Maybe the action was easier on the Beard.
yes that's the reason I think
and the neck was thinner to
The problem with the the national was not its weight or difficulty to preserve it, but the thick neck and high action. Mark has always said this guitar was hard to play
Thats' also the reason he played Corned beef city. Slide was a way to have a rest for his wrist, before playing STP and Once upon a time