Rainsong WS1000 in excellent pre-owned condition.

[billder99]

Fantastic guitar at any price... normally $1,600 - 2,000 used... snag it!!

[SpruceTop]

Glad you like your RainSong WS1000!

The $1100 price is pretty good if it's in good shape. What pickup/preamp system does it have? Around late 2008, RainSong changed from the L.R. Baggs Element Active and went with the Fishman Prefix Plus T for their higher-end models. I prefer the N1 neck because the N2 neck gets kind of chunky feeling to me as I play up the neck. The N2 is nice for its truss-rod adjustment if needed.

FYI: I recently traded-in one of my RainSong WS1000 guitars, where I bought it new in 2009, for a 2016 Gibson J-35. My trade was worth $1370 and the dealer put it out on his floor a couple of days later for $1799. My WS1000 was in like-new condition. I didn't like the Element system on the Gibson J-35 and returned the guitar and reversed the deal and got back my RainSong W1000. So, $1100 for a good condition WS1000 is a good price. Check for fret-wear, neck-relief (which can be a bit excessive sometimes), dings and break-throughs, and electronics that work properly.

[gerardo1000]

I had several Rainsong made in the same years as the one that it is on sale, and yes I would suggest that you agree with the seller that you have the freedom to check the guitar and send it back for a full refund if you do not like it. Particularly, check for the neck relief : some old Rainsong had too much relief and there was no truss rod installed at the time. Also, you may like the sound or not (I did like it) because the Rainsongs of that era were made with pure carbon fiber and had a very cristalline tone.

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Actually, the new N2 neck is superior. I know that whenever something is discontinued there will be those that are disappointed, but if there was enough interest, those things would not have been discontinued in the first place.

Good luck!

I have trouble using the word "superior" for either neck. Those that prefer a thinner Taylor-neck will prefer the N1. Including me that would be three posters on this thread. Simple truth is Rainsong cannot economically support two neck profiles and the N2 has a truss rod and is paid for. This is one disadvantage of carbon over wood. Wood is more flexible and profile variability much easier.

Back to your WS1000. Grab it!!!

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

I have trouble using the word "superior" for either neck. Those that prefer a thinner Taylor-neck will prefer the N1. Including me that would be three posters on this thread. Simple truth is Rainsong cannot economically support two neck profiles and the N2 has a truss rod and is paid for. This is one disadvantage of carbon over wood. Wood is more flexible and profile variability much easier.

Back to your WS1000. Grab it!!!

Steve, if what you say is true, then how does Emerald accomplish a Taylor-like neck with truss rods. If Emerald can do it, RainSong should be able to as well.

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Steve, if what you say is true, then how does Emerald accomplish a Taylor-like neck with truss rods. If Emerald can do it, RainSong should be able to as well.

Rainsong I think could truss rod a thinner neck if they chose to but their N2 was a design from a collaboration with the luthier that made Steve Millers guitars. It's a purposeful fuller modified U profile by design. It's paid for and their aluminum molds are not cheap. Taylor and Martin offer several profiles but for them it's adjusting a CNC machine, and they have a huge volume advantage. How many people really care enough or even know the differences in neck profiles to make it worth Rainsongs investment. Not enough. I have a JM1000 Jumbo with a N2 which is my Rainsong keeper. Even though the profile is not my favorite its not bad and it's not a deal breaker. I just would not call it superior. Emerald can do anything, that's part of their DNA, but they also just have a more "normal" C profile as standard.