The Rhapsody
If you’ve been searching for the ultimate steel-string acoustic jazz sound look no further than the Buscarino Rhapsody. With its carved back and flat top the Rhapsody is an outstanding example of a fine steel string acoustic with its own unique voice. The traditionally X-braced, top is finely tuned for an exquisite, perfectly balanced sound.
The Rhapsody has achieved tonal harmony, perfectly balancing all the nuances of the instrument to give you a warm and natural sound with plenty of Volume to get the job done. The most unique feature on this Steel String is the Carved Back. By giving the back a smooth contour you have eliminated the need for braces which generally obstruct the movement of the air inside the guitar and greatly affects the sound.
The back is now allowed to work like a perfect parabolic reflector, which helps project the sound better and more forcefully. The result is greater volume and an enhanced tone. Great for single line jazz, finger style or flat picking and a dream to record with or amplify for live settings; whatever your muse the Rhapsody will oblige.
Rhapsody Specifications
| Base Price | $9,850 (A $1,000.00 non-refundable deposit is required) |
| Body Width | 16" |
| Body Depth | 3 ¾” (custom depths are also available) |
| Neck | Choice of 1 ¾” or 1 11/16” neck width (other neck widths are also available), Laminated, three-piece figured Rock Maple, joins body at 14th fret |
| Back & Side Wood | Choice of Rock Flame or Bird's Eye Maple, Honduras Mahogany or Bolivian Rosewood |
| Top Wood | Master-grade Sitka or Adirondack Spruce |
| Cutaway | Single Venetian |
| Finish | Nitro-cellulose lacquer |
| Binding | Matching natural wood binding on body |
| Pickguard | Choice of clear, or Ebony pickguard (other woods are also available) |
| Fingerboard | Solid Ebony, 25” scale, 21 frets, Stainless Steel Jumbo Frets for long life (other fret material is also available) |
| Bridge | Solid Ebony sculptured pin-style bridge with unslotted pins |
| Tuners | Gotoh Delta Series with Ebony buttons |
| Truss-Rod | Two-way adjustable truss-rod |
| Pickups | Buscarino proprietary implant pickup with internal electronics (other pickup options also available) |
| Sound-Hole | Stunning sound-hole rosette with Abalone and Mother-of-Pearl Celtic knot-work (an oval sound-hole is also available) |
| Case | Custom Ameritage case with built-in humidification system |
| Other | Fleur-de-Lis side port on upper bout |
| Wait | Wait time is 1 to 1 ½ years. |
Rhapsody Options
| Master Grade Highly Figured Flame Maple, East Indian Rosewood or Cocobola Back and Sides | $650 |
| Koa or Snakewood Body Binding | $300 |
| Snakewood Motif including Fingerobard, Bridge, Headstock Veneer, Binding, Oval Hole Sound Hole Rosette and Heel Cap | $1,000 |
| Block or Fleur-de-lis Fingerboard Inlays | $350 |
| 7-String Option | $800 |
| Left Handed Option | $800 |
| 17” Body Width | $800 |
The Rhapsody Headstock
The Rhapsody headstock has an Ebony Veneer with the Buscarino logo tastefully inlaid. The elegant lines of this headstock are understated, and subtle. The Rhapsody comes standard with Gotoh Delta Series Tuning machines for precise pitch adjustment.
The Rhapsody Neck
The neck is made of quarter-sawn highly-figured, aged and seasoned Flame Maple. All necks are constructed of three piece laminations for maximum strength and stability. The neck features a two-way adjustable truss-rod which can be adjusted at the headstock for maximum playability.
The Rhapsody Body
The Rhapsody can be constructed of a variety of woods including Flame or Quilted Maple, East Indian Rosewood (when available), Bolivian Rosewood, Coco Bola or Honduras Mahogany. Tops are constructed of the finest quality Sitka or Adinrondack Spruce.
The Rhapsody Bridge
The Rhapsody comes with a unique pinless bridge design for maximum stability in tuning. The bridge is sculpted from solid Ebony (other exotic woods are available as an option).
The Rhapsody Pickguard
The Rhapsody comes with a hand-crafted clear pickguard to present a super-clean appearance while protecting the beautiful top. As an option, you may order a pickguard made of solid Ebony (other exotic wood pickguards are available, too).
The Rhapsody Binding
The Body is bound with matching wood binding - typically Flame or Rock Maple, but Exotic wood binding such as Curly Koa, Snakewood, or Coco Bola is also available for an extra charge.
The Rhapsody Tuners
The Rhapsody comes standard with Gotoh Delta Series Tuning machines with Ebony buttons.
The Rhapsody Pickups
The Rhapsody comes with the Buscarino Implant pickup system. This is a
sound board transducer system specifically designed to give the most
natural sound and the greatest volume before feedback. It features
on-board concealed volume and bass roll-off controls with an internal
pre-amp. All electronics are fastened in a non-permanent manner requiring
no drilled holes or routing so as not to interfere with the integrity of
the instrument. Best for solo or intimate group settings. Use with P.A. or
an acoustic guitar amplifier.
We continue to investigate the latest in microphone and pickup systems to
give our customers the greatest options possible.