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2003 Roger Borys B-420

Price and Status: For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold. To be notified of examples of this or any other model in the future, please email your specific requests to [email protected].

Serial #: 35-300-2002, signed by the maker

Finish: Sunburst, nitrocellulose type

Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 25 1/2" Nut width: 1 13/16" Body depth: 3"

Materials: Solid carved tap-tuned spruce soundboard; tiger flame maple back and sides; one-piece solid tiger maple neck with adjustable truss rod; curly maple body binding; ebony fingerboard; Brazilian rosewood headplate.

Hardware: Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF humbucking pickup; ebony pickguard, compensated bridge, knobs and tailpiece; gold Schaller tuners with ebony buttons.

Notes: New Jersey based luthier Roger Borys is a legend among contemporary archtop builders, with celebrity players including Emily Remler, Jimmy Wyble and many more. Borys worked closely with Jimmy D'Aquisto for a number of years, helping develop his celebrated Jim Hall guitar.

Borys' laminate guitars are legendary, and built in very small numbers. But his solid carved instruments are scarcer still, and a positive rarity on the vintage market. The soundboard of this upscale B-420 model is carved of solid, quartersawn tap-tuned spruce, with a body of solid highly figured tiger maple, and a spectacular one piece curly maple neck with solid ebony fingerboard. The instrument is finished in a lustrous light cherry sunburst, complemented with all solid ebony hardware.

This example is in superb 100% original condition, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The gentle D neck profile is easy and inviting, with a fresh high-precision setup, and a generous 1 13/16" fingerboard for finger or pick style play. The tone is warm and resonant, with an Armstrong Adjustable PAF for matchless versatility and tonal range. Roger builds his creations one at a time, and it can take years to take delivery of one of his instruments. For the serious player seeking an elegant, hard-working jazz box, our advice is: take a page from Roger's illustrious clients, and go right to the source. One only: call now.

Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge flatwound nickel strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.

Case: Original deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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