Thoughts on a Journey

[Chelembound]

Hi, was here years ago...re-registered and am back! Nice to see the Carbon Fiber Forum. I LOVE my Rainsong, am thinking about the Journey OF660 in the Pearl White. We are moving to Mexico so it's time to sell ALL Wooden Guitars as I do not wish them a slow death in the Mexican weather. So will need a 12 string and a travel. Do folks LOVE their Journeys or would you make an alternate choice? I'm gonna have to purchase site unseen as there are none here in Upstate NY.
Thanks!
Corey

[Captain Jim]

Welcome back. There are some Journey OF660 owners here, so I'm sure you'll hear from them. If you don't need the quick removing neck aspect, there are plenty of great smaller cf guitar options, including Journey's new RoadTrip; the neck comes off, but not as fast as with the OF660. My smaller guitar choice is the Emerald X7, but there is also the RainSong Parlor, Blackbird Rider, CA Cargo, and others.

For 12-string options, Emerald makes an X20 and their smaller Amicus (could be travel and 12-string in the same guitar).

Good luck with the move and the guitar search.

Chelembound;

Is your move a permanent or temporary thing? If I was going to live in Mexico for only a few years I would buy Mexican guitars. There are some really nice Mexican guitars available at prices reasonable enough so that a loss would not be devastating.

If I was to make a permanent move to Mexico I would want some carbon fiber companions. Any of the small cf instruments would probably be viewed/heard with appreciation and easily weather the climate.

[rmoretti49]

Originally Posted by Chelembound

Hi, was here years ago...re-registered and am back! Nice to see the Carbon Fiber Forum. I LOVE my Rainsong, am thinking about the Journey OF660 in the Pearl White. We are moving to Mexico so it's time to sell ALL Wooden Guitars as I do not wish them a slow death in the Mexican weather. So will need a 12 string and a travel. Do folks LOVE their Journeys or would you make an alternate choice? I'm gonna have to purchase site unseen as there are none here in Upstate NY.
Thanks!
Corey

I have been pretty pleasantly surprised by my Journey of660. When it arrived, it needed a lowering of the nut slots, and the trebles seemed a tad muted. After getting the work done and putting on some Ernie Ball aluminum bronze strings, I found the guitar much better balanced and easy to play. By the way, I am referring here to purely acoustic playing. After one month, I haven't even tried the amplification. I leave the guitar out on a stand if I'm not travelling.

You will be quite pleasantly surprised at the wonderful resonant bass. But also expect a guitar that is a little quieter (which is fine for my purposes), especially when played fingerstyle without picks. As for the Manzer wedge, I have mixed feelings. It certainly serves its purpose of filling out the tone, and it is comfortable when playing while seated, which is also due to the bevels. But sometimes I like to play while slouched back on the couch. In this position, the Manzer wedge turns the guitar a little too much towards my face, requiring the fretting hand to bend more at the wrist.

I have the all black model. If I had to do it again, I would buy the guitar -- but with the white top.

[JasonA]

I'm very interested in the new RT660 with it's somewhat bigger body and lighter non-folding setup, but I've yet to hear of anyone other than Ted who has tried it. The NAMM videos aren't good enough quality to make any kind of conclusion, but it intrigues me.

[Chelembound]

yeah I saw that baby too! I just think that I would be more inclined to grab that little backpack and head out the door, draws less attention in the Yucatan and I WILL be hiking to Cenotes and Pyamids. It IS permanent, already have a house! Have a couple of Rickenbackers, a Strat a Seagull a Ovation and a Taylor 655 12 string that have all gotta go!

[futboljim]

Just picked up a Journey OF660 - it arrived last Friday.

I find it very comfortable to play, and the setup was very good for me - did not have to mess with the nut slots at all.

In comparison to my APLE, the RainSong is a little louder with a little better note separation, and a bit more responsive. Although I like the Journey neck, I prefer the more full profile of the RainSong.

Not that I play much up that high, I do like the upper fret access of the Journey via the scoop and 14th fret join vs the 12th fret join and cutaway.

Same scale length, both just right for me. While I liked much about a Cargo that I tried, I didn't like the shorter scale - just didn't feel quite right for me.

Body size just right for me on both, though I might actually prefer the Journey a little.

The journey will reside in my car, mostly, and will accompany me on all trips, including camping. The APLE accompanied me last year, but it is still more hassle on airplanes compared to the Journey. I believe it will pay for itself in entertainment just by always having it available in the car, and being able to take it on all trips - I chose to take a uke to Puerto Rico this winter, because I didn't want to hassle with connecting flights and the APLE.

Several good choices, just thought I would share my comparison.

As a side note, since the Journey resides in my car, I was able to sneak it into the collection without technically breaking the "no more guitars in the house, unless one goes" mandate by the boss.

[Chelembound]

So spoke to Ted at LA Guitar Sales today and decided to pull the trigger on a New Journey OF660 with the White Finish. Have not had this GAS feeling in over 10 years...now I just have to sell some of the others...
I am EXCITED!!!!

Congratulations! The Journey cf did not have an easy birth, but the company held off sales until the guitar was on the money. I look forward to subsequent reports.

[futboljim]

Congrats! The white is a good look, and I know it'll sound good and play well. Enjoy!

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by Chelembound

So spoke to Ted at LA Guitar Sales today and decided to pull the trigger on a New Journey OF660 with the White Finish. Have not had this GAS feeling in over 10 years...now I just have to sell some of the others...
I am EXCITED!!!!

It's on the way!

So, what are you selling?

[Captain Jim]

Congratulations! I assume we're talking Chelem, MX, in the northern Yucatan (from your screen name)? Your new guitar is going to be very happy there!

[robailey]

Originally Posted by JasonA

I'm very interested in the new RT660 with it's somewhat bigger body and lighter non-folding setup, but I've yet to hear of anyone other than Ted who has tried it. The NAMM videos aren't good enough quality to make any kind of conclusion, but it intrigues me.

FYI - on the RT660 we should have some demo videos coming up in a month or so. Likely by Thomas Leeb or another sponsored artist. :

Ted has the very first burst - and the only one available for the next 3-4 months. We have more black and matte versions shipping soon.

[Chelembound]

So got my (my Wife's...) Journey in White. Anybody else concerned about the string gap to the fretboard? Goes from like 1/2" to where it should be up by the headstock. To finger any chords by the neck joint is NOT possible. I am wondering if it is defective? Even my little Luna plywood guitar is OK but nowhere near the gap on the Journey. Am I over-reacting or what? I know my Wife is frustrated as well...is it in need of a setup? I'm concerned about lowering it enough to play down the neck then I'll have a lot of buzzing up above? What's the verdict? I'd put up a photo but cannot figure it out...
Thanks
Corey

[AZLiberty]

Is it possible the neck is not seated all the way. Take it apart and put it back together.