這把吉他是一位名工業設計師 RKS (Ravi Sawhney ) 和 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 吉他手 Dave Mason 合作出品在美國加州生產。
RKS本來是一位在工業界名設計師, 替Nokia 設計電話, Sears 設計吸塵器等, 得到很多次國際性大獎. 他心血來潮想學吉他, 一直找不到他喜歡的吉他架, 就告訴他底下的設計師說, 我們來設計一個攜帶方便, 可摺合式的吉他架, 設計師開玩笑說"我們也來設計吉他好了", 結果當真, 二個產品都開始設計.
RKS的弟弟認識 Dave Mason(是Traffic 的主吉他, 引進Rock N Roll名人堂), 兩人就合夥, 再加上幾個投資人, 設立了RKS吉他公司, 原來在奧克拉豪馬, 後來搬去加州.
他設計很特殊琴身像是用女人的體型線條去構思, 琴身二旁挖空, 把調音色鈕桿, 音量, 音色鈕都放在溝痕內, 這個設計有獨特的美觀, 但彈奏時有些人比較不習慣, 剛剛開始時, 右手沒有地方擱, 好像搭著懸崖邊緣彈琴似的, 不過彈幾次就習慣了, 現在反而喜歡把小指貼在邊緣彈﹐手掌可以更靠近琴弦﹐覺得更輕鬆。拾音器是Lace 特製的RKS Humbucker Pickups 音色配上 Victoria Amp 非常好, 有5個音色選擇. 發覺第2個音色選擇位置非常適合彈台灣的流行歌曲。
2005年七月這把琴上了BusinessWeek 七月設計專刊的封面, 一炮而紅, 引起許多人的注意, 在NBC Late Night TV Show 有位女吉他手 Rickie Lee 拿RSR琴, 主持人Conan O'Brien 說是他看到最酷的琴 , 又替此琴打了不少知名度.
RSK的吉他早期有Solidbody 和 Hollowbody 二種, 後者琴身挖空更多, 等於是開放式的Hollow body.
這把琴是附近擔心會被裁員的一個人便宜拋售, 我喜歡吉他的設計和作工品質買下來的, 琴上的 Inlay 做工非常細, 在美國也能做出如此精細手工, 我覺得很驚訝, 看他們工廠影片介紹, 幾乎是用全自動電腦設計和生產的, RSK的理念是以反傳統突破性的設計, 美國生產訴求, 是否會成功, 還需時日來証明.
RKS 高檔的吉他現在在國內做的很少, 市面上不多見﹐賣比較冷門高檔的吉他店才有賣。最近又推出低價適合年青人以強烈色彩, 琴身可以隨時改換的"浪潮" "Wave" 吉他, 定價只有原來 Solid body 的 1/6, 但是琴身是用塑膠的, 我沒有彈過, 不知效果如何. RKS 的觀念是以此低價吉他和進口吉他對抗, 我看有一場硬仗好打.
RKS看來像是第二代的印度人, 在加拿大出生, 美國加州長大, 既然收集到他的吉他, 就祝他成功.
Specification:規格
Body Color A Classic Tricolor Sunburst
Core Color Natural Satin
Length 37" (833 mm)
Weight 7.2 lbs. (3.27 kg)
Scale Length 25.5"
Core Material Alder
Body Material Ash Top
Fingerboard Ebony
Frets 22 Low Profile Jumbo
Radius Compound 10" - 12"
Inlay RKS Custom
Hardware Gold Finish
Bridge Heavy Duty Precision Adjustable
Pickups RKS Spec Full Range Humbuckers
Tuners Sperzel Locking
Controls 5-Way Selector, Groove Knob Volume and Tone
From RKS Guitars website:
The guitars of RKS have been called the first true reinvention of the electric guitar since the 1950s, and one of the few true icons in today's intensely design-driven society.
From the Groove Knobs to the Open Architecture Resonance, everything you know about electric guitars will be challenged as our design pulls you away from tradition, brings you back with form and wins you over with function.
For more info and to see and hear RKS guitars in action, you can go their website:
http://www.rksguitars.com/product_index.php
Why RKS? 為何選 RKS?
Creative Destruction 破壞性的創新
Sometimes destroying what we know is the only way to move the world forward - destruction of notions, destruction of conventions, destruction of sacred cows. This is the state of mind where creativity has originated since the beginning of timeùand itós most certainly where our design team resides when conceiving these instruments. Over 15,000 man-hours have gone into providing you these comfortable, beautiful, and soulful machines.
Groove Knobs 隱藏性調音鈕
Experience the placement of our volume and tone controls and you'll find yourself wishing every instrument you owned had this advantage. The controls themselves are weighted, with polished metal-finished grooves that epitomize quality and precision.
Posifly Pickup Selector 隱藏性選音棒
By placing our pickup selector switch in the acoustic cavity, not only can you switch pickups on-the-fly, but you can flail away with reckless abandon. Thereós no risk of changing pickups mid-groove.
Om Sweet Om Headstock 吉他頭的設計
The headstock on the RKS guitars quotes the body's contours and incorporates the Om symbol into its unique truss-rod cover. The integration of this universal sound and symbol, which signifies reinvention and rebirth, seemed totally appropriate. The distinctive polished scroll tip is sleek and functional; its weight adds sustain and clarity to your notes.
Open Architecture Resonance 開放性回音
This is our guitar's ultimate gift to you. Our unique design catches the eye, of course, but its core-to-body connection creates uncommon resonance and detail. The neck-through-body-construction provides clarity and sustain, and then transfers its vibration to the lively body creating a very satisfying musical palette.
Modern Tribal Contours 現代化的原始體型
Our instrument's beautiful contouring takes its inspiration from the female form - seductive and definitely tribal. Not only does it appear natural and inviting, it feels amazing to your hands and body as well. The most modern automotive design software allowed us to aggressively push the envelope to bring to you this captivating and alluring muse.
Youtube: Factory tour 工廠介紹
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfvdGI8qJ3Y
Corporate video 公司介紹:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=16171939
Co-founder Dave Mason plays RKS ( Mason 彈奏 RKS)
http://www.rksguitars.com/
Dave Mason Signature 簽名吉他和我的這把吉他除了簽名, 琴身的材質較好,木紋選擇較漂亮和吉他頭的顏色(看 Youtube錄影最早的也是本色)大致相同, 但只有 3 way switch 可要貴上$1500﹗
我的這把吉他照片:
Ronnie Wood of Rolling Stones with RKS Original Solidbody
[有很多謠言 RKS 撐不下去要賣了﹐事實如何不知﹐不過美國作的高檔吉他在市面上很少看到了]
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