Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

[Stringmachine]

The new Ravelle Elite, Deluxe & Dave Kushner Signature sure looks cool, but how do they sound & play?

I noticed that they got Duncan JB and a Sustainer, and one got a Duncan Jazz in the neck instead of the Sustainer.

However, we don't have an importer for Fernandes in Norway, so I hope some of you have tried one, and could tell me a bit about it?

I have read the Harmony Central reviews, but ...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

I have played a few of them...they are pretty bad ass! I like them a lot. The one I played had the JB/Jazz set up, and it was killer. Sounds like a Les Paul, but looks like the BC Rich that never was. There are a few guys here that own one, so maybe they will chime in! Good luck

 

[kherman]

Re: Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

I own the Fernandes Ravelle Deluxe.

It's a very well built guitar.
Sounds great.
Nice low action.
Balanced.
Horn design actually works nice for sitting down and playing. Keeps the guitar from sliding around because it hugs your leg.
Not light. mines in the 10 to 11lb range.
Sustains for days.
It has a tighter more focused tone. Not as wide and more open like other LP types.

I'm very happy with mine.

Kent

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

Oh man that is sweet!!!

That's the JB/Jazz set up, right?

 

[kherman]

Re: Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

Yes!

 

[Wattage]

Re: Fernandes Ravelle (Dave Kushner)

I haven't played the real high end version yet but most I have played have been so-so+. I like the sustainer, cool little trick I guess it is useful?

Everyone I have played has had electronics issues, bad switches, pots, input jacks etc. If you moved them they cut out. It isn't really big issue to me since re-wiring is nothing but still a pain in the ass when you have to do it just to make the guitar useable. Fit and finsh otherwise was pretty nice, I like the shape and the feel of the them, the lighter ones I have played seem to have a nicer balance. Most of the fretwork has been a a shade rough, hey they're still Chinese even if they are nice Chinese guitars. $700 area for a Chinese guitar makes no real sense to me when you can score LP Studios all day long for that price, sorry if I seem prejudiced. I ended up buying another Les Paul after playing about 7 or 8 Ravelles. I was lucky to be able to work out a deal so I could swing it, trust me I understand the cost issue. I think the Ravelle is a nice guitar and definitely in the league of other LP style knock-offs. A real good setup, fret polish and a pots and switches upgrade and it would make a nice LP alternative for sure and it definitely looks cool.