The original Duolian arrived in 1930 as National’s basic steel-bodied, single-cone guitar and soon became famous for its musical sound. Our NRP B Series replicates the vintage Duolian — and these modern reissues surpass most old ones in quality, playability, and even tone. The thin-gauge steel body is period-correct, featuring flat-cut f-holes, traditional sieve resonator coverplate, and a formed back. Still, no two NRP guitars are alike: The bodies are finished with a multi-stage, hand-textured finish for an individual look and semi-smooth surface profile that emulates the original Duolians. The mahogany neck with truss rod is capped by an unbound ebony fretboard complete with mother-of-pearl position markers. Vintage-style plain tuners, ebony nut, and “National” stamped into the slotted headstock complete the look of this classic. But it’s the trademark sound that makes these guitars so special — almost like a ghostly evocation of the best vintage 1930s Duolian. The sound is powerful and loud, while still being deep and warm. Like the hallowed originals, the NRP is steeped in mojo.
- Top Wood: Steel
- Back Wood: Steel
- Scale: 25"
- Nut Width: 1.825"
- Frets To Body: 12
- Resonator: 9.5" Hand Spun
- Fretwire: W- .106 H- .039
- Serial Number: 19873
- Neck Wood: Honduran Mahogany
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Maple Biscuit
- Headstock Shape: Slotted
- Headstock Inlay: Stamped
- Tuners: National Brand
- Inlays: Mother of Pearl Fretboard Markers
- Nut Material: Ebony
- Body Depth: 3.125"
- Lower Bout Width: 14.00"
- Upper Bout Width: 10.25"
- Case: Hardshell Case Included