The Rapier™ 44, is the latest model in this successful series of electric guitars by the legendary UK guitar builder and designer Alan Entwistle, based on the original iconic Rapier’s that played a major role in the industry of British built guitars from the 1960s.
Now with a quartet of Entwistle EWR64 mini-double coil pickups and Rapier’s famous switching system producing 15 sonic permutations, the new generation Rapier 44, looks stunning finished in Fiesta Red with white scratchpate and Arctic White with black scratchplate, and retains all the glorious charms and visual characteristics of the original.
Significant tonewood and hardware upgrades include an African Okoume body, 4-bolt, Canadian hard rock maple soft ‘C’ profiled neck with fully adjustable truss rod and a 23 fret (including zero fret), 12 inch radius fingerboard.
For accurate intonation, tuning stability and perfect return to pitch from the original HI-LO vibrato design, the Rapier 44, now includes smooth friction-free precision cut, 43mm GraphTech nut, Wilkinson WJ55 E-Z Lok machine heads and high spec’d roller bridge.
Rapier 44 Features
Body:
Original double-cutaway solid body featuring Okoume, a central African tonewood chosen specifically for its warmth, depth and high-end clarity.
Vibrato:
Original Rapier Hi Lo design smooth action vibrato system, with chrome finish.
Pickups:
4 Alan Entwistle low-noise EWR64 mini-double coil pickups, delivering exceptional tonal response, balance output and clarity.
Controls:
Two Volume Controls and a Tone control. 3-way pickup selector switch. 2 slide switches: Middle pickup selector and bass.
Machine heads:
Wilkinson WJ55 patented E-Z-Lok machine heads. Simple, effective locking action for increased tuning stability. Staggered string post heights provide correct string rake angle for smooth vibrato action and correct playing tension.
Neck:
4 bolt hard rock Canadian Maple with soft ‘C’ profile for instant comfort, speed, accuracy and great feel. Fully adjustable truss rod,
Fingerboard:
12" radius rosewood fingerboard, fitted with 23 medium jumbo frets (including zero fret).
Scale Length:
24.75" / 628.5 mm.
Frets:
23 - including zero fret. Medium profile for added comfort, accuracy and an overall positive feel.
Nut:
GraphTech friction-free 43mm nut.
Headstock:
Classic design with new generation Rapier logo.
The Rapier™ 44 is a collaboration between Alan Entwistle and JHS.
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About Rapier
Guitar players of a certain age will recall, back in the mid 60’s, noses pressed up against the guitar shop window, staring at the totally unaffordable solid bodied American guitar in red, and next to it, the more affordable UK produced Rapier, the only credible alternative.
The classic Rapier 33, double cutaway solid bodied electric, instantly recognisable with its forward slanted middle pickup. A guitar that played a major role in the industry of British guitars, serving countless up and coming 60’s British Beat groups and helping to launch the careers of many guitarists in the 60's and 70's.
Whilst Entwistle has successfully retained all the glorious charms and visual characteristics of the original Rapier 33, significant and meticulous attention has been made within hardware upgrades, construction and playability.
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Selected specifically for its natural sonic characteristics, Okoume, from Central Africa, is the chosen tonewood for the body, whilst for speed, comfort and accuracy, the 4-bolt, soft ‘C’ profiled neck with fully adjustable truss rod, is now crafted from hard rock Canadian maple, with a 12in radius rosewood fingerboard, fitted with 23 medium jumbo frets (including zero fret).
For accurate intonation, tuning stability, and perfect return to pitch from the original vibrato design, the new generation Rapier 33 now features a smooth, friction-free, precision cut 43mm Graph Tech® NuBone® nut, Wilkinson® E-Z-Lok machine heads and high spec’d roller bridge.
Rapier fans and collectors alike, will be aware that the two slide switches lower down on the scratchplate, Bass Cut and Pickup selector, were actually the same ones used on British Pifco brand hairdryers from that era, these, like the all-important pickups, internal wiring and controls, have all experienced the Entwistle magic touch.
Loaded with Entwhistle EWR64 twin blade twin coil pickups, , with updated circuitry which can boost treble, cut bass provide low noise operation creates that immediately recognisable 60’s jangle and, with the original Rhythm/Solo toggle switch, now rewired as a 3-way pickup selector accessing neck, neck/bridge, and bridge units, along with the first slide switch introducing the middle unit, the new generation Rapier 33, with 7 pickup permutations is an extremely versatile guitar
With jazz and blues players in mind, the new generation Rapier 33 also includes the Entwistle SmoothTrak tone circuit which produces a warm, gradual response when the tone control is wound back.
The Rapier range, designed and built to play as we expect from today’s instruments includes all those stars from yesteryear, the twin pickup Rapier 22, the astonishing four pickup Rapier 44, and the truly beautiful Rapier Saffire, a blend of styles from the 1960’s UK guitar constellation, available in a six string and bass.
Available in Fiesta Red, Daphne Blue, Arctic White, three tone Sunburst and an outstanding sapphire green to black sunburst, with 3-ply scratchplate and distinctive Rapier headstock logo, the new generation Rapier series offers exceptional playability and performance, will evoke nostalgic memories for old-school players and collectors, and offer an eclectic and edgy pro-spec alternative to new young talent.