National Mike Dowling Signature El Trovador Natural, 2008

Designed in collaboration with Mike Dowling, the National Mike Dowling Signature El Trovador is a single cone guitar patterned after the famous National El Trovador between 1932 and 1933.

The National Mike Dowling El Trovador guitar features a large, 4 inch deep body built from mahogany laminate with a wooden soundwell for the resonator. The body is bound in multi-layer celluloid, with a matching purfling border around the coverplate. The mahogany neck carries an ebony fretboard, and the slotted peghead is capped with a rosewood headstock overlay. Slotted pegheads increase the string pressure on the nut without increasing the headstock angle. This can improve sustain and separation on the open strings.

The National Mike Dowling El Trovador has a unique deep voice that makes it a very popular model.

Check out the YouTube video above, featuring Mike Dowling discussing and demonstrating the National El Trovador and National ResoRocket guitars!

This example was built in 2008 with its label identifying it as the #151 signature model, and was refinished by National. It has light wear to the nickel-plated coverplate and is in good playing condition.

As with all Nationals, it has an awesome, full and rich sound you can’t mistake. Resophonic guitars were invented just before electric amplification, and deliver the promised volume and projection.

More From The Builder On The National Mike Dowling El Trovador:

“Its Spanish name translates as “The Troubador,” and this wood-body single-cone National has been popular with musicians ever since its debut in 1932. This reissue was designed in collaboration with renowned blues and swing guitarist Mike Dowling. Like the original, our El Trovador features a large, four-inch-deep body constructed of mahogany — a wood famed for its sonic properties. A wooden soundwell houses the resonator, adding to the unique sound projection. The body is bound in multi-layer celluloid, with a matching purfling border around the classic coverplate. An ebony fretboard is mated to the solid mahogany neck, which is capped by a rosewood headstock overlay. With its rich, deep, warm tone, our El Trovador is one of National’s most popular guitars among troubadors everywhere.”

Visit the National Reso-Phonic website to learn more about the National El Trovador Mike Dowling model!