Rainsong advice based on my other guitars

[hatamoto]

Originally Posted by mot

Have you tried an Emerald X20? I was torn between Rainsong and Emerald and went with the Emerald. Either one is a great choice, but the contours and bevels of the Emerald are what made it the guitar of choice for me.

Would have loved to try them but I couldn't find any dealers close to me at that time. I'm sure they sound great. What difference do you find between the offset soundhole vs the traditional center type? I also would have loved to try a Leviora guitar.

[seannx]

My RainSong is a 12 fret, short scale, so the sound hole is very near my right ear when playing. The offset sound hole of my X20 is nearer my left ear, and directed upward to my face. They both work well. I think the X20 would have the edge if compared to a 14 fret long scale guitar of similar size.

[mot]

Originally Posted by hatamoto

Would have loved to try them but I couldn't find any dealers close to me at that time. I'm sure they sound great. What difference do you find between the offset soundhole vs the traditional center type? I also would have loved to try a Leviora guitar.

I have never touched a Leviora, but I have played a few Rainsongs, CA, Blackbird and Emerald carbon fiber guitars. The only guitars I have played with those upward facing offset sound holes is the Emeralds. The wash of sound is amazing. I can hear my mistakes better too, but I love being able to get lost in the sound. The X30 gives even more room to get lost in, but I have stuck with my X20.

Basically the X20 is a player's guitar. From the audience perspective I don't think it matters much where the sound hole is. I have found through very limited testing that an acoustic arch top cuts through a crowd better than any of my acoustic flat tops. I suspect it's something to do with the F holes, but I am not an expert in anyway. Hooked to an amp I don't think any particular guitar is better than another given similar pickups, etc...

The other reason the X20 is a player's guitar is that, besides sounding and playing so well, it is so darn comfortable to sit on a couch, stand on a corner or in pretty much any other configuration. I'd be sorely tempted to swap my X20 (25.5 in scale) for a modified one with a slightly shorter scale or even a variable scale. That's about the only improvements I can imagine. The stock version is good enough, so I'm sticking with it for the time being.

I've played the Leviora. It's a nice guitar and it sounds good. However, it's built along traditional lines and lacks ergonomic refinement. The Emeralds have established a new level of comfort and they are hard to beat.

[Freedbaby]

I appreciate all the feedback....it really helped me.

I pulled the trigger on a Rainsong WS1000N2 Marine Burst with the Stagepro element electronics.

Now the wait begins!!! I am supposed to have it Tuesday by the end of the day!!!!!

now to find some sleeping pills so im not up for the next 4 nights LOL

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by hatamoto

Would have loved to try them but I couldn't find any dealers close to me at that time. I'm sure they sound great.

As an aside, and because no-one else has pointed it out yet, Emerald does not have any dealers. They only sell factory direct.

[mot]

Originally Posted by Freedbaby

I appreciate all the feedback....it really helped me.

I pulled the trigger on a Rainsong WS1000N2 Marine Burst with the Stagepro element electronics.

Now the wait begins!!! I am supposed to have it Tuesday by the end of the day!!!!!

now to find some sleeping pills so im not up for the next 4 nights LOL

4 Days‽ That's easy peasy. I think my longest wait was over a year. It was a custom and well worth it.

Congrats by the way. Look forward to your impressions.

The Marine Burst is the prettiest, I think. I look forward to pictures (and maybe some sound) of and from your new music maker.

[birdsong]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

As an aside, and because no-one else has pointed it out yet, Emerald does not have any dealers. They only sell factory direct.

Well not to be petty but just to give them credit, "Mot" did in post #3.

[mot]

Originally Posted by birdsong

Well not to be petty but just to give them credit, "Mot" did in post #3.

Thanks for noticing. I was good either way. It's better to see it twice than not at all.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
― Harry S. Truman

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by birdsong

Well not to be petty but just to give them credit, "Mot" did in post #3.

Originally Posted by mot

Thanks for noticing. I was good either way. It's better to see it twice than not at all.

Oh dear - how embarrassing. In my defence, Mr. Hatamoto hadn’t spotted it either.

I’ll go back under my rock now