The current range of Rapier solid bodied guitars and basses and a host of brand new models designed by the legendary UK guitar builder and designer Alan Entwistle, make their International debut at this year’s Music China Show in Shanghai, on 10th-13th October 2024.
Models now available throughout mainland China will include the Rapier 22, 33, and 44 Series of electric guitars, the Saffire Series 6 and 12 string guitars and 4 string Saffire bass, Rapier Taurus, Deluxe and Mercury guitars along with a world launch of the brand new Rapier Symphonic Bass, Rapier Escort and Rapier Saffire Ultra.
Redesigned by Alan Entwistle, the new generation Rapiers maintain all the visual charm of the original iconic solid bodied models that played a major role in the industry of British built guitars and basses from the 1960s, whilst now featuring significant upgrades to meet the needs of the modern player. With advanced custom wound Entwistle EWR64 low-noise mini-humbuckers, low-noise EWR64B mini-double coils and low-noise RKS6C pickups and installed with Bass Cut switch circuitry and the 5-way ATN5 tone enhancing circuitry, these modern classics effortlessly create that immediately recognisable 60’s jangle heard on so many hit records during the British Beat Boom, whilst also idea for country, jazz, blues, pop, rock and more.
With okoume the chosen tonewood for all bodies and 4-bolt rock maple necks, the Rapier 22, 33 and 44 for example with their 23 fret (including zero fret) rosewood fingerboards, like all models are fitted with friction-free, precision cut 43mm GraphTech Nubone nuts, Wilkinson machine heads and, like the Taurus, Mercury, Deluxe and Saffire six string models, all feature a newly designed smooth action Hi Lo vibrato, with a roller bridge ensuring tuning stability, intonation and accurate return to pitch.
Three brand new models from Rapier including the Symphonic Bass, Escort and Saffire Ultra, will also have a preview at the 21st Music China 2024 show which, with an extra 150,000 sqm of floor space and a predicted 2,000 exhibitors, expects to top last year’s 122,000 visitors. Rapier will be on Booth W5/B88 with their new distribution partner QINYI YUEQI (HUIZHOU) CO., LTD, where Alan Entwistle will be available to talk to customers along with Paul Smith (JHS MD) and Carla Calvo (JHS International Sales). Rapier fretted instruments are distributed worldwide exclusively by JHS and are a collaboration between JHS and Alan Entwistle.