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  #1  
Old 10-28-2014, 03:29 PM
futboljim futboljim is offline
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Default NGD - RainSong APLE

Wow! Can't express how happy I am with this one! Finally got a few half decent pics, so I thought I would share my belated NGD.

I had tried a few composite guitars (Cargo, X20, WS, Lucky 13), and was really hoping to find one that I would fall in love with. The Blackbird Lucky 13 was close, but didn't quite hit me the way I wanted it to. No idea even why that is, because I really liked the way it played, felt, everything about it. I guess just cautious.

Long story short, but I loved the idea of the APLE, and thought that I liked the tone that I had heard on the videos that Ted from LA Guitar had previously shared. However, after playing a Black Ice WS a month ago, I was worried that the APLE would actually sound like that - a little too bright for my liking. I discussed it with Ted, and he convinced me that the APLE would likely be much more like what I was looking for, and I decided to give it a try.

I really liked it out of the box, although the Elixir 80/20 nanos that were on it were still a tad bright for me - not as much as the WS I had tried, but I thought it was worth giving some PBs a try.

Funny, being the frugal guy that I sometimes am, I salvaged the new Elixirs to try on my Recording King OM - that sounds a little muddy for me with PBs, and it improved with Pearse 80/20s. What was there to lose? Love them on my RK, what a bonus!

Tried Pearse PB lights on the APLE, and very much like them. Not totally sure that I will settle there, but good chance. They are a little more flexible than I am accustomed to, with the short scale, but that sure is nice in many ways. Just have to be mindful when I strum, and I don't do that a ton anyway.

High points:
  • finish - WOW!!! beautiful, really looks nice. Very slippery, though, but I am OK with that
  • Tuners - these are so far ahead of anything I have ever tried, it makes me want to open the checkbook and buy them for every guitar I own. Friggin incredible
  • NS neck - I am really getting used to this. When I tried the WS, I kinda felt the neck was a little bigger than I would like, but I really like it right now on the APLE. I guess I will know in a month or so if it holds up, but right now I prefer it to my other guitars.
  • string spacing - I would have liked 2-1/4", but it is sufficient. It doesn't feel cramped to me, and I flip back and forth OK from my other guitars
  • setup - very, very nice. I could take it down a little, but I might do a little strumming and would hate to run into buzz too much. I hear a little now, when I get after it a little, but it was just ready to play as soon as I pulled it out!
  • tone - I hate using words, but here is my best shot. Very clear, I can hear every note. Plenty of bass, but seems pretty balanced to me. Chords really bloom - they start crisp and clear, then overtones seem to take over, and it seems to sustain forever. Dynamic - it seems to respond well to differing attacks and sounds great at all volumes. Aggressive strumming, not so much, but I wouldn't likely use this for that much anyway. Good oak, light to moderate tannins, light plum and berry overtones...

Not sure what I am forgetting, but here are a few pics:









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Emerald X20 woody (Pao Ferro), Journey OF660, RainSong APLE, Martin 0-15sm - LA Guitar custom, Recording King RO-06M, Gretsch 5422TG, Epiphone Elitist Casino, G&L ASAT Tribute, Pono cedar/macassar tenor uke, Lanikai SMP-TC tenor uke - and a level of ability that lets each of these down oh so often... but loving it every time I play!
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  #2  
Old 10-28-2014, 04:11 PM
Captain Jim Captain Jim is offline
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Looks great! Being a Shorty SG-FLE owner, I totally get what you are saying. I just put a fresh set of Elixirs on night before last - makes you just want to keep playing.

Congrats on the acquisition - nice photos!

Jim
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  #3  
Old 10-28-2014, 07:15 PM
futboljim futboljim is offline
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thanks, Capn!
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Emerald X20 woody (Pao Ferro), Journey OF660, RainSong APLE, Martin 0-15sm - LA Guitar custom, Recording King RO-06M, Gretsch 5422TG, Epiphone Elitist Casino, G&L ASAT Tribute, Pono cedar/macassar tenor uke, Lanikai SMP-TC tenor uke - and a level of ability that lets each of these down oh so often... but loving it every time I play!
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Old 10-28-2014, 08:14 PM
dkoloff dkoloff is offline
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Very nice looking guitar.....!!!! Try some light - mediums and it might warm it a bit more for you.
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Taylor 424ce SL
Emerald X20 purple weave
Emerald X20 gold weave
Taylor NS34ce
Taylor T5X
Composite Acoustic OX Raw (Peavey)
Rainsong OM
Breedlove Pro C25/CRH
Prestige Eclipse Spruce/Mahogany
Voyage Air VAOM-1C (2)
Baden D style Mahogany
Journey Instruments Spruce/Mahogany
Journey Instruments OF660
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Mogabi 200
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Old 10-28-2014, 08:46 PM
mchalebk mchalebk is offline
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I generally don't care for burst finishes, but I sure like this one. Beautiful guitar.
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Old 10-28-2014, 09:13 PM
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J.R. Rogers J.R. Rogers is offline
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Congrats on the new APLE!
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Old 10-28-2014, 09:45 PM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Congratulations on your new RainSong. I love the Shorty SGA I just scored. I would love to hear yours but you have given a great review. I don't normally gawk at burst finishes and have never owned one. It works great on the APLE though. Thanks for the pics, and I agree that the Gotohs are superb
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Old 10-29-2014, 12:22 PM
futboljim futboljim is offline
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Thanks dkoloff, I light the idea of those tweeter strings, but I've only seen them from Martin , and I usually don't like their pb strings.

mchale- yeah, me too on the burst, but this one struck me in pics, and irl.

Thanks JR.!

steelvibe- I'll try to upload a sample. I did a quick comparison in the main forum, called "can you tell my guitars apart?" that includes my new APLE.
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Emerald X20 woody (Pao Ferro), Journey OF660, RainSong APLE, Martin 0-15sm - LA Guitar custom, Recording King RO-06M, Gretsch 5422TG, Epiphone Elitist Casino, G&L ASAT Tribute, Pono cedar/macassar tenor uke, Lanikai SMP-TC tenor uke - and a level of ability that lets each of these down oh so often... but loving it every time I play!
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  #9  
Old 10-29-2014, 01:06 PM
dkoloff dkoloff is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by futboljim View Post
Thanks dkoloff, I light the idea of those tweeter strings, but I've only seen them from Martin , and I usually don't like their pb strings.

mchale- yeah, me too on the burst, but this one struck me in pics, and irl.

Thanks JR.!

steelvibe- I'll try to upload a sample. I did a quick comparison in the main forum, called "can you tell my guitars apart?" that includes my new APLE.
Elixir has the light mediums as well usually have to order online to find them.
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David K.

Taylor 424ce SL
Emerald X20 purple weave
Emerald X20 gold weave
Taylor NS34ce
Taylor T5X
Composite Acoustic OX Raw (Peavey)
Rainsong OM
Breedlove Pro C25/CRH
Prestige Eclipse Spruce/Mahogany
Voyage Air VAOM-1C (2)
Baden D style Mahogany
Journey Instruments Spruce/Mahogany
Journey Instruments OF660
Recording King ROA-9 Bakersfield Limited
Mogabi 200
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  #10  
Old 10-29-2014, 01:18 PM
futboljim futboljim is offline
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Ah, great, I'll have a look. I might just try some Pearse pb mediums that I have already, first. I'm thinking that the light-mediums are worth a try so gonna have to place another order! Thanks for info
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Emerald X20 woody (Pao Ferro), Journey OF660, RainSong APLE, Martin 0-15sm - LA Guitar custom, Recording King RO-06M, Gretsch 5422TG, Epiphone Elitist Casino, G&L ASAT Tribute, Pono cedar/macassar tenor uke, Lanikai SMP-TC tenor uke - and a level of ability that lets each of these down oh so often... but loving it every time I play!
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  #11  
Old 10-29-2014, 04:47 PM
Captain Jim Captain Jim is offline
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I tried a set of Martin SP Phosphor Bronze on the Shorty last spring - less sparkle, but not in a good way. Didn't leave those on long. I try other brands but always come back to the Elixirs.

I have been using Elixir Polyweb on the Shorty; Elixir Nanoweb on the Taylor 522. They each seem to bring out the best in each guitar without exaggerating the crisp sound on the Shorty or the warmth on the Taylor.

Captain Jim
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