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Old 02-17-2014, 10:03 PM
acoustic_moose acoustic_moose is offline
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Default Played a Rainsong BI-WS1000N2 today - Few Questions

So, I was able to play a Rainsong BI-WS100N2 today and this was one my first real experiences playing a carbon fiber guitar for any extended period of time.

I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, and while I am not a wood guitar snob, I do have an great appreciate for guitar tradition. So I was a bit wary about a guitar made primarily of carbon fiber.

However, I have to say that after playing the Rainsong and adjusting to its unique sound I was really pleased with the instrument in terms of tone. In addition, in terms of the playability I felt this particular model was really excellent. The neck felt great, very sturdy, and the action was setup real nice without any buzzing. Plus the resonance of the guitar was really impressive. Throw in the fact that you can pretty much bring this guitar anywhere without much concern about humility or temp and I can really start to understand the appeal.

However, I have a few specific questions that I thought I would post here to see what others have to say about this experience.

1) It seemed that this guitar was setup with light strings? Is that common? And do Rainsongs or CF guitars in general handle the switch to light strings better (i.e. no buzzing) than there wood counterparts because of neck angle / material.

2) Do CF guitars tend to have more radiance because of the material or was this just a observation limited to this one guitar?

3) Finally, it seemed that the neck felt so much more secure than most wood guitars I have played. So again, is this a result of the Rainsong neck design or because of the firmness of CF? or both? When I say secure I mean very little flex and very even throughout the board.

Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Old 02-17-2014, 10:07 PM
Sike Sike is offline
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The only part that I can reply to with some experience is the light strings. My Rainsong took to light strings very nicely. Also, given the inherent nature of being loud guitars, the light strings are still putting out good volume.
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Old 02-17-2014, 11:01 PM
jdinco jdinco is offline
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Sounds like you hit on a lot of the strengths of the CF guitars. As already said, with the volume (and tone) the RS guitars have, I've never felt the need to use medium strings. I know RS recommends to use lights since the guitars are setup with them, (mine anyway) but I am unsure what they say about mediums.

The necks are know for the strength. A lot of them do not even use a truss rod. I've played all the different necks and think I could get use to any of them, but I prefer the N2. There is some good info on the RS website.

Careful though, the CF guitars can put you under their spell pretty easily!
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Old 02-18-2014, 01:48 AM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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I'm more of a fan of the paired down looks- but do like the rosettes and always have since I saw Erik Mongrain jam his jumbo way back in like 2007. Having said that I'm not a huge fan of the BI but have heard them and have nothing but good to say about Rainsong based on what I've played and learned. I don't own one....YET.

Now about the strings. I'm beginning to think that maybe just keeping with lights is the way to go on Rainsongs. I'm pasting a link regarding this very question from this very forum that had even grabbed the attention of AFG Sponser, CEO and President of Rainsong Guitars, Ashvin Coomar. It's worth a read....

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...medium+strings
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Old 02-18-2014, 04:05 AM
jgillard jgillard is offline
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I will try to answer your questions.
1) Rainsongs are factory setup for light gauge strings. They will handle mediums no problem but do not "warranty" the action with mediums. The guitar itself can handle them fine. Myself, I'm using light/mediums on my rainsong SGA-FLE. I have the NS neck which is short scale and the medium bass strings work better on lowered tunings.
2) I don't know what you mean by radiance. The carbon fiber material leads to a clear pretty tone with lots of volume and sustain.
3)Rainsong necks are very stiff and secure. I love the profile of the N2/NS neck. Once you set the relief, it pretty much stays there and will stay there.

I hope this helps.
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Old 02-18-2014, 05:34 AM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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See below duplicate post
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Old 02-18-2014, 05:36 AM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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It's not just that guitar, Rainsongs and carbon are extremely consistent, one of the advantages over wood. Every WS1000 will feel and sound the same. As said Rainsongs were designed for light strings, but can take others. The N2 neck is designed to have a full feel, seems that is just right for you, and carbon fiber makes it rock solid. And I agree it is very nice all the way up the neck. I love the Black Ice look and the WS1000 is probably their best all around guitar. Don't fight it, it is that good.
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Old 02-18-2014, 10:28 AM
acoustic_moose acoustic_moose is offline
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Thanks so much for all the responses so far. They helped answer my questions and I really understand some of the of inherent advantages of CF now. I was really surprised how loud the guitar was with lights, now I understand why. Wow, just being able to play with light strings with so much volume and sustain is a real plus. I am trying not to get GAS right now, but this experience has definitely got me thinking about a future purchase.

One more question. For Rainsongs, the NS is short scale / 12 fret version of the N2? Same feel / profile? Thanks

Last edited by acoustic_moose; 02-18-2014 at 10:35 AM.
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Old 02-18-2014, 02:22 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acoustic_moose View Post
Thanks so much for all the responses so far. They helped answer my questions and I really understand some of the of inherent advantages of CF now. I was really surprised how loud the guitar was with lights, now I understand why. Wow, just being able to play with light strings with so much volume and sustain is a real plus. I am trying not to get GAS right now, but this experience has definitely got me thinking about a future purchase.

One more question. For Rainsongs, the NS is short scale / 12 fret version of the N2? Same feel / profile? Thanks
Yes the NS is just a shorter vesion of the N2. I have them both, same feel.
Steve
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Old 02-19-2014, 04:34 PM
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twocorgis twocorgis is offline
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I just bought my second RainSong today, this one a WS1000 with the N1 neck. I find the N2 neck to be just a bit chunky for my tastes, but certainly not to the point of being a deal breaker. As others here have said, RainSongs can certainly be addictive. So far my playing experience has been limited to the dreads and the WS models, but every one has been nothing short of stellar, and their environmental resistance makes them a pretty compelling choice. I'm converted!
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Old 02-19-2014, 05:37 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twocorgis View Post
I just bought my second RainSong today, this one a WS1000 with the N1 neck. I find the N2 neck to be just a bit chunky for my tastes, but certainly not to the point of being a deal breaker. As others here have said, RainSongs can certainly be addictive. So far my playing experience has been limited to the dreads and the WS models, but every one has been nothing short of stellar, and their environmental resistance makes them a pretty compelling choice. I'm converted!
Was the guitar new? Was the N1 in stock?
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Old 02-19-2014, 05:41 PM
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Woo-hoo, congratulations! Please be sure to post your thoughts about the CO vs regular model, and WS vs. dread.
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Old 02-19-2014, 05:49 PM
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twocorgis twocorgis is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleneck View Post
Was the guitar new? Was the N1 in stock?
No. This one was an '02 that I was lucky enough to find on Craigslist. I haven't received it yet, but it looks to be dead mint from the pictures, and the seller seems to be a good guy. I just called RainSong to get a manufacture date, and got a call back from Ashvin Coomar, the president! We had a nice long chat, and he seems like a great guy. He told me that they've never had a warranty issue related to neck displacement since they changed the composition and joinery of the necks in the early aughts. Now I'm ready to buy one of their 12ers and sell my Guilds!
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Old 02-20-2014, 12:08 AM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Myself, I'm using light/mediums on my rainsong SGA-FLE. I have the NS neck which is short scale and the medium bass strings work better on lowered tunings.

Hey jgillard. That's a great observation regarding strings, using light/mediums. I often like to tune my low E down as low as C, and light strings get kinda noodley when tuned that low. I also was thinking that that medium bass strings on a Shorty will be "safer" in the sense that the scale of the guitar is less than standard, so you have a bit more slack in all the strings due to that short scale.
Wouldn't that be true given that baritone guitars have longer scales to accomodate the tension of heavy strings (thinking of how a rubber band behaves as you extend it)?
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Old 02-20-2014, 09:42 AM
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twocorgis twocorgis is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gfa View Post
Woo-hoo, congratulations! Please be sure to post your thoughts about the CO vs regular model, and WS vs. dread.
Will do, gfa. Just for good measure, I found an open box JM-3000 from Music123 for a good price, so that's on its way too. They should arrive here about the same time middle of next week. Two RainSongs in one day!
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'59 X175AB, '68 Starfire II Bass, '70 Guild/Henderson D50, '73 D50NT, '74 Mark V, '86 SB602P, '87 SB602M, '96 D25-12, '10 F512NT, '11 F50ce, '13 B54ce, '13 R30S, '13 Orpheum OM, '13 Orpheum Jumbo, '22 D40 Traditional

Others
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