Rainsong hybrids

canuck57 · #1 09-07-2023, 09:56 AM

Just starting a quest for a CF guitar, and noticing Rainsong hybrids. The slightly lower price point appeals to me but curious if they are now discontinued. Rainsongs site doesn't address this directly. Any idea if they are history and curious why? I have been leaning to the PA Savoy model as I have lots of very good guitars but no real parlors? Any feedback appreciated. The main appeal to me of CF for now is for travel, camping etc.

canuck57 · #2 09-07-2023, 10:10 AM

Sorry confused the Rainsond PA series with Blackbird Savoy. I guess the Blackbird is not really a CF guitar. My bad! Just looking at parlor options thats all!

RP · #3 09-07-2023, 10:33 AM

Not sure if I can answer your question, but I'll give it a try. The Hybrid line designated by an H were eliminated a few years back, and they featured a decent tone with a relatively low price. As an example, the H-DR1100N2 went for about $1599 retail. Rainsong has done a lot of shaking up in its lineup of guitars and how they do sales. They no longer sell through dealers so the dealer listed Rainsongs you see are either used or closeouts, often with great prices. Your best bet might be to try and find someone with Rainsong parlor https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600568 https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...php?t=646425to try out and then watch the AGF Classifieds and Reverb for a used or newish model. I personally could never warm up to a parlor due to the small size and would suggest you look for a used Rainsong OM....

Aspiring · #4 09-07-2023, 11:41 AM

I have a BlackBird El Capitan and you mentioned the Savoy. For most practical purposes ekoa can be viewed to fit a similar need to carbon. Environmentally it covers similar conditions. It is not quite as strong in that I wouldn't run it over with a car but still stronger than ordinary wood.

If the Savoy appeals to you, I would definitely check it out, it is a model that has a lot of fans and from what I understand it apparently is louder and fuller voice than most guitars in its size range.

Fixedgear60 · #5 09-08-2023, 07:34 AM

Hi... I have owned the Savoy and RS Parlor (Nylon & Steel). I found the Savoy a fuller sound and with the Eurgo curves much easier to play. Both of these eventually moved on when I played the McPherson Touring which is my daily player now. To my ears has a fuller and more balanced sound verses either of the above and plays like a parlor. Also comes fully spec'ed for playing out. Hope this helps...

Earl49 · #6 09-08-2023, 12:54 PM

The hybrid line was an attempt to build to a lower price point by using hybrid fiberglass materials for the sides and back instead of more expensive carbon fiber fabric. I also own a PMJ-1000 which has a woven CF top but laminated body and wood neck, and was made in Korea instead of the US. They did not last more than a couple of years before being discontinued. The Hybrids were priced lower and competed internally with the all-CF models from Rainsong. Why buy an all-weave WS-1000 for $2500 when you could get a H-WS-1000 for $1500? Price has always been a sticking point in the composite guitar world, but they require as much labor as a wood guitar AND use more expensive materials too. (CF fabric is more expensive than many tone woods). Eventually the whole Hybrid line went away. In terms of sound it was widely reported here that the Hybrids were a bit warmer and "woodier" in tone, but I cannot vouch for that.

I already had a Classic WS-1000 from 2001 so I never looked seriously at any of the Hybrids.

bsman · #7 09-08-2023, 01:42 PM

I've had a Rainsong Shorty (early OM-sized, 12-fret composite model) for about seven or eight years and have never felt the need to move on from it. To my ears, it sounds like a really good guitar. The backs and sides of the composite models are not fiberglass - rather they are a fiberglass/CF composite. If you can find a rainsong composite in your 'size' you should give it a listen.

mountainmaster · #8 09-08-2023, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

The hybrid line was an attempt to build to a lower price point by using hybrid fiberglass materials for the sides and back instead of more expensive carbon fiber fabric. I also own a PMJ-1000 which has a woven CF top but laminated body and wood neck, and was made in Korea instead of the US. They did not last more than a couple of years before being discontinued. The Hybrids were priced lower and competed internally with the all-CF models from Rainsong. Why buy an all-weave WS-1000 for $2500 when you could get a H-WS-1000 for $1500? Price has always been a sticking point in the composite guitar world, but they require as much labor as a wood guitar AND use more expensive materials too. (CF fabric is more expensive than many tone woods). Eventually the whole Hybrid line went away. In terms of sound it was widely reported here that the Hybrids were a bit warmer and "woodier" in tone, but I cannot vouch for that.

I already had a Classic WS-1000 from 2001 so I never looked seriously at any of the Hybrids.

It is even more complicated than that...

The regular Hybrid series was all CF/fiberglass, including the top.

My Rainsong Smokey is one of those. Whether it sounds any warmer than the full CF Rainsong models I would not know, since my Smokey is the only point of reference I have. This is still a rather bright sounding guitar though. So don't expect too much from the fiberglass "warming" effect.

The series you are referring to must be the Concert Hybrid which had CF/fiberglass back and sides, plus a full unidirectional CF top.
Technically I would call that a Hybrid Hybrid.