Emerald X20 vs Rainsong CO WS1000N2 vs CA GX
Ok...
I know there are other posts out there about brands etc... but I am asking about these 3 guitars specifically for anyone that has experience with all 3. Emerald X20 opus vs Rainsong (Concert series) CO WS1000N2 vs CA GX I know that it might be hard to find someone that has played all 3 but I thought I would give it a shot. If someone could please compare and contrast the tone, volume, resonance/sustain, feel etc... between these 3 specifically that might help me make a decision. None of these are available to go play in Oklahoma as far as I know. Thanks guys! |
Hi Randy,
I've played multiple versions of all three models side by side, which is important given how short our tonal memory is, so I am quite familiar with them. If you give me a call I will be happy to share my experience. |
I think you mean CA GXi. There's a GXi and an Xi. The GXi is simialr size to the other ones you mentioned, but it's no longer made. The Xi is only about 3" thick and so the tone will be far from the WS and X20. I think they make the Xi more for playing plugged in live, thin body.
I haven't played the Emerald X20 or Rainsong WS, but I have played a GXi. It was very bassy and warm, but also very muted in the mid-highs and trebles. It was like someone put a blanket over the whole high end of the guitar. I tried strumming some basic chords well moving melodies lines on the high E string and you could barely hear hear the changes if at all. The strings sounded crisp, they were fresh. Nice attck in the lower strings, just out of balance. You could hear the highs a bit better when doing fingerstyle, but it was still muted in the mid-highs and treble. Quite a dark guitar, not my thing. Darker than a hog topped guitar. MAYBE 80\20's would bring more out of it... but it was pretty dark. |
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Thinking about it now, given the range of guitars that have emerged since, I would not consider a GXi (nor the GX which Peavey still offers). It sure was a looker of a guitar though, and like the Cargo, has my favorite neck profile. That said, CAs don’t have truss rods in a composite guitar world where most other builders have recognized that players prefer having a truss rod to fine tune their setup preferences, so they are installing them. I speculate that if CA were to begin installing truss rods, the neck profile would change significantly, adding weight and balance issues to a lineup of guitars that are already on the heavier side compared to the competition. Although I do own the Emerald doubleneck, I don’t think my impressions will necessarily translate to the X20, so I really can’t comment on it or the Rainsong. Although I won’t be ready to buy a guitar for a while, at this point my personal contenders will be the X20, Rainsong CH-OM, and the Blackbird Savoy (realizing that the Savoy is smaller and a lot more expensive). |
Just to chime in, there is an offset soundhole version of the Rainsong, if that's something that appeals to you. It looks pretty sweet: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...2041x151905500
I recently got a Concert Hybrid WS, and I've been playing the snot out of it the last few days, but I can't really give you any side-by-side comparisons. Good luck! |
If I got a rainsong I would be interested in the concert series with the unidirectional CF top.
They're supposed to sound a little warmer ...a little closer wood-like, right? |
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Do you have the CO WS1000N2? Which is the best for fingerpicking? |
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I think the X20 looks awesome but, It sounds like most X20 owners use them for flat picking or strumming. I haven't seen that many finger pickers using them. Is there a reason for that?
Or am I just jumping to a false conclusion? |
I guess another question would be.... Is the Rainsong worth the extra $1,000 ?
Emerald X20 Opus $1,495 vs Rainsong CO WS1000N2 $2,495 |
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpcULDQ8P-0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxeozaS_uRI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laHr5wMMU3I And, my guitar (probably wondering how it would up with an old rock 'n roller)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHFahKtLtVU So, I'd say: yeah, there's plenty of fingerstyle playing on these guitars. |
Thank you Captain Jim! I just found the Al Petteway clip myself. Nice. The X20 doesn't sound as loud and bright as the Rainsong but still sounds pretty good. I would say that the X20 sounds a little warmer , a tad quieter maybe a bit boxy versus an open ringing sound or the Rainsong by comparison. Would that be fair? I guess that's all subjective depending on the player and listener.
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I also make sure I listen with some quality headphones. Most computer speakers and earbuds don't produce good bass. I use my Bose Q25 with the noise cancelling turned off as it drastically re-eq's things. I find I get a full natural tone that way. I tested them with music I know and it sounds very true. Some people have very nice computer sound systems, so thus may by moot for you. From my listening experience, Martin Blaines gets the most out of CF guitars for fingerstyle (not that I've heard everything). There was already one video linked, here's another. He gets many tones and dynamic range. That's a combination of his fabulous technique and the instrument to exhibit it on. |
Good ole Martin... nice
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