Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

In Pictures: Versoul salmon-skin Raya Blue Light

News
By Guitarist ( Guitarist ) published 21 July 2014

Latest from boutique Finnish guitar-maker uses Arctic salmon-skin finish

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Shoal Music

Shoal Music

Finnish guitar maker Kari Nieminen’s hand-crafted Versoul guitars have been paraded onstage by a succession of stars, including Ronnie Wood, Kenny Burrell, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Landau and Billy F Gibbons.

Gibbons is a particular fan of the Raya Blue Light model, having purchased and played several, including custom versions with necks covered in gold leaf.

Versoul’s latest creation is a Raya Blue Light model, too, but what’s different is the finish: the top of the guitar’s body, fingerboard and headstock are covered with two-piece tanned and lacquered salmon skin.

Page 1 of 3
Page 1 of 3
Versoul salmon-skin Raya Blue Light

Versoul salmon-skin Raya Blue Light

The guitar itself has a heavily chambered alder body finished in black on the back, with a 24.75-inch scale curly maple neck, finished in dark transparent brown and featuring narrow vintage frets made from a bronze alloy.

Page 2 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Versoul salmon-skin Raya Blue Light

Versoul salmon-skin Raya Blue Light

Contributing to the guitar’s full, open tone is a new improved, hand-wound Versoul humbucker pickup, specially voiced with an Alnico 2 magnet and combined with enamel copper wire.

Finishing touches include distinctive Frost Silver plating for the metal hardware, maple bindings with wood purfling and perforated steel side.

And the volume knob is hand-crafted from moose horn – should it have been called the salmon moose?

See versoul.com for more info.

Page 3 of 3
Page 3 of 3
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Latest in Guitars
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir performs at Tons Of Rock 2025
Dimmu Borgir’s Silenoz on playing a guitar inspired by a shark – and why you can be black metal and still love the blues
 
 
Lamb of God's Mark Morton performs live on a stage lit in yellow and orange. He plays his new Les Paul Modern Quilt
Mark Morton and Gibson unveil a signature Les Paul that brings the fire with a “flamethrower” bridge humbucker
 
 
Vernon Reid of Living Colour [left] smiles as he plays his Reverend signature model live onstage. On the right, Jack White, bathed in blue stage lights, plays his Fender Triplecaster.
Vernon Reid says he hopes he and Jack White have started a trend for pro guitarists swapping signature models
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre Tube Pre Amp
"The EF86 tube is often described as hi-fi, and honestly, that's the perfect way to describe what's coming out of this thing": EarthQuaker Devices EQD ZEQD-Pre review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
 
 
Mooer Audio F40i / F40i Li Intelligent Amp
Mooer Audio’s flagship Intelligent Amp lets you find guitar tones using AI prompts
 
 
Latest in News
Alex Honnold
Alex Honnold reveals just how much Tool he listened to during his free climb of the Taipei 101 skyscraper
 
 
Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers performs on stage at The Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, United Kingdom, January 30th 1977
"They did a beautiful job": How The Repair Shop restored The Stranglers’ vintage keyboard
 
 
will.i.am attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards
“Robots will be here on the red carpet before 2030”: Will-i-am predicts Grammys will soon be given to AI
 
 
Leo Woodall in Tuner
“I’m just a piano tuner, man”: Could Tuner be the audiology thriller we never knew we needed?
 
 
Mark Ronson on June 13, 2019
"His creative influence spans every corner of contemporary culture”: Mark Ronson to receive Brits Outstanding Contribution award
 
 
chowning
"It ended up as the sound palette for a whole new generation": Inventor of FM synthesis John Chowning honoured with Technical Grammy Award
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...