Rainsong WS 1000 Acoustic

I bought this guitar several years ago, I believe it's a 1999. It's from the period Rainsong was still in Hawaii and focusing on producing this model only. Unless you live in a cave, you should be aware the guitar is carbon fiber and has no wood in it....It has a Fishman blender pre-amp and came with a transparent pick-guard that was installed by the dealer. I'm writing this review as I've owned and used this guitar for several years now and most of what I saw on this site was from folks with newer instruments. My experience with any guitar has been it takes a year or two to really appreciate its total personality. Because of the carbon-fiber construction I'll give it a "8" for features....but then for $1300.00 you should expect a lot.

I know sound is very subjective, and yes, the thing is VERY LOUD! This guitar has a "unique" voice and although mostly nice, it has some drawbacks. I'm an aggressive player that frequently strums my instruments within inches of their lives. When you push this guitar, it can get a bit overpowering in the midrange...not exactly muddy and dull, but more a bit of a quack. You have to play a particular way to avoid this unplesantness. Also, the "b" string doesn't seem to sustain as clearly or long as the others.....I played several before purchasing this one and I'd have to say this isn't anything peculiar to my instrument. Plugged in it has a very warm and easily tailored sound - you can brighten/adjust things easily by blending in more or less of the mic sound. I'd give it a "9" plugged in, "6-7" unplugged, and an "8" overall.

No real problems with anything on the guitar. The action's a bit higher than other guitars I play, and there's no truss rod for easy adjustments. The neck is a bit wider and has a larger radius also. All in all, the set-up is fine, but not what I would consider really fast. Fit and finish is top notch and the instrument is very striking. Because of the high gloss you'll spend a lot of time cleaning and polishing it.....fingerprints, sweat and smudges really show up.

I take excellent care of all my guitars, so I can't speak to how durable the carbon-fiber is. It shows some minor scratches acquired over the years....it is nice to have a guitar that's super light. The hype that this guitar never goes out of tune is not true in my experience. It is very stable, comparable to an ovation, but it does go out of tune with temperature variations of 10 degrees or so. This may be the strings, but you'll still need to tune the thing as often as most other guitars.

Haven't had much contact other than prior to purchasing the thing. The folks in Hawaii were professional and courteous. They answered my questions and sent literature quickly when requested. I've heard dealers speak highly of this company.

I've been playin about 20 years. Would probably replace it if lost. Like everything about it except that midrange honk when spanked. It sounds great used for recordings on my VS1880.

Made in Hawaii. Rainsongs are definitely not your run-of-the-mill traditional acoustic, but then again that's really what makes these babies so special. I didn't buy this guitar because of cosmetic appeal and I will be the first to admit that the "look" takes a bit of getting used to. If you can get past that, this guitar is amazing.

This thing sounds unbelievable. Very balanced and full, every note rings out with wonderful clarity. Obviously the sound is a bit brighter than what you would get with a wooden box but that's not really a bad thing...just a different tone. Plug this puppy in and there's not much out there that I've heard that comes close.

No visable flaws in the finish that I could spot. The action and playablility are a "10". This guitar plays itself and is tough to put down!

I can't really forsee having many problems with this guitar which is one of the reasons why I considered this in the first place. These things have a reputation for being bulletproof and the fact that humidity will no longer be a concern is a big plus. I play very aggressively and this baby takes it without breaking a sweat!

Haven't had to use this so I can't really say but from everything I've heard they really stand behind their product.

I have owned my completely stock 2002 WS1000 for about a month now. As far as features go, it's got the standard Fishman Matrix blender, chrome Gotoh tuners and the thinnest acoustic neck I've ever played. It does not come with any kind of pick-guard and am told that the carbon/resin matrix doesn't require one. I have ordered up a thin plastic membrane(GuitarArmor.com) to apply just in case. I am giving an "8" rating in this catagory only because of the lack of adjustable truss rod (see action, fit & finish)

I play folk/rock/country mostly solo and all for fun. Self record original work and do the occasional open mike. Acoustically, it is very similar in tone to a lot of Taylors and a bit brighter than many Martins. For it's size it is louder than any guitar I have played (all my playing friends keep saying "wow, this thing is LOUD!!). It has more sustain than any of the surrounding guitars as well (Martins, Taylors, Ovations). When plugged in it is my second favorite behind the Adamas -- I might be able to get that "fat" Adamas sound with medium strings on the Rainsong, but haven't tried that yet.

Set up perfectly and without a doubt the best playing acoustic I have ever laid hands on (over 25 years I've played hundreds upon hundreds). It seems strange that is doesn't have a truss rod, but then again...with the stability of the material (carbon doesn't move around like wood after all) if it plays right from the start, I suppose it will always play right.

Finish was superb all around the exterior -- I simply couldn't find any flaws. Nicely detailed and polished. There was a bit of white residue in one corner of the inside that I will probably paint the first time I change the original strings (do these Elixers EVER wear out?).

It is somewhat of a contrast from a wood guitar (I enjoy the beauty of interior woodwork) in that while the outside is a work of art, the inside looks a bit like the bottom side of a fiberglass hot tub.

Though it feels like the lightest guitar I've held (OK, a Martin Backpacker is lighter), this thing is stiff as a truck suspension. Monte Montgomery would have a tough time with his "acoustic tremelo" effect on this guitar(the one where he bows the neck forward and gets a half step of trem out of the flex). It is easily twice as stiff at the neck as my next stiffest guitar(Ovation).

I bought this guitar because I travel for a living (ESPN production crew) and I believed it would be a step up from my travel guitar of 20 years (Ovation). It has done nothing but support my decision thus far. My travel guitar spends 2 days a week as airline baggage and three days a week being shuffled from cold hotel room to hot rental car to freezing cold TV production truck (they keep them cold to help protect the millions of dollars of critical electronics)to the suffocating storage belly of said truck during games. I have a very sensitive ear and with an all wood guitar can spend inordinate amounts of time tuning. My Ovation was by far the best in this area, but the Rainsong just blows it away. I can go a work-week and hardly tune it at all. When tuning is required the tone is so clear it practically snaps itself into frequency. I'm flat out spoiled with this rig.

It came with a nice custom SKB HSC case and I am quite satisfied with it.

Spoke with the factory before purchasing and they spent the time necessary to answer my questions kindly and professionally.

I met a guy who had an early Rainsong that experienced a delam issue and he said the factory quickly "made it more than right".

I have no other first hand knowledge.

I bought it because I was in love with it's tone, playability, durability and strength. Nothing has changed.

The only things I wish it had(truss rod, pick-guard) it doesn't seem to need. For my use (heavy travel) nothing else can compete, and yet now that I have one, if it never left my home studio it would still be the guitar of preference.

If it was stolen, I would hunt down the perp, strangle them and then rush right out and buy another one. I have sampled their 12 string as well and I have never played a 12 so easy. I will own one soon. Now, if they will just make a nylon string version before I have to buy one of the new Taylors.

2001 Grand Auditorium Cutaway made in Washington. Top, body and neck are all made of carbon fiber,with an interesting geometric fiber pattern and a high gloss finish. Looks hi-tech and formal at the same time. The fretboard and bridge are synthetic compsosite, and the nut and saddle are tusq. It has shark fretboard inlays, and a beautiful blue shell soundhole rosette, which looks great against the black top. Has a Fishman Matrix blender. Thinnest neck I've ever seen on an acoustic, and I've got a few Taylors. Had a friend over to try it last night, and he thought the neck was as thin as his Ibanez electric. Chrome Gotoh tuners which also look good against the midnight black color of the guitar. Usually see gold in this price range, butI don't think it would look as good. Comes with a nice custom SKB HSC. If it has any negatives, it would be the smell. While most new guitars have that lovely wood fragrence out of the box, the RainSong smelled like glue. Fortunately, the odor is dissipating fast, and has not caused any serious respiratory problems.

I play for fun, (couldn't make a profit at it), mostly folk, rock and country. Have a Fender Acoustimas Jr. for jamming with friends. This guitar has a very rich, bright sound. It holds its own acoustically with Taylors, and with Ovations when plugged in.

Literally perfect set-up out of the box. Quickest action of any acoustic I've played. No flaws noted, but the neck has that bolted/glued on look since it has no dovetail joint. The high gloss finish is very nice. Gives the fibers a 3D look.

One dealer said you can lay it across the arms of a chair and sit on it. Wouldn't try it, but it sure seems solid despite being so light.

Haven't dealt with them yet, but have heard good things.

Started playing again about two years ago, after about a 25 year lay-off. Amazing how quickly it comes back. I've also started collecting guitars. Bought this one without ever seeing or playing one. I love new technology, and this guitar sure has it. I was looking for a novelty, and ended up with a serious instrument which I really love to play. I've got several Taylors, two Epiphones, a Seagull 12-string, a Simon & Patrick, a Peavy electric and an Ovation Adamas. Not to mention a very understanding wife! The RainSong can hold its own with any of them (except the wife) with respect to looks, sound and playability. If I had to pick only one keeper, it would be the WS1000. I'm already looking at their new 12-string, the WS3000, and will likely have one soon unless this new medication kicks in.

2002 WS-1000. This guitar is high-tech instrumet made of graphite NO WOOD!!!!
Has a Fishman blender system,, sounds great very balanced. I plug it into a Crate CA 112. The tuners did what they are for -lol- got me in tune quick and very smooth. This guitar stays in tune longer then any other guitar that I have played. With the cutaway, playing leads are a breeze. I do wish they put a pickgaurd on this, but it does look cool without it.

I play blues, country rock and just a little slide. What can I say,,I bought it on the spot and I LOVE IT. This guitar has a sound that projects and just sings so sweet. I can't get that sound out of any of my other guitars. I play out on the weekends and the very nice things people say about my sound make me very happy about my purchase.

The guitar plays like a dream . The finish is a little interesting, hard to describe because the guitar is graphite, but it has a 3D kind of vibe very deep high gloss NICE. Everything was perfect EXCEPT the nut felt a little sharp on both sides against my hand. the guitar tech fixed it on the spot for me! NICE.

I play out everywhere, the beach, cruise ships, VERY cold Hotels, raw bars, etc. This is the only guitar that I will bring to my gigs because this is the only guitar that can deal with all the eliments and stay in tune.

So far so good. Everything is OK.

Wow!What a coooool guitar. I just walked into the store to buy some strings and look around when the guy at the desk asked me If I ever tried a RainSong. Not only did I never try one before,I never heard of it. He put it in my hands and the rest is history.

Carbon fiber guitar with chrome Gotoh tuners and a Fishman Matrix pick-up built in. Little inlayed sharks adorn the fingerboard. The sound hole rosette is beautiful and luminescent. Well built plush case with a comfy handle. Finish is smooth as glass with tweedy black cross-hatch lines reminiscent of a black tie affair. You have to wear your best threads to look as good as this guitar.

Loud clean and bright. I have five solo guitar CD's in realease. I did an A/B sound test in my studio and opted for recording several songs for my latest CD with the Rainsong over the Martin 0-18 (1949) or the Gibson SJ (1962), both beautiful sounding guitars. However, recently I was standing at a gig with my Rainsong, and a friend next to me had his Gibson. We did an impromptu acoustic A/B with a few audience members and they liked the warmer sound of the Gibson. I was bummed because I wanted to win. It's a personal choice, but I really like the bright, balanced sound the Rainsong has. Plugged in sound is great but tends to feedback at higher levels even at transducer only setting. A sound hole plug helps but if your intention is to play with a rock band I would make sure you could get a handle on the feedback.

Fit and finish perfect. Factory set-up is a bit high for my fingerstyle playing. Those who use alternate tunings might want to keep it that way as slack strings tend to buzz if the set-up is too low. I took the saddle down about a 16th of an inch with no buzz in standard tuning and now it plays like buttah!

I cruised the Carribean on a sailboat with this guitar. The only thing that happened was the strings rusted up in a day. I had to treat them with olive oil to keep them operational the two weeks on the ocean. Otherwise no effect on the guitar.
This is my second Rainsong. The first was left in my car in a Calton case after a gig. I know I should not have left it there but it was late, I was tired etc. I got it out by 10:00AM the next morning. It was hot, but not cooked. However, after it cooled down I opened it up and the peg head had moved a fraction rendering it unplayable--lots of buzz and intonation out of whack. Rainsong replaced it under warranty even though I allowed to them that I should not have left it in the car. I didn't ask if that was the problem or if it was something else. I'll presume it was my fault because the guitar otherwise is quite robust even though it is extremely light.

As mentioned above, they replaced the guitar under warranty without a single hassle. They called me before shipping the replacement to say it had a tiny finish flaw that was barely preceptible. I was happy to say, "I'll take it". I figured it was the least I could do since I was culpable in some way for the problem. In fact I have never been so thoroughly pleased with a customer service operation. They are still small, but if they keep up with such great customer service they are not going to stay small. The guitar arrives and it was like a "Find Waldo" to see the finish flaw. Picky, Picky!

I have been playing for 40 years. I own several high end acoustics and electrics as well as valuable vintage gutars. The Rainsong holds its own among them. I would buy it again and I missed it while it was gone. I bought it because I can not help myself. When something new comes out I have to try it. Most of the time I am not as happy as I thought I would be and wind up selling. This guitar I'll keep. It won't replace my Gibsons, Martins, or Guilds but it can hold its head up.

1999 Rainsong, made in Maui clears 12 frets, with a venetian cutaway. The bridge, bridge pins, nut, neck , fingerboard, top, back, and sides are made of composit graphite. It comes with a onboard Fishman blender system. The whole guitar is high gloss with abalone rosette, and shark shaped fingerboard inlays. The insignia RainSong marks the 12th fret. It comes with a geib style case.

The sound unplugged is dynamic. This guitar is made for fingerpicking. It can be tuned lower or hinger than normal scale. And, it is loud. To get the feel of th sound you must play it. The feeling is unlike any wood guitar. Plugged into an amp, it the sound can be manipulated. Dispite the size of the top, and the shound hole (which is larger than my Martins), it does not feed back as much as wood guitars.

The factory set up is great, but the action is a little high for my style of playing. With some saddle adjustment it plays well, and the sound has much more sustain. There is no need for any neck adjustments, as there is no device to adjust. The finish is high gloss resin, and durable, and harder to scratch than lacquer. No need to wory about bracing, the guitar has no bracing. The tuners have a lot of play, and tuning up is time consuming.

This is the ultimate high end, gig, outdoor, touring, beach, and recording guitar. Everything on it is built to last.

the company has moved from Maui to Washington. No need for support yet, but the company's president is very responsive to correspondence, and the company will replay to all of your questions

The RainSong WS1000 is a guitar of a lifetime, and is a guitar that has many functions. The WS1000 takes the fun out of buying many guitars for your different guitar needs. This guitar does it all. Once you play the WS 1000, and get the action set up, other guitars may sound week. It was the sound and feel of the sound that caused me to purchase this guitar. Caution, this guitar can change your perception of acoustic guitars.

2000 model year. http://www.rainsong.com/WS1000.htm provides a complete feature list. I've been told that once the factory moves to Seattle to save on manufacturing costs, SKB cases will be substitued for the beautiful TKL ones. Too bad!

I play folk, rock, blues, pop, etc. and I find that it suits them all very well. I generally don't play the guitar through an amp, though I have and it sounds phenomenal. The saddle pickup, built-in microphone, and Fishman blender combination provide a wide range of electric sounds. Acoustically, the guitar is very clear and bright; it's almost harp-like in its tone. It's also capable of full bass tones which, as a bassist as well, I very much appreciate. The guitar does lack some of the mellowness of a wood acoustic, so, if that's what you're looking for, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, however; I wouldn't say that the sound is cold or sterile or harsh as is so often said of graphite instruments. Rather, it has its own unique and beautiful sound.

I'm completely satisfied with the guitar's setup. I've owned it for 2 months and have yet to have a problem. It doesn't come with a pickguard, but I had the shop where I bought it (Cathedral Music, Troy, NY) put on a thin, clear, adhesive plastic, cut-to-fit one. It's not really for me because I vastly prefer the feel of finger picking. Rather, it's to protect the beautiful gloss finish from the clutzy pickers who always seem to want to play it!

The guitar seems very sturdy and extremely well constructed, though I don't want to really put that to the test any time soon! I imagine that it would withstand live playing as its case is very sturdy and well padded.

I haven't had a need to contact the company yet, though I imagine that, as a small company, they'd be very respnsive. Luckily, I bought it from a good local dealer who I hope would take care of any service related issues for me. The guitar comes is covered against defects as long as its in the original owner's possession (http://www.rainsong.com/warranty.htm).

I've been playing guitar on and (mostly) off for about 6 years, though I've begun to take it more seriously in the last 1 to 2 years. Prior to that, electric bass was my primary instrument (until I got sick of lugging gear around). The only real drawback to the guitar is its depth. I'm about 5'7" and I find it to be a little deeper than I would ideally prefer. Perhaps I just need to adjust, but I find my thinner classical guitar more comfortable. Had I thought about this before, I might have purchased the OM1000 (http://www.rainsong.com/OM.htm) because it's basically a thinner version of the same guitar. But then I'm certain that I wouldn't get the same bass response, so guess I'll deal with it. I didn't really shop around all that much because I loved the guitar from the second I heard it. I would buy another Rainsong in a minute should anything happen to this one.

Fishman Blender pick up,tranlucent black carbon fiber high gloss finish.

Great for fingerpicking.Super projection un plugged.Flat picking produces a very strong clear sound,good for leads.I play through different P.A.'s,Fender Chorus and Acoustisonic amps.The sound is super clean.I hate to use any effects,although a touch of reverb, delay and or chorus seem well received.At low to moderate volume levels,this guitar and pick up combo is extrordinary.I havn't mastered the pick up controls to manage feedback at moderate to high levels,even with the internal mic cut off and a plug in the sound hole.I regretably switch to a less sensitive guitar when playing gigs at high volume,but miss the Rainsong.I'll keep trying

Set up and exterior finish were near perfect.The guitar is beautiful

This guitar seems to be built like a tank.If not for feedback problems,I might not use a back up.My band mates like playing loud,I prefer to play well.It's tough at times competing with Les Pauls Stats and Telecasters

I've called.They were very pleasant but there were no tech people available for my question

I've been playing 25 years.I own Martins,a Mossman,Alverez iari,Takamini,Gibson and a couple electrics.I love the way the guitar sounds,I love the way it looks.Every player thats picked it up looked amused before they played it ,and amazed after.If I can manage the feedback,I'll call it near perfect

I purchased this guitar about 5 months ago from Elderly Music. Read alot of the reviews on this site thought i'd give it a try. A carbon fibre acoustic electric made in Hawaii.. with abalone shark inlays fishman electronics..couldn't wait..ordered it online everything went smooth..still not to comfortable ordering online.. but what the heck hi-tech guitar ..hi-tech new style way to spend money..

I recieved my guitar in less than 6 days..really good for this state carefully unwrapped it gave it a good eyeballing ... then began to play it.. it sounded wonderful! open chords, barre, then fingered each string all 21 fretts, found a slight buzz on the lo-e eight frett , it goes away if you press hard donno! it comes with elexirs think their lights over-all it's got to rate as one of the best sounding guitars i've played

Actin-fit-finish perfect for me.. for this kind of money i would have been disapointed if i had to change anything

When i picked up this guitar in the case, i thought oh no this thing weighs a ton..opened the case lifted the guitar and suprise, it's very light.. feels strong should last forever.. as for the case it's made by TKL crushed blue velvet..solid studs and heavy ...a match made for the long haul.. and this thing stays in tune..

I registered my warranty on-line(hi-tech again) and asked about getting a pickguard..they come without one..recieved one within a week along with some stickers magazines a C.D. I put the pickguard on..it changed the sound got kinda dead thought it might need new strings..so i replaced them still not the same sound like when it was new i thought maybe the glue needed some adhesive time gave it 2 weeks same thing sounded dead..so i proceeded to pull the pickguard off..very carefully then used some tre-amigos guitar oil to take off the sticky glue got it all back to original and shazamm the sound was back..

Ive been playing off and on for about 30 yrs. I mainly play percussions .. I have a martin 12 string, Gibson Dove, OM-2 and a parlor Larivee, ovation balladeer , twenty something 4string national, peavy electric,peavy bass mandolin ,Kamaka uke try to cover all the bases ,,never know what i'll be gigging with but its fun..if this guitar was stolen? i'd get another one..love this guitar play it everyday