Rist "workhorse"

[oilpit]

These shots look freaking great...

Anyone know what pickups they are coming with ever since the recent Dubbuya Bee drama?

[WVSpann]

That red one has a Wolfetone in the bridge and a Thorn GT-90 in the neck. Roman will put basically whatever you want in the Workhorse at this point, I think. He recommended the Wolfetone bridge; the Thorn was something I wanted to try.

[straightblues]

Originally Posted by WVSpann

That red one has a Wolfetone in the bridge and a Thorn GT-90 in the neck. Roman will put basically whatever you want in the Workhorse at this point, I think. He recommended the Wolfetone bridge; the Thorn was something I wanted to try.

Yeah I think that is right. He is using Wolfetone, but I am sure he will put whatever you want.

Did you get your guitar yet? I really want some tone reports on that staple top. Did Roman share any tone clips with you?

[WVSpann]

Roman mailed it yesterday. So however long it takes to get from Cali to WV (probably 4 days), and then I'll have it. To say that I'm excited to try this thing out really doesn't quite explain it. I am hoping to record some sound clips this weekend, if my family duties permit.

[coldengray]

Roman - how do you get those beautiful tummy cut and forearm contours so uniform on each guitar? Are you scultping totally by hand and eye?

[jimmyq]

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

[Roman]

Thanks for all the comments folks.

The original batch of 10 is done and over with. I'll still be building them, but not at the introductory price that I started out with. Prices won't be crazy but, not the same.

Right now I am slammed with work, old stuff, new stuff, and to make things worse, since The Premier Guitar magazine article, I am slammed with people wanting me to build them stuff. Funny but they all want the same guitar......a Hunteburst replica.

I am telling everyone I wont be taking any orders till after the new year.

Life is crazy.

I'll say this though, quite a few people will be having a nice XMAS this year.

[tojo]

Santa has been officially notified...

[WVSpann]

The red Workhorse II above just arrived at my office. Why do I have to WORK!!!! Damn!!!! Why can't I just go home and play it???!!! Oh, I remember -- these cost money, job gives money, need job.

Anyhow, have strummed it a while and it is the bomb. Looks great, plays like silk, even with the 11s I had Roman put on it. The neck is the perfect blend between heft and speed. The finish all over if fabulous, but he has knocked a little of the gloss off of the neck and it is truly perfect -- not sticky, but really smooth. Lightweight. Makes you never want to put it down.

Much more input after I ACTUALLY PLUG IT IN!

[decoy205]

Very cool Roman!!

Congrats on NGD WVSpann!!! make sure you do a thorough NGD thread about your new Workhorse after you had some time to soak it all in!

I'm very jealous of all who got their Rist guitars!!

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Fletch

I try to avoid opening this thread because I know exactly what is in it... but sweet mother of Jesus this is this sh!t!!!

Seriously contemplating here...


Fletch

Thanks Fletch, but DUDE! you do this stuff yourself.............

Originally Posted by oilpit

These shots look freaking great...

Anyone know what pickups they are coming with ever since the recent Dubbuya Bee drama?

Thanks. in the future I will be using what ever pickup the customer desires. I like the Dubbuya Bees, but sadly that ship has left the harbor and is on the high seas.

Originally Posted by mapleflame

Probably the best looking Special like guitar I have seen. That finish is just off the hook. It kinda reminds me of some high end furniture finishing techniques. I know the work that is involved getting it to look like that. I bet Romans Handshake is a little stronger this week. Be careful holding your baby. Imagine some 50's P90's in this guitar Shazaaaaam.

Thanks Steve. I strive to build a guitar that favorably rates with vintage stuff. You know that Mojo thing.

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

It looks like Roman's about to get...super duper busy...

Geez, already am!

Originally Posted by tojo

drool...

(Hah, love the mug on the shelf as well)

Thanks. Watch out for santa Oh the mug, it is a trademark to avoid counterfeits. It is your assurance that the guitar pictured is actually on MY bench.

Originally Posted by Big_dawg

hi amber, any pics of the leftys that roman is working on at the moment..??

Some lefties are coming soon.

Originally Posted by decoy205

I think I spy the MLP GUITAR!!!!!

Yup!

Originally Posted by coldengray

Roman - how do you get those beautiful tummy cut and forearm contours so uniform on each guitar? Are you scultping totally by hand and eye?

Yup, everything is done by hand, every one is actually slightly different. kind of like snowflakes!

Originally Posted by WVSpann

The red Workhorse II above just arrived at my office. Why do I have to WORK!!!! Damn!!!! Why can't I just go home and play it???!!! Oh, I remember -- these cost money, job gives money, need job.

Anyhow, have strummed it a while and it is the bomb. Looks great, plays like silk, even with the 11s I had Roman put on it. The neck is the perfect blend between heft and speed. The finish all over if fabulous, but he has knocked a little of the gloss off of the neck and it is truly perfect -- not sticky, but really smooth. Lightweight. Makes you never want to put it down.

Much more input after I ACTUALLY PLUG IT IN!

AWESOME

My initial reports via phone are that someone loves the neck and is dying to get her plugged in

[mapleflame]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

Thanks for all the comments folks.

The original batch of 10 is done and over with. I'll still be building them, but not at the introductory price that I started out with. Prices won't be crazy but, not the same.

Right now I am slammed with work, old stuff, new stuff, and to make things worse, since The Premier Guitar magazine article, I am slammed with people wanting me to build them stuff. Funny but they all want the same guitar......a Hunteburst replica.

I am telling everyone I wont be taking any orders till after the new year.

Life is crazy.

I'll say this though, quite a few people will be having a nice XMAS this year.

Good things do happen to great guys, all the twarts don't always get the good luck and fortune. Kharma, little better for you than a so called person a while back ehhhh.

[Roman]

Originally Posted by mapleflame

Good things do happen to great guys, all the twarts don't always get the good luck and fortune. Kharma, little better for you than a so called person a while back ehhhh.

HaHa. Well.................I have found that you gotta work for your kharma. I'm still working at it.

[WVSpann]

I got to plug in the red Workhorse II last night after strumming it unplugged all day. I will try to avoid the typical first-day gushing, but I will say that the neck on this guitar is probably the best I've played. The profile just has the perfect balance of girth and speed. There's not a sharp or rough edge anywhere. All edges are rolled and, to use the well-worn phrase, it feels broken in. The finish on the neck is perfect -- no tackiness, no stickiness (a la a typical lacquered neck). It's not even like a satin finish -- it's just ultimately smooth and playable. So there's a whole paragraph on the neck alone.

So I plugged it in. This is a VERY versatile and great-sounding guitar. Both pickups are exceptional. The Wolfetone bridge is just classic P90 -- nice cleans without being shrill or doinky, good woody rhythm when about 2/3 up, and from about 7 on, it's a killer, meaty but cutting rock tone. Think Free, Malcolm Young, James Gang. . .

The neck pickup is a real chameleon. Turn it down and it's clean an chimey. Crank it up, and it's fat like Refrigerator Perry, but still with good definition. I can't describe it very well, but cranked up, it is Woman Tone-ish.

The middle position is just great for cleanish rhythms. Also, because both pickups sound great turned up or down, you can set the neck for clean and the bridge for hot, and voila, you've got your clean and crunch sound at the flick of a switch.

I'll try to get some clips up before long, but initial impressions are just excellent.

[Roman]

Awesome! This is what I strive for on each and every instrument.

I have to say I have a bit of an unfair advantage. Over the years I have had the pleasure of working on many Pro players favorite instruments.The irreplaceable road dog guitars.

I've had a chance to talk to the players and study their guitars,
so I can first hand discover what makes a particular instrument special and loved.

I'm just trying to recreate that.

[decoy205]

Congrats again WVSpann!! We need a full thread on this bad boy!!! Pictures clips the whole 9 yards.

Philly is going on right now and word is Romans guitars may be making an appearance. It really sucks that I can't be there this year!!

[WVSpann]

Here are some quick and dirty tracks I did with the Workhorse II last night.

SoundClick artist: GEN DAWG - page with MP3 music downloads

The songs you don't recognize were improvised on the spot. Overdubs in the Jangle and Funky piece (solos were one take -- warts and all).

My signal chain for all of these was Workhorse -- Xotic EP Booster -- Trinity Triwatt (bridge channel w/ OD engaged) -- Detuned cab w/ Weber Thames. I didn't change any settings, just rolled the volume up and down and changed pickups / picking dynamics to change the level of OD.

If you can ignore my playing, I think you'll hear how good the 'horse sounds. It has this basic, solid feel that just will not fuzz out in a mix. Coupled with the beefy Triwatt (only 20 watts, y'all), it is a sonic gut punch, but it can get some really shimmery cleans.

The Hendrix ripoff is all neck GT90. The rest are mostly middle position, more or less of each pickup, depending on the song.

Let me know what you think. I think the guitar sounds good and that I need to practice.

[decoy205]

woah dude! Nice playing. I really like the sound you got on "Edge of Dirt" and I love the phrasing!

So cool man! I think you can actually hear the mahogany!! that's a nice woody tone if i ever heard one.

[WVSpann]

Thanks so much. Yes, I think solid mahogany guitar w/ heavy strings + Hiwatt-style amp + Fane-inspired speaker + dumb luck = wood with wood sauce.

[decoy205]

Originally Posted by WVSpann

Thanks so much. Yes, I think solid mahogany guitar w/ heavy strings + Hiwatt-style amp + Fane-inspired speaker + dumb luck = wood with wood sauce.

wood sauce!

Nice... Seriously though I think you got the tone thing nailed down! The playing is great man I like your style. The only criticism I could give you is sometimes you go off the beat a bit. No big deal. You definitely CAN play!

I'm loving the sound of your workhorse!! NICE JOB ROMAN!!

[WVSpann]

Originally Posted by decoy205

:The only criticism I could give you is sometimes you go off the beat a bit.

If that's the only criticism, you're not listening!! You are entirely right. These were all first takes, just to get the sound down.

Anyway, I appreciate the kind words.

[Roman]

clips sound great! Thanks for taking the time to record and post them. At the same time, it doesn't sound like it was too much of a chore, I'm sure recording is more fun than a day gig.

[strings2wood]

Hi Ronan from Simon in Melbourne,

I have emailed you and also sent a PM through your address at The Gear Page,
so forgive the multiple enquiry.
I'm really keen to order a lefty workhorse and was wondering if it's possible to build
a lefty strung righty as per this Tele.


I'm hoping one of my emails eventually finds you with my details/ enquiry etc.

Kindest regards and Go well Ronan,

Simon in Melbourne.

[delander]

if you've not seen the thread on Workhorse 007 it's worth looking at I believe

The 007 build

[stryker59]

i had the pleasure of playing gregs workhorse today at bcrmusic. all the hype is well warranted! it is friggin incredible the craftsmanship, playability, and tone of it! i was blown away! roman knows his craft no question about it!

[bfcg]

I think that all the dumb ass comments should be removed.
This is a sponsor classified ad for a premium guitar.
If somebody wants to write a review or critisize the op's ad or product, maybe they should start their own thread in a forum somewhere.
Hopefully they will have played one of these fantastic guitars before doing so.

[decoy205]

Hmmmm

What could this be??

[decoy205]

His name is Rist.... Roman Rist

[WVSpann]

Gorgeous!

[El Toro]

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Korina...............