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1981 Roger Borys 15 Thinline
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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].
Hand signed by the maker, dated 7/81. Body size at lower bout: 15" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut width: 1 11/16" Body depth: 2" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .84/.86"
Materials: Solid hand graduated Sitka spruce soundboard; solid flame maple body and neck; sold ebony fingerboard with adjustable truss rod; 5-ply body binding; bound f-hole; polished bone nut; solid pearl fingerboard and peghead inlay; Brazilian rosewood headplate.
Hardware: Solid ebony hardware includes suspended pickguard, tailpiece, compensated adjustable bridge, and volume and tone knobs; Kent Armstrong Handwound Adjustable PAF pickups; gold Schaller mini M-6 tuners.
Notes: New Jersey based luthier Roger Borys is a legend among contemporary archtop builders, with celebrity players including Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Emily Remler, Jimmy Wyble and many more. Borys worked closely with Jimmy D'Aquisto for a number of years, including the production of body plates for guitars for Hall and other top players.
This guitar is a very rare example of a Bory's thinline, just 2" in depth, and constructed of all hand graduated tonewoods, including the solid spruce soundboard, and highly flamed curly maple body and neck. Unique in design, the body features a single soundhole, with a 15" lower bout which is notably comfortable under the arm.
At barely 6lb in weight, the guitar is a delight to hold, and distinctly well balanced in the lap. A pair of original Armstrong Adjustable PAF humbuckers provide seamless depth and tonal range, and the slim, gentle D neck profile is elegantly tapered to the hand. The lustrous golden sunburst finish is all original, and whisper thin, to enhance the acoustic voice of the instrument.
Body and neck are free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, with the original sunburst finish showing some scattered checking typical of an instrument of its vintage. Several short hairline cracks near the f-hole are soundly cleated and resealed, along with a short finish crack at the pickup switch. The guitar has smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup, and a fine warm voice with excellent detail. Of special note are the hand turned ebony control knobs, in a distinctive design.
Having had the pleasure of offering any number of Roger's hand crafted instruments over the years, we were intrigued to find this striking guitar. Possibly unique in all his production, and we've never seen another one like it. A rare find from a legendary craftsman: 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: Deluxe heavy duty padded Cordura gig bag.
