Bonding with a carbon fiber guitar

[AZLiberty]

My Emeralds feel... Solid, like a nice Guild

My Rainsongs feel... Lively, like a Martin or Larrivee


I'm sure this is of no help at all.

[guitararmy]

Interesting topic. I only have experience with my two carbon fiber guitars, a Rainsong and a Composite Acoustic. I find the CA to feel somewhat cold and distant, probably because of the wide flat neck. I think the Rainsong neck feels more like my wooden guitars and friendlier...

[jaan]

I tried, and wanted to, but never bonded with mine and sold it. I’m sure I’ll try again at some point, but even living in dry Colorado didn’t change things.

[zeeway]

I have bonded with my X20 (for real, not in the Kramster way). I also have a first gen X7, which I like, but so far, only a loose bond.

[KarenB]

Thanks to all for your responses. Lots of fine (and fun) folks on this forum.

And Kramster, yes, this counts.

Originally Posted by kramster

I almost bonded permanently with my CA OX when I was installing a K&K mini pickup.. darn super glue... does this count?

[RP]

Originally Posted by zeeway

I have bonded with my X20. I also have a first gen X7, which I like, but so far, only a loose bond.

This may be more a function of your preference for larger bodied guitars which I share...

[kramster]

Originally Posted by KarenB

And Kramster, yes, this counts.

Cool...so I got this going for me...nice

[121]

I have bonded with my 2017 X20, it is the best acoustic guitar I've ever owned.
I have not bonded with my 2016 X7, yet.

[Fixedgear60]

Good question....To soon to tell with my McPherson Touring but well on our way. I did bond for years with my Martin OM but got tired of pulling out of the closet/case to play. My current theory is that the "bonding" of wood guitars is directly linked to wood guitars "opening up" and evolving along side of our ears over time. Something that CF can not do. It's strengths of durability are a weakness with the fickle human ears.

With all said.. still enjoying my Touring and have my lovely Amicus to extend that enjoyment for some variety. Only time will tell.....

[GuitarLuva]

I certainly bonded with the X30. To me it doesn't matter what the guitar is made out of it's more of how I like it. I also bonded with my Gibson Songwriter and despite a few attempts to part with it I'm sure glad I didn't.

[HodgdonExtreme]

I've not bonded with my Rainsong concert series dread. It's a perfectly good guitar and plays well. Even sounds pretty good.

I never play it at home, and even when I'm taking a guitar away from the house, I try to rationalize why I should bring one of my beloved wooden guitars instead. I have to explain to myself "you're going to be near a smokey fire with drunk people around! This is why you have a CF guitar in the first place!"

It serves its purpose, but does not speak to me like my wooden guitars do.

[RP]

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

I've not bonded with my Rainsong concert series dread. It's a perfectly good guitar and plays well. Even sounds pretty good.

I never play it at home, and even when I'm taking a guitar away from the house, I try to rationalize why I should bring one of my beloved wooden guitars instead. I have to explain to myself "you're going to be near a smokey fire with drunk people around! This is why you have a CF guitar in the first place!"

It serves its purpose, but does not speak to me like my wooden guitars do.

Are you sure you're doing your part to make it feel welcome???

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by RP

Are you sure you're doing your part to make it feel welcome???

That's a fair question. I feel like, yes, I've given it a fair shot to make me fall in love with her. Obviously when I got it, I played it exclusively for many weeks. Set it up just so, tried a couple different types of strings, etc... Took me a while to admit that despite having paid quite a bit for a guitar I wanted to love - I just didn't love it.

I hope nobody reading this thinks I'm bashing CF guitars! Mine plays well, sounds good, has excellent tuning stability, and does a great job of fulfilling a necessary role in my guitar life... But it just doesn't have that special something my beloved wood guitars have.

[RP]

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

That's a fair question. I feel like, yes, I've given it a fair shot to make me fall in love with her. Obviously when I got it, I played it exclusively for many weeks. Set it up just so, tried a couple different types of strings, etc... Took me a while to admit that despite having paid quite a bit for a guitar I wanted to love - I just didn't love it.

I hope nobody reading this thinks I'm bashing CF guitars! Mine plays well, sounds good, has excellent tuning stability, and does a great job of fulfilling a necessary role in my guitar life... But it just doesn't have that special something my beloved wood guitars have.

Thanks for a thoughtful answer, and I'm glad that you weren't put off by my question. I, for one, didn't think you were bashing CF guitars; they're not for everyone, and perhaps they're not for you...

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by RP

Thanks for a thoughtful answer, and I'm glad that you weren't put off by my question. I, for one, didn't think you were bashing CF guitars; they're not for everyone, and perhaps they're not for you...

But they’re all different too, kind of like wood guitars. I’ve had wood guitars I never bonded with and wood guitars I’ve loved and had for years. I’ve never played a Rainsong, not because I think they’re anything but excellent guitars, but every clip I’ve heard of them they tend to sound brighter than I like. Sort of like the Taylor of carbon fiber - I’ve played Taylor’s (and owned one) and they’re not my cup of tea either, but they’re obviously great guitars. So much of it is just personal preference. This player might not have bonded with a Rainsong dread but might love one of the Emerald or CA or MacPherson options...

-Ray