Rainsong N1 vs Emerald X20 Neck

[new2guitar_eh]

I am in the market for a new guitar and considering both a Rainsong OM and Emerald X20. I like the necks of each of my Sable, (older) X10 and Journey OF660 and am a little concerned about the reported beefiness of the Rainsong N2 neck. This leads me to inquiring about the N1 neck.

Wondering if anyone can comment on the N1 neck and how it compares to the Emerald?

[Earl49]

I bought new a 2001 Rainsong WS-1000 with the N1 (original) neck that I still like a lot. I also own several Emeralds and like their neck profiles too. Rainsong N2 necks are workable but not preferred for me. Someone who tried my Emerald X20 recently commented that its neck felt very Taylor-like. It is a slightly flatter profile according to feel. Hope this helps….

Luckily I can play most necks of 1.75” nut width or greater: Rainsong, Taylor, Seagull, Emerald, and others. What I cannot abide is a Martin MLO neck with 1.69” (1-11/16”) nut width. That forced me to divest of the Martin guitars that once lived here. Twenty minutes of play on those and my left hand ached for the rest of the day.

[BlueStarfish]

The neck on the newer stock X20’s has a profile that is (and feels) wider than the Sable. They are the same 1 3/4” at the nut, but the X20 gets wider faster as it goes up the neck. At the 14th fret, my Sable measures 2 3/16” wide, vs. 2 5/16” for my X20. The string width at the saddle is also slightly narrower on the Sable, if I recall, though not as dramatic as the neck width. I would say that the Sable’s width dimensions seem closer to market norm, the X20 definitely feels a little “wide” compared to most other 1.75” nut guitars I have played. Not so much to be a problem, just enough to notice when I change between the two.

They feel pretty similar to me in terms of the thickness of the neck, close enough that I don’t feel a difference on that dimension as a player.

I find that whichever one I have played the most recently is the one that feels the most comfortable. That tells me neither neck is “better” for me, it’s just a matter of familiarity. But some people have a stronger preference for narrower or wider of course, and you may be one of those.

I can’t comment on the Rainsong necks. You’re probably aware that Emerald will do custom necks on request (or at least, let you select from some common alternative neck widths and scale lengths).

[mikealpine]

I go between my N2 (on my H-OM) and Emerald X30 neck with no issues. I don’t even notice much of a difference.

[Markcarl]

I’ve got a 14-fret WS1000 Rainsong with the N1 neck and several 12-fret Rainsong OMs with the NS neck. The NS neck has the same profile as the N2 neck but with 12 frets instead of 14. I think I have a slight preference for the N1 neck over the NS but I like them both. The N1 neck has a thinner profile and almost feels like an electric guitar neck. The NS neck feels like a regular acoustic neck to me. They are both comfortable to play for me.

I also have 2 Emerald X20 guitars. I go back and forth between the Rainsong and Emerald guitars. I don’t have a preference between the Rainsong and Emerald necks.

The biggest difference I notice between the Rainsong and Emerald guitars is the tone and volume. To my ear the Rainsong guitars sound louder with more top end. The Emerald guitars have a darker / deeper tone. I like them both.

[new2guitar_eh]

Thanks to those who replied. I am leaning towards a Rainsong CO-OM1100N1 at this point, but a CO-OM1100NS or an Emerald X20 remain strong possibilities. Gotta say this is a great problem to have!

[Groberts]

I can't comment on the Rainsong neck but I have a few Martin's and Collings and my recent Emerald X20 neck is absolutely amazing. The profile for me is perfect. Plays so evenly and is incredibly comfortable.