Customer Testimonials of National Guitar Purchases from Catfish Keith

Take care, Brian

Hey Catfish: Guitar came today, it's incredible. I think what you did was let the Resophonic people exchange your guitar for a real lefty, and then you had them send it to me, because the little dots are on the right side (top) for a lefty. Thanks for that. Some of your songs I been listening to, I have some questions. I'll get back to you. tks, again, chuck

Hey Brother Catfish,

Thanks for the "I'm sorry", but it wasn't necessary. All is cool.

I love the guitar. I've bonded with it by now! I really like the mahogany neck, and can't even explain why I do. For some reason, it feels a little more natural to my left hand. This is probably some sort of emotional response rather than anything rational. And, have you had opportunity to look closely at the tuners?...their National Brand tuners? On my '09 Triolian, the gears are brass, though the worm gears are steel. But on the new Dueco, the gears are steel. So, that's another detail that is now more like the old stuff from the 20s and 30s. I really appreciate the way Nat. folks draw inspiration from the old company, yet they resist the urge to try to clone the old instruments. Some of the old features shouldn't be cloned. After all, an adjustable truss rod is BETTER than what was available in 1935.

The new Dueco is not quite as loud and responsive as my 30 month old Triolian. They do have to "open up". They seem to improve as they get played, not unlike their wooden cousins.

Man alive. This has been a full "guitar day" for me. Thanks for your professionalism and your concern with my satisfaction.

Hunter C

Keith,

The UPS guy just dropped it off this morning and I am in a state of euphoria, this guitar sounds amazing!

I haven't touched a guitar in 6 months, this thing plays like butter. I have never sounded this good, a real testament to what Don & the folks at national are doing. The neck is a beaut. It sits do balanced in my lap.. I could list a hundred things I like about this axe.

Most important of all, I'm really glad I went with a 14 fretter for the added swing/jazz capabilities. Comparing it to a 12 fret Delphi they've got in a store up in Amsterdam, I am not losing out on the low end. Even not played in as it is, it has a ton more bass than I expected! Admittedly I was kinda worried about it sounding flat, especially being an internet purchase and all.

So I can't thank you enough mate! If I ever buy another (here's looking at you, El Trovador Baritone..) I will drop you a line. :)

- Dan

Hey Catfish,

The guitar arrived about twenty minutes ago. What a lovely instrument! The pictures online didn't do it justice. After a very quick tune-up (a good sign), I've been finding my way around. I'm particularly excited by how quickly it felt comfortable in my hands. In my mind, that's one of the greatest differences between high quality instruments and cheaper imitations: the guitar just wants to be played by its owner. It blooms in the master's hands. For me, there's a long journey ahead with this guitar.

Many, many thanks for all your help throughout this process!

Drew

Hi Kieth,

Guitar finally arrived it's really nice, looks gorgeous, still haven't had much of a chance to have a good long play on it but so far it seems quite versatile and has a lovely warm sweet rich tone (highlander sounds good too) so,I'm real happy. Thanks for your help

All the best

Felipe


Keith,

It arrived safe and sound on Friday. Awesome guitar that sounds as purty as it looks :-)

Thanks again.

George

Hi Cat,

I just received it few hours ago. It's amazing, astounishing.

Well, thank you. Really.

Keep in touch,

Truly,

Giovanni

Hi Catfish,

I couldn't happier. I'll work on a picture.

It's taken a bit to understand how the guitar wants to be played because the
one I had been playing (and gave away this weekend) was a beast and was
actually causing chronic left shoulder pain. I'm a slide player and now I
don't need all of the pressure to get what I wanted out of the guitar. 

I really like the matching paint on the tailpiece. Oh, and the paint is
still fresh enough that I can still smell it. Why did I wait so
long........ 

More later, Dan

OMG IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU CATFISH> Jose

Hey Catfish,

Man you just made my day. Thanks again. And I personally will tell the 'brass" (get it?) at National what a great ambassador you are for their guitar.

It's here. Came today while I was at work. I kept going into the file room to look at it. Took it home with me on the el. I've be on it since. It's a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. Could not be more pleased. Thanks Catfish.

Jeff

Hi Catfish,

Got it ! Picked it up this afternoon.

This baby sings the sweetest song I ever heard, I'm so pleased with it, thanks again, man,

Yours, Jim

Hi Catfish

Yeah, the guitar came last night and it was well worth the wait! Everything is perfect and it sounds wonderful. Thanks again for your support, I will not hesitate to recommend you to anyone who is looking for a National. It has been a pleasure doing business with you.

Regards
Karl

Hey Catfish,

The National was waiting for me when I arrived at my hotel today... it's just awesome! The Replicon finish is great and it sounds teriffic. Can't wait to really spend some time with it and work on some bottleneck.

Hope your gig last weekend went well... can't wait to get the National CD and hear your cuts.

Hey, if there's any feedback mechanism on your web site, I'd be glad to leave you positive comments... like I said it was a pleasure doing business with you and National should be proud of you repping their stuff.

Cheers,

Mark

Hi Catfish-

It arrived yesterday. It is beautiful to look at and beautiful to hold. And it sounds wonderful too!

Well worth the wait.

Thanks for makin it happen!

Mark

Hey! Wow!

It's here now and we're getting acquainted.

I think that this is the first guitar in the 30 I've owned that shipped with a gauge of string I'm comfortable with too!

It's a great guitar. I haven't scratched the surface yet, but its already showing its personality.

I'm glad I went for German Silver too.

Thanks for your help. Stay in touch.

I'm off to play with toys now.... ;)

You already know I'm sure, but this guitar is great. It's fantastic.

Thanks again!

Matt


Hi Catfish,
 The guitar looks great! I notice when I finger pick hard, it really barks with nice sustain. I tried playing with a huge flat pick with hammer on
and pull offs, and sound just jumps out at you. My finger tips need to toughen up and the sound will be even better. It sounds better this
morning than it did last night. I play a lot of different styles, so it's going to be interesting figuring out which songs will sound best playing
the resonator. Definitely, a new instrument to the arsenal. I know you play acoustic guitar. When you write a song, do you know from the
start whether you will play it on a steel resonator or wood acoustic? For example, some of my railroad songs, I think will sound better using
the Triolian. (steel guitar - steel rails) Kind of an old fashion hard sound with a bite. Anyway, as always, any thoughts you have are always
appreciated. Thanks for all your help. The nickel rubbed finish really looks classic!...
Take Care,
Mike

Catfish, I do love it...it is beautiful.....Oh, it is so beautiful!

Nancita

Got it a few hours ago, love it, right then what's next!? NRP Black Tricone could be nice?

Loving the Tricone tone. Pickup sounds great, attached is a short demonstration for ones perusal,

hope all's well, thanks again

Paul

Eh Catfish:

The guitar arrived on Thursday.

What can I say: like the first time I tasted coffee: was bitter, but I knew I would love it for the rest of my life and that passion would only increase and be all encompassing, like the tunes my dad use to play when I was a kid and I knew they would live with me forever, like my first girlfriend and the feeling I got when she said she liked the colour of my bike.

The sound is warm and I love the range…amazing.

I will write later; your estimations all very accurate….thanks mate, 

Peter


G'day Catfish,

Just a quick note mate to let you know that the Eagle finally landed !! 
It got here yesterday.

I can say I am really glad that I have made your acquaintance and had I 
not found your webpage, who knows where I would have ended up.

So mate, for you...........thanks heaps. It is a bloody nice 
guitar.........a really sweet sound and just wholesome for me. Bang on 
and if I do step up later for a Baritone I hope you would be the same 
helping hand again.

alrighty
you have a good one Catfish and again 

many thanks mate !
regards
Chuka
West Australia
( Heading to Papua New Guinea on Monday )

Hi Catfish,

The most impressive unpacking in my life…

Perfect is the word :
Perfect pack with the big National logo,
Perfect case very well protected by foam and with the same National logo,
Perfect piece of steel and wood inside (National logo again)…

I write you while the guitar is warming up before to be tuned. Even untuned, it seems to have THE sound.

So far, exactly what I dreamed of.

You did great… and so, you are now my perfect US dealer.

Thanks for this adventure, I hope it was a good bargain also for you and that you are ready for the next one… let’s wait after Xmas to speak about.

Must be warm enough… I go to play but I don’t know what, blues is sad and I am happy.

Merci encore Catfish.

PS – Cap and Tshirt = “la cerise sur le gateau”


Dear Catfish,
I just received "Mable", over an hour ago and I blown away with the wonderful sound of this instrument, it moans, whines, sustains feels great in my hands. So far I have been running through open G and D I think I'll hang with these for a while as I feel a lot of fun here. This is gonna sound weird but I have been playing since 13 and have a fairly nice palette of mostly acoustic and electric paint brushes, but I have never ever felt this way with an instrument before. I know that sounds weird but it's like I just found home... Ok, I gotta get back to learning more about Mable, but I really want to truly thank you for all you have done in putting this together for me and your inputs from my questions. I am really pleased with this. (got a silly grin). Catfish I am sure I will have questions in the future and hope you won't mind from time to time if I prod you for technique and suggestions.
Talk with you Later,
Thanks so much,
And all the Best
Mike

keith:

the resotone arrived, in perfect shape and well wrapped. those guys do a great job.

the guitar is very well made: excellent quality in every respect. frets are perfectly dressed, the neck is straight, tuners are smooth, positive, and the guitar holds its tuning well, even with energetic sliding and string popping. the thing is lighter than i feared it might be.

it sounds cool. now, i need to learn to play it- i am an acoustic guy and the only guitar i play is my national single cone steel body. so it will take me a while to get the hang of it. but i will have fun trying i think. i have a 1964 national tube amp, like a fender champ, and it sounds good through it. also sounds good through my old fender. haven't tried my son's stuff (laney etc.)

i appreciate your help with this order, and i am very satisfied. fred mcdowell and r l have some nice tunes they played on electrics, so i have stuff to try to replicate. even death letter sounds righteous.

i hope one day to obtain a tricone, and if you are still in the business, i will ask you to help.

best regards,

randy

Hi Catfish,

She's a beaut! Setup is perfect. I'll put heavier strings on the top two for slide, of course, but wow. Fun for fingerpicking as it is. The packing was awesome, and the case is cool - has the National emblem on it.
Thank you so much.
Have fun,

John
PS: Have you had a chance to try the M1 Tricone yet? Man, that's a killer. Played one recently.

Catfish,

I got the new guitar last night, it's really nice!
I couldn't be happier. It looks fantastic, the sound is way better than I remember from the one I played, sustain is incredible, feels great, and I really like the stamped National on the headstock.

Thanks for all the help in getting me my new guitar.

Andy

Hi Catfish – guitar now safely taken into custody. What a stunner – beautiful tone and lovely finish and attention to detail. I was a bit disappointed with the pickup sensitivity at first, until I opened the battery case and found a) the battery wasn’t connected and b) the battery had shorted itself out on the clips! However with a new battery inserted it works just fine.

The action is very easy – slightly lower than I’m used to but this is compensated for by the heavy strings. The fret ends are really smooth – better than I’m used to – and this makes slide playing much more comfortable.

Altogether one very satisfied customer.

I’m away again for a couple of weeks, so I’ll let you know how I get on after that.

See you in October.

Very best wishes and thanks

Chris