National Reso Lectric Jr. with McIntyre Pickup Black, 2002

The National ResoLectric Jr. was produced for only a short time starting in 2001, and in two major versions. The first featured a solid Mahogany body with a well for the resonator, and a Lollar P-90 style pickup in the neck position. There was no pickup for the cone. The second major version was also short-lived, and used an Alder or Ash body with a ‘Hot Plate’ pickup – essentially a Telecaster neck pickup mounted to the cone cover.

Currently, National only produces the ResoLectric model, with a Maple-capped Mahogany body, and dual pickups. At present the cone gets a Highlander pickup and a Lollar Firebird pickup in the neck position.

Here we’re looking at an early, first version National ResoLectric Jr. with a McIntyre biscuit resophonic piezo pickup added and a second output jack to separate the two outputs. Naturally, the piezo is lower output than the P-90, so an active pre-amp can be helpful. The two ‘chicken head’ controls are for the Lollar P-90 and are Volume and Tone.

This guitar is in great shape and plays well. It’s definitely got the distinctive National sound! In terms of wear – this appears to have been largely played with a slide, so fret wear is light, and the finish is in good shape with only minor wear and a couple of small dents.

The original National branded hard shell case is included.