Rainsong Shorty vs. BB Lucky 13 vs. CA GXi

cobacoba · #1 10-27-2012, 08:16 AM

I'm hoping someone has played all three.

Your opinion, please?

Doubleneck · #2 10-27-2012, 10:20 AM

Very different guitars. I would buy the Shorty.

tdq · #3 10-27-2012, 10:31 AM

Haven't played a shorty, but have played other rainsongs plus the others you list. Completely different guitars! The lucky 13 is, for me, the blues box of the CF world. The GXi is rich and deep, a strummer. The rainsongs are bright and sparkly. Others may see it differently, but that's my take. Keep in mind, also, that there is a big difference between the GX and the GXi, too.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #4 10-27-2012, 11:45 AM

I have spent many hours playing all three of these guitars side-by-side and they are indeed very different, especially the GXi.

The Shorty and the Lucky 13 are similar in size and they are both excellent for both fingerstyle and light to medium strumming but tonally you will find the Rainsong has a brighter cleaner tone with excellent sustain while the Lucky 13 has more of a "vintage" tone, (well, as vintage as a carbon guitar can get) with a little more mid range growl. Both are amazing guitars and you can't go wrong with either.

The GXi is in a different league all together. Compared to the other two guitars it's quite large and heavy, not nearly as responsive and definitely bass heavy tonally so it's better suited to strumming. I found that the RAW and RT versions had a bit more clarity but I don't think those are made by Peavey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

Very different guitars. I would buy the Shorty.

Steve, I'm curious as to why you would choose the Shorty over the other two. I don't disagree, just want to hear your reasoning.

cobacoba · #5 10-27-2012, 03:21 PM

Is it fair to say ...
- Shorty is somewhat like a Taylor 12-fret GA
- Lucky 13 is somewhat like a Gibson L-00
- GXi is somewhat like a Martin dread?

I didn't mention any woods, as I don't want to start comparing woods and carbon fiber.

Ted @ LA Guitar Sales · #6 10-27-2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobacoba

Is it fair to say ...
- Shorty is somewhat like a Taylor 12-fret GA
- Lucky 13 is somewhat like a Gibson L-00
- GXi is somewhat like a Martin dread?

I didn't mention any woods, as I don't want to start comparing woods and carbon fiber.

Absolutely not, the Shorty might be the same size as the Taylor 12-fret but it has more volume and sustain and certainly a less traditional wood guitar tone. The Lucky 13 is less boxy and has more clarity than the Gibson, no way you would ever confuse the two in a blind test. As for the GXi, it sounds nothing like any Martin dread I've ever played, in fact it sounds nothing like any Martin I have played.

Doubleneck · #7 10-27-2012, 07:08 PM

Ted, you asked my reasoning really didn't want to tell my predudices because they really are personal. I am finished with CA, two reasons, I really don't like their darker tone any more and I am getting too old to tolerate their heaviness. Emerald sealed that one. I played the Lucky 13 at Carbon Fest, just didn't like the tone at all, but it was a short visit. I have been with Carbons for a while now so I know I really prefer the brighter guitars. Truth is I have not tried a Shorty but I have two Rainsongs can't imagine this not being a great guitar.

darylcrisp · #8 10-28-2012, 01:42 PM

the Shortie is all "that", and then some.

a gloss nonelectric version just entered my home and its a very very cool guitar. plenty loud, plenty resonant, plenty character. need to go thru some string changes to find what i like best, but if someone played this behind a wall and a couple OM or GC type wooden guitars, i don't think i could tell which was carbon.

d

Barb1 · #9 10-28-2012, 02:01 PM

I have a Shorty and a Lucky 13 and while I love the tone of both guitars the Lucky 13 gets way more playing time because it is so comfortable to play.

They are both great guitars although different in tone and feel.
Barb

Bluewyatt · #10 10-29-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb1

I have a Shorty and a Lucky 13 and while I love the tone of both guitars the Lucky 13 gets way more playing time because it is so comfortable to play.

They are both great guitars although different in tone and feel.
Barb

Whew, thanks for the 2 cents, Barb! I've been looking at carbon fiber guitars (for some out-of-country gigs) and have been torn between the Shorty and 13. I found a Shorty to try and it surprised me with it's tone (quite nice), BUT the neck and size wasn't my cup of tea. I decided (unheard) that the Lucky 13 would suit me better and, after speaking to Ted (LA Guitar) at some length, I ordered one.
I will post an educated opinion here in a few weeks

ishtar · #11 10-29-2012, 08:14 PM

I'm a lefty. I had a Rainsong Dread that I have regretted selling. Incredible bell sound, as they say. Recently had Blackbird make a lefty Lucky 13 with the Mi-Si "Acoustic Trio" system featuring an active, battery-free preamp designed specifically to work with a L.R. Baggs undersaddle Element acoustic guitar pickup.

I'd agree that it is a blues instrument. Single note whump that's impressive. Whump is a technical term used by southpaw blues guitarists. It's a wonderful thing and sound.

Keep in mind the electronics are capacitor-driven, not by 9v battery, so be very careful in the bathtub.

Bluewyatt · #12 10-29-2012, 08:37 PM

[QUOTE=ishtar;3225202]I'm a lefty. I had a Rainsong Dread that I have regretted selling. Incredible bell sound, as they say. Recently had Blackbird make a lefty Lucky 13 with the Mi-Si "Acoustic Trio" system featuring an active, battery-free preamp designed specifically to work with a L.R. Baggs undersaddle Element acoustic guitar pickup.

I'd agree that it is a blues instrument. Single note whump that's impressive. Whump is a technical term used by southpaw blues guitarists. It's a wonderful thing and sound.

Keep in mind the electronics are capacitor-driven, not by 9v battery, so be very careful in the bathtub."

Nice, ishtar! Whump I can deal with but cutaways irk me. I think I'll be just fine.

Uncle Pauhana · #13 10-30-2012, 01:58 PM

@Ishtar - Nice photos! Just look at the craftsmanship where the cloth wraps around from the sides to the back. Gorgeous. And I've really enjoyed playing the Lucky 13... 21st century blues and more.

Tubevalvemaniac · #14 01-09-2014, 11:10 AM

Have both CA and Rain Song for obvious difference in sound, both great, Rain Song preferred.
For smaller size Emerald is good, as well, but not loud enough.

tdq · #15 01-09-2014, 07:00 PM

Another factor to be aware of, is that the Lucky 13 had a bit of an overhaul. I've played one of the originals, one that was a little modified and then the current, 2013 version (with the soundhole). The first I really liked but it took some time to get used to. The second was a little less "blues boxy" but an improvement, although I only played it for about 30 mins. The final one is the best of the bunch, still bluesy but a much more versatile guitar IMHO. It is probably my favourite of the current bunch of CF guitars. But I don't strum much.