Customer Reviews

The History and Artistry of National Resonator Instruments

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Bob's book gives a great insight into who actually researched, tested, and invented the instruments, where and how they were manufactured and sold, and who played them (blues, jazz, and Hawaiian musicians) the sound and music is terrific. What is really amazing is the craftsmanship of the old world engravers, I would love to own an original Tricone IV or Single Cone IV. This book introduced me to a new side of acoustic music I was not aware of, the readers of this book would do well to purchase Tone Poems III, Vintage Slide and Resonator Instruments played by three gifted musicians, David Grisman, Mike Auldridge, the Bob Brozman, the author of this book.

This book is the standard by which all or any others will be judged. Every aspect of the National resonator guitar world is comprehensively covered in detail. The book starts with the history of the Dopyera family emigrating from Hungary and setting up a musical instrument repair business in L.A.
There follows a very detailed family history covering what each of the family members of the next two generations did, including family feuds.
The history concludes with a chapter on the current owners.
After the formation of the National Guitar Co. we get a comprehensive discussion of its history including detailed early drawings of prototypes of guitars etc. and copies of the patent plans submitted. Every model of instrument made by the company is discussed in detail with reference to the different materials used and the various levels of decoration etc.
A qite sizeable section of the book deals with a number of National and Dobro players including Sol Hoopi,Tampa Red,Son House,Blind Boy Fuller et.al.. The book finishes off with a chapter of prints of early catalogues and advertisements which are fascinating for their historical content. There is also a discussion in the book of setting up the guitars and maintenance etc.
The book is a must for anyone interested in the behind the scenes development of National Guitars. My only criticism is of the section of colour plates contained in the book. While the photographs of the instruments cover a very large range and show the exquisite detail of the decoration on some very rare models,the photos mostly have a dark background that makes them feel oppressive and slightly indistinct. Having said that, the collection of instruments photographed is outstanding;very early tricones,mandolins,tenor guitars,ukes etc.
For anyone interested in the history of or looking at National Guitars
and other instruments this book is indispensible.

This book presents a fascinating history of the development and production of National Resonators and a comprehensive catalogue of vintage instruments. Brozman, in addition to being a spectacular player, is a fine writer. That this is a labor of love is readily apparent in his writing and the obvious effort he has expended in researching the subject. The prose is supported amply by numerous black and white photographs and the color plates of vintage Nationals are spectacular.
The only complaint I can offer is that it barely touches on the rebirth of the National company, a significant development especially in light of the high quality instruments they are currently producing. Hopefully this will be addressed in a subsequent edition.

Although this excellent book includes contributions from a number of individuals (including the resonator guitar's inventor John Dopyera's son), it is most obviously a labor of love for resonator guitar player and author Bob Brozman. Brozman includes excerpts from the minutes of board meetings of National, information gathered from interviews, and many other resources as he documents John Dopyera's development of the resonator guitar, George Beauchamp's role in the process, and the bloody business intrigues between National and the Dopyera brothers. The profiles of prominent National resonator guitar virtuosi of the past--including some of the not-so-well-remembered Hawaiian and blues artists--really makes this book stand out. The photographs that are included show off the beauty of National's instruments, particularly the metal body instruments with the elaborate engravings. Any player of these guitars will absolutely love this book, as will guitarists who are interested an a largely overlooked part of the history of the instrument. If there's one quibble with the book, it is that the paperback binding tends to fall apart over time. If you buy this excellent book, just take care of it, and you'll find yourself coming back to it over and over again.

This is an excellent book on the history of resonator guitars. It also has great pictures and illustrations! I was able to determine the manufactured date of my National guitar from the information presented.

OK, first of all, Bob is a great player and knows more than anything about pre-war Nationals. I really hope he puts out a revision and adds more information about single cone guitars as it is very top heavy towards tricones. I would LOVE to see more color pictures of the different duco finishes and maybe a picture of a Collegian. It is the #1 resource for serial numbers and I would love to see him gather even more info from owners.

What a story!Forget about owning a National guitar, just enjoy the skulduggery and the ups and downs of the honest immigrant genius of the brothers Dopyera versus the opportunist performer and the millionaire playboy investor. If you are so very fortunate to own a National instrument then you can trace its origin and help to maintain it for future generations using this book. The photography is stunning too and Bob has raided the archives for some fascinating publicity material. Apart from quite a few typos (which add to the home-spun charm) this has to be the book for every resonator player and was obviously a labour of love for Mr Brozman.

Bob Brozman is a great player, a great expert and collector of vintage National resophonic instruments, and overall a great man. This book spreads light on the history of National guitars, with a very detailed story of the Dopyera Brothers (founders of the National company). The numerous photos are beautiful and make you wish you own those splendid instruments - actually pieces of true art.
Also the wide section on blues and hawaiian National players is absolutely interesting.
A MUST for every lover of acoustic music and of guitars.

!! Bob Brozman put in a huge effort into this book. Very little Fluff, tons of detail, lots of vintage photos (where does he get this stuff?), and lots of new beautifully shot pictures. It's obvious that this was a true labor of love for him, as the end product (the book) is also a work of art. Great read, also a great coffee table book.