NCFGD - Black Ice

[J.R. Rogers]

I thought that this year would end with no new gear but I'm excited to have in my hands the new Rainsong "Black Ice" version of their WS1005NS. This guitar arrived earlier than expected and it was a surprise when it showed up on my doorstep. This particular model comes with the 12-fret short scale neck and Rainsong advertises the guitar as being well-suited to alternate tunings... I look forward to trying it. The guitar has a deeper body at 5" when compared to their OM size at 4.1". The offset soundhole gives the guitar a beautiful dynamic sound with clear highs and lows.

Rainsong offers this model in a few different finishes including the gorgeous marine burst. I opted for the Black Ice version because I love showing off that it's a carbon fiber guitar and not a painted wood guitar. Most people have never seen a CF guitar before and I've had a lot of conversations with people about these guitars. (People are familiar with Carbon Fiber used in high-end golf clubs, car parts, and bikes but CF is still gaining recognition in the instrument industry.) The Black Ice patterns look different depending on how you turn the guitar. Combined with the high gloss finish it's very difficult to photograph but looks so cool and unique in person.

Living in a dry climate I have really come to appreciate the Carbon Fiber advantage. In the winter my wood guitars slurp up water like a team of hungry sled dogs but these guitars can be left out on a stand where they are ready to be played on a whim.





JR

[Kerbie]

Wow, that's gorgeous! Congratulations. I like CF in my guitars, golf clubs and bikes too! Works great everywhere.

[marty bradbury]

Beautiful guitar! Enjoy!

[Jabberwocky]

That looks like my Ribbecke Halfling

[J.R. Rogers]

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

That looks like my Ribbecke Halfling

I promise your Ribbecke doesn't have sharks on the fretboard! (They don't bite.)

JR

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Looking good! Use it in good health, JR.

[docwatsonfan]

sweet

love the " patchwork quilt " effect !

happy New Year J.R.!

[guitar george]

Congratulations. It's a beauty!

[Yakstone]

Great looking Guitar. Happy New Year!

[Acousticado]

I’ve always throught of the Black Ice as kind of a “Picasso” look among guitars and quite cool. Although I like offset soundholes, with Rainsongs I prefer the center soundhole. IMO. I’m sure it plays and sounds great. Have fun with it, JR!

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats J.R. I'm one of those people who's never played a CF guitar ... one day perhaps but for now our local stores don't stock them.

[Shoreline Music]

I have played that very guitar (assuming it's the one you brought by the shop). It's quite nice; it certainly won me over.

[Earl49]

Nice, JR! Both the blue burst and the Black Ice are very pretty! I first became interested in CF guitars when living through dry Alaskan winters. (We lived there for 14 years and 15 winters -- 'nuff said). Rainsong was the only guitar that could live outside a case with any chance of surviving winters with 15-20% indoor RH, while running a cabinet humidifer.

The 1005 model number is for offset sound holes, and 1000 is for center sound holes. You can order either version in Black Ice or regular weave. I happen to prefer the more traditional center sound hole, but the offset looks cool too. (I'm not discriminating -- my Emerald X20-12 and my wife's CA Cargo both have offset sound holes. My Lucky 13 and WS-1000 have center sound holes -- we are an equal opportunity household).

[TBman]

Congrats JR! Looking forward to a soundclip when you get a chance.

[J.R. Rogers]

Thanks, Everyone!

Earl49 - How does Idaho compare? I was thinking it would get pretty cold there too and thus dry in the house.

John@Shoreline - No, this is a slightly different guitar than the one you played. This one just arrived hours ago. You should A/B them when we go up to Mangan's string factory.

JR