Versoul Henry

Helsinki Finland 2002
Features as described by other reviewers.
Not feature packed but the quality is outstanding. Initially I think I spent as much time looking at this guitar as I did playing it. It is certainly a thing of beauty. It came with 11's which just didn't feel right for me and I use 11's on my Les paul all the time, I restrung with 10's and it felt like a different guitar - amazing in fact. The fret job is beautiful, neck just right my only gripe would be the positioning of the toggel switch which I seem to hit at the most inoppertune moment, but maybe thats just me

sounds amazing and is great for all musical types, I use a mesa nomad and a vintage ac30 with very little effects (DL4, Morley wah, electric mistress)and with a little effort beautiful tones just arrive and sustain for ever.mmmmmmmm.It fits a niche in my sound that I've been looking to fill for some time. It does tend to feedback at higher settings but not a major issue.

Beautiful Just beautiful

without doubt I think this guitar will last the distance, the attention to detail is phenominal, I have used this guitar live and in the studio with no issues whatsoever, would i use it without back up - yes

never had to so no opinion on this one, I think the only time I will have to contact Kari is to order another Versoul, the more I play this guitar the deeper the feeling.

I have been playing for 25 years or more and like many others own and have owned many high end guitars but there is something very special about this instrument and hard to define for somone who has not been lucky enough to play or hear this guitar but there is a connection that just didnt happen with other guitars i have owned, this is an investment piece for my son and if in 40 years he decides to sell well so be it because it wont be me, this is a keeper. If you are presented with an opportunity to buy a Versoul I would say go for it without hesitation, Kari is that good, his guitars are the stuff of legend

New Handmade in Helsinki, Finland 2006.
22 frets Les Paul style guitar.
2 volume, 1 tone, 3 way selector.
2 Custom handwound Versoul humbuckers.
Finish Alder body, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fretboard, cocobolo rosewood veneer on headstock, green abalone inlays.
Moose shinbone nut.
23 carat gold leaf finish on top, under Nitro laquered finish. Gold leaf position markers and inlay on headstock.
Gotoh hardware (T.O.M) and tuners.
24 & 3/4 " scale.
Hardshell case came with guiitar also. He didn't re-invent the wheel on feautres on this kind of guitar, but it is exactly what you should expect from an LP style guitar.

I have to agree with the other reviewer's take on the sound of this guitar. The Versoul Henry sounds absolutely AMAZING plugged into an amp. It kind of blew my mind. I mean, I have played and own many high end guitars, but this electric kicked my ass! I play mostly rock in kind a few different kinds of styles and this guitar would be perfect for that or any style practically. Kari Nieminen's hand wound custom pickups are pretty awsome. I am not quite sure what exact pickup they would be identical to because they are better than any vintage pickups that they are close to. Sustain is awsome and tone unbeatable as well. Not quite like any of my Strats of LP's. I played it through my Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKII and it flat out smokes! Damn! Kills and style or sound you are trying to get. There is a tendency to get microphonic feedback like the other review stated, but I only noticed it (slightly) on my high gain maxed out channel, and it isn't a real problem at that.

I had mine set up with 11's and it is just how I like my guitars, with a pretty low action and the playability is unreal. It reminds me a bit of my LP Gold Top's 60's neck kind of feel. It felt just natural and familiar when I grabbed it and started playing. This guitar's craftsmanship is second to none. I showed this baby to my professional luthier and musician friends and they all had nothing but high remarks for it. They noted that the builder really knew his stuff. Enough said. Way better that a typical production guitar from Fender, Gibson, or whoever! NO flaws anywhere, and everything immaculate and pristine. The gold leaf finish really is bad ass too. Pretty stunning.

Like I said the finish is unreal and this thing could go on the road easy; (and actually it does...It's in Ronnie Wood's arsenal he takes out for the Stones!)This guitar's hardware will last as long as any others and this is easily someone's number 1. Backups are merely and afterthought. Finish, strap buttons, all hardware will be perfect for the long haul.

I actually had the priveledge of dealing with Kari Nieminen exclusively when I was placing my order. NO dealers or anything, I just got to deal with the man. Answered ALL my e-mails very quickly, and was extremely accessible from the beginning. What a nice change! He was really a great guy to deal with and I couldn't have asked for anything more for my first custom guitar purchase. One of a kind service. Warranty is for 5 years.

I have been playing for 12 years and this is a high end/quality instrument. I own other Les Pauls and Starts that are really nice, and I have a ton of effect and recording gear as well. But the bottom line is all I really have to do is just plug this straight into my Hugkes and Kettner and the magic happens. Nothing more I could ask for on this guitar to make me happier with it. I would chose this over any Gibson solid body guitar, hands down. Simply one of the best out there that more people need to know about...but hey, just ask Ron Wood and he could tell you too! I'll be getting another one someday too, maybe I'll try his Kenny Burrell signature acoustic guitar. I will get another of Kari's guitars again though that is for sure.

2000 / 2001, Handmade in Helsinki, Finland.
22 frets, Dunlop 6130.
Solid, flat top, Les Paul style shape.
2 volume, 1 tone, 3 way selector.
2x handwound Versoul humbuckers.
Finish Alder body, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fretboard, cocobolo rosewood veneer on headstock, green abalone inlays.
Moose shinbone nut.
23 carat gold leaf finish on top, under Nitro laquered finish. Gold leaf position markers and inlay on headstock.
Gotoh hardware (T.O.M) and tuners.
24 & 3/4 " scale.
Hardshell case with plaque.
Rating is 5 because it's not feature packed, but it has everything you need in this kind of guitar.

This is the most 'alive' feeling instrument i've ever played. The guitar resonates beautifully, sustains for ever and you really can hear and feel the character of the guitar whenever you play it. The notes do seem to jump out of the guitar and take on a life of their own. Amplified the sound is full of character and sustain, very well balanced across the strings, it sounds very individual. Although it has an LP-esque shape it doesn't sound like a LP. It sounds to me like a cross between my SG, a LP and a telecaster, occupying the virtual space between Gibson and Fender although never getting the extremes of each. The neck pickup is a well balanced, smooth, vintage sounding piece which nevertheless maintains it's character and definition, avoiding the overly muddied tone that sometimes accompanies neck humbuckers. The bridge pup is again voiced like a vintage humbucker, almost getting to P90 territory, again very smooth and well defined but with just enough bark and rasp to really come alive with a good tube amp. Combining the 2 positions gives a nice jangly sound that when pushed really smooths out into a perfect combination of the best of both pickups. Judicious use of the tone a nd 2 volumes lends even more versatility to the possible combinations. For higher gain applications however the pickups are prone to microphonic feedback and have a tendency to squeal when used with high gain settings on pedals. Not a problem for me as i'm looking for classic 60s / 70s rock and blues tones and for this application it really is superb. It makes a Gibson Les Paul seem like an overweight, characterless hunk of wood. Teemed up with my Marshall or Matamp, it really is a fantastic rock and blues guitar - vintage gain really makes the guitar sing, and used clean with a Fender amp it sounds rich, lush and warm. Where my SG screams, the Versoul sings.

I'm giving it a 10, for high gain music it would need either pickups wound to suit, or wax-potted at the least. Versoul wind their own pickups so I guess the option would be there.

The guitar was set up initially with 11s, i switched to 10s and the guitar was perfectly suited for me, with a medium low action. Using 10s the action, tension and feel were exactly what I was after - 11s were just a bit too much hard work!. the neck profile is narrower and more rounded than my 62ri SG which gives a different vibe entirely to playing. I really had to learn how to play this guitar. Now that i'm used to the feel, I love it and find it just as comfortable as the SG, and again it reinforces the different nature of this guitar - the feel is true to the style of music it loves best - rock / blues, not for shredding!
8 initially, 10 with 10s.

Finish is solid looking, although the finish on the back is showing some cracks along the length of the body - grain sinking? I did buy this with a chip in the finish surrounding the strap button so this may be related. Overall though the finish is beautifully applied and the Gold Leaf top is stunning to look at. Hardware is chrome gotoh and built to last, tuners are Gotoh Kluson style and feel great. Strap buttons are solid. Pots feel smooth and solid, input jack is well anchored and a sturdy. A very dependable professional guitar. I always take a backup but I have no concerns with this guitar. I love it.

I have emailed Kari Nieminen of Versoul once or twice and he has been quick and courteous in his replies. I have no worries about customer service - if there is a problem it'll get sorted. the versoul dealer in the UK is also excellent (www.soundsgreatmusic.com).

I've been playing for 20 odd years now, and i've had teles and Gibsons mainly in that time. This really beats all the production guitars i've owned hands down, with the exception of my 62ri SG, which i've had for 12 years now and is kind of like part of my body now. I play the Versoul more now, though........Considering the price of this against say a new Gibson Les Paul, this is really incredible value for money and a very individual guitar to boot. there really are viable alternatives to the old favourites out there, and the feel of a real, handcrafted instrument really is something everyone should experience. I would doubt that i'll ever buy a production guitar again. My next guitar will be another versoul.