National Model 1155E "Jumbo" Acoustic-Electric Natural, 1958 [USED]

This 1958 National Model 1155E "Jumbo" Acoustic-Electric in Natural finish pairs an X-braced Gibson J-50 body and a bolt-on National Stylist neck, with an original fretboard pickup rewound by Curtis Novak.

This rare and largely original instrument plays well and has a full, rich and entirely usable sound, much like a vintage J-45 or J-50.  The J-45 and J-50 bodies are structurally identical with the exception of the choice of visually clearer spruce for the J-50 top, and the sunburst vs natural finish.

Sold with a modern Dreadnought sized hard shell case.  The original case, if sold in the USA, would have been a Lifton or Geib case.  However, if sold in Canada, due to tariffs on cases and luggage, the distributor would often provide locally built cases.  Often these were hard fibre cases that have not survived well.  

Construction and Materials

This National Model 1155E "Jumbo" Acoustic-Electric is based on an authentic, factory supplied, X-braced J-50 body. The top is solid Sitka Spruce, the sides, back, and body blocks are Mahogany.    National provided the bolt-on 'Stylist' neck with its magnesium core.  The core is T-shaped, providing resistance to bow and twist, with the magnesium adding little weight, and the surrounding wood is Mahogany.  The fingerboard and bridge are Brazilian Rosewood.  Where the Gibson heel would be, a creme coloured plastic plate covers the dovetail slot. 

For hardware, this 1958 National Model 1155E has the original 'Batwing' button, strip-mounted, single-line Kluson Deluxe tuners at the head, and a National-Valco Fretboard-Inlaid Single Coil mounted underneath the fingerboard tag.  This pickup was rewound by Curtis Novak.   The original 'cupcake' control knobs by Daka-Ware are in good condition.   The pickguard is the original National 'Leopard' equivalent of the later 1958 Gibson J-50 pickguard.

Model History

During the 1950's, CMI (Chicago Musical Instruments) owned both Gibson and the distribution rights for Valco products, including National guitars and amps.  A deal was struck where Gibson shipped unfinished or partially finished bodies, called "Bodies in the White", from Kalamazoo to Valco/National in Chicago, where National "Stylist" necks were bolted on, and the instruments completed.  The fact that the bodies had partial or no lacquer finish from Gibson resulted in the National finish aging differently from their Gibson equivalents.   

Four bodies were selected for this, the J-45 (sunburst) or J-50 (natural), the LG-3, and the L-50 and L-7 archtops. The flat-top bodies were shipped with either ladder or X-bracing.   

Dual Dating

These instruments have two distinct identifying numbers - Gibson's FON (Factory Order Number) stamped in the body or on the neck block, and National's serial plate on the back of the headstock.  On this guitar, the serial number and FON both point to 1958. 

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here

DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  Model 1155E "Jumbo" Acoustic-Electric
• Instrument Manufacturer:  National (Valco) / Gibson
• Instrument year:  1958
• Instrument Finish:  Natural
• Instrument Class:  Steel String Acoustic Guitars
• Instrument serial number:  x87497  FON 01041 18, built during 1958 at Kalamazoo and Chicago
• Country of Origin:  USA
• Instrument Condition:  Good
• Right-handed 
• Instrument Weight Imperial:   5.5 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:   2.5 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:    24.64 in
• Scale Length Metric:    626 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:    1.609 in
• Nut Width Metric:  40.87 mm
• CITIES Documentation Required:  Yes
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  No
• Items in Case: N/A
• Case Type: Modern Dreadnought Hard Shell 
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 190830

There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here