Ever heard of a National Collegian guitar?

Subject: Ever heard of a National Collegian?
From: Big Road Blues (inactive)
Date: 08 Mar 99 - 06:40 PM

Hi MCers,

Does anyone know about a Nation guitar called a "Collegian"? I played a National in a guitar store recently and was told the instrument was a Collegian. I've never heard of this model before, and was wondering if anyone has. It is a sewwt-sounding 6-string resonator guitar, with a single cone, brass body painted yellow, solid headstock, 14 frets, and the neck was originally square but someone shaved the neck to make it rounded. The fellow in the shop said that it was made in 1940 or '41. Any info would be appreciated.

BRB

Subject: RE: Ever heard of a National
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 08 Mar 99 - 11:58 PM

Quoting Brozman's book, "National Resonator Instruments", (sorry Bob), "In the late 1930's, National introduced a rock-bottom budget 'student' model range, priced below the Duolian. Still retaining all the acoustic and structural qualities of Nationals, this model was essentially a Duolian with a simpler...coverplate. The coverplate was punched with two concentric rings of holes, 18 holes in each ring. The bodies were finished in a yellowish wood-grain paint. There were Collegian guitars (Spanish and Hawaiian), tenor guitars, mandolins, and ukuleles made. These instruments were marketed under the National name as well as with a Supro label -- there are no other differences." Some examples of serial numbers for these instuments made between 1940-1941 are 212-G, 1164-G, 1843-G.

Subject: RE: Ever heard of a National
From: Big Road Blues (inactive)
Date: 09 Mar 99 - 06:52 PM

Thanks, Mark