The stunning new generation Rapier 33 is a product design from Alan Entwistle, the UK genius guitar designer responsible for a host of successful guitar lines and accessories.
The original Rapier 33, instantly recognisable with its forward slanted middle pickup, was the solid bodied electric that played a major role in the industry of British guitars. This legendary guitar served countless up and coming 60’s British Beat groups and helped 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 ‘legendary’ Rapier 33, significant and meticulous attention has been made within hardware upgrades, construction and playability for this fabulous new model.
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 exciting new Rapier 33 now features a smooth, friction-free, precision cut 43mm nut, Wilkinson machine heads and high spec’d roller bridge.
With a 3 ply scratchplate, immaculate Daphne Blue finish and new Rapier headstock logo, this guitar does indeed look visually very impressive. Stunning looks aside, modern upgrades also include pickups, internal wiring and controls which have all experienced Entwistle’s magical touch.
A trio of Entwistle low noise EWR64 mini-humbucker pickups, with exceptional tonal response, balanced output and clarity are now installed and, when used in conjunction with the ‘Bass Cut’ switch, delivers that classic and much-loved 60’s jangle.
“Both Volume and Tone controls are wired with 500k pots, linear and log respectively,” says Alan “And, with jazz and blues players in mind, the Tone control includes a 0.015 mfd cap which retains clarity when wound back, whilst also delivering that classic, rich response when played with overdrive or distortion.”
The original Rhythm/Solo toggle switch has been rewired as a 3 way pickup selector accessing neck, neck/bridge and bridge units. With the middle pickup now introduced via the second slide switch, 7 pickup permutations are available for an extremely versatile guitar.
Now with upgraded hardware, exceptional playability and performance, the new generation Rapier 33, will not only evoke nostalgic memories for old-school players and collectors, it’s also the professional choice for Britains new young talent.
Gear News talks to Alan Entwhistle about the new generation Rapier 33 HERE.
Rapier 33 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:
3 Alan Entwistle low-noise EWR64 mini-humbucker 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:
6-inline Wilkinson WJN-05 machine heads provide simple, effective action for maximum tuning stability.
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:
25.5" / 648 mm.
Frets:
23 - including zero fret. Medium profile for added comfort, accuracy and an overall positive feel.
Nut:
Precision cut, friction-free 43mm nut.
Headstock:
Classic design with new generation Rapier logo.
The Rapier™ 33 is a collaboration between Alan Entwhistle and JHS.
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.
.
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.