Played my first Rainsong today...wow...I was shocked.

ahorsewithnonam · #1 03-07-2013, 09:51 PM

Stopped into GC today and they had 2 Rainsongs. Curious having never played one I figured it would sound horrible and dead....I mean...it's not wood...it has to sound bad.

First strum and I was shocked. Very chimey and alive. I did not want to stop playing! I didn't write the model numbers down. One was $2200 and the other was $1900 ballpark. Kind of an OM cutaway style. Now, I'm thinking how great would one of these be. No concerns of humidity etc.

So I'm now going to really look into these. The black matted finish was really stunning. Hopefully my taxes come back without owing too much next week so I can really check these out.

How do they make these sound so good?

ChunkyB · #2 03-07-2013, 10:55 PM

I don't know how they make them sound so good, but I sure do love the sound of my Shorty. I'm guessing that's what the $1900 one was, as I think they are the most popular current model.

Definitely let us know if you do decide to get one.

Doubleneck · #3 03-08-2013, 09:45 AM

I remember being shocked as well when I played my first CF guitar just seemed like this could not be possible. Keep playing for a while as well. Once you get the bug it really is hard to see wood the same way.

Kindness · #4 03-08-2013, 11:16 AM

Carbon Fiber guitars are at a completely different level than they were five years ago. The materials being used are truly creating a sound comparable to wood guitars. Those that may have not been open to it in the past will be pleasantly surprised when they do play one!

slewis · #5 03-08-2013, 01:38 PM

Don't JUST look into Rainsongs! They make a fine guitar, but so do others in the CF world...

CobaltBlue · #6 03-08-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itself

Carbon Fiber guitars are at a completely different level than they were five years ago. The materials being used are truly creating a sound comparable to wood guitars. Those that may have not been open to it in the past will be pleasantly surprised when they do play one!

I get excited about CF guitars until I read something like this. I don't want a sound comparable to wood guitars. That's what wood guitars are for. I want a sound that's even better than or in some remarkable way different than wood guitars.

Geof S. · #7 03-08-2013, 02:55 PM

I bought a Rainsong Bluegrass guitar a while ago and I was surprised how good this guitar sounds.

I would put it in the same league tone-wise as a number of other $2,000+ guitars I have played or owned. Just a very nice sounding guitar.

Captain Jim · #8 03-09-2013, 01:30 PM

An amazing occurrence! No, not that you found a carbon fiber guitar that talks to you... the fact a GC had TWO Rainsongs! I was in a Guitar Center last month; didn't see any carbon fiber guitars. I specifically asked about a Rainsong Shorty... the GC employee said, "A what?"

When I explained that it was a carbon fiber guitar, he turned me over to someone who could check inventory in the two other GCs in the area to see if they had one. I had to spell "Rainsong."

After clicking away on the computer, he said, "Umm... no". He said there were 4 in the whole system, none in this state. (We're currently in Arizona.)

Congrats on the find!

Best wishes,
Captain Jim

GuitarLight · #9 03-18-2013, 04:15 PM

My 2001 RainSong DR-1100 has a wonderful and unique carbon sound. I like it because it has a sound different than wood but in a delicious way. Very pure, clear, crisp, and yes deep too. Totally balanced. Never humidified, and taken out in severe cold and ghastly heat, it doesn't even go out of tune most of the time. I never kept it in a case and it sits on my stand 365 days a year to pick up and play every day. ...Maintance? None. ....Well I do have to dust it once in a while!

ukejon · #10 03-18-2013, 07:58 PM

Without being judgmental one way or the other, I honestly have never played a CF guitar that I thought really sounded like a wood guitar. They seem to have their own, very distinctive tonal spectrum.

Jamler · #11 03-18-2013, 08:44 PM

Summer 2011 I had some gigs that were outside, and I happen to find a 2010 Rainsong-W1000 online, NOS at a guitar store in Nashville. I called Rainsong to ensure they were legit. When they confirmed, I pulled the trigger. $1450, I don't go anywhere without it now... It's got the Fishman Prefix +Tuner, but it rarely goes out of tune. I bring it to band rehearsal and all the other guitarist love how light it is and absolutely clear and articulate the sound is. It's been my goto for a while, but I have to say, I love the sound of wood and often reach for my Martin, or Guild to get that sound fix.

Glennwillow · #12 03-18-2013, 09:08 PM

I have never played a carbon fiber guitar. I look forward to it some day.

- Glenn

Claytone · #13 03-18-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

I have never played a carbon fiber guitar. I look forward to it some day.

- Glenn

Glenn...I did the same thing at GC as the original poster...and was amazed!!!
That lead me to explore Carbon Fiber and I see an awesome future for them...just ordered my first!!!
Something tells me that there are more in my future...

guitarget · #14 03-19-2013, 08:10 AM

"I never kept it in a case and it sits on my stand 365 days a year to pick up and play every day."

Mine are all hanging on the wall in the living room, available as needed. No thanks to guitars having to be kept in their cases, or in humidity controlled environments!

Finger Stylish · #15 03-20-2013, 08:56 AM

My first Carbon Composite was an Adamas which I really loved playing except I couldn't keep my thumb pick from clacking on the top. For that reason alone, I tried a HDR 1000 and now I own it. I lowered the bridge a tad, and put Medium Gauge strings in favor of the Light elixer strings. It is a sweet sounding and playing guitar. Right there with my 37 year old D28, but it plays much kinder than the Martin.