Rasmus guitars by John Suhr

[richard]

A young friend comes round for a jam every so often. He's a really good player with TONS of enthusiasm. I've known him since he was a baby so I want to see him do the right thing.

He's currently playing a really cheap Squier but has been saving his pennies for the next step up. His guitar teacher has convinced him that Rasmus guitars are absolutely the best guitar for the money.

Anyone played one yet ?

They go for £899 - what you would go for at this price ?

[Ian Price]

There was a thread about these a while back - not sure if anything in here will be useful for you:

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=20175.0

[Dazza1004]

if they are anything like the USA guitars then they will be great, I love my Suhr

[JacksonRR]

They're made in Asia, by who knows(Cort maybe?). They frets are done a a PLEK machine and the setup is done at Suhr by Suhr employees. The way I see it, the setup and fretjob is usually the thing that makes or breaks a guitar if everything else is within tolerance. Cheaper guitars skimp on both of those all day everyday. They're probably great players.

[ToneMonkey]

There's a second hand Patrick Eggle Berlin Vintage Classic on ebay at the minute.  It's £850 (well the last time I looked) and I'd probably have this over the Rasmus.

The big thing to keep in mind is that I haven't played a Rasmus and I own a vintage classic, so I may be slightly bias.

Personally I would go the second hand route, wait a few weeks and Dave might sell him something  PDT_008

[Philly Q]

They're probably good guitars in their own right, but I suspect an identical guitar built in the same Chinese factory, without the Suhr brand association, wouldn't sell for anything like that price.

In terms of what else is available at a similar price, are we definitely talking Strat/superstrat types, or could it be anything?

[Stevepage]

£899 will get you a lot of guitar. Second hand PRS, Musicman of some sort, Vigier etc. It's probably best that he goes out to shops and see what he likes the most.

[Ian Price]

£899 will get you a lot of guitar. Second hand PRS, Musicman of some sort, Vigier etc. It's probably best that he goes out to shops and see what he likes the most.

Indeed, you could probably get two very decent second hand guitars for that money.

[Telerocker]

Or just one, but a very nice used guitar, like a PRS, Gibson, Music Man Axis, Peavey Wolfgang USA, good JEM etc..

[Brow]

I got my 98 LP Standard for £825, 97 PRS Custom 22 for £625 and Patrick Eggle Berlin Prototype for £250 so my suggestion is always keep an eye out 2nd hand!

[Twinfan]

It's all about the wood.  I'm guessing the Rasmus guitars use whatever is available in Asia?

I would aim for a used PRS/Fender/Gibson or other major maker that uses top quality timber.  This is the THE most important thing for tone in my experience.  Cheap wood that hasn't been dried out properly amkes a guitar sound thick, flabby and ill-defined.

[tomjackson]

It's all about the wood.  I'm guessing the Rasmus guitars use whatever is available in Asia?

I would aim for a used PRS/Fender/Gibson or other major maker that uses top quality timber.  This is the THE most important thing for tone in my experience.  Cheap wood that hasn't been dried out properly amkes a guitar sound thick, flabby and ill-defined.

Speaking of quality timber.....

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24988.0

It's not a Superstrat but that's what I would buy if I had £850 lying around.  Bargain!

[Philly Q]

It's all about the wood.  I'm guessing the Rasmus guitars use whatever is available in Asia?

On that other thread about Rasmus guitars, I think there was some kind of claim that they use selected timber shipped over from the US to China?  Might be remembering that wrong, but can't be arsed to check it now.

[richard]

Thanks for all your comments. I'm thinking that my friend could do better with his money. I'd find it hard to judge the guitars myself because I don't like Strats, I don't like whammy bars and I think the Rasmus guitars are plug ugly.

[HTH AMPS]

£899 puts you in the grasp of some NICE guitars, a PRS McCarty for example; if that floats your boat.

I'd personally get an SG and fit some BKPs.