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NGD - Rainsong Parlor 12 Fret
Bit the bullet and bought a mint 1 year old Rainsong Parlor 12 fret with tobacco burst that was delivered today. So far I like the sound and feel in my hands but the action is too high for me. Is the best way to lower the action to go with reducing the saddle height? This guitar has a truss rod but I don't believe it is intended for changing the action, only for tweaking the neck relief.
I'm used to and like the action of my Taylors and the Parlor has significantly higher action. Any other RS owners done the same? Thanks!
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) Last edited by SprintBob; 11-17-2014 at 04:03 PM. |
#2
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Quote:
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#3
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A lowered saddle made a significant difference in playing ease with my Shorty (same neck as your P-12). That's where I'd start. My Shorty now plays as easy as my Taylors, keeping in mind the NS neck is a thicker profile.
Enjoy your new Parlor - great sound in a very comfortable size. Congrats. Captain Jim |
#4
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I can't see it, therefore it doesn't exist, lol.
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}: |
#5
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I see what you mean
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YUP.... Emerald: X-20, Center hole X-10 (Maple) and X-7 (redwood), Spalted Chen Chen X 10 level 3, CA: Early OX and Cargo McPherson: Early Kevin Michael Proto Some wood things by Epi, Harmony, Takamine, Good Time, PRS, Slick, Gypsy Music, keyboards, wind controllers.. etc |
#6
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Fun guitar! Congrats, sure would be nice to see the proof though!
And like the others, my Shorty is set with what i would call low action and plays VERY comfortably. You'll get it there.
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John |
#7
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Could be one or all of three things. Saddle height, neck relief and nut slot depth. Before lowering the saddle, I like to make sure the relief and nut slot depth are correct. May as well do everything at one time.
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#8
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Rainsongs are so consistent it won't be the slot depth. You may flatten out the relief a slight bit, but the bulk will be the saddle.
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#9
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Here's the link to my Photobucket album of my new Parlor:
http://s44.photobucket.com/user/Spri...?sort=3&page=1 I spent the early morning playing the Parlor along side my GSM. I bought the Parlor based on playing a Shorty at my local Rainsong dealer who did not have a Parlor in stock and did not know when they would have one. The Shorty has a "bigger" sound than my GSM (I had the GSM with me to A/B against the Shorty). The Parlor and the GSM to my ear are very similar in sound. The GSM has a warmer sound to it (Mahogany top) but has a touch less clarity and not as much low end as the Parlor. The Parlor also sounds a touch brighter. I like the wider nut on the Parlor, one of the reasons I was motivated to change. The necks are interesting. Measuring at the second fret, the thickness looked to be 20 mm for the GSM and 21 mm for the Parlor. The width looked to be 44 mm for GSM and 45 mm for the Parlor. But the Parlor just looks bigger even though the differences appear to be only 1 mm. The biggest difference is the action. All my other guitars are Taylors and the lower action works a lot better for me so I am going to order a new saddle for the Parlor to get the action similar to my Taylors. At this point, it seems like more effort to play the Parlor. I'm pleased with my purchase. The peace of mind to take the Parlor anywhere on a plane or in a hot car, the wider nut width, and the similarity to a guitar I really like has made me happy with my purchase. Oh, and the looks of the Parlor are certainly beautiful. The build quality is excellent. She's a looker for sure.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) Last edited by SprintBob; 11-18-2014 at 08:44 AM. |
#10
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No question a Rainsong's action can be lowered to play probably better than a Taylor, certainly as good. Good luck with your sanding. The difference in necks is the profile not really the thickness. Rainsongs have beefy edges, Taylors slope away from the edge.
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
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After reading that the saddle in the Parlor is the same Tusk saddle used by Taylor, I confirmed that with Rainsong and then realized I had a spare Tusk saddle out of my GS Mini (when I upgraded the saddle to a Colosi bone saddle).
I measured the Parlor saddle against the GSM saddle and then went to sanding the base of the GSM saddle. After sanding and re-installing the saddle, I tweaked the truss rod 1/4 turn and voila the action seems just right and the guitar's playability improved greatly. Might be a figmnent of my hearing but the guitar's tone seems to have improved also. I'm quite happy with the results.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#12
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Glad to hear that worked for you. One concern I had about lowering the saddle was the potential for fret buzz when strumming - turned out to be no issue at all.
Enjoy! |
#13
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}: |
#14
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Enjoy your new guitar. I have had its twin for a few months and I'm now contemplating selling off several guitars. The Rainsong and my resonator are the only ones that get playing time anymore.
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Rainsong Shorty SG Rainsong P12T All the Martins, Gibsons, and others are gone. |
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Hi Bob, would you like to share how much have you dropped the saddle height? A pic at the saddle area is much appreciated.
When I was considering a purchase of the Parlor, the fear of not able to drop the saddle height much stop me from buying it. |