Who would guess!

[chasAK]

My daughter was having a girl's birthday party. My boys and I high tailed it out of there; our destination, Sportsman's Ware House. Then it happened! We spotted a garage sale. We turned in and there they were; three acoustic guitars for sale. The desire to pick up a guitar for picnics and car camping was suddenly hounding me. An Ovation for a very reasonable price was right before my eyes. Now if I could only put it off until next week and talk my beloved wife into agreeing with it. Suddenly the chance was gone. The man in front of me swiped it up. The seller of the guitar, who lived across the street, asked me to come over to his garage. There stacked in one fourth of the garage sat 40 guitars in their cases. As we talked and visited, for about an hour and a half, he brought out some of the guitars he had in his house. He showed me a 70's j45 he was restoring. Next comes out an Epiphone case. Ah, he is going to pull out an old Texan. I looked and the guitar was all black and gray. What I saw was the ultimate car camping guitar, a RainSong. Now, I'm introuble. He offered me a unbelievable price. In fact the longer we visited the lower the price went. Well, it was now time to confess my sins. I was as broke as a church mouse and even at his humbling gracious price I could not swing the deal. He was OK. He was not really looking to sell the guitar. We visited some more and had a great time. His wife said we were like two kids in a candy store. At last it was time to leave and I said my good byes. Then it happened! He placed the RainSong and case in my hand with the comment, "If you are uncomfortable with taking this then burn when you get home." What a blessing! Now I have the ultimate car camping guitar in my hands.

 

Now I have the hard decision on what strings to put on it next. There is another forumite that has an all composite guitar. I am wondering it too is a RainSong?

 

chasAK

 

[j45nick]

 

Now I have the hard decision on what strings to put on it next. There is another forumite that has an all composite guitar. I am wondering it too is a RainSong?

 

chasAK

 

 

 

A couple of us here have various guitars from Composite Acoustics. I use Elixir Nanos on my CA Cargo (a small carbon travel guitar), just because the strings rarely get changed, since it is just a travel guitar for me.

[duluthdan]

Wonderful story. Two winners, the gracious giver, and you, the gracious receiver. Love it.

[ol fred]

Looks like the boss is taking care of ya Charlie ! Maybe he has travel plans for you.

[BigKahune]

.

Great story.

 

I've got a Rainsong 12 string. Rainsong recommends Elixir Nanoweb.

 

Assuming you've got a 6 string, Rainsong recommends Elixir #11052 - 012 / .016 / .024 / .032 / .042 / .053 with the note: "The guitar design has been optimized for these string gauges." You can always experiment; I do. . B)

 

 

.

[Riptide]

That's an awesome story! :D Now where do you live?

[Versatile]

I just checked out the Rainsong...

 

Anybody care to share long term experience with these guitars?

 

I notice they do not have a truss rod...

 

Any other composite acoustics worthy...excluding Ovation...?

 

V

 

[j45nick]

I just checked out the Rainsong...

 

Anybody care to share long term experience with these guitars?

 

I notice they do not have a truss rod...

 

Any other composite acoustics worthy...excluding Ovation...?

 

V

 

 

 

Most of the carbon composite guitars, including Rainsong and Composite Acoustics, use carbon fiber for the neck as well as the body. While neither says what the elastic modulus of the carbon fiber used, a carbon fiber composite neck will almost always be dramatically stiffer than a wooden guitar neck. As such, no truss rod is needed.

 

This is a mixed blessing, as there is no way to tweak neck relief for different playing styles. Instead, these necks are almost always dead straight.

 

I have no experience with the Rainsong, but they look like really nice guitars. They have a bit more variety in their product line, including more guitars that look like "conventional" guitars.

 

Composite Acoustics guitars are more unusual in their styling, which is definitely not for everyone. The Composite Acoustics Cargo is a compact, great-sounding travel guitar that goes almost anywhere. I travel frequently on business, and it is usually the guitar that goes on the airplane with me. Since it easily fits in the average overhead bin, I've never had anyone question my bringing aboard an aircraft.

[zombywoof]

Not too long ago somebody posted a video wih a composite guitar that was kinda a knock-off of an L-00. If I recall the thing surprised the heck out me. I was not expecting it to sound nearly as good as it did.

[j45nick]

Not too long ago somebody posted a video wih a composite guitar that was kinda a knock-off of an L-00. If I recall the thing surprised the heck out me. I was not expecting it to sound nearly as good as it did.

 

 

They do sound surprisingly good, but perhaps a bit Taylor-like for most Gibby enthusiasts.

 

On the plus side, you don't have to worry about whether that is Adirondack or Sitka on the top........

[chasAK]

I just got back from an all day family outing. It was great. I've never used the Elixir nanos before. I guess I will give them a try, thanks. The guitar does sound surprisingly good, but is, as Nick says, a little Taylor-like. The tone quality on mine seems to drop off fast with the low E string. But, it sounds amazingly better than I expected an all carbon fiber guitar to sound. It makes a great travel guitar. Presently, I am keeping it in my study which can be dry and has the heat turned down at nights. My only problem now is a conflict of interest in my study!! Actually it is a nice tension reliever and enables me to regain my constitution. Fred, I may surprise you some day! I know you are a long way from LA, but I have a son who lives in Lancaster, that's a little closer than Alaska! Riptide, I live in Anchorage, AK.