Watkins Rapier 33 guitar review of one of the earliest electric guitars. Intro music, 'Mustang,'from Warbirds by Harpaxe available from www.cdbaby.com/...
The Watkins Rapier was the guitar every young amateur player wanted. It wasn't in the same class as the Strat but affordable with a distinctive sound. I got mine in around 1963 - red with white scratchplate & it completely transformed the sound of my group (playing predominantly Shadows covers). A couple of months later, I got a Watkins Copycat tape echo chamber. At the age of 15, I was completely happy. Incidentally, when I moved to London in 1969, Keith Emerson, who lived below me, decided he liked the Copycat to use with his Hammond - I never saw it again!!!
Love John's little "A-h-um" after mentioning the grim reaper. Another classic demo and review. Good sound as well - surprisingly good. Shame about the degree in electronics you'd need to use it easily on stage!
Danny Kirwen from Fleetwood Mac played a Watkins rapier 33 and you can hear it on his brilliant instrumental track, Jig saw Puzzle Blues. Check if out !
This is the best demo of an original Rapier I’ve seen. You get some really nice sounds from it. My local guitar shop often gets hold of unusual relics like this, from house clearances and such. The ones I’ve tried, though interesting and quirky, have never been anywhere near as good as modern guitars, even the cheaper variety.
It probably helps being even older than the guitar! You are right about the quality of new guitars. back in the 70's Gibsons came out of the box perfect but Fenders needed an hour or two's work to get them playable. I used to say they were made by alcoholic chimpanzees on a Friday afternoon. A mate got a phone call one day from a dealer who had just bought 200 Starts which all needed a re-fret!
That's a nice review, informative, clear, and nicely humorous, too. It was also a little like listening to Chic Murray, which was a bonus! I was twinging away on my (red) Rapier 33 as I listened. You're right about the pickup switches - they're very confusing, but they had to do what they could with what they had as Charlie and Reg Watkins (and later Sid) had done a deal for the two black and red switch unit with the people who made them for the Pifco hairdryers of the time. Incidentally, did you notice the neck has no truss rod adjustment? They stuck an H shaped girder in there, so it would never need adjusting, and it works. If you check out my channel I'm playing a handmade Flying Vee on some videos, which has one of the last necks Sid Watkins made in his workshop in Chertsey before he retired and moved to Australia.
@@carfaxguitars It is - kind of. If you search for Watkins Guitar World you'll find a website devoted to these guitars, and partly down the page for Rapiers you'll find some photos of the Rapier with the original shape (which differed from this) and there's a three pickup version. The pickups are laid out in the same fashion, and the switches and volume and tone knobs are the same, but in different places.
Hi John, I got one of these for my 21st birthday back in 1964 and I still have it, when checked against a modern cheap strat type guitar it still feels a bit crude. Apparently the red and black switches came from a company who made them for hair driers......Rob
could not give a stein piano away two years ago. bought a watkins rapier in 1967 from bells music in kingston their historic web site is worth a visit great video
At age of eight, I lusted after one of these in a music shop window in Glasgow ( 1964) In the 70's, a mate had one smashed into his bedroom wall as an ornament! Happy days! Mince guitars though......
Cracking video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only problem is that I cannot make up my mind as to if I was informed or entertained the most. I guess I'll have to force myself to watch your other videos to make up my mind.
It was your review of the Washburn Rover RO10 that made up my to buy one. Very much appreciated. A very nice little guitar, and I like the full size neck on it.
Good video. My friend just dropped in with an almost complete 22 in white. One broken machine head but looks promising anyways. An enjoyable project . Really nice looking instrument. Leo
This riff and the wee bit of lead that follows are just something I made up when I was demonstrating in the guitar shop where I worked. The chord sequence is EDEG EDE- In guitar code where the first digit is the string and the second digit is the fret, ( so a standard C chord would be 21 42 53) the power E is 57 49 39. D is two frets lower and G three frets higher.
I think your videos are very informative and very witty .Oh Mr Hendrix terrible Man .Really made me laugh ,but seriously there was a lot more to jimi hendrix ,s playing ,there are some great subtle songs he wrote.
Thanks M.I. I keep it in single figures. Many of the guitars I review belong to my students, friends and family and, as in the case of the Rapier, the odd repair. My kids play and their kids play so there always seems to be at least one of them getting something new. I don't keep any of my own instruments all that long so I buy 2nd hand, play around until the guitar ceases to inspire then sell it for what I paid and repeat the process. The advertisements on the videos cover any losses I incur.
The Watkins Rapier was the guitar every young amateur player wanted. It wasn't in the same class as the Strat but affordable with a distinctive sound. I got mine in around 1963 - red with white scratchplate & it completely transformed the sound of my group (playing predominantly Shadows covers). A couple of months later, I got a Watkins Copycat tape echo chamber. At the age of 15, I was completely happy. Incidentally, when I moved to London in 1969, Keith Emerson, who lived below me, decided he liked the Copycat to use with his Hammond - I never saw it again!!!
Love John's little "A-h-um" after mentioning the grim reaper. Another classic demo and review. Good sound as well - surprisingly good. Shame about the degree in electronics you'd need to use it easily on stage!
Thanks for watching Alan.
Danny Kirwen from Fleetwood Mac played a Watkins rapier 33 and you can hear it on his brilliant instrumental track, Jig saw Puzzle Blues. Check if out !
This is the best demo of an original Rapier I’ve seen. You get some really nice sounds from it.
My local guitar shop often gets hold of unusual relics like this, from house clearances and such. The ones I’ve tried, though interesting and quirky, have never been anywhere near as good as modern guitars, even the cheaper variety.
It probably helps being even older than the guitar! You are right about the quality of new guitars. back in the 70's Gibsons came out of the box perfect but Fenders needed an hour or two's work to get them playable. I used to say they were made by alcoholic chimpanzees on a Friday afternoon. A mate got a phone call one day from a dealer who had just bought 200 Starts which all needed a re-fret!
@@JohnCouplandguitar The playability and general quality of all guitars is a bit hit and miss.
That's a nice review, informative, clear, and nicely humorous, too. It was also a little like listening to Chic Murray, which was a bonus! I was twinging away on my (red) Rapier 33 as I listened. You're right about the pickup switches - they're very confusing, but they had to do what they could with what they had as Charlie and Reg Watkins (and later Sid) had done a deal for the two black and red switch unit with the people who made them for the Pifco hairdryers of the time.
Incidentally, did you notice the neck has no truss rod adjustment? They stuck an H shaped girder in there, so it would never need adjusting, and it works.
If you check out my channel I'm playing a handmade Flying Vee on some videos, which has one of the last necks Sid Watkins made in his workshop in Chertsey before he retired and moved to Australia.
Hey there, is that definitely the original configuration for a 33? Anybody know anything different?
@@carfaxguitars It is - kind of. If you search for Watkins Guitar World you'll find a website devoted to these guitars, and partly down the page for Rapiers you'll find some photos of the Rapier with the original shape (which differed from this) and there's a three pickup version. The pickups are laid out in the same fashion, and the switches and volume and tone knobs are the same, but in different places.
Very cool
Thanks again for the review John, great stuff!
Hi John, I got one of these for my 21st birthday back in 1964 and I still have it, when checked against a modern cheap strat type guitar it still feels a bit crude. Apparently the red and black switches came from a company who made them for hair driers......Rob
I believe Pifco was the name Rab. I had a Red 33.
could not give a stein piano away two years ago. bought a watkins rapier in 1967 from bells music in kingston their historic web site is worth a visit great video
At age of eight, I lusted after one of these in a music shop window in Glasgow ( 1964) In the 70's, a mate had one smashed into his bedroom wall as an ornament! Happy days! Mince guitars though......
Cracking video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only problem is that I cannot make up my mind as to if I was informed or entertained the most. I guess I'll have to force myself to watch your other videos to make up my mind.
Thanks Ken, much appreciated.
It was your review of the Washburn Rover RO10 that made up my to buy one. Very much appreciated. A very nice little guitar, and I like the full size neck on it.
Nearly bought one of these three years back.
A missed opportunity.
Good video.
My friend just dropped in with an almost complete 22 in white.
One broken machine head but looks promising anyways.
An enjoyable project . Really nice looking instrument.
Leo
Sounds like fun.
John
Thanks John i,ll try that one. the riff reminds me of a of one from Tony Iommi. Not sure which one though
Hello again John . Could tell me what chord shapes or chords you begin to play at 7.10 .Great riff . many thanx Neal.
This riff and the wee bit of lead that follows are just something I made up when I was demonstrating in the guitar shop where I worked. The chord sequence is EDEG EDE- In guitar code where the first digit is the string and the second digit is the fret, ( so a standard C chord would be 21 42 53) the power E is 57 49 39. D is two frets lower and G three frets higher.
I think your videos are very informative and very witty .Oh Mr Hendrix terrible Man .Really made me laugh ,but seriously there was a lot more to jimi hendrix ,s playing ,there are some great subtle songs he wrote.
Thanks Neal, much appreciated.
That made me laugh too. Classic John Coupland.
I have one of these guitars its all red even the neck sadly string bridge is missing
Hello John, I enjoy your videos, thanks! How many guitars do you have? :-)
Thanks M.I. I keep it in single figures. Many of the guitars I review belong to my students, friends and family and, as in the case of the Rapier, the odd repair. My kids play and their kids play so there always seems to be at least one of them getting something new. I don't keep any of my own instruments all that long so I buy 2nd hand, play around until the guitar ceases to inspire then sell it for what I paid and repeat the process. The advertisements on the videos cover any losses I incur.
Nice pickup`s !
My first guitar was one of these! Any players of note who have used them over the years?
Sure How about Danny Kirwan from Fleetwood Mac. There's a pic of him somewhere on YT