The 4 string medium-scale Rapier™ Saffire Bass, is the latest addition to the successful series by 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 and basses from the 1960s.
Tonewood and hardware upgrades for this exciting model include a basswood body, 4-bolt, hard rock maple neck with fully adjustable truss rod and, a 25 fret (including zero fret) double octave fingerboard with a 31" (78.74 cm) scale.
With a pair of Alan Entwistle EWR64B double coil pickups, 3 way selector switch, single volume control, global tone control and mid boost control, the Rapier Saffire Bass is ideal for a host of musical styles, whilst effortlessly delivering the classic Rapier bass voice, heard on a host of early British pop songs.
Looking stunning finished in Fiesta Red, it’s complimented by the flagship 2 piece, 3 ply scratchplate. It also includes a GraphTech nut, chrome machine heads and fully adjustable 4 saddle bridge.
Rapier Saffire Bass Features
Body: Original double-cutaway solid body featuring Okoume chosen specifically for its warmth, depth and high-end clarity.
Bridge: Four saddle compensated bridge provides improved intonation all over the fretboard.
Pickups: Alan Entwistle low-noise EWR64B mini-double coil pickups at the neck and bridge, delivering exceptional tonal response, balanced output and clarity.
Controls: Single volume control, global tone control and mid boost control. 3-way selector switch.
Machine heads: Chrome machine heads provide simple, effective action for maximum tuning stability.
Neck: 4 bolt hard rock maple neck for instant comfort, speed, accuracy and great feel.
Fingerboard: Double octave fitted with 25 medium jumbo frets (including zero fret).
Scale Length: 31" / 787.4 mm. Medium-scale bass.
Top Nut: GraphTech Nubone friction-free 43mm nut.
Headstock: Classic design with new generation Rapier logo.
The Rapier™ Saffire Bass guitar 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.