Rainsong Slim vs Ovation Super Shallow

MarkF786 · #1 07-23-2012, 10:08 PM

I play an Ovation Custom Legend with a super shallow bowl, mainly for reasons of comfort, though there is a compromise in sound, especially in the bass. I'm interested in getting another acoustic and wondered how a slim body Rainsong compared in terms of comfort and sound. Has anyone had experience with both styles of guitars? How do they compare?

Thanks!

Mark

Doubleneck · #2 07-24-2012, 02:25 AM

I played a Ovation super shallow for a number of years. Very nice comfortable guitar and great plugged in. i have a Rainsong OM which I think is there shallowest. Very different guitars. I like Ovation and still own two but to me carbon fiber is a newer and better technology than their fiberglass backs. The Rainsong will be much lighter not as slim but I think all and all more comfortable to play given its weight. You need to take one for a spin and see for yourself. As for me I play my Rainsong and the Ovations are in their cases.

jonfields45 · #3 07-24-2012, 06:08 AM

The CA Xi might be a more exact physical match. I would love to play one, but never considered buying and eBaying, as I did with many other graphite guitars (Legacy->OX Gloss->GX raw->H-DR1100N2->S-OM1000N2->CO-DR1100N2) on my way to my CO-DR1100N2 (also Cargo RT->X7->X7OS->Peavey Cargo raw for airplane rides). Jon

mchalebk · #4 07-24-2012, 07:56 AM

Don't get hung up on just Rainsong; there are many CF guitars that would likely be good choices. I've got a CA Xi, which is the most comfortable guitar I've ever played. It also has a surprisingly full tone for such a slim guitar (much better than any shallow bowl Ovation I've ever heard). The CA X is the same depth, but I don't believe the acoustic tone is as full bodied.

Emerald has several possibilities: the X10, T8 and X7-OS would all be worth checking into.

Not sure how the Blackbird models compare, but the Super OM, Rider and Lucky 13 would all be worth checking out.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't consider the Rainsong models, just that there are many CF models out there and composite construction can really make a difference when it comes to giving a full tone with a smaller body. In other words, don't only look at Rainsong.

Doubleneck · #5 07-24-2012, 08:45 AM

I agree the CA Xi is thin and would be very close to a Ovation in thinness. I had one and used it for a while but sold it for the Rainsong OM1000 which I think is better acoustically. But the Xi may be an excellent choice for you if you are trying to duplicate the Ovation.

MarkF786 · #6 07-25-2012, 04:31 PM

The CA Xi looks very cool. Are there any dealers you'd recommend?

I previously owned an Emerald Opus X-10 and wasn't a fan, partially due to lack of responsiveness from the company when I had a question, so I'm not considering them as an option.

dkoloff · #7 07-25-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkF786

The CA Xi looks very cool. Are there any dealers you'd recommend?

I previously owned an Emerald Opus X-10 and wasn't a fan, partially due to lack of responsiveness from the company when I had a question, so I'm not considering them as an option.

I would tell you that typically Emerald and it's owner Alistair could not be more accomodating to the people that buy his guitars......I wouldn't put them aside, he has a new x20 coming out that looks spectacular.