I Want To Believe

[SteelPastor]

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"The truth is out there."


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[tdq]

For me, (a CA GX owner), it isn't a carbon v wood question; it's about what you like in a guitar. I prefer my CA over the wood guitars I've tried in a similar price bracket, including Martins; I also prefer it over similarly priced CF guitars. If I could afford it I'd, I'd probably have a Santa Cruz over my CA. Admittedly the properties of CF are what brought me to them, after my Washburn died a horrible death after years of humidity and neglect, but I wouldn't have stayed with it if it didn't work.
So my recommendation would be try that OX.

[JohnnyDes]

I'd recommend trying a used OX and living with it for a while. If you don't like it, resell it, hopefully without much loss.

I too love the woody sound, and although I own a Rainsong, I play it only when I travel.

JD

[noman]

I don't think that it helps to have preconceived notions when considering a CF guitar. I've owned dozens of wood guitars, but I did the same as you. I did some research and also listened to all the CF videos. I always had issues with wood 12-strings. So the door was open!

A used Rainsong WS3000 12-string was for sale on MF. It was rated as being in mint condition... and it was! They have a solid return policy, so if it wasn't for me, I was just going to return it. It never went back because it had it's own personality. I liked the clarity and details of the notes. So now it sits up on the wall with four of my other wooden guitars. I intend to buy a 6-string CF in the future.

Did you actually try out in person any CF guitars?

Hopefully you're not on a quest for some impossible Holy Grail.

[Kindness]

Strings and saddles have tremendous impact on the sound of a CF guitar. I am extremely picky about sound, and purchased my Shorty because I felt it came very close to a wood guitar with a spruce top. The Elixir Polyweb medium strings have mellowed the sound to a place where I am very comfortable.

Jeremy has done some impressive recordings here of Doug Young songs on his Shorty, and I think anyone would be hard pressed to tell the difference from a wood guitar.

CF guitars have simply evolved to a place where they can be a travel guitar and your go to guitar. Rainsong for me has proved this, and Leviora as well. I will have the Leviora steel string in my hands next week and will report back.

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by noman

I don't think that it helps to have preconceived notions when considering a CF guitar. I've owned dozens of wood guitars, but I did the same as you. I did some research and also listened to all the CF videos. I always had issues with wood 12-strings. So the door was open!

A used Rainsong WS3000 12-string was for sale on MF. It was rated as being in mint condition... and it was! They have a solid return policy, so if it wasn't for me, I was just going to return it. It never went back because it had it's own personality. I liked the clarity and details of the notes. So now it sits up on the wall with four of my other wooden guitars. I intend to buy a 6-string CF in the future.

Did you actually try out in person any CF guitars?

Hopefully you're not on a quest for some impossible Holy Grail.

I really do think carbon fiber excels on a 12 string. I have a wood 12 and a carbon fiber 12 and the clarity of CF really works with a 12 where a wood 12 can get busy and muddy with all the overtones.

[noman]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

I really do think carbon fiber excels on a 12 string. I have a wood 12 and a carbon fiber 12 and the clarity of CF really works with a 12 where a wood 12 can get busy and muddy with all the overtones.

We're going to get along fine on this board.

The other amazing thing about the CF 12-string is no bracing or truss rod. Let that be another testament to its strength and uniqueness. If there was ever a candidate for longevity, then I have found a family heirloom to pass on. Too bad I'm the only musician in my family, but one can hope.

[tdq]

JD - make a liar out of me! I had a listen to your sound cloud and that martin-00M sounds pretty sweet!

[j3ffr0]

Both. A Martin Dread and a RS shorty would give you two very different sounds. Both are worth exploring for a great many years.

[ChrisH]

Just to make things more complicated, give a CA GX or GXi a try. I'm no great judge, but a professional musician/bud of mine has used my GXi to record and is saving up his pennies to buy one...