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2018 Borys B-160 Jimmy Wyble Model
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Serial #: 251-492-2018, signed by the maker
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body depth: 2 3/4" Scale length: 25" Nut width: 1 3/4" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .82/.95
Materials: Arched tiger flame maple laminate-plate body; one-piece solid maple neck with adjustable truss rod; curly maple body binding, polished bone nut; solid pearl fingerboard and peghead inlay.
Hardware: Solid ebony hardware includes fingerboard, pickguard, compensated adjustable bridge, volume and tone knobs; gold cast tailpiece; gold Grover Rotomatic tuners.
Notes: Along with fellow southerners Johnny Smith, Mundell Lowe and Hank Garland, Texas born Jimmy Wyble was one of the few hillbilly hotshots who jumped the fence from country to jazz. Hired by Bob Wills' as one of his twin guitar virtuosos, Wyble went on to be featured with Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Barney Kessel , and Frank Sinatra among others. A prolific session player appearing on countless records, TV and film soundtracks, Wyble was also an influential teacher, mentoring Howard Alden and a generation of aspiring LA guitarists.
New Jersey based luthier Roger Borys is a legend among contemporary archtop builders, with celebrity players including Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Emily Remler, and many more, including the guitar wizard for whom this model is named. Borys worked closely with Jimmy D'Aquisto for a number of years, and when the latter needed soundboard plates for his Jim Hall guitar, he turned to Roger. The soundboards Borys delivered were cold molded from sheets of feather light veneer. Stiff, lightweight, and tonally sensitive, they possessed a notably bright tap tone and high feedback resistance. These original D'Aquisto electrics became highly prized by working players for their versatility and durability, and have become one of the most popular of modern guitar designs, as produced by makers as diverse as Sadowsky, Buscarino, Moll, Unger and other top builders.
The body of the Borys Jimmy Wyble Model is constructed of highly figured tiger maple plates, mated with a solid curly maple neck with solid ebony fingerboard and hardware. An Armstrong Adjustable PAF provides seamless depth and tonal range, and the gentle D neck profile is elegantly tapered to the hand. The fit and finish of the instrument is immaculate, with a lustrous golden matte sunburst, and Borys' signature diamond inlay in the back of the headstock.
At just 6lb 6oz, the guitar is nicely lightweight and well balanced, and is in showroom condition, with no apparent playwear to speak of. Special accents include the solid curly maple binding, and the custom trapeze tailpiece with a specially distressed antique brass finish. The instrument has smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, and a fine warm voice with excellent detail.
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 to take a page from D'Aquisto himself, and go right to the source. One only, call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge half-round nickel strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" 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.
