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1987 Schoenberg Soloist, Brazilian
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Serial #: 474635, custom plaque on neck block. Body width at lower bout: 15" Nut Width: 1 3/4" Scale length: 25.4" Body depth: 3 1/4"- 4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .79/.92
Materials and Hardware: Solid bookmatched bearclaw spruce top; solid bookmatched Brazilian rosewood back and sides; solid one-piece mahogany neck with Brazilian rosewood headplate; solid ebony fingerboard with pearl 'diamond and square'' inlays; ebony bridge with compensated bone saddle. Gotoh high-ratio butterbean tuners; small swirl tortoise pickguard; inlaid bridgepins; multi-ply rosewood body binding; hex-key adjustable truss rod.
Notes: Through his numerous recordings and performances, no one has done more to revive and popularize the legendary Martin OM guitar design than guitarist Eric Schoenberg. Long based in the Bay Area, Eric originally gained in-depth expertise as partner in the venerable Music Emporium in greater Boston. Finding that Martin's classic OM model of the early 30's offered matchless tonal balance and projection, Schoenberg in the early 80's developed a project to create the first OM style instrument with a cutaway body: the Schoenberg Soloist.
Enlisting the services of master luthier Dana Bourgeois to select the tonewoods and graduate the tops and braces, Eric partnered with Martin to fabricate a very limited number of instruments at their Nazareth, PA headquarters. Crafted in groups of just four to six instruments, this rare example from the second batch features an X-braced soundboard of quartersawn Sitka spruce, with pronounced 'bearclaw' figure interlaced throughout. The back and sides are crafted of solid Brazilian rosewood of particularly handsome color and figuration.
With its solid ebony fingerboard, prewar style pyramid bridge, and forward shifted X bracing, the guitar is also graced with elegant rosewood body binding, prewar small tortoise guard, arrowhead backstripe, and a lustrous Brazilian rosewood headplate. And in a graceful touch, a petite pearl diamond inlay adorns the face of the heelcap as well. At a scant 3lb 14oz, the instrument is phenomenally lightweight and resonant, and simply floats on the lap or the strap. The voice is particularly open and balanced: clear and articulate under the fingers, the guitar positively thunders under a good stiff pick, with notably vibrant bass and a shimmering treble register.
This rare example has been well maintained over the years, without cracks, and with very light all-original vintage style nitro lacquer. The top shows a few finish nicks, mostly confined to the lower treble bout, and includes a set of high ratio, vintage style Gotoh butterbean tuners now fitted to the peghead. With fine pro fretwork on the solid ebony fingerboard, the guitar has smooth, low action, with a fresh high precision setup, over a gentle soft V profile neck.
Fitted in its original deluxe plush lined hardshell case, the Soloist is a striking and versatile instrument from a never-to-be-duplicated collaboration, at the very pinnacle of American luthiery. One only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with light gauge phosphor bronze strings. Action and neck relief are adjusted to 4-5/64" at the 12th fret.
Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends / Selling Your Guitar