Rainsong vs. CA guitar - Page 2

MJH · #16 08-06-2008, 02:31 PM

I love my WS 1000. I tried CA's and like them, but definitely preferred the Rainsong sound and feel.

But I've said it before, it's a Taylor/Martin thing. Both great guitars. You just gotta get the one that talks to you.

gerardo1000 · #17 08-06-2008, 02:50 PM

I have owned 3 Rainsong (WS 1000, Jumbo, OM1000) and four CAs:
dread, X small body, CX, AWS 1000 Advanced Series.
Therefore I can say that I know both brands quite well.
To my ear, and in my humble opinion, CA guitars are just a bit weak in the treble side. They are warm, woody, but not as balanced as Rainsong guitars.
Raingon guitars have sublime trebles and good basses.
Because I play mostly fingerstyle (no strumming, no flatpicking) and with fingerstyle the right balance between basses and trebles is key, I give my vote
to Rainsong.

SongwriterFan · #18 08-06-2008, 03:37 PM

I prefer CA . . . but I haven't played a CA and Rainsong at the same store. Never found them together anywhere.

SongwriterFan · #19 08-06-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJH

But I've said it before, it's a Taylor/Martin thing. Both great guitars. You just gotta get the one that talks to you.

Is the CA the Taylor, and the Rainsong the Martin?

Jim Tozier · #20 08-06-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raggamuffin

I heard Jim Tozier play his Raingsong OM1000 on his summer mini-tour and it sounded great plugged-in with his fingerstyle stuff . I played it a little unplugged & thought it was too "bright" sounding when strummed with a pick in my style

I think that's a fair assessment. If I were looking to do much strumming at all, I would have gone for one of the bigger-(and deeper)-bodied RainSongs. The JM1000 I played was a terrific strummer.

Jim Tozier · #21 08-06-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SongwriterFan

Is the CA the Taylor, and the Rainsong the Martin?

Although it's certainly a pretty broad generalization, I would say just the opposite. Tonally, I thought the CA's I played would be the "Martins" and the Rainsongs would be the "Taylors." Not that either carbon fiber guitar sounds like those brands, but the analogy is somewhat useful for expressing how the tonal qualities of CA and Rainsong compare.

Remnant4J · #22 08-06-2008, 06:05 PM

I tried SW1000 and A-SW1000. I thought one of them was really light and the other was extremely heavy. I didn't really like them both plugged in and unplugged. Especially, when they are plugged it, it was way too unnatural and plastic like... um I don't know how to describe, but it just sounds bad! =(

biggs2 · #23 08-06-2008, 07:11 PM

Some of us prefer CA's while others prefer Rainsong. They are both great guitars! Still waiting for my CA 7M-CE after 17 weeks but, I think I could be happy with either brand. The one Rainsong I've played was loud and responsive with a very decent tone. However, I really like the neck style and balance of a CA.

Remnant4J · #24 08-08-2008, 10:59 AM

WOW!! I just got my 5iM-CE in wine color. It is absolutely amazing! This is what I've been looking for a long time!

biggs2 · #25 08-08-2008, 07:36 PM

I have played only one Rainsong; a WS 1000 and it was an exceptionally fine guitar that would have been a pleasure to own and play. It was lightweight and loud, maybe just a bit louder that a CA. It had good overall balance but was a little on the bright side.

In the end, I ordered a CA 7M-CE primarily because I liked the warmth, darker tones (I'm also a Martin fan) and, the neck on the CA was a perfect fit for me. After an 18-week wait, I'm picking it up tomorrow.

I do want to repeat that they are both excellent guitars and I would be happy owning either guitar.

OmegaZ27 · #26 08-13-2008, 09:46 AM

I tried a Rainsong a few years back at a GC, for some reason I hated it at first (the strings sounded dead and I was comparing it to a Breedlove).

Recently, I bought a CA Cargo, brought it over to GC and they had more Rainsongs, with good new strings this time! Tried my Cargo and a Rainsong Dread. They both sounded different, but at the time, I started to like the Rainsong's tone. Too bad there weren't any fuller size CA's to try. I'm GAS'ing for a 5i!!!

Remnant4J · #27 08-13-2008, 11:26 AM

how does the cargo sound like? I absolutely love the sound and tone of my 5iM. It's better than any taylor or gibson guitars I've played before

OmegaZ27 · #28 08-13-2008, 12:04 PM

Well the only thing I can compare the cargo to that's in it's league is definitely better than a baby and big baby taylor, and little martin. Best 3/4 scale guitar I've ever heard. The best way I can describe the tone is full, and very bassy. I'm going to try medium 80/20's as opposed to the Elixir light PBs on it already to brighten it up a bit.

tonewood · #29 08-13-2008, 04:35 PM

I HAVE A 5iM. IT'S A WINNER. PLAYABILITY & TONE QUALITY, DEFINITELY A KEEPER. WHETHER HUMID OR DRY, NO WORRIES... UNPLUGGED OR AMPLIFIED, I REALLY ENJOY THIS INSTRUMENT.

Acousticado · #30 08-13-2008, 04:45 PM

I have never played a Rainsong. I don't doubt that they're good, but I'm not fussy about the look of them. I own a Cargo, and based on the superb sound, playability and look of it, I ordered a 7iM-CE in tobacco burst -- just like this one (owned by AGFer Cannon). I still have 6-8 weeks to wait!

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