Taxi

Silver Street Taxi

The Taxi was Silver Street’s first and most-produced model. Its compact and innovative design was the subject of a United States patent issued in 1983. Taxi prototypes were created by legendary luthier Richard Schneider.

This is a real treasure! Silver Street founder Bruce Hardy retrieved the original TAXI blueprint from his archives and scanned it for use on this page. Many thanks, Bruce!
Creator’s credit on the original TAXI design drawing from the studio of legendary designer and luthier Richard Schneider.

Owners’ Photos

This is a wonderful photo! On the left is Tim from Michigan, a Silver Street enthusiast and the owner of the Taxi and the Spitfire in the photo.

On the right is Bruce from Indiana. Bruce was the creative force behind the formation of Silver Street Guitars. Bruce designed the innovative Taxi, Spitfire, Cobra and MX models and many other music accessories.
Silver Street guitar tech Steve playing prototype Taxi at NAMM show in Chicago. In the background is the prototype Taxi Bass, originally yellow and later refinished red. Thanks to Bruce for this photo..
A fleet of Taxis
TAXI logo decals available! High quality reproduction waterslide decals for restoration or refinishing projects. Contact: Info@SilverStreetGuitars.com
Silver Street founder and TAXI designer Bruce with one of several TAXI prototypes made by legendary luthier Richard Schneider.
SilverStreetGuitars.com webmaster Murray with TAXI prototype
Taxi serial no. T013139 owned by Joseph in California.
One-of-a-kind Taxi Bass. This is a prototype, a production bass model was never made. Thanks, Bruce!
Prototype Taxi Bass rear. Thanks, Bruce.
Prototype Taxi Bass front. Thanks, Bruce.
Taxi offered on eBay; owner unknown.
Taxi no. 108 with lovely teal finish. Owned by Bruce in Indiana.
Taxi offered on eBay. Owner unknown.
Taxi offered on eBay. Owner unknown.
Taxi played by “Dr. Z” of Hangtown Heroes band.
A TAXI owner in El Cajon, CA informed me that a blue TAXI is played in a 1983 Eddie Money video called “Club Michelle”. The TAXI appears throughout the video but especially from 3:40 on. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ-KdFaTr0A
White Taxi owned by Brad in Whiticha, KS. Believed to be production no. 8. Fretboard has been scalloped by previous owner.
A fleet of lovely Taxis owned by Tim in Michigan.
Custom Taxi – white with black pinstriping
Another view of the Taxi fleet owned by Tim in Michigan. Impressive!
Dave’s black Taxi, serial no. T033150
Silver Street logo Tribute Sign with two Taxis
Tim in Michigan on the right with his brother Larry. Larry created the Tribute Sign.
Black Taxi with gold hardware owned by Jack in Minneapolis, MN. Jack purchased his Taxi at an early ’80s NAMM show.
Taxi with yellow finish owned by Joe in Chicago. Serial number unknown.
Taxi with blue finish owned by Joe in Chicago. Serial number unknown.
Taxi with Champagne Metallic finish owned by Johann in PA
Restored Pepto-Bismol TAXI made for Tommy Shaw. See pre-restoration photos below. Also see the full story about this unique guitar on the Silver Street Restorations page.
The one-and-only Taxi with Pepto-Bismol pink finish, owned by Murray in Ottawa, Canada. Serial number T043156. It was made for Tommy Shaw of Styx. Photo 1
The one-and-only Taxi with Pepto-Bismol pink finish, owned by Murray in Ottawa, Canada. It was made for Tommy Shaw of Styx. Photo 2
The one-and-only Taxi with Pepto-Bismol pink finish, owned by Murray in Ottawa, Canada. It was made for Tommy Shaw of Styx. Photo 3
Taxi with serial number T-50, owned by Roger in Ottawa, Canada.
Taxi with serial number T-50, owned by Roger in Ottawa, Canada.
This recent photo is very interesting! The Taxi with black finish is owned by Scott in Elkhart, IN. The wall behind Scott can also be seen in another photo on this site that was taken over 30 years ago. Can you find it?
Scott’s black Taxi in Elkhart, IN
TAXI, red, no serial number, owned by Stan in Portland, OR
Two great winter wonderland photos! Lovely images of TAXI T-65 submitted by owner Tim in Michigan.
Elliot Easton’s lefty Taxi in progress
Taxi model, black, serial # T116. Owned by Jake in MI.
Taxi, blue, serial # T053137, owned by Joe in CA.
Taxi model, gold, serial # T110. Owned by Murray in Ottawa, Canada. Formerly owned by Harry in Kalamazoo, MI.
Silver Street produced only one Taxi in Pepto-Bismol Pink; it was made for Tommy Shaw. It’s now owned by Murray in Ottawa, Canada. Thanks to Bruce for the backstory.
Taxi model, red, serial # 167. Owned by Tim in MI.
Taxi model, red, owned by Tim in MI.
Taxi model, red, serial # T-21, owned by Alan in Alabama.
Taxi model, red, serial # T033153. Owned by Tim in MI.
This pretty red Taxi, owned by Troy in LA, is very special. Its normal appearance belies its special provenance. Originally yellow, it is one of the prototypes made by legendary luthier Richard Schneider (more info on the History page). Troy’s story is on the Owners Stories page.
Taxi, refinished, offered for sale by Elderly Instruments
Taxi, refinished. The owner was happy to learn more about his guitar via this site.
Taxi replica, yellow, left-handed. A realistic copy created by Harry in Kalamazoo, MI.
Taxi T023136, yellow, owned by Troy in Indiana
Taxi model, white, serial # T80. Owned by Brent in Toronto, Canada. Former owner was legendary rocker Frank Soda ( http://franksoda.com )
The rarest Taxi! The only left-handed example; made for Elliot Easton of The Cars. A unique instrument; now proudly owned by Harry in Kalamazoo, MI
Taxi model, yellow, serial # T84. Owned by Tim in MI.
Taxi, yellow, serial # T109, owned by Tim in MI.
Taxi, yellow, in case, serial # unknown, owner unknown.
Early production TAXI offered and sold by Chicago Music Exchange, July 2017
Taxi, blue, offered on eBay
Unfinished Taxi model, possibly used to design the Taxi hard-shell case. Owned by David in TX.
Very early Taxi, believed to be production model number 4. Owned by Tim in MI.
Webmaster Murray with red Taxi
Taxi, red, owned by Hub in California.
Taxi, red, owned by Hub in California.
Taxi, red, owned by Hub in California.
Lovely red TAXI owned by Melanie. See the On Stage page.
Melanie’s TAXI with original hard-shell case and original gig bag
Darryl in Winnipeg, Manitoba owns this pretty TAXI. Accompanied by its original hard-shell case, it is an early example in excellent condition.
Remarkably, this Taxi’s serial number T043156 was also used on another Taxi, i.e. the pink “Pepto-Bismol” Taxi made for Tommy Shaw that can be seen on the “Silver Street Restorations” page. Very unusual indeed!
A happy result! This Taxi in Mercedes Red has serial number T-023135. Janelle in FL owned it and played it professionally since the ’80s. With the webmaster’s help, Janelle contacted Curt in MO and he became the Taxi’s new owner. Curt had been looking for a Silver Street to enjoy and preserve. Truly a win-win situation.
Taxi with serial number T112129 owned by Carl
Taxi with serial number T-023146, champagne metallic finish, owned by Johann in PA
Trifecta of three sequentially numbered Taxis (T-108, T-109 and T-110) owned by Tim in MI. Details on the Owners Stories page.
This beautiful, custom pearl white, one owner Taxi has serial number T-102126. It was sold new in the spring of 1983 in the Detroit, MI area. Original owner Rick played it in many gigs with multiple bands in the Detroit area. It is the single-pickup version with a Dimarzio Super distortion pickup and it plays and sounds amazing. This Taxi is known as “The Ghost” and now resides in the collection of “Taxi Tim” in Michigan.
TAXI, red, s.n. T-89 owned by music producer and sound engineer Braeden “Pockets” Rangno at Vibe Cave Studios in Vancouver, Canada.  Note extra volume pot added by a former Seattle owner.
This candy apple red Taxi with rare Dimarzio X2N pickup sounds and plays as great as it looks. It now resides with Taxi Tim in MI.
These 1985 photos show TAXI T-120, bought new by Steve in Long Island, NY.  He played it in a family and friends jam band until his unfortunate passing in 2021. Thanks to band mate Jethro for the images and backstory.
Teal Taxi, s.n. T-043155, owned by webmaster Murray