RKS Guitars Introduces New Model with Interchangeable Body Shells

Press release
Source: Jensen Communications

At award-winning Southern California-based RKS Guitars, globally renowned design guru Ravi K. Sawhney, Ph. D. has spearheaded the first true revolution in electric guitar design in 50 years with RKS' groundbreaking "Open Architecture" instruments. Now, in a paradigm-shift that's an inspired fusion of visionary design and spectacular "DIY" aesthetics, RKS Guitars' CEO/co-founder Sawhney reinvents the electric guitar again with the company's latest model, "The Wave." An ultra-resonant, supermodel-sleek, composite-body beauty, The Wave is the first guitar ever to offer user-friendly, fully interchangeable body shells and pick guards.

Its introduction this spring is an innovation milestone that will revolutionize the way people think about guitars overall. Uniquely suited to dress for any occasion--in a fluid set of moves so simple a player can easily do it in between sets- The Wave from RKS is poised to explode the universe of guitars in the tradition of Swatch's landmark rethinking of the world of wristwatches, Nokia's milestone introduction of interchangeable cell phone bodies and Scion's radical new user-designed vehicles. The ability to personalize this remarkable instrument--which packs the full punch of RKS' signature clarity and righteous sonics--is a creative revelation that rethinks both music and design at the same time that it finds perfect harmony between them.

"What could be more personal than a cherished guitar" says Ravi K. Sawhney, "and what could be more exciting than representing your own personality, and your art, through accessing a palette of choices to individualize your instrument? Now, each player will feel their RKS Guitar looks as amazing as it sounds."

Options for customizing The Wave will include a spectrum of vibrant colors and graphic applications, and bare models offering a do-it-yourself painting experience. Different woods will be available, as well as varied profiles- players can switch from an aggressive stage design like the RKS Boomerang to a more traditional hollow or solid body to suit their mood or their method.

Another astonishing feature of the The Wave is its price point- at $899 MSRP, it clocks in at about $500 less than any other hand-built, 100% American-made guitar on the market. RKS Guitars President/COO Paul Janowski said, "We strategized to find a way to make our guitars less expensive, but at the same time retain the essential character, quality construction, stability and close tolerances that give RKS' original line its unique sound and resonance. We wanted The Wave to be as fabulous as it could be. Ultimately, the price we were able to meet is unheard of for a hand-finished guitar made in the United States."

To get there, Janowski- who's been with RKS' guitar development project since day one--and Ravi K. Sawhney turned to a bolt-on neck concept they'd been playing with. They found that mechanically, the way it integrated with the molded body's composite core produced an ultra-resonant tone that was fabulous indeed. And, because the design was lighter and more compact than their existing guitars- which start in the neighborhood of $2,000- The Wave was able to function well without supporting aluminum ribs, a realization that allowed RKS to meet the new product's requirement for cost effectiveness as well.

A brilliant, loud tone production machine at a value price that makes ownership of an RKS Guitar more accessible to myriad players, The Wave is hand-fitted with a neck fashioned of North American rock maple and a fingerboard composed of rosewood--fingers will fly on familiar surfaces and on some of the most precision fretwork around. The Wave is also outfitted with custom-made Lace humbucking pickups, and the groundbreaking Groove Knobs and Posifly pickup selector switch are located in positions so ergonomically ideal and conveniently placed that it will seem a wonder all guitars aren't built this way.

Produced at RKS Guitars' new headquarters and plant in Oxnard, CA, the first Wave Guitars off the line were introduced at the NAMM Show in January of this year. In addition to the debut of The Wave, Spring 2006 will also mark the further the expansion of RKS Guitars' futuristic product line with the introduction of the first two RKS Guitars bass models--the "A-Bass" and the "Sym-Bass"--and "The Gig Stand," an insanely lightweight, compact and cool guitar stand.

RKS Guitars was co-founded in 2003 by design icon Ravi K. Sawhney, Rock and Hall of Famer Dave Mason and information technology pioneer Dale Jensen. RKS Guitars are manufactured through a process fusing advanced surface modeling techniques- like those used by automotive designers- CNC programming / machining technologies and final precision hand-assembly. With their unique essence derived from RKS' proprietary Open Architecture Resonance, RKS Guitars are acclaimed for their clarity and sustain, and they also innovate environmentally--their efficient design results in a 90+% reduction in the use of rare tone woods.

"Everything you know about electric guitars will be challenged," says Sawhney, "as our designs pull you away from tradition, bring you back with form and win you over with function."

THE WAVE...It's light and swift... It's sleek and sexy...

It has all the attitude of a supermodel- and it ROCKS!

For more information log on to: www.rksguitars.com.