Description
Exc(+) condition / #201
1-3/4″ width at nut / 25.4″ scale length
This 1997 Roy Noble Custom Concert Guitar has an Adirondack Red Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, and a low profile “C” profile Mahogany neck. This Roy Noble is a great sounding instrument in excellent condition. These guitars have been coveted as “recording guitars” for many years, with lots of examples of various artists using them in the studio. One of the best examples is Clarence White, who used Noble guitars extensively from the mid-’60’s up to his untimely death in the early ’70’s. Another example is John Hartford. More recently, Eric Uglum, toured the world for 3-4 years with a Roy Noble and Billy Strings used one for years.
Rosewood peghead overlay features an elaborate abalone and pearl inlay, reminiscent of Martin D-45 model inlays. This elaborate inlay was hand inlaid by Roy Noble. Mother of pearl truss rod cover with “Noble” written down the center. Gold open-back Waverly tuners with fairly rare gold engraved tuner buttons. These tuners were engraved by the renown artisan, Ron Chacey. Fossilized Ivory nut. Top edge of peghead is bound in ivoroid. Ebony fingerboard with diamond mother of pearl inlays and black side dot position markers on the bass side of the ivoroid binding. The low profile “C” neck is comfortable and is in great shape with no dings or scratches. Rosewood heelcap.
The Spruce top is in great shape with only a few small stray dings and scratches. Rosewood bridge with bone saddle, and bone bridge pins with abalone dots. Interesting colorful wooden spiral soundhole rosette. The same colorful wooden spiral purfling is seen inside the Maple binding on the top edge. The Brazilian Rosewood back and sides are beautiful. It has some minor dings and scratches, but they aren’t readily noticeable. One area on the bass side of the Brazilian back towards the waist has about a 1/2-inch scratch that looks to have come from a belt buckle. Two-piece Brazilian Rosewood back is separated by a thin Maple backstrip. Maple binding on the edge of the Brazilian back. No strap button or end pin ever installed.
This 1997 Roy Noble Custom Concert is an exciting guitar. The low-profile neck paired with the 1-23/32″ nut width makes this an easy instrument to play all the way up the neck. This 26-year-old Roy Noble is in great cosmetic and playing condition. Comes with a hard case.
