Rainsong WS 1000 Acoustic

It???s been awhile since anyone has put up anything on this guitar, so I thought I would chime in. The price I paid was considerably less then any price I???ve seen here.

The finish is an all black carbon/graphic body. This one must be the ???no frills??? model as it only has white outlining around the body. No outlining around the sound hole. Simple white dot inlays on the fingerboard. It does have a black pick guard.

This is an early model based on the serial number, but was made in Woodinville, WA. (not Hawaii) which is how I came across this maker as they are only 10 miles from my home.

It has what is listed as the premium on-board electronics made by Fishman with onboard turner and some EQ adjustments.

This guitar has the original N1 style neck; which is thinner then the updated N2 version (the N2 also offers a truss adjustment, not the N1). The thinner neck was more desirable for my needs as this guitar is for my 16YO daughter to learn on.
The guitar was used when I bought it and had some blemishes. No scratches or cracks.
The frets didn???t show any signs of ware.

Mine came with the original deluxe gig bag.
The pawn shop also threw in a Line-6 Spider-2 15watt amp.

The sound is nothing short of stunning. Crisp and clean. Better then what I had anticipated.

It has been a long time since I played a guitar, but I found it easy to find my notes. I didn???t get any fret buzzing. I had my daughter play a few chords and her smaller hands could move around okay. The neck is straight. I haven???t found any excessive tuning issues.

It appears that this guitar has seen some miles; however, is still in great shape. Everything on it is still tight and sturdy. For what I know about carbon fiber, this guitar should stand up to most environments, on the road. I have no concerns on this.

Can???t speak directly about this one yet. I did write Rainsong an email asking if they would consider selling a factory second at a reduced price. Nope, they answered and they suggested Craig???s List or Ebay. Now, I know that not every guitar they make is considered show room standard. It wouldn???t hurt their reputation to offer a few of these for a marked down price for us less fortunate people who can???t afford $2,500 (just my opinion).

Okay, the over all rating.
I started researching Rainsong about 3 years ago. I knew, by most feedback, that it was the guitar I wanted to get and with my daughter asking for lessons and my current guitar just too large for her I knew I needed to get busy and find something.
I stumbled across this one in a pawnshop in downtown Seattle with an asking price of $800. They took $700. That is half for what I???m finding these online for even today.
$700 for a Rainsong!!! Consider me tickled pink. This guitar is everything that it was hyped about. Maybe the frets will ware down before their time like someone had posted; that is yet to be seen. As it stands right now, based on price..10.

I have one of the early WS-1000's made in Hawaii, purchased in 2000. Paid $1900 for it. Has fishman electronics.

I've played Folk, Bluegrass, Jazz, Rock with this guitar and it fit's all styles very well. I normally play direct into a board or recording. Bright but full sound.

Set-up very well. I've always used the same brand of strings on it (Elixir's) since getting it.

Played it now for 7 years and have not had any problem with it.

Never had to deal with the company, but I live nearby so could easily go see them

I've played for 35 years and have owned lot's of equipment. Currently have a collection of 15+ guitars. I'd buy another one if this one was lost or stolen.

This guitar is beautiful ..no doubt about it I agree with the majority of the reviews

Very clean and distinct..Almost compressed..Harmonics are great.

Action a little high ..the guitar saddle can be shaved to suit your style.. I mostly finger pick .but i like to give the Rainsong a good thack now and again and it holds up to a "T"!

Here is where I had problem. I was doing a gig and had an accident the guitar case was upright and not secure .I grabbed my case and my axe fell out maybe 6 inches at the most .I grabbed it by the neck before it hit the ground. The lower bout had split about 7 inches cleanly from where the top and the sides meet! I was furious at myself I take full responsibility for my actions . You should never treat your guitar in this fashion . However I felt that a small spill like that should not crack a guitar that I paid $3000 for. In addtion The top of the guitar is like a wafer like pattern and if you press on it with your thumb with about 10-15 lbs of pressure it will leave an indent that your are stuck with. THESE GUITARS ARE NOT AS ROAD TOUGH AS THEY ADVERTISE.

First of all Jeannie was a Doll and was sympathitic..acidents are not covered under any warrenty even 6 inch spills.They offered to look at it. However from across the border it would have been $300 each way And they said they "might fix it" For $600 BUCKS AND A MAYBE I decided to take it to my man Miles at fretworks who didi an awesome job for $100..

It is amazing instument no doubt about it.. The projected layering is a wafer type weave that once banged into or pressed it will leave a cosmetic blemish. The carbon fibre is tough that is why it split at the glue joint. Because of the money I would not replace it if it were lost or stolen. Despite the ohh and awws from my fellow musician the ticket price is not worth it

I bought this guitar in 2000, at that time I think it was then made in Hawaii. Beyond question, it is the most trouble-free guitars I've owned (Several Gibson acoustics and electrics, epiphones, Fender etc). The action was outstanding when I got it and it hasn't changed at all over the years. Weather/season changes simply have no effect on it.
Although it has no pickgard and I do get a little carried away strumming, there is no sign of wear. My thoughts are if it ever shows wear, I'll then install a thin pickgard, but I don't see this happening soon. The one that came with the guitar was way to thick for my liking and I never installed it (it came with the guitar uninstalled back then).
I've never owned a guitar that holds its tune as well as this one. The tunners are gotoh and are superb. I've never broke a string on this guitar as some have reported and I do bend and play hard at times. This unit has Fishman electronics and I did have problems and the company quickly sent me new Fishman electronics which was a piece of cake to install. This is a very comfortable guitar to play, lighter than anything I've played and very strong and durable.
The finish looks as good as the day I purchased it. I use GHS guitar gloss.

I play everything that captures my fancy. I was using a Digitech RP-200 when I played out and I had difficulty dialing in the sound I wanted. Since then I upgraded to a AG stomp and the sound is superb. Being carbon fiber, this guitar has a tendency to make you play more accurate, as mistakes seem to be applified. The sound "is" a bit different than most guitars, much cleaner than wood and considerably louder. This is not a bad thing, it is very much a guitar sound, just cleaner. This is great for finger style I might add. When playing finger style, the volume acoustically will simply surprise you. The lows are distinct and the treble is bright, very nice.
The only thing I've had to adjust to is the finish on the neck, which is not as quick and smooth as a satin finish, say like a Fender. But it's just a matter of getting used to, not really a problem but a preference.

As mentioned the action is better than any acoustic I've played. Excellent to the 12th fret. Also as I said before, the Fishman electronics did fail me (a constant hum), however, Rainsong took care of this without a hassel.

Solid guitar, very dependable. None of the shortcommings of wood (I do play wood guitars).

Best support I've had to deal with. Jean Carr? was a doll to deal with, very understanding and made every attempt to get things right. Had a Gibson SJ-200 neck go bad and it was a battle to get warranty service with it. Eventually they replaced it and it took several months in the process. A real pain.

Been playing a while, about 35 years, various styles. If stolen, I'd replace it, but not without playing it first. Having a neck that has no adjustment, I think that goes without saying. How it is when you buy it, is how it is.
The sound is unique, unlike a wooden guitar that has a tendency to deaden the sound coming out of the soundhole (it doesn't have to be like that). You really have to play one to understand the difference, the sound is very pure and unaffected, a pleasure to listen to. Until I played one, nobody could have convinced me that I would like this. :)

This is a WS-1000, purchased new less than 3 years ago, but apparently having sat in the store for up to a year before my purchase. Manufactured in Washington - not Hawaiian (early models). Fishman electronics. Gotoh tuners. Jumbo frets (standard issue). Rainsong signature case. Overall, one of the finest instruments I've played during my nearly 50 years of playing, 17 professionally. Although mostly a solid-body picker, I've switched to accoustic for personal reasons (although I still own a Strat, an Explorer, a Takamine lawsuit type, and several others).

I've played everything from surf, acid, rock, jazz, country, classical, and background music. Play a little of everything currently - personal favorites. The guitar plays it all well. Easy to play and easy to adjust to. Action doesn't match a quality solid-body, of course, but could be the best accoustic I've played. At my age this was to be my "last" guitar purchase (Ha! Fat chance!!), so I tried everything typically found on the market including Gibsons (still a favorite!), Martins (just don't dig 'em), Taylors (a fine instrument), etc., etc. Did a lot of pickin' research before spending this kind of money! Almost instantaneously chose the Rainsong. I like it! Infinitely variable electric presentation, and a booming accoustic sound with genuine projection. Nothing compares.

Excellent action all the way up the scale for an accoustic. I like the variations available between the internal mike and the bridge pick-up. Good engineering. Finish is beautiful, especially the rosette and the incredible shark inlays on the fretboard (that sold me!). A yacht-broker by profession, the inside looks just like a fiberglass boat - not much you can do with that - tacky - just don't look in there! A fantastic hardshell case. Careful with that finish - no pickguard! I do break 3rd strings with incredible regularity - sometimes even when brand new. Can't figure what the problem is, and Elixirs are supposed to be tough, but I'm a bit dismayed with a very persistent problem. I have an acquaintance who also owns one and has the identical problem. Hm-m-m! Very interesting!

Living on the gulf Coast I play outside sometimes and it is totally - totally! - unaffected by temp and humidity. ALWAYS in tune! I like that! Played one very humid everning right on the water with another fellow with a wood guitar, and his instrument did nothing but sweat and refused to stay in tune. while this guitar sweated, too, it never went out of tune. The other fellow was more than a little impressed. So was I. Carbon-Fiber will last forever and is stronger, pound-for-pound - than steel. Pretty tough instrument.

Very mixed emotions here. I wrote to the company about the 3rd string-breaking problem and they sent me a new bridge immediately, which I haven't installed. Not certain that's the problem, as I've examined the original carefully with a magnifier. While they were responsive to that problem, I've had another much more serious problem which has disappointed me immensely: premature fret wear. I play about an hour every day - sometimes a bit more. While changing strings recently I noticed the 2nd and 3rd frets were severely worn. In fact to the point that had I continued on, the instrument would have been totally unplayable in probably less than 6 months. Also noticed that about 6 more frets were quite worn. I am an accomplished player and play the entire range of the neck - not a "strummer", playing chords in the 1st position. I learned to read music at an early age and still read. I don't use a capo, but believe that a good myusician should be able to play anything in any position! So, this extraordinary wear at the 1st position was quite disconcerting. Wrote the company about it, requesting factory service, and received the most cavalier response I could have imagined! "You play a lot and simply wore it out!" And, "We don't re-fret. Take it to your local luthier." CRAP! I had a '53 Telecaster (Yes!!) that I bought quite well used in 1965, and played professionally for at least 10 years. Put a huge amount of time on that instrument and the frets were still good when I sold it in 1991. I played a top of the line Ovation for about 10 years after that and never wore it out. None of my guitrars, including numerous Gibsons, Fenders, Rickenbachers, or anything I've ever picked up had frets worn as badly as these! Appalled at the factory's rather cavalier response, and having no other recourse, and feeling quite wounded, I had a local luthier TOTALLY re-fret the guitar. The end result is that now I have a damaged guitar: re-fretted, and with some small scratches as a result of the refret job, which is unavoidable, given the extent of the repair. You simply cannot do this kind of extensive repair and not expect a nick or 2. My opinion, after playing for 50 years, is that there was a problem with the batch of fret wire. Metallurgy is not a perfect world and the metal used in the wire (IMO) was defective. The company had a fine opportunity to study a serious flaw and perhaps take corrective action, but chose to be unresponsive.

Even though I love this instrument I have serious reservations about the company's lack of customer support and CARE! Bottom line: yes I'd replace it if stolen - can't find a better one. But be prepared to have your heart broken when your baby needs major surgery! And don't expect to have your complaint fall on sympathetic ears! My Overall Rating is lower due to this single poblem. Without it, I would rate it an easy 10.

Purchased/made in 2000 so has Fishman electronics

Sound is crisp, rich, full both miked and direct

Setup perfectly - action a little high - adjusted by putting slightly lighter gauge strings - finish perfect

Owned and played now for more than 5 years, no problems

I toured the factory in Maui in 1998 and was sold on the guitars, purchased one 2 years later

great guitar

completed March 11, 2005 made in USA....you all know about the features already.....man it is ugly!

Almost 50 years playing and this guitar makes me sound better and better

No amps solid acoustic but I'm told best thru a PA 2nd best small bass amp solid stste

It has been said this guitar is really a cannon..I will not disagree

LOVE THE SOUND ....THE PLAYABILITY....Rainsong is smart guitar came with Elixer 12'S so I have also learned about their strings and it cost me nothing.......IT"S UGLY.......MAN

Perfect out of the box....and I do mean perfect...no surprises!
It's UGLY!

Yet to gig with it but blew every other guitarist away at an acoustic reherdal with a half dozen guitars playing a various times,,,cut through the mix like a hot knive thru butter

This is one heck of an ugly guitar In my opinion but no one has agreed with me in eleven months.

solid like a tank...only guitar needed for any gig ....I perform in a situation with solid bodys by direction.. we do a lot of trading instruments on stage (I also perform on bass) me bandmates are happy with their instruments so for harmonies sake ........

They emailed information on ocassions,,,very responsive...Jeannie I believe.

playing soon 50 years...currently interested in dumping 1996 sg 61 reissue finally going fender strat or doI want a tele.....?

...if it were stolen I'd replace immediately..

it's the uglyist looking rocket ship but the sound and feel is out of this world....necks got space grease on it (so fast and smooth)...

I compared this to everything out there for a decade..this guitar replaced a 1988 guild D25 ...was offered the Martin Dragon... tryed the Taylors...Martins...all sizes...shapes...hundreds of them...only had to play this for 45 minutes ,,,never played or heard anything like it.....and would not touch this guitars sound....the versitility..

Ordered new,recieved in December of 2005, serial# shows it was made in October of 2004. Sat on a shelf for a year! All carbon fiber. Braggs electronics, nice TKL case.

Wonderful acoustic sound made my wooden guitars sound muddy and dull. Played through my PA , with a flat eq setting, it took 10 minutes of playing with the EQ, notch filter and phase switch to get rid feedback. Once dialed in man could I get loud, and oh what a joyous, full, clear tone. This thing came alive pluged in. OPen D and Open Em tunings where breath taking!!!

Action was GOD AWFUL. 3/64th higher at the 12th fret then Rainsong factory specs. (I called them and asked what spec was as I could not believe this guitar could be right. Factory is 4/64 to 6/64 at 12th fret.) 6/64th factory spec action is still high!!!! If this thing was truely made/machinedas they say those strings should damn near lay on the frets without buzzing!!!!!!! Take a que from Carvin. Carbon fiber had a big wrinkel in the pattern on the bottom edge, in the middle of the neck the carbon was frayed and showed, 3 super tiny scratches in the back. Looking inside the sound hole showed lots of ugly glueing and overlaying at the top and bottom edge of the body, as well as 2 big ass bolts for neck attachment.

No opinion here as I sent the thing back. For $2000 not only should a guitar look impeccable it should play like butter.

When I called about my action issue, they where very nice, gave the info I needed, reminded me action settings are subjective. Did offer to send me a bridge to file downand experiment with if I decided to keep the guitar. You dont buy a new Cadillac and put in a new engine!

After 37 years of playing and having built several guitars, I was looking for a guitar without the inherent problems of wood. The sound and looks of the instrument are stunning, playability is crap.

2004-2005 from Washington State. Baggs element system. Solid graphite. Came with a sleek, shark design hard shell case, Rainsong decals, and Rainsong picks, with manuals. Shark inlays on frets; beautiful and very colorful abalone inlay around sound hole. Gorgeous guitar! I'd give it a 10 if it had a clear pickguard (It has no pick guard)and a B-Band pick-up system.

My band plays everything from Bluegrass to Classic Rock. We use Fender Acoustasonic Jr's, and one Marshall acoustic amp. **Here's the kick - The sound is extraordinary! I have a Taylor 310 w/t new expression system (it's also a fantastic sound) but no one ever complimented the great sound of my Taylor. But with my Rainsong at live gigs, I've gotten several compliments on the beautiful sound! Other guitar players ask to play it, and I don't mind cuz it's built to last. I wish the on-board volume would boost the volume much more for my solos... ha ha.

The action is a little higher than my Taylor, but I don't want to lose it's volume or brightness by lowering it. I have no problem on barre chords up to the 7th fret though. The only sadness I have in this department is that when I bought it "new" at the guitar store, it had some pick scratches from being played in the store. A clear pickguard w/t plastic wrap would've protected it for my scratches only.

The guitar is great live! I've used it these past 30 days in the hot sun of County Fairs, City celebrations, Class Reunions, Company Picnics, etc. It holds up fantastically and seldom needs a tuning! I have broken strings a couple times, but my band buddy always brings 3 guitars (2 Taylors & 1 Epi). I only need to bring one guitar, and from now on (for acoustic) this is the one (my electric is a Variax 700).

Jeanne(?) is super nice and professional! She even sent me extra stickers and picks when I told her about the store scratches! They sent me a signed letter when I registered the guitar.

I've been playing for 23 years. Professionally for 10 years. If stolen, I'd pay the $500 deductible and get another WS-1000. I love the looks and enjoy the sound more & more. Others love the looks but love the sound much more. I often see people in the crowd point at my guitar and shake their heads "Yes." I wish Rainsong had a ball-cap to wear or other accessories, but they simply major on making beautiful guitars...

Built in December 2003. No need to recite the features, as all of the other reviewers have done so. Does have Fishman Prefix Stereo Blender pickup system that blows me away. I'll have to say that the Gotoh tuning machines aren't the level of quality of the rest of the guitar, and unfortunately they can't be changed, as the location of the screw on the back won't allow swapping with Schallers, which I'd much prefer.

The sound is incredible - clear and bright, but with just enough bottom end to round it out.

Seeing as I bought the guitar used, I can't say anything about the guitar's setup from the factory. When I got it, the action was way to high for me, but then I've been playing electrics primarily for 40 years. After about 15 minutes of work on the saddle, the action was right where I like it, with absolutely no buzz. The carbon fibre body is a beauty to behold, and was absolutely flawless.

I'm an in-home player, so I can't comment on its performance in a live playing setting, but it's a joy to play. I've also only owned it for about a week, but is seriously doubt that it will be nothing but rock-solid in the future.

Again, seeing as it was used, no warranty is applicable. As well, no repairs have been needed. I did contact them to register the guitar with them, and they were prompt and courteous.

As I mentioned, I've been playing for over 40 years, mostly electrics, and over that time period I've probably owned 40 or so guitars. My guitar stable now numbers about 15 guitars, of which four are acoustics (Larrivee, Martin, the RainSong, and the first guitar I ever bought, a Stella Tenor). The RainSong is probably one of my all-time favorites, though, right up with my Martin SPD-16R. I first saw a RainSong at Island Music in Kihei, Maui while vacationing, and was intrigued by the idea of a carbon fibre guitar, and when I played it, I was sold. It's not a cheap guitar, but then nothing that would be of the quality and sound that this guitar is / has would be.