SILVER STREET
“THE TAXI”
MODEL: TG-II
SN: T-104
By:
SILVER STREET GUITARS.
Built in 1982.
NOTE: I consider this to be a COLLECTOR grade
guitar based on its uniqueness, rarity, and excellent condition.
There are guitar brands and models that have become “orphaned”
due to the closing of the builder or discontinuance of a model. Some of these immediately dropped out of
sight and out of mind. But others,
thanks to their uniqueness, high quality et al go on to become valuable as “collector
pieces”.
This is one of those guitars that will achieve, I believe,
the status of “collectible” with values consistently going up. With such a low quantity originally built,
the supply at current prices-when you can find one-will soon dwindle away and
prices will move upward. This is
happening now with the Silver street “Taxi” Guitar.
Silver Street, Inc. was started in 1979 by Bruce and Craig
Hardy (brothers) in Elkhart, IN.
In 1981, Bruce designed the ‘TAXI” guitar which was a full
scale guitar that could be “carried” in a taxi, i.e., “travel guitar”. The prototypes were actually built by Richard
Schneider who was a consultant to Gibson Guitar who lived in Kalamazoo,
Michigan.
The “TAXI” guitar bodies and necks were built by GIBSON at
their Kalamazoo factory prior to their move to Nashville, TN in September,
1984.
Silver Street guitars were first built in Elkhart, IN but in
1983, production was moved to Shelby, Michigan. The company ceased operations
in 1986.
This guitar featured:
Full scale.
22 Frets.
Brazilian Rosewood.
2 5/8” Maple Body.
Brass nut.
Maple Neck (from Gibson).
Bolt on neck.
Dimarizo pickups (2).
Schaller bridge.
Gotoh tuners.
Controls by Bourns.
METALLIC BLUE.
OHSC. With all tools
and manuals.
CONDITION of this guitar.
It is in EXCELLENT cosmetic and operational condition. Case is original and in Very Good
condition. IT IS COLLECTOR GRADE.
PLAYERS.
-
Notable artists who played the Taxi included Michael Stanley – The Michael
Stanley Band, Chris Hayes - Huey Lewis and the News, Mike Reno – Loverboy, Paul
Warren – Prism, Craig Chaquico – Jefferson Starship, Rick Springfield – he
bought three and used one on a MTV video.
Here is a comment I received on my FACEBOOK Timeline about
this guitar:
Paul
Warren I
used to use one in concert, when I was in the Canadian band, Prism. We opened
for ZZ Top, 38 Special, Kansas, Lover boy, and numerous other arena acts,
during a year on the road. I used my Taxi for a few songs every night. It
played well, and sounded pretty good.
Guarantee:
The guarantee (applicable to sales only-not
trades).
1. The guitar is in EXCELLENT
cosmetic condition and is as described in this ad.
2. The guitar is in fully operational
condition.
3. Buyer has 48 hrs. to inspect the
guitar or have it inspected. Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other
problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.
4. If
problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a
location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the
Seller (Seller will reimburse Buyer for cost of shipment of guitar back to
Seller).
5. In the case of damage during shipment,
Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all
original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation
company.
6. Seller will correct indicated problems
and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7 days of receiving it.
7. In the event that the guitar cannot be
repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller
will give the Buyer Credit toward current or future purchases from inventory of
Seller.
8. EXCHANGES: Should one of these
situations arise within the first 49 hours of receipt of the guitar by the
Buyer, we will allow buyer to EXCHANGE this purchased guitar for any other
guitar in our inventory at same price point (or higher with payment in prices).
a) For Buyer Remorse or Buyer Mind
Changing.
b) If there are any undisclosed physical
attributes of this guitar that will prevent buyer from playing it successfully,
e.g., neck to wide to be played with arthritic hands, guitar too heavy to be
played due to back, shoulder, etc. problems.
A Credit Memo, in the amount paid for the guitar,
plus the cost of shipment paid by the Buyer, will be issued upon return of the
guitar by the Seller. This Credit Memo will remain valid in its full
value for one year from date of issue.
Our goal is to make sure each and every Buyer is
pleased with his/her purchase from us.
Thanks.