Rainsong Shorty -vs- APLE Comparison review

[J.R. Rogers]

I've had the Rainsong Shorty in my collection since 2011 and it has traveled around the country with me on holiday many times, garnering questions from anyone with a passing interest in acoustic guitars and lots of "wow cools!" from the younger crowd. The simple black-top guitar with its modern carbon fiber lines on the body and neck definitely attracts attention. Fast forward to 2015 and today I received a Rainsong Al Petteway Limited Edition (APLE) guitar in the mail from my friends at Dream Guitars. Sound clips below...



This is a customized version of the Rainsong Shorty. The main differences (pardon me if I missed something) are the materials, the electronics, the tuners, and the finish. Other specs I believe are the same - short scale, 12-fret, etc.)

The APLE model has a body made of full carbon fiber while the Shorty is made of a carbon fiber/glass fiber hybrid material. The APLE model uses a Fishman Prefix Premium Blend system with Microphone while the Shorty has the standard Fishman Prefix undersaddle setup. The tuners are a welcome upgrade on the APLE using Gotoh SGV510Z high ratio tuners that are very smooth and much easier to fine tune than the standard Gotohs that come with the Shorty.

The APLE model has a special edition sunburst color that I believe is only currently available on this model. Rainsong finishes are thick and very durable in my experience. (My Shorty guitar still looks great after many trips on the road and lots of jam sessions with all the associated bumps.)

Tonally, there is definitely a difference between the two although it's hard to define exactly what it is. The APLE tone just seems a bit more refined to my ears. Maybe slightly more crisp and tighter mids. See the comparison recording below. The APLE does have newer strings so that will account for some of the difference but I was really very impressed with how Rainsong has this guitar dialed-in tonally. The APLE really does have a refinement that I'm used to hearing in some luthier-built guitars... yet it has all the advantages of carbon fiber - durability, resistance to heat and humidity, etc.

It seems that Rainsong has also spent extra time on the setup of the guitar, the APLE having slightly lower action and better playability overall than the Shorty example that I have.

The most memorable guitars I've played usually inspire some music and I've been writing tunes with this Rainsong APLE all day. I've been recording for my next album recently and as all the equipment is set up, I sat down with the APLE and wrote a little song... all the tracks (except drums) are the APLE.
https://soundcloud.com/bluesjr/just-now-aple


Here's a song from my Home Texas CD as played on the Rainsong APLE:
https://soundcloud.com/bluesjr/somet...-rainsong-aple


And here's a little comparison of the tone between the Shorty and the APLE completely dry - no effects whatsoever:
https://soundcloud.com/bluesjr/shortyaplecompare


JR

[Bill R]

JR,

I agree with your assessment of the APLE. I got mine from Ted at LA Guitar Sales a few months ago. I'm very pleased with all aspects of this guitar. It plays and sounds great acoustically and amplified and is impervious to the elements. I enjoyed your playing as well. Congrats on the new guitar.

Bill

[steelvibe]

Sounds really nice JR. I can't hear a whole lot of difference between the 2 guitars in the a/b sample, but your playing and the sound of the APLE on the original tracks sounds fantastic. I especially appreciate "Just Now" because it gives me a glimpse of what the instrument can do layered with other instruments. I think RainSongs sound stellar- maybe if just a tad on the bright side.

[futboljim]

Nice playing, I enjoyed it.

I don't hear a great deal of difference between the two, but would guess there is some in person. Listening on iPad played through my Bose sound link.

Enjoy your new guitar. I know I sure love mine!

[Doubleneck]

I remember from my old CA days the painted guitars just sounded a little different. That may be what your hearing. Nice playing!

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Congrats, JR. And I love the second recording you linked, Sometimes Nice.

[Acousticado]

Hi J.R. First, I like your songs, including those I've listened to on YouTube.

Although I've never played a RainSong but hope to at some point, strictly from a visual standpoint which is an important aspect to me, their OM shape is the only one that really appeals to me, the WS lesser so. Also, I'm not a fan of their shark fretboard inlay, nor their abalone soundhole adornment. Therefore, I find the APLE and the new LA Guitar Sales Exclusive Rainsong LA3-LE 14 fret (white) quite appealing. I find the new Smokey somewhat nice as well (although I think it might be a WS). I've never played a 12 fret, but have played a short scale guitar where I like the feel of the less-tensioned strings. I like to play high up the neck so I'm not sure that a 12 fret would work for me. I'll have to try one some day.

Does anyone know if the OM is available in a 14 fret with that APLE color burst and overall look (and no barn door electronics)?

[dgaemc2]

That is a stunning guitar and I so much enjoyed your demos JR!
Congrats and well done!

[J.R. Rogers]

Thank you folks for all the kind words. Very much appreciated.

JR

[Jimmy Koh]

Thanks for the effort, JR.

It's always great to see forum founders to take the lead in demoing and putting up shoot-outs clips/vids. And thank you for being a strong supporter of the CF community!