#16
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Dave, you can order any Rainsong without electronics, hence avoiding the barn door. That would be the WS-1100. They just are not usually stocked that way. Rainsongs are consistent enough in build quality and set-up that ordering sight unseen is not much of a risk. N2 refers to the newer neck shape, with a truss rod. N1 is the original slimmer neck shape, w/o truss rod. The mold wore out, as I understand it, plus they were getting requests for truss rods.
They are labor intensive and the carbon fiber materials are more expensive than the wood parts that goes into even Martin guitars. Plus the necessary molds and tooling are quite expensive too. When I bought my WS-1000 it was the most I had paid for a guitar at that time. But it was well worth it, since I lived in Alaska (extremely dry winters, widely variable temperatures). It was the only guitar that could be left out on a stand for handy play. IMO, CF guitars would be far more popular despite the price if they were stocked by more dealers. But just like you, many players have never met one in person. Last edited by Earl49; 04-27-2016 at 09:01 AM. |
#17
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Speaking of price, last I checked the D-28 carried a higher list price than the Rainsong WS-1000N2. Yes, I am well aware of the deep discounts forum members can get on Martins, but those discounts come from the pockets of dealers, not Martin. In fact Martin gets paid more for a D-28 than what Rainsong gets for a WS-1000N2. Quote:
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#18
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The fact that they come up for sale used so infrequently is a sign that those of us who have CF guitars keep them. My WS-1000 will absolutely be the last guitar to ever sell, and I own some killer high-end Martin and Taylor wood guitars.
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#19
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My experience was that the lower priced instruments he sold, which would be more inline with my budget for a travel/backup/camping guitar, did not have the tonal variety. They played very easily. So, I did't bother to pursue it. On the other hand, a well respected player in our area gigs with a Rainsong of some sort and it sounds lovely amplified.
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#20
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I do think one has to have some passion to be in the guitar building business, regardless of the material, but to build high quality CF guitars one definitely has to make a serious financial commitment as well. About four years ago, good friend who is in a Celtic band got tired of repairing her Martin, so she came in to try some of the CF guitars I've been raving about. After a few hours of playing everything from Emerald to CA, she went home with a Rainsong CO-WS1000N2, and she has never regretted the purchase. She bought it for stage use only, thinking she would continue to record with her Martin, but as it turned out, the Rainsong makes a rather nice studio acoustic as well. |
#21
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For my tastes, the epitome of CF guitar tone comes from the Rainsong WS-1000 body, all carbon fiber models, either N1 or N2 neck.
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_________________________________________ The Tree: I was alive in the forest, I was cut by the cruel axe. In life I was silent, In death I sweetly sing. Now back living in Baja Sur where I started my carbon fiber journey... Bend OR was too cold! |
#22
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I vote for the RS DR-1000. I recently purchased an S-DR1000N2 which is the Hybrid without the gloss finish or fancy rosette. It replaced my Martin HD-40 Tom Petty that spent a lot of time back at the Martin factory to correct problems. It has great bass,tone, volume and plays easily. I know it doesn't sound and smell like wood but apparently I am the only one who notices any difference. Everyone who hears my two Rainsongs love the sound. I for one with never look back.
Steve
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Ransong Studio OM Rainsong Studio Dreadnaught Martin LX Real Tree Gibson SG Fender Stratocaster |