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My main instruments are two archtop guitars made by master luthier (and genius in my opinion!) Roger Borys. I have a B120 which is my workhorse. It's a smaller instrument – 16” with 24.75 scale – with a great big sound. I also own a B420 “Special” which is a gorgeous 17” guitar with a luscious sound. This one is a bit unique in that it has a thinner body (2.5") and a shorter scale neck (24.75") than Roger's standard 420 -- something like a Byrdland with a floating PU. Roger compensated for the smaller depth by giving it a very pronounced arch on the back! It's a joy to play and has a great over-all balanced tone. Roger doesn't get the PR that many of the more well-known luthiers enjoy, but for my money, he makes the best archtops available today. And I've played many, many of the hand-made instruments out there.

I use my Epiphone Sheraton (Elitist) thinline electric for louder gigs. Essentially a 335 guitar with mini humbuckers. It is as solid and well built as any Gibson 335 that I've owned! I also own a late ‘90's Fender Telecaster Custom ( Japan ) which
I have set up to play jazz and a Taylor nylon string which I use for bossa nova sounds.

I have two amplifiers which cover every gig that
I am called on to play. My tube rig is a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reish, which I bought from excellent Florida based guitarist Larry Camp. (thanks, Larry!) I have upgraded the speaker to a Weber California 12 and also put in matched preamp and power tubes from Mike Kropotkin. The result is much more head room and a warmer sound. My solid state rig features a Henriksen JazzAmp. Small, light, and a great warm tone. I also have a Raezer's Edge Stealth 10 speaker cabinet which I can use as an extention speaker for both amps.

For my archtops, I use D'Addario Half Round strings. HR350 Jazz Lights. They run from 12 - 52. I've experimented with lots of different strings -- flat round, round wound, etc., and keep coming back to the D'Addarios. The Sheraton is set up with D'Addario Chromes (Flat wounds) - 11- 50.

I use Clayton "Black Raven" picks -- 1.5mmm. After years using Fender Extra-heavy's I've finally found a pick that has both the punch as well as the articulation I was looking for!


 


 


Borys B120


Bory's B420 Special


Epi Sheraton


Fender Telecaster Custom


Taylor NS 32ce

 

(c) 2008 Russ Hanchin