Rainsong 12 strings discontinued?

Doubleneck · #1 03-29-2014, 04:00 PM

On their website? Surprising to me.

Steve DeRosa · #2 03-29-2014, 05:33 PM

Glad I got my JM3000 while they were plentiful...

AZLiberty · #3 03-29-2014, 09:18 PM

Hmmn, once I sell a couple more instruments the next purchase will most assuredly be a Rainsong 12 to go with my Shorty.

HeavyDuty · #4 03-30-2014, 10:57 PM

I wonder if the 12 string neck mold called it quits? I still hold out hope for a twelve string version of the Shorty. (And I believe in Santa, too.)

Finger Stylish · #5 03-31-2014, 03:15 AM

I've heard very few 12 strings that I like. Most 12's sound like someone adding re-verb or stagger to a singer with pitch problems to cover up the obvious.
The Rainsong 12's and Ovations sounded more like a dedicated instrument to me, which means something with purpose, which means; wouldn't mind hearing or having one.
Otherwise I won't miss most 12's going in the closet. My opinion

benderman57 · #6 03-31-2014, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

Hmmn, once I sell a couple more instruments the next purchase will most assuredly be a Rainsong 12 to go with my Shorty.

I own two Rainsong 12 strings and they are hands down some of the best souding & playing 12 strings I've ever owned or have played. I really think the carbon platform shines in a carbon guitar. Much better note seperation overall than any wooden 12 I've heard or played. In fact I put up one of my RS 12's on ebay just last night as my two are just so close there is no real reason for me to own 2 of them.

Here is the link if anyone might be interested in a really nice Rainsong 12 String.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201063388808...84.m1555.l2649

Doubleneck · #7 03-31-2014, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Stylish

I've heard very few 12 strings that I like. Most 12's sound like someone adding re-verb or stagger to a singer with pitch problems to cover up the obvious.
The Rainsong 12's and Ovations sounded more like a dedicated instrument to me, which means something with purpose, which means; wouldn't mind hearing or having one.
Otherwise I won't miss most 12's going in the closet. My opinion

The 12 to me is good on a much smaller proportion of what I play. To me the value of the Doubleneck, the 12 is there when you need it but would never be my main guitar. You have to believe they just don't sell enough 12s.

Doubleneck · #8 03-31-2014, 04:22 AM

They been fronting their truss rod N2 neck. Harder for customers to rationalize the 12 string without a truss rod. Not enough volume for a new design. If you live by the truss rod you can die by the truss rod?

snickers · #9 03-31-2014, 07:37 AM

I talked to Rainsong, they said that they were ceasing production of the 12 string necks with no truss rod due to expense of the different production techniques associated with them. He didn't want to say if they were going to do a different 12 string neck in the future, but it did not sound imminent.
Maybe Blackbird can make one...

Acousticado · #10 03-31-2014, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

The 12 to me is good on a much smaller proportion of what I play. To me the value of the Doubleneck, the 12 is there when you need it but would never be my main guitar. You have to believe they just don't sell enough 12s.

This is my experience with the Chimaera too, Steve. The added value is being able to go between necks to add another tonal dimension (e.g. playing the chorus of some songs on the 12). When you play a song that was obviously originally recorded on a 12 (e.g. Boston's "More Than A Feeling"), you know it and won't be happy playing it on anything other than a 12. To have a 6 and a 12 in your hands at the same time in such a lightweight, ergonomic package is just great.

Doubleneck · #11 03-31-2014, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snickers

I talked to Rainsong, they said that they were ceasing production of the 12 string necks with no truss rod due to expense of the different production techniques associated with them. He didn't want to say if they were going to do a different 12 string neck in the future, but it did not sound imminent.
Maybe Blackbird can make one...

They want one neck type to reduce expenses. The next to go will be the N1, bet they don't make enough with the N1 to justify it.

Ashvin · #12 03-31-2014, 09:38 AM

The official word ....

RainSong has been using two distinct methods for building necks. The original N1 necks and the 12-string necks were made using RTM (resin transfer molding) while the new N2 necks and NS necks (short scale) are crafted using a press-molding technique.

Over the past 5 years, the demand for the N2/NS necks has far surpassed the demand for the N1/12-string necks. It is no longer economically prudent for us to support the RTM process. We have stopped producing the N1 necks and the 12-string necks. This impacts 12-string orders immediately. We will continue to produce instruments with N1 necks until our stock of these necks runs out (probably later this year).

Reintroduction of the 12-string and/or a N1-profile neck will require us to build new molds (ie. $$).

benderman57 · #13 03-31-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashvin

The official word ....

RainSong has been using two distinct methods for building necks. The original N1 necks and the 12-string necks were made using RTM (resin transfer molding) while the new N2 necks and NS necks (short scale) are crafted using a press-molding technique.

Over the past 5 years, the demand for the N2/NS necks has far surpassed the demand for the N1/12-string necks. It is no longer economically prudent for us to support the RTM process. We have stopped producing the N1 necks and the 12-string necks. This impacts 12-string orders immediately. We will continue to produce instruments with N1 necks until our stock of these necks runs out (probably later this year).

Reintroduction of the 12-string and/or a N1-profile neck will require us to build new molds (ie. $$).

Thanks for clearning this up. Love my Rainsong 12 strings and I hope at some point you can make them again if it makes sense for the company. Best 12 String guitars I've ever had the pleasure to own and that's been a good many!

ac · #14 03-31-2014, 10:38 AM

A good reminder for those who have interest in a carbon fiber models--not to wait forever. This is not the first time things have changed like this.

The number of wood builders is essentially endless. Not so with CF. I was on the brink of purchasing a Cargo and days later read they had closed shop. I moved on to Emerald, happy I did, but they are not Taylor or Martin with deep pockets. Blackbird is a relatively small shop also. They are stable, but nothing in comparison to the big boys of wood.

Those of you with Rainsong 12 strings should easily see their value appreciate now. They are well known, quality, and won't change structurally like wood.

Those of you who were putting off ordering a 12 string from Emerald should move quickly before your wait time grows very uncomfortable! Get them while you can!

benderman57 · #15 03-31-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac

A good reminder for those who have interest in a carbon fiber models--not to wait forever. This is not the first time things have changed like this.

The number of wood builders is essentially endless. Not so with CF. I was on the brink of purchasing a Cargo and days later read they had closed shop. I moved on to Emerald, happy I did, but they are not Taylor or Martin with deep pockets. Blackbird is a relatively small shop also. They are stable, but nothing in comparison to the big boys of wood.

Those of you with Rainsong 12 strings should easily see their value appreciate now. They are well known, quality, and won't change structurally like wood.

Those of you who were putting off ordering a 12 string from Emerald should move quickly before your wait time grows very uncomfortable! Get them while you can!

Very good thoughts!