The RainSong V-DR1100N2 is growing on me

[martingitdave]

After convincing my wife that my RainSong should not be sacrificed to the budget gods, I decided to personalize it so I would enjoy playing it as much as possible. I did a little experimenting as I am prone to do. And, I can share the following changes that have made it a more enjoyable instrument for me. Basically, all of these changes are to make the guitar more traditional sounding. It should be noted that even with these changes it is NOT traditional sounding. But, it's more pleasing to my ears.

Martin liquid metal bridge pins
Removed the pickguard
Installed open back Gotoh SGX510 tuners
GHS Americana medium strings
K&K pickup

The sum total of these changes has made the guitar a little louder, more resonant, slightly increased the sustain and made the E and A strings a little more bass biased - all things I prefer. The most impactful were the Martin liquid metal pins. These things really work on carbon fiber. I don't think they work on wood. But, Martin is using them whenever they use a carbon bridge plate. I hear a big difference on the RainSong. I think the pickguard is too heavy and large for this very thin carbon top. After removing it and replacing with a clear scratch sheet, the sound became more open. The open back tuners seemed to open the sound up a bit as well.

All in all the guitar is playing and sounding good. It's not a substitute when I can play a Martin. But, I've done more outdoor playing in the last few weeks than I ever have. And, that's worth the price of admission, I think. This Winter will also be more stress free, as it was when I had the McPherson.

Best!

[SpruceTop]

Enjoy, your new RainSong, Dave, and play on for many years to come in the best of health!

[martingitdave]

Thank you.

And some pictures for those interested...

[RP]

Very nice....

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Thank you.

And and some pictures for those interested.

I'm Rocking Out Of My Socks Looking At These!

[martingitdave]

Thanks again!

It's a nice sounding guitar and very practical. Tone wise, I think these are more an par with a wooden Taylor than a wooden Martin. But, you can bake it in an oven, plunge it in the ocean, and leave it in the desert and it will still sound like a guitar, and that's what matters, I suppose.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Thanks again!

It's a nice sounding guitar and very practical. Tone wise, I think these are more an par with a wooden Taylor than a wooden Martin. But, you can bake it in an oven, plunge it in the ocean, and leave it in the desert and it will still sound like a guitar, and that's what matters, I suppose.

Or play it around the world at the South Pole! Look for that video on the RainSong FaceBook site.

[steelvibe]

Those are some well thought out mods- looks great!

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

Thanks again!

It's a nice sounding guitar and very practical. Tone wise, I think these are more an par with a wooden Taylor than a wooden Martin. But, you can bake it in an oven, plunge it in the ocean, and leave it in the desert and it will still sound like a guitar, and that's what matters, I suppose.

Probably a sound I would really appreciate! I’m finding the Sable to be a bit too warm for my taste.

[jricc]

Thnx for the pix. Looks great! I was looking for typical black Rainsong and thinking "where is the Rainsong in these pix? "
I forgot about the newer Vintage Series...

[Methos1979]

Looks great! I much prefer it without the pickguard. I've been thinking of picking up another CF guitar and I like the look of the Rainsong Vintage models although I do find them pricey. For that kind of money I could order a custom Emerald Woody X20 so I'm on the fence. I might just try to pick up a used one somewhere.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Looks great! I much prefer it without the pickguard. I've been thinking of picking up another CF guitar and I like the look of the Rainsong Vintage models although I do find them pricey. For that kind of money I could order a custom Emerald Woody X20 so I'm on the fence. I might just try to pick up a used one somewhere.

Yeah they are high priced. My local dealer had one.

But the market is down with foot traffic and there is no buzz on these because they were released during the pandemic. So online sales aren't raging. Since I called him about it, he made a very reasonable price adjustment.

I think they are nice CF instruments. But I have limited experience with CF. As mentioned, I think living in colder climates makes having one CF prudent.

They are also making the Nashville series in other body shapes.

I've never played an Emerald. I'm sure they are great. I'd probably be drawn to the X30 if I were to find one.

[MCDEMO1]

Your mods look great and I bet the K&K sounds good too.
Wish these came with slightly wider string spacing at the saddle.
Love the dots on the fretboard instead of the typical Rainsong shark inlays.

If I eventually try a CF guitar it will probably be an X30 or Sable, but this model or the Al Petteway signature are interesting options from Rainsong.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Looks great! I much prefer it without the pickguard. I've been thinking of picking up another CF guitar and I like the look of the Rainsong Vintage models although I do find them pricey. For that kind of money I could order a custom Emerald Woody X20 so I'm on the fence. I might just try to pick up a used one somewhere.

If I didn't already have one I'd be all over this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/RainSong-V-...kAAOSwOZRfMTZz....

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by RP

If I didn't already have one I'd be all over this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/RainSong-V-...kAAOSwOZRfMTZz....

Thinking about this one.