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2020 Roger Borys B-420
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Serial #: 62-420-2020, signed by the maker. Body size at lower bout: 17" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 3/4" Body depth: 3" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .80/.96
Materials: Solid carved tap-tuned spruce soundboard; solid carved 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: All original gold hardware includes vintage DeArmond 1100 Adjustable Rhythm Chief floating pickup, with thumbwheel volume and tone controls; cast trapeze tailpiece, and Grover Rotomatic tuners. Solid ebony pickguard and adjustable compensated bridge; adjustable truss rod.
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. Working closely with Jimmy D'Aquisto for a number of years, Borys helped 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 a solid ebony fingerboard. The instrument is finished in a lustrous light tobacco sunburst, complemented with solid ebony hardware.
At just 5lb 15oz, the guitar is notably lightweight and well balanced, on the lap or the strap. This handsome example is in superb condition, free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The tap tuned soundboard and braces are finely graduated, and reinforced with a small cleat by the tailpiece installed by the builder. The gentle D neck profile is easy and inviting, with a fresh high-precision setup, and a generous 1 3/4" fingerboard, ideal for finger or pick style play. The tone is warm and resonant, with the addition of a genuine vintage DeArmond 1100 Adjustable Rhythm Chief floating pickup, unsurpassed for acoustic fidelity and 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: 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 roundwound 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.
