Rainsong Guitars

I'm starting to shop around for a new acoustic and really dig the Rainsongs that I have gotten to play. But at that price point, I am also in Martin, Gibson, and Taylor territory. I'll ultimately go with what sounds and feels right but would like to hear some opinions from those that have compared them with their own more traditional guitars.

Check out Composite Acoustics too. They are excellent guitars made of carbon fiber and graphite. I have one (GX) and I tried both the Rainsong and the CA before ordering mine. I am extremely pleased with the guitar. This company was recently purchased by Hartley Peavey and moved the Merdian, MS. I am going to look at a second one tomorrow. They have some great models and they are selling all they can make. Check on line at the places that sell them an most of them are sold out!! Really a high quality guitar and I am just blown away by how touch sensitive mine is.

I'll tell you what, you can't go wrong with those guitars, Rainsong and Composite are both great brands, And you don't have to worry about the HUMIDITY!!!!

Living in the tropics composite guitars hold an enormous appeal. I came very close to buying a Rainsong because I was sick and tired of my acoustics coming apart in the heat and humidity. (Trust me, the southeast states are not as hot or humid as southeast Asia). The Rainsongs I played were by far the best compositesI played (much better than CA in my opinion) but as you note, the price is so far up there that you can buy some pretty nice guitars. In the end I decide on a strategy of trying cheap acoustics that I like and when they fall apart (usually in about 2 - 3 years) I fix them if it is easy and throw them out if it isn't. In the end, I thought the sound wasn't worth the money.

You might want to check out Emerald as well; hand built carbon fiber guitars from Ireland.

http://www.emeraldguitars.com/products/guitars/

Kill a tree, save a woodworker!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Best advice always for acoustic guitars is: Play as many as you can with your ears, not your eyes. One will pick you out and say "Take me home and never put me down"..


:lol:


Bb

I had an AWS1000 for about 2 years. The AWS was the "affordable" Rainsong series and they had a skinnier neck profile than the standard models. I couldn't handle the neck profile and I sold it but it would have been a dream guitar for a working musician who liked a slim neck.

The frets and intonation were fantastic.

The tone unplugged was very bell-like. Big bottom with a chime on top.

I live in Wisconsin. If it was 95 degrees outside with 90% hunidity or if it was 10 below zero it didn't matter. The guitar was bulletproof.

This story won't apply to Kentucky but it might make you laugh.

I played at a campus coffee house at University Eau Claire (NW Wisconsin) in January. The guitar was in my trunk and was 15 below zero. I was late upon arrival. I walked into the coffee house, looked at the small JBL PA, plugged in and started playing a CSN tune. It was 70 degrees in the coffee house. The carbon graphite body was sweating from the temperature and humidity change like a beer can on a hot day. There was water forming on the guitar top and I was wiping the top with my right arm (I was wearing a black cotten sweater) as was I playing. A waitress through a bar rag at me after the song and I wiped all around the guitar and went on.

Try that with your Martin guitar. Graphite guitars are very unique guitars.

Rainsong.
Composite Acoustics.
Emerald.

Those are the three. I chose the Rainsong because a local dealer had a few of the AWS's that I was able to try. My wife and I had just seen Leo Kottke and Leo toured with a 6 string Rainsong and his signature Taylor 12 string. Leo sounded amazing on his Rainsong.

I like Rainsongs a lot. Been following them ever since they started in Maui. You can get used Rainsongs on eBay for a bit less, and they wear pretty well.

Just remember, they have the advantage of being able to sit in your car all summer or winter without worrying about the elements, so it's always available to play, assuming you use your car a lot. That alone is a helluva selling point.

I built at SCGC for almost five years. I have a heavy bias towards wood instruments.

That being said...

The only, and I really mean the ONLY thing I could find to bitch about regarding the Rainsong guitars was the finish. He does them thick like surfboards, no shock, that's his background and the background of everyone who works there. And it sure doesn't affect the sound.

The tone is stunning and very, very even. I could rant for weeks about it, actually. Very strong in a Martin way, full of delicate overtones like a Taylor or Gibson but with that Martin thump underneath. My God, what a great sound those guitars have.

I love the look of them as well.

I remember going to their booth at NAMM when they were just starting out and locking myself in the soundproof booth and playing it, expecting to be disappointed.

I walked out and told them they'd created the guitar of the future. And they have. I expect in fifty years wooden acoustics will be relegated to museums, rarities collectors, and the history books. I'd buy one now if I had the money. I'd go into debt if they made a OOO.

Like it or not folks, with the rate that the rainforest hardwoods are going, it's either this or Martin's HPL plastic instruments, and there is no contest in tone; graphite wins every time.

I built at SCGC for almost five years. I have a heavy bias towards wood instruments.

That being said...

The only, and I really mean the ONLY thing I could find to bitch about regarding the Rainsong guitars was the finish. He does them thick like surfboards, no shock, that's his background and the background of everyone who works there. And it sure doesn't affect the sound.

The tone is stunning and very, very even. I could rant for weeks about it, actually. Very strong in a Martin way, full of delicate overtones like a Taylor or Gibson but with that Martin thump underneath. My God, what a great sound those guitars have.

I love the look of them as well.

I remember going to their booth at NAMM when they were just starting out and locking myself in the soundproof booth and playing it, expecting to be disappointed.

I walked out and told them they'd created the guitar of the future. And they have. I expect in fifty years wooden acoustics will be relegated to museums, rarities collectors, and the history books. I'd buy one now if I had the money. I'd go into debt if they made a OOO.

Like it or not folks, with the rate that the rainforest hardwoods are going, it's either this or Martin's HPL plastic instruments, and there is no contest in tone; graphite wins every time.

Great post, especially considering that you worked at Santa Cruz. You're making me want one. And I agree about the diminishing resources.

I've owned a Rainsong WS1000 for 9(?) years. It's like a low-maintenance friend. Always in tune, always sounds good. I don't worry about it drying and cracking in Arizona. Records well through the pickup/blender or with a condenser mic. Easy to EQ, and sits really well in a mix, without losing it's character. Lots of dynamic range played with a pick. Loud, if I want that. Some of the fingerpicking I do makes it sound almost like a piano. Super light weight. I've bumped it on chairs, and been unable to discern a mark. I'd leave it in the trunk of the car in winter, but NOT summer. I've seen other resin/fiber products lose their shape in that kind of heat! Downside? It can get hot to the touch playing in the sun...it's black! Also, I don't know how it would be fixable if part of it were smashed in a mishap.

Wow. Thanks for all of the great responses guys. I already have my lifetime acoustic. I was basically gifted a late 1930's Gibson L-00. Obviously, it never leaves the house, but its amazing. I shouldn't have left out that i am also wanting something that can be plugged in and knocked about a bit. I like the Martin Performing Artist series but am really intrigued By what I have heard from the Rainsongs that I have played. But at that pricepoint, I guess I don't want buyers remorse and wish I had bought a wooden instrument. Gonna play some more next week but i like the sound and am intrigued By the ruggedness of the Rainsong.

You know about the Composite Acoustics "Cargo" right?

If you are used to an L-00 you might like a Cargo. The cargo is smaller.

Cargo Ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Composite-Acoustics-Travel-Size-Carbon-Fiber-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-w-bag-/280880001756?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4165c0b2dc)

Another Cargo ebay link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cargo-Composite-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-w-Original-Cargo-Gig-Bag-16681-/221005021344?pt=Guitar&hash=item3374ed00a0)

This is Kramster. He posts on the Acoustic Guitar Magazine Forum often and he has more composite guitars than anyone that I know of. He has many outstanding Composite videos if you want to look. The videos are really good videos. This one in the unboxing of his second cargo.

I think you'll smile.

WIf5gPnIeO0

I played a Rainsong at a bluegrss festival once. My sweetie was listening from across the room. When I finished she asked me what I was playing. She said,"That was the most soul-less guitart I ever heard." Take it with a grain of salt. She does have good ears, but I think a Rainsong would be the perfect acoustic for a touring guitarist. Once you plug it in it changes everything anyway.

One of the few guitars that stands out from my countless trips over the years to various retailers is one of the Rainsongs. Could not believe the tone. I was actually with a friend that does not play any music and when i steummed a chordmhe was taken aback by the incredible sound. The snob in me however keeps elling me that for the same price pont i can get a Gibson.... A guitar that continuosly underwhealms me whenever i pull one off the wall to try out..... Lesson be learned - try with yer ears!

I have played some rainsongs, and I love how rugged they are. I do not love the sound acoustically. I can completely understand why someone would choose one, and I think plugged in, they are as good as any other high end guitar plugged in.

If I was a touring guitarist in a place with a Monsoon season, I might buy a Rainsong flattop. Failing that, it will always be solid spruce on solid rosewood for me.

It seems to me that these are the acoustic guitars you want to enter the apocalypse with.

I was very excited about my friend buying (online) their all carbon fiber model (cant remember which one) 2 wks ago.
$2,400.

Note clarity is unbelievable. I was enamoured... until I really played it this wkeend;

My friend knew of this and then mentioned it:

On the A string from the 5th fret or so and several frets up, the notes donot sustain.
Same on many notes above the 9th fret on the low E, and a few other strings- but not to those extents.

Frets are level- and crowned good. Action is kinda on the high side at 4/32's at the 12th fret, low E.
Tried a few tweaks on the truss, and different gauge strings...

It's the sonics of the gtr.

Sorry, this is not fret stuff.
It is crap to me.

My all ply Epi rings out much better in those areas (I did the level and crown myself)

LESSON: Buy online if you can return it within a time period.
TRY to buy in person.



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