Raezers edge stealth review

Product Review Raezer’s Edge Stealth 10-ER (Extended Range)
by David C. Stephens
History –
unclear to Jeff because it had been in production only a
short time before Rich’s death. Jeff said that there was
more than one prototype design on hand in the shop,
with varying tweeter locations and some other small
differences. Thanks to the sample that Rich had sent
me for review, I was able to send photos and take measurements so that Jeff knew exactly what Rich intended
to produce.
In early 2005, I received a Stealth 10-ER from Rich
Raezer for review. Rich was constantly tinkering with
new designs, and the S10-ER was the latest in a line of
several extended-range cabs. I was one of several that
had encouraged him to try a S10-ER. After all, I’d
always liked the original Stealth 10 for its balanced
sound and punchy-but-controlled bass. The Stealth 12ER had the smoothest highs of any cabinet I’d ever Testing –
heard, but its bass was sometimes hard to control and a
little too rich for some tastes. A cab combining the best So now, it’s time to review. Raezer’s Edge has such a
of the S10 and the S12-ER
long established reputation with
seemed very promising to me.
Just Jazz Guitar readers that I feel
Rich built several prototypes and
compelled to directly compare
sent me one of the models that he
Jeff’s cab to Rich’s cab.
selected for final production.
Denver area guitarist Marco
I was aiming to publish a review
DiFerreira came over to my house
in the August 2005 issue of Just
to help me evaluate the S10-ER.
Jazz Guitar, but I got caught up
Marco gigs around Denver using
in work and moving from Dallas
a full range of guitars, from
to Denver. I called Rich in late
nylon-string to steel-string flattop
May to ask if he’d mind if I postto archtop to Stratocaster, and
poned submission of my review
uses a portable PA system so that
to the next issue. Rich said, “No
he can get the clean volume he
problem, family comes first, take your time,” and then needs. He uses an effects unit to richen his sound. His
he excitedly told me about his new Sadowsky Jimmy first reaction to the S10-ER was to say how open, sweet
Bruno Model guitar and how he thought it had the best and airy the highs sounded. Marco is used to putting up
amplified sound he’d ever heard. That was the last time with a little edge to get the clean volume that he needs.
that I spoke with Rich, as he would be dead in a few The S10-ER produces clean, articulate, crystalline
weeks.
highs, which are balanced by incredibly rich mids and
bass.
Production of Raezer’s Edge cabinets stopped with the
loss of Rich, and there was considerable speculation While Marco played, I had a chance to sit back and lisabout what would happen to the business. Several cab- ten to the S10-ER run through an incredible range of
inets sold on EBay at inflated prices, anticipating a per- styles. For a while we ran various guitars straight
manent end to production. Fortunately, Jeff Hale through a Clarus 2R Series III, but we later added my
stepped forward and purchased the business from the Boss GT-6 multi-effects board. We must have tried
Raezer estate. Jeff purchased all the tools, work-in- about 30 different patches with Marco reacting to each,
process and raw materials, and moved the entire oper- playing rockabilly one minute, then country twang,
ation in a Penske truck to his shop in Wisconsin. Jeff then bossa nova, then classic jazz tone, next, big metal
tells me that his goal is to replicate Rich Raezer’s and classical. It was an amazing show right in my living room. He brought the house down with a perfect
designs down to every last detail.
rendition of Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner.
The S10-ER was one speaker where Rich’s intent was
Just Jazz Guitar
I
May 2006
Page 183
I tried my New York Eight and my Twin 8-Tower
speakers with the GT-6 to confirm my suspicion that an
extended-range cabinet is superior at immolation. As I
switched between the NY-8 and the S10-ER, it was
immediately clear that the range of the ER cab made it
far superior at immolation. That Fender-like jangle just
didn’t pop out as clearly with a less extended cabinet.
Yes, you get the feel of a Fender or Marshall or Vox or
JC-120 with a less extended cabinet, but with the S10ER you got all the advantages of those famous combos
or stacks without the drawback. For instance, it was a
great pleasure to hear a clean JC-120 sound without the
incredibly intrusive hiss that dominates an actual
Roland’s sound.
tion will be apparent. Thumb the lower strings and
you’ll hear a luxurious, controlled richness that’s
unmatched by any guitar cab that I’ve heard. The highs
will pop out with clarity and air that you’ll never tire of
hearing.
So, how close is the new cab to Rich’s original? Would
you believe the two cabs sound exactly alike? I can’t
tell them apart by their sound. The label that says
“Raezer’s Edge” is slightly different. When I asked Jeff
about that he said that there were a couple of different
styles in Rich’s shop, so he’s still using the Raezer originals. People who know and love the Raezer’s Edge of
Rich Raezer can be confident that the tradition is continued.
Conclusion –
Jeff clearly met his goal of matching Rich Raezer’s
product in every way. I congratulate him for a job well
done. It’s wonderful that this great brand has been preserved and will continue in tribute to our friend, Rich
Raezer.
A good pro-level effects unit stretches and tests the
abilities of a good speaker. The cleaner the amp and the
wider the range of the speaker, the more realistic the
effects and immolations will be. The S10-ER shines in
this test.
Be sure to use good instrument cables and speaker
cables with the S10-ER. Klotz or George L’s are a couple of great choices that will assure you the sweetest
sound possible. It would be a shame to have to attenuate the tweeter because of some ugliness added by
some cheapo guitar cable. If the highs on the S10-ER
don’t sound clear and sweet with the tweeter turned up
to 12 o’clock or higher, then there’s something wrong
with your amp and/or cables.
The Sound –
So let me summarize my impression of the S10-ER’s
sound. It’s got the smoothest, sweetest, airiest highs
I’ve ever heard in a guitar cabinet. There’s not a hint of
harshness in the highs. The midrange is rich and round.
The bass is extended without bloating or boominess.
Play finger-style and you’ll hear the touch of the fingers, woodiness of the guitar top and your string selecPage 184
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George Benson
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Jimmy Vivino
Joe Cinderella
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Gary Mortoro
P.O. Box 161225
Miami, FL 33116-1225
Tel: (305) 238-7947
www.mortoroguitars.com
Email:[email protected]
•Ownersip of a Mortoro
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artist endorsement
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May 2006