#1
|
|||
|
|||
A truly outstanding build (Lars Rasmussen)
3 years ago, I came across a post by Jason Kostal on Facebook. In it, he described someone he considered to be one of the world’s best luthiers. And yet he was under the radar and ‘low key’. His work wasn’t yet well known. I was intrigued.
I started asking around, and a few people that I knew had tried his guitars at various shows, with rave reviews. He was a teacher at one of Sweden’s best luthiery schools, and had taught Ted Astrand and various other well known luthiers how to build. There were almost never any of his ‘used’ guitars on the market because nobody wants to part with theirs. I managed to find a few sound samples, and a few YouTube videos. I thought his guitars sounded great, and most importantly unique. The luthier in question is Lars Rasmussen. He apprenticed under Dana Bourgeois for a few years, and then spent some time with Ervin Somogyi. I thought that this atypical background, with one of the better known flatpicker/bluegrass luthiers, and then perhaps the best known fingerstyle luthier, made Lars the potentially ideal luthier for my playing. I play some light folk bluegrass, but also fingerstyle. My band has some very soft acoustic singer/songwriter type songs, but also some higher tempo music with more strumming. I’ve often found that my guitars either have too much ‘fundamental’ or too many overtones. Finding a guitar that has a perfect fundamental to overtone ratio has been hard, but quite important for playing live if you don’t want to bring 3-4 guitars with you to a show. After a 3 year wait, I just took delivery of my guitar from Lars. I realize that most players wouldn’t suggest buying a guitar without trying first. But in my conversations with Lars over the years, I felt as though he understood exactly what I was looking for, both from a sound and practical standpoint. That he was adaptable and probably able to adjust and customize better than most. I wasn’t disappointed. As there are no reviews of Lars’ guitars on the forum (probably because many of them go to Sweden and Asia), I thought it would be worth writing something The guitar is his model C, the equivalent of an OM. We went with a master grade Italian Spruce top. Lars travels to northern Italy himself every two years to pick the wood directly with the supplier. For the back and sides, we went with Madagascar Rosewood, which he sources in Spain. Lars felt that this combination would fit well with my playing style. The Italian set he chose was somewhat lower density to increase responsiveness, but also was very stiff. The Madagascar was very resonant and complex. I’ve now had the guitar for a few days. Firstly, I find it extremely easy to play. The neck is a C shape with a slight V. Super comfortable. The body size has a bit more depth than a traditional Martin OM, but it’s also very comfortable. I decided to go for an ‘in between’ nut width at 1 23/32, which is great for those that play both fingerstyle and flat picking. From a playing standpoint, the guitar is really a joy to play. From an aesthetic standpoint, the craftsmanship is flawless, and the finish work is second to none. We went with an understated look, with Koa for the rosette, and slight hints of Koa in other places, for instance the logo, which I really like. The shape of his guitars is also very pleasing in my opinion, and quite different from traditional OMs Concerning the tone, it’s exactly what I had hoped for: a truly great fundamental to overtone ratio. The trebles are bright, shimmering, with some complexity. The bass is full and round, but not overly so. The mids are present but not overbearing, which is great for a singer songwriter. It’s very responsive and resonant. I was surprised by how loud it was for an instrument of this size. The sound in general is very rich, but also has great clarity. It has a lot of punch when played with a light touch, but I can also drive it with a pick. The guitar really has two different characters, depending on whether I play with my fingers or a pick. Have never had this before. Lars really has his own sound, which makes it all the more interesting. I really couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. I realize that many of these qualities are to a certain extent subjective. But I hope it gives somewhat of an idea about the tone of this guitar I hope this wasn’t too long of a post. Just wanted to get this out there because I think Lars deserves it. He’s also one of the nicest guys I’ve dealt with. Really cool. I’ve attached some photos of the guitar below, and when I get to the studio, I’ll post some sound clips. https://flic.kr/p/2kzfaEk https://flic.kr/p/2kzbBmA https://flic.kr/p/2kzf735 https://flic.kr/p/2kzf73f https://flic.kr/p/2kzbBnh https://flic.kr/p/2kzfLWU His instagram is also great, with loads of cool photos and sound clips. Also some really cool clips of Satoshi Gogo who plays a Rasmussen, and the young Korean player Sungha Jung, who has one Rasmussen (5 minute mark in the video) and another on the way. He also has some ‘live’ videos each month where he often plays https://www.instagram.com/rasmussenguitars/?hl=en https://youtube.com/watch?v=11TGZ_PQDtU&feature=share https://youtube.com/watch?v=4ghojP4X-SQ&feature=share Happy to hear people’s thoughts on the guitar. If anyone has any questions, don’t hesitate! Eric Last edited by emboro; 02-06-2021 at 12:50 PM. |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
If anyone has any questions, don’t hesitate!
Why in the world do you use photobucket? -Mike |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I just signed up to it, and it’s...not the best Wish I knew how to insert photos properly. I tried with the app but it didn’t work for some reason. Any suggestions?
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Yep, it sure would be nice to be able to upload photos directly.
__________________
If ya got time to breath, ya got time for music! Briscoe Darling |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Would love to see your photos, but it requires signing up for a PB account.
Glad you found just the right luthier to build you the perfect guitar for your needs. Congrats and enjoy!
__________________
2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Shoot me a pm and give you my email. I can post them for you.
__________________
"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Thanks, Eric |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Here's a few...
__________________
"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" Last edited by fitness1; 03-30-2022 at 09:54 AM. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Very clean construction and scandinavian minimalist lines!
Speaking of satoshi gogo, i didnt know he plays a Rasmussen. I heard gogo plays a spruce/brazilian rosewood isaac jang OM now/as well.
__________________
In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference... |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
And speaking of the guitar itself. Awesome sounding, I'm very impressed. Love the balance.
__________________
Yamamoto Jumbo 27 - Bashkin Placencia FanFret Cedar/EIR - Leo Posch DS12 Adj/Hormigo - Ovation Legion shallow body - - Taylor 562 GC 12 String - C. Freeborn Alto- Froggy Bottom H12C Adj/EIR- Ryan Nightengale Engelmann/Af. Blackwood - Kostal MD |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Satoshi actually has two Rasmussens: a model C and a model O. There are some great videos on his instagram of both guitars. The model O has a very sweet sound to my ears, with lots of projection...I really like it. |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Very NICE
What a clean axe! Sounds great too...
So many fine builders and so many fantastic players!!! More music for everyone right away. Haha Thanks Paul
__________________
4 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/WRC Dread(ish) Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC Big Tunnel 14 RW/Bubinga Dread(ish) R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Great looking guitar. When I was researching using Pernambuco for a tonewood I came across some photos a guitar by Lars, and we had a few PM or emails conversations. Give a report after you've had some more time with it.
__________________
Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
What a beautiful instrument! Really enjoyed the videos as well. Congrats once again...
__________________
2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I met Lars at his first Healdsburg. I fell in love with the Swedish Maple O he brought.
__________________
rubber Chicken Plastic lobster Jiminy Cricket. |