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#32
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Thank you for posting the video. I had not heard that one, and it was fun to listen to.
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Refretting a RainSong |
#33
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Fun reading all this stuff...I really like it. Wonder what my next one will be.. and not a another banjo... unless...
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YUP.... Emerald: X-20, Center hole X-10 (Maple) and X-7 (redwood), Spalted Chen Chen X 10 level 3, CA: Early OX and Cargo McPherson: Early Kevin Michael Proto Some wood things by Epi, Harmony, Takamine, Good Time, PRS, Slick, Gypsy Music, keyboards, wind controllers.. etc |
#34
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What does this mean to the OP? It means that the Taylor GA, Rainsong WS, and the Emerald x20 are all about the same size as the Composite Acoustics GX he tried, and 1/4" here o there wont change that. Last edited by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales; 09-20-2017 at 10:59 PM. Reason: felt like editing |
#35
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One note of caution re Rainsongs: Some folks really do not like the 20" fretboard radius.
I do like a flatter board, and my main guitars are my Rainsong Shorty and Larrivee OM-03R, which has a 17-21" compound neck. If the OP struggles with flatter necks (his Taylor would be 15") then he might not like Rainsongs and might be better off with an Emerald (16") or CA. Otherwise, with that Caviat, my first recommendation would be to look at one of the Hybrid Rainsongs in the Windsong (WS) body style.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#36
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As many have already mentioned, Ted at LA Guitar has probably played every CF guitar out there. he will not steer you wrong.
As for your original post and The Composite Acoustic GX. I found that particular model very appealing both sound wise and for playability. However , if you were not comfortable with the neck, then maybe it is not for you. So many good choices out there. Not many used to choose from. I have not played an Emerald X20 Opus, but it is on my short list and the price is in your ballpark.
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Couple of CF guitars, Couple of wood guitars Bunch of other stuff. |
#37
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I really appreciate all the feedback y'all have provided so far. I'm definitely going to need to get my hands on a few more of these to make a decision.
Based on what I've seen and read so far though, I think I'm most interested in a Rainsong WS or DR. At the moment, I'm leaning more towards the DR because I'm just a Dred guy. Regarding the Rainsongs, I'm really, really curious how I'll perceive the difference between the hybrid, the woven top, and the unidirectional top. I really like the rosette and fret inlays on the unidirectional "CO" series models. The replies here helped me form search queries to find a lot more stuff to read. It sounds like most people get interested in CF on account of stability and durability, and then wind up in love with everything about CF guitars. Really excited! |
#38
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I'm late to the spending HE's money party, but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents. You can't go wrong with a Rainsong. I almost got one with those little fish on it and probably would have if there had been one in a store close by at the time. I ended up having only the option of mail ordering a carbon fiber if I wanted to try one and Alistair (Emerald guitars) was the first one to respond to my queries of all the carbon fiber manufacturers and dealers. He answered all my questions and he thought that I would like the (newly revamped at the time - late 2013) X20. I wasn't too keen on the shape, as I was then thinking more traditional with a center hole but I only intended the guitar to tide me over until I got the guitar of my dreams later and he offered me a fantastic deal on it. Well this standard Opus X20 has ended up being the closest thing to the guitar of my dreams that I have had the pleasure to play and is the only guitar I have that I would look to replace if for some reason I broke it or lost it.
I really like the Rainsongs and CAs, but haven't been able to justify getting one. I like the Blackbirds too and absolutely love the little Lucky 13 as it is so fun to play that I actually ended up getting one of those too. I brought the Lucky 13 to my office a week or so ago and have had a few otherwise respectable humans frothing at the mouth over it, so I have kept it there to see how long this interest lasts. I was pretty worried about ordering unseen/untouched, but now I don't think I would get anything except some variation of a carbon fiber guitar if I get anymore acoustic guitars in the future. For example, I haven't played a Journey or other carbon fiber manufacturer yet, but I might just get one sooner than later (probably again without first playing one) once I have sufficient reason and sufficient funds. The ones I have played are that good and I love the consistency and suspect that it applies to all carbon fiber guitars. I am not going to say you will stop playing your Taylor completely, but that's quite possible. Just ask Jim.
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Cheers, Tom PS If you don't want to invest in yourself, why should anyone else even bother to try? |
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I still play my various Taylor's -- in fact I played my old 414ce for 90 minutes last night, and enjoyed every moment with that fine guitar. But I find myself reaching for either the WS-1000 or the Lucky 13 about 85% of the time, especially if I am leaving the house for a jam. And it's not just a honeymoon phase. The Rainsong has been with me since 2001 and the Lucky 13 since October of last year.
If somehow (God forbid) every guitar disappeared from my house tomorrow, only the carbon fiber guitars would get replaced. |
#40
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BTW, I sent you a message. |
#41
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In all of that time, I've not found a more singularly useful post than this one from Ted. That was an amazingly succinct analysis clearly derived from your immense closeness and knowledge with this subset of acoustic guitars! Kudos, Ted. I've always greatly appreciated your posts!
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Martin CEO-7, Martin 000-15sm, Gibson J-35, Ibanez AC240, Yamaha FD01S, Journey RT660 |
#42
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I just thought I would add my two cents here being that I do also play primarily fingerstyle with flesh only. If I could keep only 1 CF guitar right now it would be the Rainsong, no contest. I am still in the honeymoon phase with the Lucky and it would be a close 2nd.
The Emerald has an amazing voice, and if I was primarily a strummer that would change things. It also has awesome harmonics that ring forever. However, and my opinion clashes with many here, it would be the 1st CF to go. I find myself having to really work too hard to get the volume from it( usually traveling and no amp) that it really affects the way I play. I am trying to pluck so much harder for the same response I may get from my RS or Lucky that my fingers get tense and it goes downhill. Then I adjust to the instrument and just accept the lower output, and it is great, but pretty quiet, again, played only with flesh. I grab my pick and it is a whole other experience and I see what everyone raves about. Just my experience, and the Emerald is a well built quality guitar with a great voice. As to the 12fret/14fret deal. I have 2 Taylor GC 12frets plus the Shorty and 2 Taylor GA's(probably 1 soon) with 14 frets as well as the Emerald, plus my Lucky 13. No issues going back and forth, maybe a quick adjustment to the uniqueness of each instrument but no "issues" except what was mentioned above. You really can't go too wrong with any of the current CF crop that I know of. I stopped by Ted's shop and got to play many before my 1st purchase. He and Helene were soooo helpful. Keep us informed on what you decide.
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Dave McPherson Sable, Blackbird Lucky 13, Rainsong OM1000. Various wood, mostly Taylors |
#43
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I am one of those players for whom fretboard radius is a very important spec. I can not play on a board flatter than 16" for more than about 30 minutes without experiencing left hand issues. I recently went through the same search process for a first CF guitar as the OP, and thanks to my research (most of it done in this sub-forum - Thank you all!), I went with a used, mint Composite Acoustic OX RAW. Composite Acoustics uses a nicely arched 14" fretboard radius, and I find the playability of my OX to be outstanding. It is the best playing guitar (acoustic or electric) I have ever owned. To the OP, good luck with your search! I hope it is as successful as mine was...I absolutely LOVE my CA OX RAW. It has completely changed by "acoustic guitar world view".
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2017 Alvarez Yairi OY70CE - Sugaree c.1966 Regal Sovereign R235 Jumbo - Old Dollar 2009 Martin 000-15 - Brown Bella 1977 Gibson MK-35 - Apollo 2004 Fender American Stratocaster - The Blue Max 2017 Fender Custom American Telecaster - Brown Sugar Think Hippie Thoughts... |
#44
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The tone and playability were wonderful, and the slight lack of loudness has not stopped me from ordering a customized X20-12 string -- basically the upper half of the Chimaera. I will finger pick that one too, and strum it with a flat pick. My detailed report will be forthcoming when it gets here around early December. |
#45
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Ditto that, Eric. Ted should keep this verbiage from post #21 on his web site, since it is such a useful introduction / synopsis of the current CF world.
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