock.
 
 
National Reso Phonic Serial #
 
11567-12330 Year Built 2006
12331-13326 Year Built 2007
13327-14526 Year Built 2008
14527-15591 Year Built 2009
15592-16605 Year Built 2010
16606-17575 Year Built 2011
17576-18446 Year Built 2012
18447-19311 Year Built 2013
19312-20046 Year Built 2014
20047-20854 Year Built 2015
20855-21537 Year Built 2016
21538-22148 Year Built 2017
22149-22777 Year Built 2018
22778-23299 Year Built 2019
23300-23662 Year Built 2020
23663-24157 Year Built 2021
24158-24683 Year Built 2022
24684-25186 Year Built 2023
25187-25538 Year Built 2024
25539-25772 Year Built 2025
 
Scheerhorn Serial #
 
Proto 1&2 Year Built 2013
003-102 Year Built 2014
103-176 Year Built 2015
177-213 Year Built 2016
214-244 Year Built 2017
245-288 Year Built 2018
289-328 Year Built 2019
329-353 Year Built 2020
354-371 Year Built 2021
372-407 Year Built 2022
408-417 Year Built 2023
418-425 Year Built 2024
426-439 Year Built 2025

Question 3

Truss rod adjustment

Accepted Answer

Whenever you adjust a truss rod, whether you are a certified repair person or not, always use caution. For many years, our truss rods have adjusted the opposite of what is considered “normal” (counterclockwise to straighten the neck, clockwise to add relief). When we introduced the ResoRocket in 2004, we also introduced our newly designed truss rod that adjusts clockwise to straighten the neck, and counterclockwise to add relief. In January, 2005, we started using the new truss rods for all of our instruments.

****ALWAYS USE CAUTION****

1st Sight the neck and determine which direction your neck adjustment needs to be made.

2nd Detune the strings slightly.

3rd Insert a 1/8 Allen wrench all the way into the broached barrel nut, and make a very small adjustment. Sight the neck again. Has the neck moved in the direction you want it to? If so, continue adjusting as needed. Retune the guitar and check your progress.

****DO NOT OVER CRANK THE BARREL NUT****

Even trained professionals have stripped out truss rods by being over-zealous, going the wrong direction, and not checking their progress. We encourage you to call the factory at 805-546-8442 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PST Tuesday–Friday if you have any questions.

Question 4

Compensated biscuit bridge installation

Accepted Answer

1. De-tune the strings and remove the tailpiece and coverplate.
 
2. Carefully lift the biscuit and cone assembly out of the guitar and unscrew the biscuit bridge from the cone.

3. Insert the compensated saddle in the biscuit base and carefully mount it to the cone using a small Phillips-head screwdriver. Use a few drops of yellow glue between the biscuit bridge base and cone to lock them together and prevent future movement.

4. Reinstall the biscuit/cone assembly. If your guitar has a removable handrest remove it using a 1/16th Allen key and reinstall the coverplate. If you do not have a removable handrest leave the coverplate off. Reinstall the tailpiece.
 
INITIAL SETUP
 
5. Tape the provided Mahogany block over the 12th fret. Place a long straightedge on top of the fretboard so it is touching the first fret and the Mahogany spacer at the 12th fret. Mark a line on both sides where the straight edge meets the saddle.
 
 
 
 
6. Measure the distance between your line and the top of the saddle. Using that measurement, now mark the same distance from the BOTTOM of the saddle.
 
 
 
 
7. Using the provided sandpaper on a flat surface, sand the bottom of the saddle to the line. Install the saddle restring your guitar and tune to pitch.
 
 
 
 
 
FINAL SETUP
 
8. Using a steel rule, measure the gap from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the high E and low E strings.
 
 
 
9. Detune the strings, remove the saddle and sand it down to your desired height.

Factory action specs for new National Reso-Phonic guitars are located here in our FAQ's

For each 1/64th you would like to lower the action at the 12th fret, you will need to remove about 1/32nd from the underside of the saddle. Use a pencil to mark a line on both the bass and treble sides of the saddle, then sand down to those marks with 120 grit sandpaper on a flat surface and reinstall.
 
If the action still needs to come down at the 12th fret, repeat prior step. Once you have reached your desired string action height, reinstall the coverplate handrest (1/16th Allen wrench).

Question 5

Do you repair vintage Nationals?

Accepted Answer

We do! For more information visit our repairs page.

Question 6

"Raw Series" finish maintenance

Accepted Answer

Raw Series guitars are designed to patina over the years, creating a cool vintage vibe. Two layers of specially formulated wax are applied to each body. The wax contains UV inhibitors and hardeners that create a durable, long-lasting coating. Each Raw Series instrument includes a container of wax which can be applied as needed.

Question 7

Factory setup specs

Accepted Answer

Each instrument that we build is carefully set up prior to shipping. The factory string set for most guitars is John Pearse phosphor bronze, gauge .012-.053, standard tuning. We start by using a 1/8 inch Allen wrench to set the neck straight, or with a small amount of relief. Next, we address the string action at the nut. The slots are left a touch higher than most standard flatop acoustic guitars(to allow for clean bottleneck slide play). Finally, we set the height at the saddle and check the action at the 12th fret. Measuring from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string, the measurement for the high E string is 5/64ths(1.98 mm). The measurement for the low E string is 6/64ths (2.38 mm).

Question 8

Strings

Accepted Answer

We use John Pearse strings for all of our instruments. Here are the following gauges:

Standard Guitars # 600L

.012 .016 Silvered Steel .024 .033 .042 .053 Phos. Bronze Wound

Square Neck # 3100

.016, .018 Silvered Steel .027 .039 .049 .059 Phos. Bronze Wound

Resolectric Set # 2700

.012 .016 Silvered Steel .024 .032 .042 .052 Nickel Wound

12 String Guitar # 1400L

E-1st .010 Silvered Steel E-2nd .010 Silvered Steel B-3rd .014 Silvered Steel

B-4th .014 Silvered Steel G-5th .023 Phos.Bronze G-6th .010 Silvered Steel

D-7th .030 Phos.Bronze D-8th .012 Silvered Steel A-9th .039 Phos.Bronze

A-10th .018 Silvered Steel E-11th .047 Silvered Steel E-12th .027 Phos.Bronze

Baritone # 3260L

.016 .019 Silvered Steel .030 .042 .054 .068 Phos. Bronze Wound

Mandolin Loop End # 2150M

.011 .011 .014 .014 Silvered Steel .026 .026 .040 .040 Phos. Bronze Wound

Question 9

Warranty

Accepted Answer

National Reso-Phonic Guitars, Inc. offers a two-year guarantee that certifies our instruments to be free of defects in materials or craftsmanship. The following conditions apply:

1. Warranty applies to original owner.

2. Warranty does not cover normal wear, accidental damage or abuse.

3. Repair or replacement of any instrument is at our discretion.

4. All repairs must be done in our shop or by an authorized repair person.

5. All claims must be shipped prepaid; return shipping is collect.
 
National Reso-Phonic Guitars, Inc. strives to build a quality American made instrument. We stand behind our product 100% and are here to help with any situation our customers may have. For further help please contact us

Question 10

Where are your guitars made?

Accepted Answer

Our instruments are made in San Luis Obispo, California. From processing raw lumber, to forming and soldering sheets of metal, to mixing and spraying lacquer, to the final assembly and setup, nearly every process is done right here. Our small group of craftsmen and women are dedicated to making the finest wood and metal body resonator instruments.

Question 11

Where is the best location to add a strap button?

Accepted Answer

The following image shows the most common location for a qualified guitar repair/builder to install a strap button.

Question 12

What pickups do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer our National HotPlate, which was designed in collaboration with renowned guitarist Mike Dowling. It is a direct, drop-in replacement for all 9.5” single cone National guitars. It features a Tele-style, singlecoil pickup hand-wound by Jason Lollar, along with passive volume and tone controls. Also, we offer our National Slimline pickup, handwound by Jason Krivo which can be used for singlecone or Tricone guitars. For Scheerhorn guitars we offer the Fishman Nashville Series pickup for spiderbridges.

Question 13

Can I use a Hawaiian/raised nut adapter?

Accepted Answer

We have come to the conclusion that using a Hawaiian/raised nut adapter on any roundneck guitar is bad idea. Roundneck instruments are not built to handle the high action and high tension of lap style playing. Squareneck guitars were designed for this very purpose. If you choose to use a Hawaiian/raised nut adapter on your roundneck guitar, we recommend detuning the strings immediately after playing the guitar. Also, please note that any damage caused by the use of a Hawaiian/raised nut adapter will not be covered under warranty.

Question 14

Does National make Scheerhorn guitars?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we build Scheehorn instruments in collaboration with Tim Scheerhorn, using his knowledge and guidance throughout the design and construction process.

National Guitars

Handcrafted in California

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