RYDER RA-2 acoustic guitar reviewed

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RYDER RA-2 acoustic guitar £159.00
(Reviewed by John Verity)

Ryder guitars are new to the market. Designed in the UK/ built in China they are marketed initially through larger 'Sue Ryder' outlets, but there are plans to make them available in high street stores. I believe that direct sales to education are also in the pipeline.., Watch this space!

THE GUITAR
The guitar itself on first impression looks like a pretty standard dreadnought style with single cutaway, but further investigation finds differences... This Ryder is not as deep as a dreadnought, but the swell back successfully compensates for this by projecting through the sound-hole giving a full, warm-yet-bright tone, nicely focused for both plectrum and finger styles. Medium frets and abalone markers are fitted into a rosewood fretboard which is bound with maple - as is the body. A solid spruce top with mahogany sides and back, mahogany neck and bridge complete the picture.

TIME TO PLAY!
The guitar feels good in the (seated) playing position. I like the shallower body - standard dreadnoughts can be a little deep for seated playing - a problem you don't have with the Ryder, and the swell back does seem to make up for the lack of depth. Strings on the review sample were fairly light and the action low enough 'straight out of the box' for most styles. The individual, sealed tuners work well enough with no tuning problems throughout the review over a range of standard and open tunings. The guitar is light yet feels substantial, and build quality is such that it should withstand the rigours of rehearsal room and studio well enough. The guitar is loud enough acoustically to be used in small ensemble situations, but also responds well when amplified through the rehearsal PA system using a typical dynamic microphone. In the studio the guitar recorded well - nicely focused with no wooly bass frequencies sometimes associated with larger acoustics. All in all a creditable introduction to this guitar range. Excellent value, with performance to suit a good range of applications for both live and studio work..

Recommended for all performance, and recording units at all levels.