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Ever played a RainSong acoustic? I tried a few at the Frankston Guitar Festival a few years ago (whatever happened to that festival anyway?) and I was way impressed by their tonal liveliness and playability.RainSong is releasing two new models with an N2 adjustable truss rod (accessible through the headstock) which allows the neck relief to be tailored to individual playing preferences. The reason for including an adjustable truss rod at all in these uncorruptably stable carbon graphite guitars is purely for playability, since they won't warp or twist at all like a wooden neck would.
Here's the press release:
RainSong Graphite Guitars, the premier builder of Carbon/Graphite acoustic guitars, is excited to introduce the Concert Series and the Black Ice Series. The introductory products in both these lines feature the new N2 adjustable neck.
Black Ice Series The Black Ice Series embodies artistry. The soundboard on each guitar is meticulously crafted using various carbon weaves to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance without overbuilding it. The result is a stunning, one-of-a-kind instrument. Each soundboard is individually conceived so every guitar is unique. Unique in design and unique in tone.
The Black Ice Series debuts with BI-WS1000N2, a 6-string deep body cutaway model, new N2 neck and Fishman Prefix Plus T electronics. Suggested retail price $3,295.
Concert Series The Concert Series is all about warm tone. These are the lightest soundboards built by RainSong. Also, the unidirectional carbon fiber of the soundboard mimics the tight grain of spruce. Thus, it is not surprising that this line produces a warmer tone.
The Concert Series debuts with CO-WS1000N2, a 6-string deep body cutaway model, new N2 neck and Fishman Prefix Plus T electronics. Suggested retail price $3,295.
N2 Neck The new N2 neck is a result of an extensive long-term collaboration with the renowned artist Steve Miller and master luthier John Bolin. The neck design is based on a modified "U" profile that has been popular in guitars since the 1950s. While the N2 has a more substantial feel than the original RainSong 6-string neck, it is ergonomically sound and actually results in better transfer of string vibrational energy to the soundboard. The N2 features a truss rod that is accessible from the headstock. Graphite does not warp or bow with changes in humidity and temperature. The purpose of a truss rod in the N2 is to allow customization of the fingerboard relief to individual preferences.
For more information, visit their web site at www.rainsong.com.
2 comments:
I love Rainsong guitars! There's always the purist debate about the tone and character of woods-- and although I greatly appreciate that as well, I also feel that the Rainsong really transmits the feel of the player.
Many arguments about tone also end up with the old "tone is in your hands" thing. You know, like Eric Johnson always sounds like himself no matter which guitar he picks up-- and if you picked up his guitar, you wouldn't sound like him.
So, considering that logic, which is often accepted by people who also praise the esoterics of wood, it shouldn't be difficult to conceive how a non-wood guitar could also do well at translating an artist's expression.
Specifically, a Rainsong is very light and very loud. The top requires no bracing underneath, AND is much thinner than any spruce or cedar steel string top-- thus their capacity for volume. From there, it's a matter of voicing and balancing. The result, is a guitar that is neither too boomy at the low end, or too glassy at the high end. I'm particularly impressed by their midrange.
And as with any good wood guitar, every player will sound different. Any good guitar is really only as good as it allows a player's uniqueness and intentions to come through.
Rainsong guitars still aren't for everyone, because some players count upon certain wood based sonic characteristics as a component of their sound. I totally understand that. My ultimate favorite steel string acoustic is still a $3600 Breedlove Concert model with a cedar top.
But it's not correct to consider that a Rainsong will sound sterile and lifeless just because it isn't constructed from wood. The life and tone in your hands will express your personality through graphite too.
Luthiers build guitars as thin and responsive as possible with enough remaining structural offset to allow the guitar to also survive with reasonable care and under reasonable conditions.
The strength of graphite expands the limits restricting responsiveness. Some luthiers welcome new methods and materials with which to expand. Some guitar players welcome the opportunity of venturing into new & different territory.
The heritage & traditions of fine wood crafting and instrument building were aimed at building fine instruments for the sake of building fine instruments. Not for the sake of working with wood simply for the edification of wood.
Here's a decent Rainsong demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zumUI0_zyo
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