Members Loud Librarian Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 I'm looking to spend some bucks on a quality acoustic for fingerstyle, open tunings, etc. I have a Carvin 980 that I use in my acoustic band, works fine for that. I am really looking at a Larrivee slope dred sd-50 or 60. Here's the thing though, this Rainsong jumbo in the video below sounds great. I will be doing a lot of camping with the family for the next 10 years and the idea of a guitar impervious to humidity, temp, etc. is cool. I could then sell the Carvin as the RS would work well plugged in with the band. If I get a really nice wood guitar, it would stay in the house...be "precious"...only used when at home and inside for recording and whatnot. There's nobody that carries this model anywhere near me, I'd have to buy it from MF and then return it if I didn't like it. Am I crazy on this or what? Wouldn't it be nice to have something that sounds good and you don't have to worry about it? Rainsong owners, what say you? Vid:
Members babablowfish Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 I don't have a Rainsong but a friend does. It is a very nice guitar with wonderful sustain and volume. Allegedly you could play one at the South Pole and then use it to paddle a canoe up the Amazon and it would not be any the worse for it. If you like the way if plays and the camping factor is that important, then go for it. You only live once.
Members brahmz118 Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 That's the exact model that I own and I absolutely love it. I guess if I had to find a downside, I could come up with a few things: 1. The strap button at the endpin jack has a thread which is too shallow, and it's too fat -- hard to describe, but I simply cannot get a leather fastener or leather strap secure at that end. A hemp strap with a stitched hole was the only solution. 2. Smudges and fingerprints show up easily. 3. It was difficult finding a decent gigbag (ended up with a Reunion Blues bag for around $230). 4. For some reason I only like the feel of Elixir nanos on it, and I was never an Elixir fan before. That's about it. The list of positives would go on for pages... Are you anywhere near Philly? If so you could give mine a try.
Members Old_Joe_Clark Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Originally posted by Loud Librarian I'm looking to spend some bucks on a quality acoustic for fingerstyle, open tunings, etc. I have a Carvin 980 that I use in my acoustic band, works fine for that. I am really looking at a Larrivee slope dred sd-50 or 60.Here's the thing though, this Rainsong jumbo in the video below sounds great. I will be doing a lot of camping with the family for the next 10 years and the idea of a guitar impervious to humidity, temp, etc. is cool. I could then sell the Carvin as the RS would work well plugged in with the band.If I get a really nice wood guitar, it would stay in the house...be "precious"...only used when at home and inside for recording and whatnot.There's nobody that carries this model anywhere near me, I'd have to buy it from MF and then return it if I didn't like it. Am I crazy on this or what? Wouldn't it be nice to have something that sounds good and you don't have to worry about it?Rainsong owners, what say you?Vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dXBZHehxAs do it!! It's been on my GAS list more than once. the big body for the bass...the carbon graphite for the treble. It's gotta sound great.
Members Loud Librarian Posted July 30, 2006 Author Members Posted July 30, 2006 Thanks all for the replies. brahmz118, do you use alternate tunings at all? There's no truss rod on this guitar so I'm wondering if the action/feel would change with alternate tunings...then again in the vid, Erik is tuned down. Do you find yours has plenty of bass for that kind of thing? Actually if you could list some positives that would help too! Do you have other nice acoustics that you compared it to, or perhaps replaced once you got the RS jumbo? Also, it looks like the guitar comes with a hardshell case now. babablowfish, I hear you, you do only live once and this pile of money I have now is probably the last I'll have to spend for quite some time...
Members brahmz118 Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Yup, mine came in a nice TKL hardshell case, but to carry it around for outdoor gigging (as it was meant!) I wanted a nice gig bag with backpack straps, with decent padding. The Reunion Blues bags are my favorites by far -- I got one for all my guitars and my banjo. I do not use alternate tunings, since I keep my reso in Open G and that satisfies me. I did once tune down to Eb, because I was getting ready to change strings. I did not get any buzzing with moderate fingerstyle playing. I had heard on this forum that someone put mediums on the dreadnought model on and tuned down to Eb. Rainsong states that only light gauge strings should be used. I'm happy with the factory action. I've played some guitars with lower action, but they all buzzed at some point. This guitar doesn't buzz for me. We'll see what happens as the frets wear. I guess tonal assessments are pretty subjective. The more I play my Rainsong, the more every other guitar starts to sound a bit muddy. In a way, the Rainsong was a replacement for my 1st solid top 6-string, which was a Fender. However, I had sold that Fender at least 5 years before I discovered Rainsong. In the meantime, I was content just to have my 12-string and classical guitars while I searched for my next 6-string. If I may generalize, a friend's Martin DM sounded too boomy in comparison, whereas the Rainsong had more of a focused punch under harder fingerstyle playing. And though that punch is strongest in the bass, it diminishes evenly as you move into the treble strings. A friend's Taylor 810 sounded wimpy on the low end and brittle on the high end, even though the playability on the Taylor was arguably a bit better for the left hand. Though I have long fingers and my right hand likes the Rainsong's neck better. Other comparisons were much shorter, usually at music stores or jams. And by that point I was so biased towards the clear Rainsong sound I doubt I was listening with objective ears. The list of positives could go on and on... - Lightest jumbo I've ever held - Durable / impervious / etc. (though I wouldn't want to get the electronics wet) - Never goes out of tune -- probably due to the stable neck - Gotoh tuners are smooth as whipped butter - Amazing clear sound plugged in, phase inversion and notch filter allow high volume before feedback - Records well -- the tonal clarity makes it sound like you're using a better mic than you actually are - Beautiful to look at -- MOP shark inlays and abalone rosette, and that shimmering carbon weave - Loud, cuts through in a jam - Well balanced for delicate fingerstyle but responsive to agressive flatpicking - No need to wait for it to open up -- the time is now! - Company's customer service responds to emails right away I guess in the end nothing speaks more for this guitar than its sound. Admittedly, it is not for everyone, but I love it. I was fortunate to play one at a jam before I bought mine. Before that I was highly suspicious of these non-wood guitars. Now I can't imagine ever going back.
Members Tony Burns Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Its a tough call , but i think they are nice guitars for the money - you could do alot worse - most of the folks on this forum who own them think very highly of them - nice sound and very durable - so im not going to talk you out of one ! you make up your own mind , its your money my friend !
Members RainsongDR1000 Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Got a DR1000 (duh!) and I love it. I do tune down to Eb but I also switched to Med gauge and has about the same action as lights w/ concert pitch. Also think Elixir nanos sound the best and I've tried many. Some drawbacks: 1) Yep, shows smudged ... and scratches. Carbon fiber is very tough, but poyeurthane isn't and will scratch just like it will on any other guitar and the black makes it show up more. They will buff out I'm told. 2) has a very thin neck (back to front, not widthwise) which makes some capos like the Shubb or Planet Waves not be able to adjust small enough at the first fret. I use a G7th and it works fine. 3). The top can get HOT! I was at an outdoor gig in early July in late afternoon with sun right in my eyes and beating on the top, almost burned my arm! On the upsound, it stayed in tune the whole gig while other guy retuned continuosly. Pros: I'm sure you've read most of them, the durablity, insensitivity to temperature, waterproof etc. Some other pros that aren't talked about as much: 1) It is the best intonated guitar I've played. In additon to not needing to tune it as often, I can capo at the 7th fret (Here comes the Sun , Scarborough Fair) and not have to adjust the tuning. Have NEVER been able to do that with another guitar. 2) Amplified sound is fantastic. Graphite is a much better conductor of electricity and sound than wood and that translate directly the pickup. I've played other guitars with the same pickup as this one is easily half again louder with less noise and more clarity. 3) It's light. Much easier to stand at a gig for 3 hours with that hanging around your neck and my old Guild 4) I agree with Brahmz118, the more I play mine, the muddier others sound when I play them, including high end solid wood guitars.
Members Kap'n Posted July 30, 2006 Members Posted July 30, 2006 Originally posted by RainsongDR1000 2) has a very thin neck (back to front, not widthwise) which makes some capos like the Shubb or Planet Waves not be able to adjust small enough at the first fret. I use a G7th and it works fine. Given LL's criteria for a guitar, I think a Rainsong is an excellent choice, provided they can cope with #2 (above), which was a turn-off for me.
Members Loud Librarian Posted July 30, 2006 Author Members Posted July 30, 2006 Wow, thanks for all the awesome info everyone, great to hear from people who own them. I think I'm going to order one in Sept. (once they become available at MF) and try it out. There is nowhere around here to try a jumbo. There is a store with the smaller body WS type, but that one didn't grab me very much. It would be nice to a/b it against some other nice acoustics...I'd feel a bit weird bringing it in to stores to compare...but there is no other way to tell if it's "the one" or not.
Members DADGADammit Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 anyone played one of those Carbon acoustic guitars from CA guitars?? i hear they are nice too, same idea, only made out of carbon fiber like a stealth fighterwww.compositeacoustics.com
Members RainsongDR1000 Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 Originally posted by DADGADammit anyone played one of those Carbon acoustic guitars from CA guitars?? i hear they are nice too, same idea, only made out of carbon fiber like a stealth fighter www.compositeacoustics.com Both Rainsong and CA are made of Carbon Fiber composites (Graphite). Different process in manufacturing but same basic material. The higher end rainsongs use woven graphite through out including back and sides. Rainsong uses a patent projection tuned layer that eliminates the need for top bracing, yielding a less dampened sound with more harmonics and overtones. CA uses top bracing, even though unnecessary to try and make ist sound more like a wooden guitar. Both are great guitars, the rainsongs are fancier with the Paua shell rossete and MOP shark inlays and the graphite weave looks cooler to me. Used to be that CA's were cheaper but the gap is closing as they become more popular
Members Queequeg Posted July 31, 2006 Members Posted July 31, 2006 Rainsong...talk you out of buying one...? OK. just relax. Close your eyes. completely relax your muscles now. From your toes, up your legs and torso, the arms, and each of your fingers. relax your neck. relax your mind, Loud Librarian. let your mind wander repeat after me, Loud Librarian: "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" OK. You're cured. no charge. We'll just call it an avocational courtesy.
Members Loud Librarian Posted July 31, 2006 Author Members Posted July 31, 2006 Originally posted by Queequeg Rainsong...talk you out of buying one...? OK. just relax. Close your eyes. completely relax your muscles now. From your toes, up your legs and torso, the arms, and each of your fingers. relax your neck. relax your mind, Loud Librarian. let your mind wander repeat after me, Loud Librarian: "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" "SD-60" OK. You're cured. no charge. We'll just call it an avocational courtesy. To bore you all some more, the SD-60 is awesome, but I wouldn't likely use it in my acoustic band (usually capo on 7 and 8 for most songs to balance with the other guitarist). So I'd have to keep the Carvin for the band, it's got a cutaway and electronics, plus it's not "too valuable" for playing out.The thing is the "camping" factor...I would never bring the SD-60 camping...leaving it in the (sometimes hot) trailer...bringing it out at the campfire, beach...etc. We'll be doing a lot of camping over the next 10 years (I'm a teacher - summers off) and that's a lot of playing time to miss out on, plus good times playing for others round the fire and whatnot.What I must do is compare back and forth to really see which is best for me. The only way is to order a RS and bring it to the guitar store....
Members DonK Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 Can't do it...I think they're awesome and wouldn't mind having one!
Members urizen Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 Naw, you've already sinned by lusting in your heart.
Members zb0430 Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 I still can't get this thought from ringing in my head: Guitars are made of wood...
Members recordingtrack1 Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 quote _______________________________originally posted by Loud Librarian:Rainsong...talk me out of buying one... _______________________________ uh . . . no. RT1:D
Members Kap'n Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 Originally posted by zb0430 I still can't get this thought from ringing in my head:Guitars are made of wood... Sure, but if you're gonna subject a guitar to abuse a fine wooden acoustic would cringe at, a Rainsong is a fine, fine choice, if you like the neck. The couple I've played sound nicer than any sub-18 Martin I've played, and better than about half of the -18's, -28's, -41's and '42's. Not a big fan of the -35's.
Members Loud Librarian Posted August 5, 2006 Author Members Posted August 5, 2006 Originally posted by zb0430 I still can't get this thought from ringing in my head: Guitars are made of wood... Yes, most are wood...but there are other fine choices too!
Members Loud Librarian Posted August 5, 2006 Author Members Posted August 5, 2006 Originally posted by recordingtrack1 quote _______________________________originally posted by Loud Librarian:Rainsong...talk me out of buying one... _______________________________uh . . . no.RT1:D You have one RT1? Or want one?
Members recordingtrack1 Posted August 5, 2006 Members Posted August 5, 2006 I don't know for sure. I have yet to play one and that would make the difference. I am very open minded. I have an Ovation. Does that count for anything?quote __________________________originally posted by Loud LibrarianYes, most are wood...but there are other fine choices too! __________________________ JOKINGLY SUBMITTED: Do you remember the movie the Terminator? The Cyborg thing. This guitar looks like a cyborg. You know, if you ripped all the wood off of it, then suddenly this is what you would see. It even seems to have a place for the RED eyes. Very high tech looking. Actually, very ROCK looking. RT1:D
Members Loud Librarian Posted August 29, 2006 Author Members Posted August 29, 2006 Dragging this up due to this model (RS Jumbo) listed as discontinued by MF. It was listed a while back as "due Sept. 9th" or something...then as available with limited quantity, now...nothing.Anyway, we didn't get the trailer, so the camping factor is much diminished, at least for now. Another thought is that if I'm not storing a guitar in rough conditions, no need to have such a bulletproof axe. As far as playing outside, if it's too hot/cold for a wooden guitar, it's too hot/cold for me to enjoy playing it.It would have been cool to check out the RS Jumbo just for the different tone, but oh well.I played a Larrivee SD-50 and 60 again, seems to be the way to go for the tone I'm after, love the wide neck too. Queequeg, your mantra is working. Yes, RT1, the National Tricone is rock, in a 20's sort of way! Incredible for acoustic slide and blues.
Members brahmz118 Posted August 29, 2006 Members Posted August 29, 2006 Sorry it didn't work out -- I think you would have liked it. Maybe Rainsong is working on an Advance Series Jumbo or something. Seems like they're due to come out with something new.
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