National Glenwood

2 Critic Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Sep 19, 2025

Pricing and availability

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Price

Average Price: $5,995

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, National Glenwood is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Embrace the retro vibe and distinctive sound of the National Glenwood, a solid body electric guitar that's as unique in aesthetics as it is in tone. Crafted during an era of innovation, the Glenwood stands out with its Res-O-Glass composite body, offering a playing experience that's rich in history and character. With a nod to the past yet a sound that's entirely its own, this guitar is perfect for the musician looking to make a statement both visually and sonically. Whether on stage or in the studio, the National Glenwood is a testament to the creative spirit of the 60s, redefined for today's music.

Key Features:

Res-O-Glass composite body for a unique look and sound
Solid body electric guitar, a tribute to the 60s innovation
Ideal for musicians seeking a distinctive aesthetic and tonal character
A piece of music history, perfect for collectors and performers alike

Product specs

Brand	National
Model	Glenwood 95
Finish	Vermillion Red
Year	1962
Categories	Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Red
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What type of music is the National Glenwood 95 best suited for?: The National Glenwood 95, with its semi-hollow body and single-coil pickups, is well-suited for blues, rock, and jazz, offering a warm, resonant tone with a vintage character.
How does the semi-hollow body of the National Glenwood 95 affect its sound?: The semi-hollow body of the National Glenwood 95 provides a rich, resonant tone with enhanced sustain and a touch of acoustic warmth, making it ideal for expressive playing.
What is the neck profile of the National Glenwood 95 like?: The National Glenwood 95 features a bolt-on neck construction with a comfortable profile, allowing for smooth playability and easy access across the fretboard.
Are the pickups on the National Glenwood 95 suitable for high-gain settings?: The single-coil pickups on the National Glenwood 95 are optimized for clean and slightly overdriven tones, providing clarity and detail, but they may produce some noise in high-gain settings.
How many frets does the National Glenwood 95 have?: The National Glenwood 95 comes with 20 frets, offering a wide range for both rhythm and lead playing.

Videos

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Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: Early 1960's National Glenwood | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

National Glenwood guitar from 1961 presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann.

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about National Glenwood.

Features and functionality

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The guitar features a unique construction with a fiberglass and wood sandwich body, two normal pickups, and a piezo pickup in the bridge for varied sound options.
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The lead pickup offers a bright tone suitable for surf-rock styles, while the rhythm pickup may sound muddy but can be adjusted for clarity by raising it closer to the strings.
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Adding distortion to the pickups, even through a budget Johnson 15w combo amp, enhances the guitar's sound, offering a particularly cool tone.
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The guitar's white back and numerous knobs, including a master volume by the jack, have been noted as unique design choices.
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It's reported that there are individual tone and volume controls for each pickup, plus additional controls for the combined pickup position.
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Build quality

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The guitar includes a Bigsby tremolo, adding to its vintage appeal and playability.
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The Glenwood features intricate fret inlays, which are highly praised for their craftsmanship and aesthetic appeal.
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Value and pricing

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Historically, this model has been valued at upwards of $6k, indicating its collectible status and the need for careful handling.
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The guitar's value has been noted to range from $2,100 to as high as $15,000 depending on condition and market demand.
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Comparisons

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Though branded as "National," the guitar was manufactured by Valco, differentiating it from traditional National resonator guitars and placing it in a distinct category of vintage electrics.
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The National Glenwood is compared to other Valco-made guitars, such as Supro and Airline models, which are also collectible.
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User experience

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Owners express high regard for the guitar's rarity and the need for careful handling due to its vintage status.
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Critic Reviews

National Westwood and Glenwood | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The National Glenwood 99 is a visually striking, vintage electric guitar that delights with its unique Res-O-Glas fiberglass body and USA map-inspired shape. Its construction lends an iridescent finish that stands the test of time better than painted wood. Enthusiasts will appreciate the contact pickup feature and the guitar's flashy design elements, such as a floating pickguard and magnesium-reinforced neck. However, the lack of neck adjustability and high retail prices at the time of its release led to its limited run and eventual downfall. While divisive among collectors, the Glenwood 99 remains a cult favorite for its bold aesthetics and innovative features.

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Full Review

Vintage Vault: 1964 National Glenwood 98 - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

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Artist usage

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Bob Dylan

Keyboardist, Composer

U.S.A. for Africa

Verified via Vimeo

Bob Dylan played a white National Glenwood - now housed in the Hard Rock cafe London [https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ca/90/36/ca903673be9d9257a277b51e2fc0f57d.jpg] - just once that was ever photographed or taped. He started using it during the second iteration of the Rolling Thunder Review and can be seen in the clip playing it for an amped up version of 'Shelter From The Storm' broadcast on the Hard Rain TV Special that aired in 1976. It's also one of the few instances I know of him playing slide guitar in concert. The recording can also be heard on the accompanying Hard Rain live album.

Andy Summers

Guitarist

The Police

Verified via Andy Summers

On Andy's official website, he cites that he has used a Glenwood in the past in his photo gallery.

Hozier

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Photo

Hozier is captured using the National Glenwood 95 Vermillion Red during his performance at the Governors Ball in NYC for the song "Francesca," as evidenced by the photograph

Jack Antonoff

Singer, Guitarist

Bleachers

Verified via Photo

This is Jacks collection of guitars. All the way on the right, you can see the National Glenwood Guitar.

Ian Thornley

Singer, Guitarist

Big Wreck

Verified via YouTube

Ian plays this guitar through parts of the video

Zac Sokolow

Guitarist

LA LOM

Verified via Premier Guitar

Quote "This vintage National Val-Pro, circa 1960 to 1962, belongs to Faulkner, who received it as his very first electric. When he switched to bass, the Val-Pro took a backseat, so Sokolow had been more than happy to borrow it long-term. All the controls are disconnected except for the volume knob. Sokolow strings it with a .012–.052 gauge set of roundwounds, and he’s partial to D’Andrea Pro Plec 1.5 mm picks."