#16
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For me, neck profile defines playability more than any other parameter. My preference is a deep C. Taylor is a shallow C. Rainsong is a modified U, which is boxier than a C, sort of the opposite of a V. If a V is pointy in the center and flat at the shoulders, a modified U is flat in the center and gets pointy at the shoulders. Not as flat and pointy as a classical neck, but not as round as a Taylor. It's been a while since I played a Blackbird, but I vaguely remember the neck to be rounder, and more comfortable, than a Rainsong.
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#17
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I have a recent Composite Acoustics GX. Not sure if the Legacy neck is different, but the GX neck is very Taylor-like, with that shallow C. In fact, CA and Taylor (814) were in the running for my last guitar, and I took a GX in to Guitar Center and played it side-by-side with various Taylors. The neck was very similar.
I'm happy with the action on my GX, it's nice and low and easy to play. Not as low as my electrics, but still very comfy, especially with light (.12-53) strings. The GX doesn't have a truss rod, so if you want different relief than it comes with, that might be an issue. But mine's not excessive at all. |
#18
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But I do think the Composite Acoustics GX is an outstanding acoustic guitar. Although heavier, and with a warmer tone than the OP's Taylor, it's an amazingly versatile acoustic. |
#19
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#20
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#21
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Feel is subjective but it's hard for me to think two guitars with such different neck profiles can feel the same to most players? Put a blindfold on me and I guarantee I could pick up the difference.
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#22
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Steve, once again, no one said the two guitars would feel the same, only that the Rainsong would be the closest in feel, overall.
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#23
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As far as feel goes, the X20 feels nothing like a typical Taylor but is still the reason I haven't bothered to get a nicer Taylor. It's close enough in all the right ways (like playability) and better ergonomically than the Taylor. I can't really think of any CF that would fool me in a blind taste test, but christ on a bike, as long as it's got enough of the right stuff I am happy enough.
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Cheers, Tom PS If you don't want to invest in yourself, why should anyone else even bother to try? |
#24
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Re: the right stuff. My Taylor 814ce has been "the favorite" since I got it. I have added other guitars, wood and cf, since. The 814 has remained at the top of the heap. Until the X20. The X20 is just a delightful instrument: sounds great, just as "playable" as my Taylors, and even more comfortable. And, no fussing with humidity issues.
All that said, "the favorite" isn't always the guitar I pick up first. "The favorite" has to have the best sound and looks. But, the guitar I pick up the most often is still the X7. It is just SO comfortable! Do I need to re-define? |
#25
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Another factor that influences playability for some is fretboard radius. For me, it is a huge factor, with flatter boards being much harder to play.
I've tried a couple of Rainsongs, but I just could not abide their nearly flat fretboards (20" radius). I'd love to try a CA or an Emerald with their more reasonable () fretboard radii, but I have never even seen one of those guitars. For those interested, below are the fretboard radii used by the CF manufacturers I have looked into. (For reference, Martin uses a 16" radius [generally the flattest board I can play comfortably], Taylor a 15" radius, and Gibson a 12" radius, and the smaller the number, the more arched the board) Composite Acoustics: 14" radius Emerald: 16" radius Blackbird: 16" radius Rainsong: 20" radius
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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... Last edited by Ed-in-Ohio; 04-14-2017 at 04:11 AM. Reason: added Blackbird radius |
#26
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Good info Ed. Like I said, the Emerald is close enough for my purposes such that I haven't bothered to get another Taylor. I really like the Rainsongs, but never quite enough to get one. Maybe it was because of the radius. I hadn't thought about it before.
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Cheers, Tom PS If you don't want to invest in yourself, why should anyone else even bother to try? |
#27
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[QUOTE=Ed-in-Ohio;5304639]Another factor that influences playability for some is fretboard radius. For me, it is a huge factor, with flatter boards being much harder to play...
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Fretboard radius is one of many things that will affect playability, for some, like Ed it's rather important, to guys like me, much less so. For me, the Emeralds X20's light weight, non traditional balance, and synthetic tone means it would be the last to consider if I am looking for something similar to my Taylor. Keep in mind that I personally own three Taylors, as well as examples of all the current CF builders, that included an X20 for a short time. Besides my extensive personal collection, we keep over 100 Taylors, and over 100 CF models in the store, so I've had some time think about this. I find that the overall feel, playability, and tone of the Rainsong WS is as close as you will get to a CF version of a Taylor GA. Were I looking to buy a CF companion to one of my Martin OM, or 000, the Composite Acoustics OX would be my choice. |
#28
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^ - Ted, such great information! Thank you.
Excellent! and I think this is a great looking model too. Ted, how would you compare/contrast the playability of the CA OX with that of a Martin OM or a Taylor GA? Since these do not have a truss rod, where do they set the neck relief? I'd assume around .008"? Also, can the propitiatory CF saddles be sanded like conventional saddles to adjust action?
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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... |
#29
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Ted, my friend, my experience is different from yours. You know I am a Taylor fan, but the X20 I recently bought competes nicely with the 814... playability is similar (same scale and nut width), the Emerald is more comfortable, and... dare I say it: I prefer the sound of the X20. The neck profile on the X20 is closer to the Taylor than the N2 neck of my RainSong.
I would never compare my experience with various guitars to yours, but I have been playing for over 50 years and know what feels "just right" to me. The 814 has been my "just right" guitar for years, but the X20 is "just righter." I understand that everyone's mileage WILL vary. I have tried a couple CA guitars, including a pre-Peavey OX (no experience with the Peavey models). It was a decent guitar, but (at the time) I preferred my Shorty. Lots of guitars, lots of options. I picked the Shorty based on the "most like a Taylor" at the time, but I have since come to regard each guitar on its own merits. Best wishes, Jim |
#30
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And yes, CA and Rainsong use the same Tusq saddles Taylor has been using for decades, in fact, Bob Taylor designed them, so adjustment is very straight forward. Quote:
BTW, sending you an email. |