1999 Rich & Taylor Sonny Osborne
Serial # 96143. Greg Rich and Mark Taylor joined forces in the early 1990's to build the best pre-war Gibson inspired bluegrass banjos the world had seen since, well, before WWII. Greg was responsible for reinvigorating Banjo design and quality at Gibson in the late 1980's, and Mark Taylor -- Tut Taylor's son, was charging ahead building excellent instruments under his 'Tennessee" brand. The two formed the Rich and Taylor Banjos in 1993, and the instruments bearing this brand are among the most highly acclaimed banjos built during the last 75 years.
This example is dated July 29th 1999. It features a TN-20 hole tone ring for a bassy and warm Scruggs-Crowe sound, gold hardware with engraved tension hoop and arm rest, beautifully figured maple neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, bound figured maple resonator with hand-stained sunburst, Five-Star tuners with ivoroid buttons, and a presto tailpiece.
The instrument is sets up well and plays cleanly up the neck. It's a particularly lovely sounding 5 string, and has a rather nice feeling neck carve. The finish and inlays are gorgeous, too. There are filled screw-holes on the back of the headstock and localized overspray associated with a set of tuners that have since been replaced. The instrument is otherwise in original and very fine condition with some wear to the gold plating and modest aging of the finish.
With original hardshell case.
Shipping into the USA?
Sending this guitar to a US address is easy to do, and there are no import fees, taxes, or duties to pay when it arrives. We take care of everything involved in shipping -- all you have to do unpackage the instrument when it arrives and play!
Questions? Email us anytime, or call us toll-free at 1-855-772-0424.
This example is dated July 29th 1999. It features a TN-20 hole tone ring for a bassy and warm Scruggs-Crowe sound, gold hardware with engraved tension hoop and arm rest, beautifully figured maple neck with bound rosewood fingerboard, bound figured maple resonator with hand-stained sunburst, Five-Star tuners with ivoroid buttons, and a presto tailpiece.
The instrument is sets up well and plays cleanly up the neck. It's a particularly lovely sounding 5 string, and has a rather nice feeling neck carve. The finish and inlays are gorgeous, too. There are filled screw-holes on the back of the headstock and localized overspray associated with a set of tuners that have since been replaced. The instrument is otherwise in original and very fine condition with some wear to the gold plating and modest aging of the finish.
With original hardshell case.
Shipping into the USA?
Sending this guitar to a US address is easy to do, and there are no import fees, taxes, or duties to pay when it arrives. We take care of everything involved in shipping -- all you have to do unpackage the instrument when it arrives and play!
Questions? Email us anytime, or call us toll-free at 1-855-772-0424.