Luke Winslow-King, currently a resident of New Orleans, is out touring to promote his latest record, Old/New Baby. He has played New York, Michigan, New Orleans and will be heading to Europe in the summer.

Not surprisingly, given his address, Winslow-King has been inspired by rag time. He also is partial to folk, delta and country blues, as well as classical music. He is currently transcribing Rag Time Jazz for his National Resonator into open F. Winslow-King took some time out to chat about the resonator.

Tell me about your national; where did you get it? What's the year and the model?

I have a steel-bodied, 2001 National Delphi, serial #927. It is sprayed with a brown matte finish. I traded it for an orange Gretch Country Gent. at International Vintage Guitars in New Orleans in '03.

Do you use it live? If so tell me a little about how you amplify it? What seems to work best?

I do use it for live shows constantly. Sometimes I can just play it acoustically because it is so loud, but I also plug it into a '68 Gibson Falcon for louder club gigs. I had my National fit with a custom 'Cone Tone' Pick-up. It is designed by Steve Olsen at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan.

How does it fit, sonically, with a band live?

It usually cuts through pretty well. The old school resonator cone technology has been helping guitar players be heard over horn bands for about a century now. It's also nice for more intimate finger picking passages. . . Metal Finger picks can give you an extra edge too.

Have you played other resonators? How would you compare them to yours? Is there some particular thing about your national that you like?

I have played and owned other resonators, and have found Nationals to be superior in every way. They are much louder than most, very sturdy, and have a great look to them.

I've played a brass Delphi too. Sounds a little warmer and punchier, whereas the steel ones are a little more trashy. I wish I had both.

I guess I'm just attached to my own personal axe. Nothing to special about it, just feels right. It's got mojo, I guess.

If you are looking for a National Delphi from the same year they seem to go for about $1,300.