resonator
Style O
| Maker | National Reso-Phonic |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Type | resonator |
| Introduced | 1928 |
| Price | USD 5300 (2026-09) |
| Maker founded | 1928 (original) / 1989 (revival) |
| Status | current |
The National Style O is a hand-built single-cone resonator with a brass or steel body and the etched coverplate that has identified it for decades.
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Why it matters
National still builds these in California, one at a time, which puts the brand in a small group of American resonator makers working at any volume. The single-cone design is loud, direct and mid-focused, and it suits blues, slide and roots playing rather than general accompaniment. This is a specialist instrument, usually bought by players who already know the sound they are after.
Note
The engraved German-silver single-cone icon.
Specifications
- Scale length: 635 mm (25 in)
- Neck shape: unknown
Before you buy
- Resonator setup is specialist work, so find a technician before buying
- Body material changes tone and weight noticeably
- Neck profiles differ from a standard acoustic
Other opinions
One video is one opinion. These are the other videos for this entry, most-viewed first. The order is the view count, not a ranking of ours.
Studio 1 Vintage Guitars · 2024-01 · 3,441 views
“Gazing upon the famous Style “O,” one can almost hear the sweet song of the Hawaiian breeze through the swaying palm trees, syncopated to the soft roll of the waves upon the sandy shore as the sun sets in the distance.”
Studio 1 demonstrates a 12th-fret Style O resonator.
TFOA Demos · 2021-11 · 1,004 views
“Our very own Milo Groenhuijzen stepped out of his role in the sales-team to play some guitars for us!”
Milo Groenhuijzen plays a 2018 National Style O.