NGD- Rainsong APLE
 

Ordered my first CF guitar and 12 fret from dream guitars. Received it Tuesday and so far I am very pleased. Had a close friend over to play it and to provide a independent opinion before my 3 day trial period expired. Both of us went the following day to the Guitar Santuary to compare the APLE to all the other Rainsong CF's including the McPherson version (Kevin ?). We both came to the same conclusion that the APLE was the superior guitar. Things that stand out on the APLE 1) Fishman Plus T- sounds great through my Bose system and the settings for finger style and strumming are outstanding 2) 12 fret APLE just has a certain vibe and resonance that the compared CF's didn't have 3) the APLE sunburst is superior in appearance 4) 12 fret APLE is excellent tuned down a whole step to D all the way down the neck and stays remarkably in tune.

Long story short I'm very happy and plan on keeping this as my travel/outside the studio guitar for a very long time.

So glad you like your new APLE, just spent a few minutes with one here in the store and I think Rainsong has another winner.

BTW, not sure what you mean by the burst being superior. FYI the Rainsong APLE is basically a CO-OM1000NSB with Gotoh 510 tuners and Fishman Premium Blend instead of the Fishamn Prefix Plus T that comes standard on other Rainsong models. Other than those two changes everything else is the same. Basically you get the tuners, pickup, and burst finish at no upcharge with the APLE

Hey Ted. What exactly is a CO-1000NSB?. I get concert top and Shorty neck out of that and that is all. While the Petteway comes with full carbon weave b/s, I still can't figure how the is no upcharge on any of the features at $2499.00.

I figure you would know better than anybody :)

That was a typo, sorry about that. I meant CO-OM1000NSB. Here is the breakdown:

CO = Unidirectional Concert Series Top
OM = OM body
1000 = with electronics
NS = 12-Fret Short Scale Neck
B = Burst Finish

Quite logical once you know what everything means. ;)

Congrats on the new guitar! Happy to hear you are pleased with it. I have been seriously checking out the APLE. I hesitate to take my Greven OOO out where it might get damaged by weather or other factors.

The APLE has all the features I would want in a CF guitar. I know and love the Gotoh 21:1 tuners. My only question, as I haven't been able to play any Rainsong guitars, is how does the N2 neck feel? I'm used to Taylor standard carve necks, though the neck on my Greven OOO is slightly V shaped but thin. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Bill

The N2 neck is thicker than the standard Taylor neck. While I prefer the feel of the Taylor neck, I have no problem switching back and forth. Personal preference.

As an aside, I went for years being a "Gibson guy." I wouldn't even try other brands, because the Gibsons "just fit me." Then I tried (and bought) some other brands. Most of my guitars these days are Taylors... they fit me, sound good, and feel good.

BUT, I have discovered (and it only took a few decades or so) that I am adaptable. ;) :D It really isn't a big deal to switch from one to another. Same with neck scale.

Now, body size... that does make a difference in comfort. :evilgrin:

Try it - if you like the sound, the N2 neck won't turn you off.

Captain Jim

Thanks for the info, Captain Jim. One last question. I know the nut width on the APLE is 1 3/4" , but what is the string spacing (width) at the bridge? I'm hoping it's somewhere around 2 1/4" given that it's designed for finger style playing.

Bill

Hey Bill. I believe that Petteway was so impressed with the specs of the Shorty that he really only wanted to change a few things. Stuff like scale and string spacing remained the same. The changes were to the back and sides from a hybrid weave of carbon and glass to solid carbon and the finish. Hardware was upgraded to Gotoh 510 1:22 tuners, and the Fishman Prefix Premium blend. Near as I can tell, all other specs stayed the same. If that is true, the guitar is merely a glorified Shorty. Here is a link reviewing the Shorty where your question on string spacing is mentioned in the article

http://www.acousticguitar.com/Gear/R...orty-SG-Review

Hi Steelvibe,

Thanks for the info and link to the Acoustic Guitar review. This guitar is looking better all the time.

Bill

Very welcome. There will be a RainSong in my future, just a matter of time.

congrats on the new APLE!

Have you developed a string preference yet?

Bill R:

The standard string spacing at the saddle on a Rainsong is 2-11/64". Or, just a bit less than 2-3/16". You may want to verify the spacing given in the review is correct. Last I checked, 2-1/4" was not an option.

The RainSong website makes no mention on string spacing on the saddle (at least not on the Shorty), so it can be a little confusing. I did read on here a direct quote from Ashvin that was different then what was said on the review that I posted earlier.

Now that I have my own Shorty I can finally know (and so can the rest of you) that the Shorty does indeed have 2 1/4 spacing at the saddle.

* note that the spacing looks just a hair less than 2 1/4, but I assure you it is not. In order to get that clear of a shot I needed to focus the camera in a way that somewhat distorted what I saw what was clearly 2 1/4 spacing.

http://i1377.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3fd1944f.jpg

Ted,

By chance did you mean CO-OM1000NST?

I think the "B" means Blue, and the "T" means Tobacco Burst.

I really don't want to start an argument, just trying to once again verify the string spacing at the saddle. I'm reading the marks on the tape measure a bit differently. Granted, it is measured a bit away from the saddle, so it will be a tad less wide. I know they have been 2-11/64". But I'm not seeing it close to 2-1/4"

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ps539e8a75.jpg

I did contact Rainsong about the Shorty and they replied:

"The string spacing on our bridges (and hence on the guitars) has not changed in the last 10+ years. We have no current plans to change it either."