Graphite guitars

mutley2209 · #1 05-10-2010, 10:29 AM

anyone ever tried out a Graphite guitar like a Rainsong? how do they compare to a similar Priced wooden acoustic in sound, weight, tone etc? anyone know how they're built?

cke · #2 05-10-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutley2209

anyone ever tried out a Graphite guitar like a Rainsong? how do they compare to a similar Priced wooden acoustic in sound, weight, tone etc? anyone know how they're built?

I have a Composite Acoustics Cargo RT, and love it. Woody enough tone, and very playable. I strummed a Rainsong, but wasn't in the market for it. I prefer wood, but I am encouraged that the wood-less future will have decent guitars nonetheless.

They tend to be pricey, especially with CA out of business. But their advantages - no weather related problems, extremely rugged and stable -are compelling. I don't find them heavier per se.

As in most things, YMMV and you should get out to play some for an extended audition. They are respectable alternatives that need no apology or explanation.

garywj · #3 05-10-2010, 10:53 AM

I have a Blackbird Rider Steel String. It is a pricey travel guitar. Very well made. I am surprised at the sound. It is loud and has a good tone for such a small guitar. To me it sounds like a wood instrument. The sound compares favorably with any guitar I have. It isn't a Martin or R. Taylor, but is no slacker either. One issue I have is that carbon fiber is very slippery. I play in a seated position without a strap. No problems holding it, or slipping against skin, but very slippery on clothing - like jeans for instance. To play for any period of time it is necessary to use a knee support/device that the manufacturer makes for the guitar to "hold the neck up." It is very light and I am amazed at how thin the material is, especially the top. It's like the thickness of heavy paper. That probably contributes to the volume and tone. The fretboard is some kind of composite and it feels good as well. I assume it would be an issue to refret the instrument. I wanted a small, tough light weight guitar for travel and recreation. The Blackbird is perfect for that.

$ongWriter · #4 05-10-2010, 11:26 AM

I have the CA "Bluegrass" model. I think it is the only one they made that actually had braces. It didn't need it for the strength but they found that it made it sound more like a "wooden" guitar. I love the neck...almost like playing an electric. Plus, I put a Fishman matrix infinity in it and it sounds really good amplified. It's the ultimate gigging/writing/travel guitar. Only down side is it plays so easy, if I play it alot, I find I don't like the feel of my other guitars as much!!....if that is a down side?

mutley2209 · #5 05-10-2010, 11:32 AM

how do they go about building them? would there ever be something along the lines of a part Carbon Fibre acoustic?

gitnoob · #6 05-10-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutley2209

would there ever be something along the lines of a part Carbon Fibre acoustic?

You mean like this?

http://www.laguitarsales.com/pages/4...ong_Parlor.htm

Steve Christens · #7 05-10-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $ongWriter

I have the CA "Bluegrass" model. I think it is the only one they made that actually had braces. It didn't need it for the strength but they found that it made it sound more like a "wooden" guitar. I love the neck...almost like playing an electric. Plus, I put a Fishman matrix infinity in it and it sounds really good amplified. It's the ultimate gigging/writing/travel guitar. Only down side is it plays so easy, if I play it alot, I find I don't like the feel of my other guitars as much!!....if that is a down side?

Actually ALL of the CAs have braces on their tops. The real contribution made by CA was the addition of braces to alter the sound, since they really are not needed structurally on a carbon fiber guitar.

MisterZeus · #8 05-10-2010, 11:54 AM

As for "How do they build them?" there was a 2 part youtube video that shows how Composite Acoustic made the guitars.
Fascinating.

mutley2209 · #9 05-10-2010, 11:57 AM

that guitar literaly made me just go PPPHHHAAAWWWW!!

i want one!! how much do they go for? anyone built a firbre glass one in that case?

laughingskunk · #10 05-10-2010, 12:02 PM

I had a graphite dread- CA Bluegrass Performer, and now have a Composite Acoustics OX. I will always be grateful that was able to get my CA before they closed. The OX to me is the perfect guitar. It is a full sounding small bodied guitar. A bit smaller than some OM's with a shallower depth. It was supposedly built as a fingerstyle guitar, but to me it works as a jack of all trades guitar. The founder of the company referred to it as his favorite guitar. As guitars made of carbon fiber, the OX was one of the most reasonably priced. This was not meant as a low end model either but has the same quality and tone of the more expensive models. I cant recommend these enough if you can find one used for sale. These guitars to me can easily compete with other guitars in there price range as well as much more expensive ones. I like Rainsong as well but the prices were a little to a lot higher than mine. Just my two cents, Patrick

SpruceTop · #11 05-10-2010, 03:01 PM

I currently have a RainSong WS1000, and have owned two RainSong DR1000 models, a RainSong JM3000 12-string, a Rainsong A-WS1000, a Composite Acoustics Tim Stafford Signature Model and a Composite Acoustics Bluegrass Standard. Simply put, I believe every guitarist should own a graphite guitar or at least audition one. The durability and resistance to weather issues that they offer can give peace-of-mind to players. They sound great too!

Regards,

SpruceTop

Ridgeback · #12 05-10-2010, 03:24 PM

I have a RainSong OM1000.

While I agree completely with all the comments about the durability and stability, I must say that the sound, for the price, doesn't compare with a similarly-priced lower-end Martin OM, IMHO.

I played mine in our Legion last Friday night, unplanned and unamped, and was seriously disappointed at the projection and sound quality. To me, it got lost in the room. And, when beaten on to produce the volume required, it sounded crashy and tinny.

They're perfectly good fingerstyle guitars when either in a quiet, small room or amplified, though. YMMV......

MikeD · #13 05-10-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garywj

I have a Blackbird Rider Steel String. It is a pricey travel guitar. Very well made. I am surprised at the sound. It is loud and has a good tone for such a small guitar. To me it sounds like a wood instrument. The sound compares favorably with any guitar I have. It isn't a Martin or R. Taylor, but is no slacker either. One issue I have is that carbon fiber is very slippery. I play in a seated position without a strap. No problems holding it, or slipping against skin, but very slippery on clothing - like jeans for instance. To play for any period of time it is necessary to use a knee support/device that the manufacturer makes for the guitar to "hold the neck up." It is very light and I am amazed at how thin the material is, especially the top. It's like the thickness of heavy paper. That probably contributes to the volume and tone. The fretboard is some kind of composite and it feels good as well. I assume it would be an issue to refret the instrument. I wanted a small, tough light weight guitar for travel and recreation. The Blackbird is perfect for that.

Ditto... love mine! Absolutely the best travel guitar I have ever played. A little pricey, but if that is the only knock against it then all is good. Long(er) scale length than the other composite travel guitars, 1 3/4" nut, super light weight, rests nicely on a lap and balances with a strap... and it looks KILLER. I had the sound hole and headstock sound port painted Ferrari red... WICKED COOL. (Sorry for the New Hampshire in me coming out.)

I also have 2 CA's... a Performer X and a Legacy dread. Both phenomenal as well. I've owned a few Rainsongs as well over the years... a WS, OM & J-12. Liked them, but once I played a CA... well, you can figure it out.

Doubleneck · #14 05-10-2010, 04:01 PM

CA Legacy is now about the only guitar I play. It put all the others in their cases. You really need to play one. I remember the first Legacy I played and I absolutely freaked out because it sounded like wood.
Steve

DABO · #15 05-10-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garywj

I assume it would be an issue to refret the instrument.

I was wondering about that. Do the frets wear out, and if they do, can they be replaced?

DAB