What makes this guitar worth your attention?
The Sheyenne has probably become my favorite Knaggs model. I've delivered and played more than eight Sheyennes over the years, and I've always found the neck feel and playability wonderful.
Black Rhino #1, however, has remained NOS. I have deliberately kept this particular guitar essentially as it came from Knaggs, with the wrappings still in the case, so I'm not going to pretend to give a playing review of this individual instrument.
What I can say is that it represents an extraordinary version of a model I know very well. The heavily flamed curly maple top and back, mahogany center, curly maple neck and unusual curly Rock maple fingerboard create a spectacular combination. The Charcoal Burst brings all of that figure to life.
The Black Rhino collection itself was a passion project for Joe Knaggs—just 11 instruments built using some of the exceptional Tier 1 woods he had available. Artistic Guitars was fortunate to receive Black Rhino #1, and I've preserved it in NOS condition ever since.
The signed original drawing used for the Black Rhino fingerboard inlay, along with the Knaggs build sheet, case candy and original case, makes the package even more special.
For me, this is more than an unusually beautiful Sheyenne. It's a remarkably well-preserved piece from a very small and interesting chapter in Knaggs history.
— Gary Thomas