CF as only guitar?

new2guitar_eh · #1 08-11-2013, 05:45 PM

Hi all,

New to guitar, with a couple of months of playing everyday under my belt. I have a 30 year Yamaha FG331 I am using now, and can see an upgrade coming in the next 6 - 12 months. My question for this forum audience is: if I were to have only one guitar, would you suggest a CF? I know I can buy a very good used solid wood guitar for $800 - $1000, but a CF would cost considerably more than that.

I would say finger picking Tears in Heaven, Blackbird and Hideaway are the kinds of songs I aspire to play (I stumble through and butcher them now...working on it). I also suspect the guitar would rarely leave my house.

I do know I will need to play various sizes, makes, models (and will do so as I get better and can actually play well enough to evaluate

), I am just trying to wrap my head around whether CF is worth the extra money to have as an only guitar.

Appreciate any and all thoughts

Robert

weiner71 · #2 08-11-2013, 06:22 PM

Is CF a Martin? As in CF Martin or an acronym for something else

Doubleneck · #3 08-11-2013, 06:32 PM

yes can easily be your only guitar, yes it costs a little more than a typical guitar, less than one of the big name woods, but lasts forever and never needs adjustments. Builders currently are building them with great sound and playability. I played wood guitars most of my life play only carbon currently.

AZLiberty · #4 08-11-2013, 06:34 PM

If I had one CF guitar it would probably be a WS size Rainsong.

I'm done with dreads, I'm too old and tired to fight that big an instrument anymore.

I have one of the shorties, and I really like it for an all-around instrument. Sounds good and stays in tune like you wouldn't believe possible. It's a little shallow in the body though.

new2guitar_eh · #5 08-11-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weiner71

Is CF a Martin? As in CF Martin or an acronym for something else

CF as in carbon fiber

metalmando · #6 08-11-2013, 07:27 PM

I could happily live with my RainSong WS-1000 and nothing else.

dkoloff · #7 08-11-2013, 07:40 PM

Absolutely.....if the sound of a carbon guitar suits you then it absolutely can be your only guitar. Same as like the sound of a particular guitar brand you will have to find the one that fits you the best.

Captain Jim · #8 08-11-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkoloff

Absolutely.....if the sound of a carbon guitar suits you then it absolutely can be your only guitar. Same as like the sound of a particular guitar brand you will have to find the one that fits you the best.

That is definitely the key. As you gain more experience, you find what fits you, size-wise, and what sounds good to your ears and feels right with your fingers.

What the guitar is made of is only part of the equation. I know carbon fiber has its devotees here. Traveling is a big part of our lifestyle... I have owned wood guitars for the 49 years that I have been playing. For a lot of years, I wasn't aware that nice wood guitars need proper humidifying. That fact led me to looking for a carbon fiber guitar.

Let your ears, hands, and heart tell you what sound pleases you the most.

Good luck with the search!
Captain Jim

just_Chan · #9 08-11-2013, 10:31 PM

Cf as the Only guitar?
Well, I guess it's possible ...
May you have absolute immunity against the dreaded GAS!

Alexander Coe · #10 08-13-2013, 03:40 PM

It's the 'only guitar' part that worries me, not the 'carbon fiber'. I can't see how someone could have just one guitar if they have the means to have more (I have only one because of finances), but I don't know if I'll ever have a wood guitar again. Too fragile!

mchalebk · #11 08-13-2013, 05:46 PM

If I could only have one guitar, it would probably be my CA GX. However, I am a multiple guitar kind of guy. And all my steel string acoustics are CF.

So, basic answer: absolutely.

kraigo · #12 08-19-2013, 06:42 PM

I'm still moderately new to guitar. I've had my Taylor 314ce since early March and just took home a Rainsong S-WS1000N2. I'm not sure the Rainsong is staying yet.

My first impressions are that the Rainsong is quite a nice guitar. The Rainsong is louder, the Taylor is sweeter. I'm not sure if I have to choose between them or not. At the moment I'm inclined to keep both.

I could probably be happy with only the Rainsong. I could also be happy with only the Taylor. The Taylor is really satisfying to play. The Rainsong can stay out on a stand all year long with no worries so is likely to get more play time then the Taylor.

It's too early to say but I still think that the Taylor has a certain je ne sais quoi that will keep me coming back to it despite the sheer practicality of the Rainsong.

Good luck.

KO

buzzardwhiskey · #13 08-27-2013, 08:15 AM

I own only one guitar, a CA GXi. I bought what I wanted (with very few limits) and after 5+ years I'm still very happy.

I'm really a one guitar kinda guy, though I do occasionally lust after a 12-string and sometimes my fingers hurt pretty bad and I think about a nylon string.

new2guitar_eh · #14 08-27-2013, 09:46 AM

I appreciate all the feedback. I tried a CA and thought it was decent. Alistair (Emerald) is going to connect me to a fellow who has a new Emerald coming so I can see and hear it. At this point I am feeling I can do it with one guitar. Only question is CA, Emerald, Rainsong or Blackbird. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

P_K · #15 08-27-2013, 03:30 PM

i am full time musician and i only play carbon fiber guitars now. whichever brand you choose, it'll be fine. i just can't put down my emeralds