I have a carbon fiber RainSong. Not only did it provide me with the brighter, snappier and more articulate sound I wanted from an acoustic, but I can leave it in the trunk when I'm visiting friends for the day and we travel after jamming. The durability was the main reason I bought it. I never have to worry about it so the peace of mind for me is a godsend.
A friend of mine I lived with in the early '90s who had been a born and raised in Laguna Beach was a hard core punk rock/surfer/addict came here to Minnesober for treatment, mellowed out then moved to Hawaii to help start Rain Song Guitars. I'll tell him thanks for you! Glen Manola might have been his name if he didn't want to remain anonymous.
Years ago I owned a Modulus Graphite Quantum 6 bass with a carbon fiber neck. People talked endlessly about how stable graphite is and how the neck would never need adjustment. The damn thing sat unused for about 3 months and the neck backbowed sitting in its case on its side. I kid you not. Then I found out that the bass included a double-action truss rod, which took care of the problem. It's the only bass I ever owned that did this. Obviously Modulus knew that adjustments would possibly be needed, or they wouldn't have put in a double action truss rod. Stability, my ass.
@@rebeltuba9422 Carbon fiber is not necessarily carbon fiber in that orientation of the fibers and layers makes an astronomical difference in its properties. It sounds like Modulus didn't do their homework.
And of getting a consistent mic'd sound from the soundhole without phasing issues on stereo tracks caused by minute differences in your strumming between takes. ... Now that I articulate that it sounds like a very specific issue.
@@WollyChaps I thought that one of the touted advantages of a top sound hole was a better tone delivered to the player's ear, which would suit a travel guitar.
I thought the wood would win hands-down, but in every blind test I picked the carbon fiber as the one I liked more! I think it has a more rounded out sound, definitely solid lows, which impressed me a lot. If I ever want to get a travel guitar, I'm definitely biased now towards carbon fiber! Great vid.
I picked out which one was carbon fiber every time. A little more treble to me. But the benefits from carbon fiber I think maybe outways the slight difference in tone.
Best guitar review I have seen. A "blind"sound test in each category of strumming, fingerstyle, and with other instruments was very thorough. Also having the sound comparison first and then talking about the structure of the guitars is very thoughtful.Keep making quality videos like this one. Thank you!
In the blind test I kept choosing the most pleasing one as the wooden, and was wrong each time which surprised the crap outta me. Tonally I dig the carbon.
Check out all his other blind test videos. You eventually come to expect the opposite of your assumptions. He does this A LOT. Surprises me every darn time! I think he does it on purpose to help us break our prejudices about sound and gear and he’s totally right to do so! Cheers.
I listened to this video about a dozen times over the past week, repeatedly...my personal opinion is that the carbon fiber guitar doesn't sound like an acoustic guitar at all, but more like an electric instrument that has been designed to be played acoustically. This maybe the result of the mixing or micing of the video, but I much more prefer the live sparkle and expressive sound of the wooden instrument with all the spectrum of tones, finger and string sounds a player can create, which to me is the heart and soul of musical expression. I won't be trading my old Ovation for any carbon guitar...and can't imagine many good acoustic players doing so either unless they want an instrument to address both the acoustic and amplified realms. As a semi pro drummer I've always enjoyed the unamplified and intimate environment of natural sound to the controlled and monitored environment of a mixer console that takes sound out of the musicians hands. This was a very challenging video that made me appreciate my acoustic instruments on an even deeper level...thank you.
Please do a side by side comparison of the OF660 and the Klos CF Travel guitar, including sound/capacities, components, pros/cons, and other features compared. I'm just wondering whether the extra money is worth it or not. I'm pretty sure a LOT of us would be interested in that comparison. Many thanks!
If you plan to keep the wooden one for more then 7 or 10 years and you manage to gig with it, taking it out of your house just one out of its lovely comfort zone, into the scorching heat of a cars backseat or the frozen tundra, rest assured that guitar wont last long and the repairs will most likely outcost the initial price point of the guitar itself, theres also the matter of wood cracking expanding shrinking contracting frets sticking out action too high too low intonation out of wack, with a carbon fibre guitar you will not experience any of that, in the long run if you wish to keep your acoustic guitar for hundreds of years to come without some clown telling you "ahh theres a crack here and the body is dented inwards cuz of warping wood and actions too high" then you will proceed to pay the clown over $500 just so he can fix it, hey at this point youre just better off buying another wooden guitar and leave that thing as a walking stick for the elderly. Why do you think some of the finest wooden instruments made are locked behind moisture controlled glass displays its not just for eye candy its also for moisturizing reasons, these things need more makeup and moisturizer then a teenage girl on their period. Take my words with great caution i understand people say "oh but wood sounds a bit better and its traditional wood sounds fuller" Yeah but in the long run its gonna cost you more to fix then what is worth, also some wood guitars sell for over $4,000 just letting you know its not worth the hassle
electric guitars are different in the sense that they're not hollow so their stability is that almost of carbon fibre but you can still get some warpage ONLY if the temperatures displayed are that of impossible human survival situations, a temperature so hot that no human could survive in it or would get physically hurt by it or a temperature so cold that the same thing would happen. The rule of thumbs for electric (solid bodies) are if you can not live in it, then your guitar cant either. With acoustic because its thin hollow body its like a teenage girl, it can live without its phone it constantly annoys you, its not practical.
The wooden guitar definitely has more "life" and depth to its sound,a little more rounded, I think. Though the difference is not too great, it's noticeable, even to a mug like me.
I bought the carbon fiber journey last year and it quickly became one of my favorites. I traveled to Kenya last August and in the same day I saw temp swings of 50 degrees cold to hot but that guitar was solid
I like both as far as sound the carbon fiber is twangy and bright a really nice sound but its just dog ugly to me in my opinion very dependable in a wet environment.
I play a carbon fiber cello full time and was SHOCKED that I got them wrong in the blind A/B! I thought the "thin" sounding one was certainly carbon, and I hated it, and loved the "wood" by comparison, but I was wrong, and it was the carbon that I liked! I've been self-conscious about my cello playing because from behind the instrument (where I sit when I play), it sounds thin like that - but I'm always told that from the audience side (or mic side) it sounds nice and rich. Guess this reaffirms! Super cool sound on that carbon, great job recording it!
Great comparison, would be super interested to hear a comparison involving the new Klos full size carbon fiber guitar - the travel version of which you reviewed very positively. The Klos carbon fiber guitars are considerably cheaper/more attainable for most of us.
I want to see this comparison as well, but when I look at the website the KLOS full carbon acoustic electric and standard acoustic are both more expensive…
This carbon fiber guitar sounds wonderful. I’ve seen it before in a video of Paul Davids. What I really like is how balanced the sound is. No booming G’s, like on my Martin Junior. I hope I can afford one someday.
Darrell, I REALLY liked this video... in all honesty, on the blind test, I really thought I had it nailed as to which was which...I was wrong on three of the four! The wood sounded a bit brighter to me so I thought it was the comp guitar... I'm REALLY impressed with this one! Thanks much for the video! 😎
I have a Blackbird (San Francisco) all-carbon fiber tenor ukulele... I love it! the sustain is incredible, as is the intonation. what is really nice is the fact that humidity will never affect it (I live in Hawaii)...
It is most clear from this video that the make and construction of the guitar is far less important than who is doing the playing. Nice comparison and excellent playing.
I have quite bad arthritis in my hands so I need a very low action to be able to play. What I needed was an acoustic that felt like my stratocaster. I found the answer when I purchased a carbon fibre guitar called a Cargo, made by Composite Acoustics. Its a short scale guitar and it sounds wonderful. Very clear and balanced. I've had it for 11 years and I love it. I decided I would like to have a full sized one as well, so I ordered a custom one from Emerald, a small Irish company that specializes in carbon fiber instruments. They built me the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen. It plays like a dream and fits like a glove. The sound is fantastic and people's jaws drop when they see it. Because carbon fiber js molded, they can make guitars that fit the body in a much more comfortable form without losing any sound quality. I highly recommend carbon fiber guitars. Unfortunately, they are expensive.
Though I have never tried the journey guitars ,hence my watching this, I do have a Carbon Acoustics Cargo guitar and after 7 years I have to say it was the best money I ever spent. I adore the size feel and sound of this instrument. There was no other small travel guitar I could physically try at the time that sounded as good which is why I bought it after much research and trials. It has traveled the world with me going from campfire to big shows as my only needed instrument! A dream come true. Often after playing at a campfire all night and sitting in a tent all day I pull it out for the show on stage and it barely needs to be tuned! I have written so many songs that may not have come about because this guitar is with me all the time and never has to be put away with a humidifier. Best money I ever spent and I now love the clear and rich carbon fiber sound. Since airlines have gotten more difficult about even bringing this small guitar on I am looking into this one as a second because of its collapsible neck. I wonder if it could possibly sound as rich as my beloved Cargo. The one hint I did find was when I compared the Cargo raw carbon fiber vs the polished and colored ones the raw sounded WAY better, more alive and complex harmonics like wood, and it was cheaper.
I thought this was an old video of yours, one of your previous CB guitar videos was the first I've watched years ago! I find these instruments made out of alternative materials to be awesome, back in the 80s companies experimented so much will all sorts of composites, glassfiber and some alloys, but then all went back to more conservative materials. Its really interesting to see what sorts of instruments can be made will new man-made materials.
I am amazed! With the first test I was sure that the guitar that sounded the best (to my ears) must have been the wooden guitar. But no! It was the carbon guitar. After that I was easily able to pick out the carbon guitar and I liked it the best with every following test/demonstration.
WOW! The carbon fibre sounded AMAZING. It has soooo much warmth and body. The only place I preferred the tone of the wood guitar was on the single note "jam". Guess I need a carbon fibre guitar!
After hearing Paul Davids play one of the OF660's last Jan., I bought one to take to Aruba for a month. No issues in the humidity and 2 months later in Arizona, the sound and playability were the same. I love the fact that it fits in the overhead of most airlines. I now take it everywhere. Note that the microphone pickup is very boomy.
This is a great video. I went into the contest favoring the wood, as I tend to prefer traditional sounds. However, I guessed correctly only two out of the four times on an initial listen.... After listening a little more, I definitely preferred the carbon fiber sound, which seemed to have a fuller, more saturated tone. On a second blind test, I still preferred the carbon fiber, but only guessed correctly three out of four times. Great job.
WOW!! I had no idea what to expect from the CF guitar. I got every one wrong, thinking wood would have more character, but the CF turns out to be warm and yummy on all fronts. I'm going to check them out.
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for to help me decide between carbon fiber and wood since I am not able to try them out before I buy. I want the added durability of CF but was worried it would have too compromised a sound. I was shocked that I preferred the CF guitar over the wood in each blind test.
bro you should do more Spanish jams i loved that! i like the carbon fiber more in the sound tests but preferred the acoustic in the mix. keep up the good videos!
I have tried a couple of the carbon fiber guitars that Rainsong has out and really wasnt impressed with the sound. This sounded better to me. Carbon fiber really interests me because I live in a very dry environment and I have had an acoustic split the top on me before. Twice.
I did like the wood tone always, much more than the fibre. I guess i need to give my apologies to the trees but they just sound SO GOOD! The sound is so much nicer and more resonant to my ears. Greetings from Mexico Darrell!
It took less than 1m 20secs into the video to know the answer. As soon as I heard the first bit of playing on the wood guitar, I heard the noticeably warmer tone and for me personally, that is the tone I'd prefer.
Carbon sounded louder and more present than the wood, but for longevity wood will outlast CF more so after UV has its way with it least TMTCW. Would like to watch a video on strings for solid body electrics explaining the thicknesses and how they effect sound and bending and is there any real difference in manufacturers. Thanks for great videos no wasted time, right to the topic no fluff and brilliant playing ability by yourself. How about a person bio telling us your guitaring life, when you started, which model and brand you learned on and bands played in. Thanks Darrell.
This video is quite informative and really helpful! I think the carbon fiber one showed a better acoustical resonance property. It cuts off high-frequency disturbances effectively according to the sound recorded in this video. I'm considering buying one. Thanks Braun!
I had a Takamine Jasmin as my cheap travel guitar but it never could keep a tune. Finally sold it when I found about the Cordoba Mino-O. Love that thing so much. It has a sound of its own and definitely not cheap sounding.
Brother, I just bought that guitar because of this video. Then I realized that I needed a wooden one too. LOL. My parlor/travel collection is getting a little ridiculous, but they are so darn much fun! I figure if I have to quarantine I might as well get better...
Thanks Darrell! In the first test I ended up liking the carbon best, but after that I liked the wood more and that's because it sounded fuller and warmer. The bass end was more present whereas the carbon fiber guitar had a much brighter sound to me.
I actually liked the carbon fiber more (at least when it comes to travel sizes). I got to try a carbon fiber double bass once and thought it sounded horrible.
As a lover of carbon fiber guitars, when are you going to review the LAVA ME 2? At half the price of the Journey, it really changes the game in terms of "is it worth the price." Granted it doesn't have all the lovely contours or the detachable neck of the Journey guitar, but I'm considering picking up a guitar again after not playing one for about 40 years to enjoy in my retirement. Soooo, I have zero interest in spending over 12 grand! But $600 - $700 might really be worth it to me, especially since it would be a "zero maintenance" guitar that I could take camping, etc. without having to worry about destroying it with humidity/temperature fluxuations, etc. (I live in the Pacific Northwest and it's pretty wet out here). But I'd really appreciate your review on it to help me make my decision. So I'm begging you to review the Lava Me 2! Many thanks for your incredibly valuable channel.
Great video as always! If the carbon was a bit closer in price that would be my choice, but the price difference is the deciding factor. Both sounded great though. God bless 👍😎🎸
I really like the Carbon Fiber sounds, deeper and more full and a bit warmer to me. The wood sounds a bit lighter and brighter to me. The price would be the deal breaker for me on the Carbon Fiber. I am not a professional gigging musician so the price will always be my top concern. IF I really enjoy the tone, I would save up to get that sound I want. The Carbon Fiber is a new concept and like many new concepts the price always starts high. Certainly something to watch and see how this configuration develops.
To be completely honest I think they both sound excellent. I prefer the sound of the wooden one but there really isn't a lot between them and I meant that in a good way. I play a mahogany Martin so I like something a bit different than what was on show here. With that said and trying to be honest to myself, this demo has made me rethink the carbon fibre thing. The carbon fibre guitar really did sound great. Very interesting indeed. For the record, I could tell the difference between them right off the bat but they weren't a world apart. For travel, I dont think you could really beat the carbon fibre guitar. Taking my Martin on an aircraft is just a "no deal" exercise. In fact, the last time I was going to fly in the UK, the airline said it would go through as general baggage. Ya, that would be right. So great review, very informative and it has gave me a lot to think about. Brilliant.
The carbon fiber is awesome, and it's cool that they come in different colors and matte finishes as well. If I ever get good enough to justify the expense I'll definitely get one.
Got enough Tele's in the back there? Hahaha, just kidding. Awesome show dude! The carbon fiber guitar was fairly impressive, 10/10 would buy if I needed a compact traveler.
Wow. Loved the bass tones of the carbon fiber, and preferred it when played alone. In the mix, they seemed a bit more even to my ear. The cost of the carbon fiber would be hard to justify, but for a special purpose ("travel") guitar, maybe so. Thanks, Darrell. Soli Deo Gloria.
Burnt Gerbil well tone wood is a thing, but it doesn’t change anything that much and is mostly guitar companies trying make you buy more guitars, they pray on you thinking just one more guitar will make you sound good, so it’s best to be good first, then think what tone you want, than choose a guitar with it
I think it depends what sound you are looking for. My initial impressions from the intro were that the wood guitar had a softer, warmer sound which was great for rythm playing where as the carbon fibre one seemed to have more treble response making it great for lead playing. Tonally, I would say that the wood guitar is going to give a more traditional sound but both sound pretty good to my ears.
Darrell, I have to say that compared to the other carbon you played, the Journey has a very elegant sound. In this comparison I have to say the wood guitar sounded thin and flat. That Journey carbon sounds very refined. In another video you were playing with cords on it and I thought it sounded breathtaking. I want one!!!! Lol
How does carbon fiber guitars stand up to use long term? I would expect the life of this would far outlast wood, but usage of different fret boards made of wood eventually get eaten away and gouged. You said there isn't any wood on the carbon fiber so I suspect the fret board also is carbon fiber? I'll check out the link. Great video love the deep tones on the carbon fiber.
The carbon fiber guitar sounds so much better to my ears. I think the wooden guitar lacks bottom end, because of it's limited size. It's amazing how the carbon fiber guitar produces the bottom end like a much bigger guitar, while staying clear.
Definitely my favorite is carbon fiver. The bass is more clearly defined without interfering with the mids and highs. The sound is perfectly smooth. The wood guitar sounds more organic though, the notes blend together whereas with the carbon fiver, the notes stand out apart from each other while still harmonizing well. I think the carbon fiber is perfect for blues and rock while the wood works best for country or ballads.
I prefer a more full sound and the carbon fiber had that in every blind test you ran. It is shocking how good it sounds. The durability and ability to compact this thing is exactly what I'm looking for in a travel guitar. I would use it immediately and often. And then I went and saw the price tag. Holy cow. I'm not sure I can justify spending more on a me-only guitar as I would on a brand new American telecaster! Seriously. Half that much and I would own one today. At $1200 I have to give it a lot of thought.
Where was the mic placement for this test? I'm assuming the difference in sound might be a little less if not mic'd directly in front of the sound hole is -- e.g. if you'd mic'd it with a pair of omnidirectional mics right next to your ears? In any case, I preferred the CF one every time, it just sounded more full (on headphones, anyway).
If you are considering a travel guitar, get the OF660. Sounds great, plays beautifully, durable, and smart. Fits in the overhead. The gig bag is high quality and holds my computer and clothes with the guitar.
Guessing incorrectly from the beginning, I give up. The carbon-fiber guitar is certainly not acoustically displeasing. Owning one would not be a bad choice. I suspect that the carbon-fiber guitar will maintain a consistency that the wood cannot.
The carbon fiber sounded more full and deep, but what exactly is carbon fiber? Back in 1980 Gibson made an electric guitar called the sonex. It was made of what they called resin wood (glued saw dust) The guitar sounded great it had dirty fingers pickups and was cheaper than a les paul, but I was curious to what exactly is carbon fiber
At a fender demonstration the fender representative actually said that the one of the main benefit II main benefit to the boat on Nick is that on a flight you can simply take the four bolts out and put it in the overhead bag and then put it back together when you get where you landed you don't have to check it so to speak if you don't trust somebody with your guitar just take the neck off said the other advantage of course is the one that I really like is that musicians use about the richest people in the world. It's just cheaper to buy replacement neck didn't have one refret it if you're actually a gigging musician and wearing your Frets down.
Hey Darrel, if you can go and see my comment regarding your first carbon fiber guitar and the comparison with the wooden one. At that time the wooden one was much better. Not now. The fiber guitar is already a better straw and as time progresses, the construction technique of the fiber guitar will open a distance even though the wooden guitar is excellent. It is time making progress. It is inexorable. A hug.
I really wanted to like the carbon fiber more, but in every comparitive test I correctly guessed which one was the wood - whose sound I preferred. And I'm a Tele guy!
My bet is that carbon fiber doesn't need internal bracing, thus it can be molded onto a larger and more evenly resonant internal volume, hence the better partials up to 400 Hz.
Second question - which strings did you use on the carbon guitar - as with most guitars the factory strings were elixer but 12s - I think I will sand the saddle lower and run 10s - I am fiddling with it now to make sure it is very low with no buzz. Thanks
Okay, straight out of the gate I liked the carbon model better. That was surprising. I travel a lot for work and think this will be a worthwhile investment.
Wood still sounded better for me.wood seem to resonate so smoothly and longer compared to carbon fiber.i tried a carbon fiber guitar before.its good.but somehow i still prefer wood.could it be that I've gotten used to wood since i have been playing guitar before they thought of carbon fiber guitars. Or probably wood just sounds better for me.they both sound good but you can immediately tell wood from carbon fiber even with a blind test.
Wow I'm honestly really impressed with the carbon fiber acoustic! If I hadn't just bought a guitar I'd definitely be looking into one of those.
I have a carbon fiber RainSong. Not only did it provide me with the brighter, snappier and more articulate sound I wanted from an acoustic, but I can leave it in the trunk when I'm visiting friends for the day and we travel after jamming. The durability was the main reason I bought it. I never have to worry about it so the peace of mind for me is a godsend.
It definitely is a freeing experience not to ever have to worry about heat and humidity effecting a guitar 👍
A friend of mine I lived with in the early '90s who had been a born and raised in Laguna Beach was a hard core punk rock/surfer/addict came here to Minnesober for treatment, mellowed out then moved to Hawaii to help start Rain Song Guitars. I'll tell him thanks for you! Glen Manola might have been his name if he didn't want to remain anonymous.
Years ago I owned a Modulus Graphite Quantum 6 bass with a carbon fiber neck. People talked endlessly about how stable graphite is and how the neck would never need adjustment. The damn thing sat unused for about 3 months and the neck backbowed sitting in its case on its side. I kid you not. Then I found out that the bass included a double-action truss rod, which took care of the problem. It's the only bass I ever owned that did this. Obviously Modulus knew that adjustments would possibly be needed, or they wouldn't have put in a double action truss rod. Stability, my ass.
@@rebeltuba9422 Carbon fiber is not necessarily carbon fiber in that orientation of the fibers and layers makes an astronomical difference in its properties. It sounds like Modulus didn't do their homework.
I have a lava me 2 carbon fiber guitar. It sounds really good.
Wow! That carbon fiber guitar sounds AMAZING! A very full, articulate, and well-balanced sound
Hey, look! They solved the problem of dropping your pick in the sound hole.
I'm sure I would still do it... somehow :)
I never thought of that, I wonder if that actually is part of why some guitars have the sound hole like that
And of getting a consistent mic'd sound from the soundhole without phasing issues on stereo tracks caused by minute differences in your strumming between takes.
... Now that I articulate that it sounds like a very specific issue.
@@WollyChaps I thought that one of the touted advantages of a top sound hole was a better tone delivered to the player's ear, which would suit a travel guitar.
I love that the solution is so stupid. Just move the problem somewhere else! Lol
I thought the wood would win hands-down, but in every blind test I picked the carbon fiber as the one I liked more! I think it has a more rounded out sound, definitely solid lows, which impressed me a lot. If I ever want to get a travel guitar, I'm definitely biased now towards carbon fiber! Great vid.
Same here. The strumming test sounded much fuller on the carbon fiber. Tricked me!
I picked out which one was carbon fiber every time. A little more treble to me. But the benefits from carbon fiber I think maybe outways the slight difference in tone.
Best guitar review I have seen. A "blind"sound test in each category of strumming, fingerstyle, and with other instruments was very thorough. Also having the sound comparison first and then talking about the structure of the guitars is very thoughtful.Keep making quality videos like this one.
Thank you!
Leaving it lying around with the neck off also makes for a great anti-theft device, people will think it's broken and leave it alone.
Lol!
ibji lol good idea!
In the blind test I kept choosing the most pleasing one as the wooden, and was wrong each time which surprised the crap outta me.
Tonally I dig the carbon.
Check out all his other blind test videos. You eventually come to expect the opposite of your assumptions. He does this A LOT. Surprises me every darn time! I think he does it on purpose to help us break our prejudices about sound and gear and he’s totally right to do so! Cheers.
For me, the carbon fibre wins in every way over the wood, except the price. I do hope they become less expensive in the near future!
Wow. The carbon fiber sounded so much better to me. It sounded much bigger and more natural. Another great video Darrel.
I listened to this video about a dozen times over the past week, repeatedly...my personal opinion is that the carbon fiber guitar doesn't sound like an acoustic guitar at all, but more like an electric instrument that has been designed to be played acoustically. This maybe the result of the mixing or micing of the video, but I much more prefer the live sparkle and expressive sound of the wooden instrument with all the spectrum of tones, finger and string sounds a player can create, which to me is the heart and soul of musical expression. I won't be trading my old Ovation for any carbon guitar...and can't imagine many good acoustic players doing so either unless they want an instrument to address both the acoustic and amplified realms. As a semi pro drummer I've always enjoyed the unamplified and intimate environment of natural sound to the controlled and monitored environment of a mixer console that takes sound out of the musicians hands. This was a very challenging video that made me appreciate my acoustic instruments on an even deeper level...thank you.
Please do a side by side comparison of the OF660 and the Klos CF Travel guitar, including sound/capacities, components, pros/cons, and other features compared. I'm just wondering whether the extra money is worth it or not. I'm pretty sure a LOT of us would be interested in that comparison. Many thanks!
The carbon fiber guitar has more lows but idk if it’s the material or the sound hole placement. Either way, Darrel plays way better than I do.
The only thing I can think of when I see video's like this is that people must have a lot more money than I do.
This guy must own a store, and has figured out a way to sell a guitar more than once. or he has a lot more money than both of us!
Great comparison video Darrell. Looking at the back wall, it must be Tele Tuesday!
I liked very much the carbon fiber, it has a much more clear sound, and it just sounds amazing
they both sound amazing but 299 bucks for the wood vs 1300 dollars doesn't even come close for me i would buy the wood hands down
It´s just a matter of time,until they manage to produce carbon fiber cheaper.
@@greekfreak1980 Yeah for sure
If you plan to keep the wooden one for more then 7 or 10 years and you manage to gig with it, taking it out of your house just one out of its lovely comfort zone, into the scorching heat of a cars backseat or the frozen tundra, rest assured that guitar wont last long and the repairs will most likely outcost the initial price point of the guitar itself, theres also the matter of wood cracking expanding shrinking contracting frets sticking out action too high too low intonation out of wack, with a carbon fibre guitar you will not experience any of that, in the long run if you wish to keep your acoustic guitar for hundreds of years to come without some clown telling you "ahh theres a crack here and the body is dented inwards cuz of warping wood and actions too high" then you will proceed to pay the clown over $500 just so he can fix it, hey at this point youre just better off buying another wooden guitar and leave that thing as a walking stick for the elderly. Why do you think some of the finest wooden instruments made are locked behind moisture controlled glass displays its not just for eye candy its also for moisturizing reasons, these things need more makeup and moisturizer then a teenage girl on their period.
Take my words with great caution i understand people say "oh but wood sounds a bit better and its traditional wood sounds fuller" Yeah but in the long run its gonna cost you more to fix then what is worth, also some wood guitars sell for over $4,000 just letting you know its not worth the hassle
electric guitars are different in the sense that they're not hollow so their stability is that almost of carbon fibre but you can still get some warpage ONLY if the temperatures displayed are that of impossible human survival situations, a temperature so hot that no human could survive in it or would get physically hurt by it or a temperature so cold that the same thing would happen. The rule of thumbs for electric (solid bodies) are if you can not live in it, then your guitar cant either. With acoustic because its thin hollow body its like a teenage girl, it can live without its phone it constantly annoys you, its not practical.
Lava makes an ME 2 without the electric components at $800
The wooden guitar definitely has more "life" and depth to its sound,a little more rounded, I think. Though the difference is not too great, it's noticeable, even to a mug like me.
Time for another blind test challenge!
Let me know which guitar you guys liked the best, wood or carbon fiber!
for solo work carbon every time. but for in the mix. the good old fashioned wood is unmatched.
got to go with the Journey 410. why? because ZZTop never wrote a song with "Woke up with carbon fiber" in the title.
I bought the carbon fiber journey last year and it quickly became one of my favorites. I traveled to Kenya last August and in the same day I saw temp swings of 50 degrees cold to hot but that guitar was solid
I like both as far as sound the carbon fiber is twangy and bright a really nice sound but its just dog ugly to me in my opinion very dependable in a wet environment.
I play a carbon fiber cello full time and was SHOCKED that I got them wrong in the blind A/B! I thought the "thin" sounding one was certainly carbon, and I hated it, and loved the "wood" by comparison, but I was wrong, and it was the carbon that I liked! I've been self-conscious about my cello playing because from behind the instrument (where I sit when I play), it sounds thin like that - but I'm always told that from the audience side (or mic side) it sounds nice and rich. Guess this reaffirms!
Super cool sound on that carbon, great job recording it!
I wasn't really convinced to get this carbon fiber guitar until this video. Not just for a travel guitar, but I just plain love the tone.
That second lick is Everybody by Stabilo! That song is one of my childhood favorites, I had completely forgotten about it.
This was an awesome video. Very helpful. I was just considering one when I stumbled on this.
Great comparison, would be super interested to hear a comparison involving the new Klos full size carbon fiber guitar - the travel version of which you reviewed very positively. The Klos carbon fiber guitars are considerably cheaper/more attainable for most of us.
I want to see this comparison as well, but when I look at the website the KLOS full carbon acoustic electric and standard acoustic are both more expensive…
This carbon fiber guitar sounds wonderful. I’ve seen it before in a video of Paul Davids. What I really like is how balanced the sound is. No booming G’s, like on my Martin Junior. I hope I can afford one someday.
Darrell,
I REALLY liked this video... in all honesty, on the blind test, I really thought I had it nailed as to which was which...I was wrong on three of the four! The wood sounded a bit brighter to me so I thought it was the comp guitar... I'm REALLY impressed with this one! Thanks much for the video! 😎
I have a Blackbird (San Francisco) all-carbon fiber tenor ukulele... I love it! the sustain is incredible, as is the intonation. what is really nice is the fact that humidity will never affect it (I live in Hawaii)...
It is most clear from this video that the make and construction of the guitar is far less important than who is doing the playing. Nice comparison and excellent playing.
I have quite bad arthritis in my hands so I need a very low action to be able to play. What I needed was an acoustic that felt like my stratocaster. I found the answer when I purchased a carbon fibre guitar called a Cargo, made by Composite Acoustics. Its a short scale guitar and it sounds wonderful. Very clear and balanced. I've had it for 11 years and I love it. I decided I would like to have a full sized one as well, so I ordered a custom one from Emerald, a small Irish company that specializes in carbon fiber instruments. They built me the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen. It plays like a dream and fits like a glove. The sound is fantastic and people's jaws drop when they see it. Because carbon fiber js molded, they can make guitars that fit the body in a much more comfortable form without losing any sound quality. I highly recommend carbon fiber guitars. Unfortunately, they are expensive.
Though I have never tried the journey guitars ,hence my watching this, I do have a Carbon Acoustics Cargo guitar and after 7 years I have to say it was the best money I ever spent. I adore the size feel and sound of this instrument. There was no other small travel guitar I could physically try at the time that sounded as good which is why I bought it after much research and trials. It has traveled the world with me going from campfire to big shows as my only needed instrument! A dream come true. Often after playing at a campfire all night and sitting in a tent all day I pull it out for the show on stage and it barely needs to be tuned! I have written so many songs that may not have come about because this guitar is with me all the time and never has to be put away with a humidifier. Best money I ever spent and I now love the clear and rich carbon fiber sound. Since airlines have gotten more difficult about even bringing this small guitar on I am looking into this one as a second because of its collapsible neck. I wonder if it could possibly sound as rich as my beloved Cargo. The one hint I did find was when I compared the Cargo raw carbon fiber vs the polished and colored ones the raw sounded WAY better, more alive and complex harmonics like wood, and it was cheaper.
I thought this was an old video of yours, one of your previous CB guitar videos was the first I've watched years ago! I find these instruments made out of alternative materials to be awesome, back in the 80s companies experimented so much will all sorts of composites, glassfiber and some alloys, but then all went back to more conservative materials. Its really interesting to see what sorts of instruments can be made will new man-made materials.
Me: wow I like the carbon fiber much more!
*Sees $1200 price tag* 😳
"Maybe the wood one is fine...."
I am amazed! With the first test I was sure that the guitar that sounded the best (to my ears) must have been the wooden guitar. But no! It was the carbon guitar. After that I was easily able to pick out the carbon guitar and I liked it the best with every following test/demonstration.
WOW! The carbon fibre sounded AMAZING. It has soooo much warmth and body. The only place I preferred the tone of the wood guitar was on the single note "jam". Guess I need a carbon fibre guitar!
After hearing Paul Davids play one of the OF660's last Jan., I bought one to take to Aruba for a month. No issues in the humidity
and 2 months later in Arizona, the sound and playability were the same. I love the fact that it fits in the overhead of most airlines.
I now take it everywhere. Note that the microphone pickup is very boomy.
This is a great video. I went into the contest favoring the wood, as I tend to prefer traditional sounds. However, I guessed correctly only two out of the four times on an initial listen.... After listening a little more, I definitely preferred the carbon fiber sound, which seemed to have a fuller, more saturated tone. On a second blind test, I still preferred the carbon fiber, but only guessed correctly three out of four times. Great job.
Is that "Hero" by Family of the Year in clip number 3? 😉
Awesome video as always!
WOW!! I had no idea what to expect from the CF guitar. I got every one wrong, thinking wood would have more character, but the CF turns out to be warm and yummy on all fronts. I'm going to check them out.
Great video! Exactly what I was looking for to help me decide between carbon fiber and wood since I am not able to try them out before I buy. I want the added durability of CF but was worried it would have too compromised a sound. I was shocked that I preferred the CF guitar over the wood in each blind test.
bro you should do more Spanish jams i loved that! i like the carbon fiber more in the sound tests but preferred the acoustic in the mix. keep up the good videos!
I have tried a couple of the carbon fiber guitars that Rainsong has out and really wasnt impressed with the sound. This sounded better to me. Carbon fiber really interests me because I live in a very dry environment and I have had an acoustic split the top on me before. Twice.
I did like the wood tone always, much more than the fibre. I guess i need to give my apologies to the trees but they just sound SO GOOD! The sound is so much nicer and more resonant to my ears. Greetings from Mexico Darrell!
Nice ... Will you do a studio tour or guitar collection video ... Awesome video
It took less than 1m 20secs into the video to know the answer. As soon as I heard the first bit of playing on the wood guitar, I heard the noticeably warmer tone and for me personally, that is the tone I'd prefer.
Carbon sounded louder and more present than the wood, but for longevity wood will outlast CF more so after UV has its way with it least TMTCW. Would like to watch a video on strings for solid body electrics explaining the thicknesses and how they effect sound and bending and is there any real difference in manufacturers. Thanks for great videos no wasted time, right to the topic no fluff and brilliant playing ability by yourself. How about a person bio telling us your guitaring life, when you started, which model and brand you learned on and bands played in. Thanks Darrell.
This video is quite informative and really helpful! I think the carbon fiber one showed a better acoustical resonance property. It cuts off high-frequency disturbances effectively according to the sound recorded in this video. I'm considering buying one. Thanks Braun!
Well done review! 😎
Great review! Would I be right to assume carbon fiber doesn't warp?
I had a Takamine Jasmin as my cheap travel guitar but it never could keep a tune. Finally sold it when I found about the Cordoba Mino-O. Love that thing so much. It has a sound of its own and definitely not cheap sounding.
Brother, I just bought that guitar because of this video. Then I realized that I needed a wooden one too. LOL. My parlor/travel collection is getting a little ridiculous, but they are so darn much fun! I figure if I have to quarantine I might as well get better...
Hey Darrell!! If you had to choose: Rainsong, Klos, or Journey??
Thanks Darrell! In the first test I ended up liking the carbon best, but after that I liked the wood more and that's because it sounded fuller and warmer. The bass end was more present whereas the carbon fiber guitar had a much brighter sound to me.
I actually liked the carbon fiber more (at least when it comes to travel sizes). I got to try a carbon fiber double bass once and thought it sounded horrible.
I went with a carbon fiber emerald x7 for travel. Don't have to worry about temp or humidity. Plus it has super stable tuning.
This is a trip. I was looking carbon fiber guitars earlier today. Too much $ for me. But it was still nice to hear them.
Liked them both, except for the strumming parts. On those I think the wood won hands down. Nice video as usual!
Thanks Don!
As a lover of carbon fiber guitars, when are you going to review the LAVA ME 2? At half the price of the Journey, it really changes the game in terms of "is it worth the price." Granted it doesn't have all the lovely contours or the detachable neck of the Journey guitar, but I'm considering picking up a guitar again after not playing one for about 40 years to enjoy in my retirement. Soooo, I have zero interest in spending over 12 grand! But $600 - $700 might really be worth it to me, especially since it would be a "zero maintenance" guitar that I could take camping, etc. without having to worry about destroying it with humidity/temperature fluxuations, etc. (I live in the Pacific Northwest and it's pretty wet out here). But I'd really appreciate your review on it to help me make my decision.
So I'm begging you to review the Lava Me 2! Many thanks for your incredibly valuable channel.
I highly suggest if you can have a video about finding old and broken guitars and make a restoration video about it!! More power from the Philippines
Great video as always! If the carbon was a bit closer in price that would be my choice, but the price difference is the deciding factor. Both sounded great though. God bless 👍😎🎸
I really like the Carbon Fiber sounds, deeper and more full and a bit warmer to me. The wood sounds a bit lighter and brighter to me. The price would be the deal breaker for me on the Carbon Fiber. I am not a professional gigging musician so the price will always be my top concern. IF I really enjoy the tone, I would save up to get that sound I want. The Carbon Fiber is a new concept and like many new concepts the price always starts high. Certainly something to watch and see how this configuration develops.
I preferred the carbon fiber in ever blind test. But in the mix, I liked the wood. Great playing!
To be completely honest I think they both sound excellent. I prefer the sound of the wooden one but there really isn't a lot between them and I meant that in a good way. I play a mahogany Martin so I like something a bit different than what was on show here. With that said and trying to be honest to myself, this demo has made me rethink the carbon fibre thing. The carbon fibre guitar really did sound great. Very interesting indeed.
For the record, I could tell the difference between them right off the bat but they weren't a world apart. For travel, I dont think you could really beat the carbon fibre guitar. Taking my Martin on an aircraft is just a "no deal" exercise. In fact, the last time I was going to fly in the UK, the airline said it would go through as general baggage. Ya, that would be right.
So great review, very informative and it has gave me a lot to think about. Brilliant.
The carbon fiber is awesome, and it's cool that they come in different colors and matte finishes as well. If I ever get good enough to justify the expense I'll definitely get one.
Darell you play heavenly.
Got enough Tele's in the back there? Hahaha, just kidding. Awesome show dude! The carbon fiber guitar was fairly impressive, 10/10 would buy if I needed a compact traveler.
TheDarknessBane one can never have enough Teles!
Wow. Loved the bass tones of the carbon fiber, and preferred it when played alone. In the mix, they seemed a bit more even to my ear. The cost of the carbon fiber would be hard to justify, but for a special purpose ("travel") guitar, maybe so. Thanks, Darrell. Soli Deo Gloria.
I preferred the CF guitar in every single demo!
I want one.........
I love the carbon fiber guitar! How much?
But but... tonewood!
*carbon fiber guitar enters the chat*
Oh, never mind lol
Burnt Gerbil well tone wood is a thing, but it doesn’t change anything that much and is mostly guitar companies trying make you buy more guitars, they pray on you thinking just one more guitar will make you sound good, so it’s best to be good first, then think what tone you want, than choose a guitar with it
The Yakking Wakko - agreed, tone wood is mostly marketing. it’s about the weight with electrics more than the sound of the wood.
Tone wood matters on acoustics because the sound is coming from the body itself, but on electrics it doesn’t matter at all.
I think it depends what sound you are looking for. My initial impressions from the intro were that the wood guitar had a softer, warmer sound which was great for rythm playing where as the carbon fibre one seemed to have more treble response making it great for lead playing. Tonally, I would say that the wood guitar is going to give a more traditional sound but both sound pretty good to my ears.
Darrell, I have to say that compared to the other carbon you played, the Journey has a very elegant sound. In this comparison I have to say the wood guitar sounded thin and flat. That Journey carbon sounds very refined. In another video you were playing with cords on it and I thought it sounded breathtaking.
I want one!!!! Lol
2:30 - “Your call is important to us. Please continue to hold for the next available representative.”
How does carbon fiber guitars stand up to use long term? I would expect the life of this would far outlast wood, but usage of different fret boards made of wood eventually get eaten away and gouged. You said there isn't any wood on the carbon fiber so I suspect the fret board also is carbon fiber? I'll check out the link. Great video love the deep tones on the carbon fiber.
I chose the Carbon Fiber every single time... Beautiful tone! Dammit Darrell, now all my acoustics SUCK in comparison... Thanks a lot! lol
Just subscribed and am now inspired to buy a guitar
Welcome to the channel!
The carbon fiber guitar sounds so much better to my ears. I think the wooden guitar lacks bottom end, because of it's limited size. It's amazing how the carbon fiber guitar produces the bottom end like a much bigger guitar, while staying clear.
It’s the guitar of the future for sure
Definitely my favorite is carbon fiver. The bass is more clearly defined without interfering with the mids and highs. The sound is perfectly smooth. The wood guitar sounds more organic though, the notes blend together whereas with the carbon fiver, the notes stand out apart from each other while still harmonizing well. I think the carbon fiber is perfect for blues and rock while the wood works best for country or ballads.
Buying the Journey CF OF660B1M Navy Blue Matte today as part of my guitar repertoire.
I prefer a more full sound and the carbon fiber had that in every blind test you ran. It is shocking how good it sounds. The durability and ability to compact this thing is exactly what I'm looking for in a travel guitar. I would use it immediately and often. And then I went and saw the price tag. Holy cow. I'm not sure I can justify spending more on a me-only guitar as I would on a brand new American telecaster! Seriously. Half that much and I would own one today. At $1200 I have to give it a lot of thought.
I do not even have to listen to find out what the carbon guitar is. At a certain volume my desk vibrates every time the carbon comes.... funny.
Where was the mic placement for this test? I'm assuming the difference in sound might be a little less if not mic'd directly in front of the sound hole is -- e.g. if you'd mic'd it with a pair of omnidirectional mics right next to your ears? In any case, I preferred the CF one every time, it just sounded more full (on headphones, anyway).
If you are considering a travel guitar, get the OF660. Sounds great, plays beautifully, durable, and smart. Fits in the overhead. The gig bag is high quality and holds my computer and clothes with the guitar.
What a Nice Carbon Fiber Guitars ♥️
Is it right for me to assume that carbon fiber will hold up to the rough environment of a wilderness canoe trip significantly better than wood?
Nice Darrell! Wood instrument was bit more mellow/rich. Definitely a place for both.
Guessing incorrectly from the beginning, I give up. The carbon-fiber guitar is certainly not acoustically displeasing. Owning one would not be a bad choice. I suspect that the carbon-fiber guitar will maintain a consistency that the wood cannot.
I have a carbon fibre bass and have sold all my timber instruments and have not looked back,carbon fibre is amazing.
I bet you spent a few hours on technical drills. Very tasty playing.
Lovely music !
The carbon fiber sounded more full and deep, but what exactly is carbon fiber? Back in 1980 Gibson made an electric guitar called the sonex. It was made of what they called resin wood (glued saw dust)
The guitar sounded great it had dirty fingers pickups and was cheaper than a les paul, but I was curious to what exactly is carbon fiber
At a fender demonstration the fender representative actually said that the one of the main benefit II main benefit to the boat on Nick is that on a flight you can simply take the four bolts out and put it in the overhead bag and then put it back together when you get where you landed you don't have to check it so to speak if you don't trust somebody with your guitar just take the neck off said the other advantage of course is the one that I really like is that musicians use about the richest people in the world. It's just cheaper to buy replacement neck didn't have one refret it if you're actually a gigging musician and wearing your Frets down.
Since you've played a few carbon fiber acoustics, which one is your favorite? And which one is most affordable?
Hey Darrel, if you can go and see my comment regarding your first carbon fiber guitar and the comparison with the wooden one. At that time the wooden one was much better. Not now. The fiber guitar is already a better straw and as time progresses, the construction technique of the fiber guitar will open a distance even though the wooden guitar is excellent. It is time making progress. It is inexorable. A hug.
No question from these blind tests, the CF was the clear winner. Of course I was not blind or deaf when I bought my Rainsong 3 years ago.
I really wanted to like the carbon fiber more, but in every comparitive test I correctly guessed which one was the wood - whose sound I preferred. And I'm a Tele guy!
My bet is that carbon fiber doesn't need internal bracing, thus it can be molded onto a larger and more evenly resonant internal volume, hence the better partials up to 400 Hz.
Second question - which strings did you use on the carbon guitar - as with most guitars the factory strings were elixer but 12s - I think I will sand the saddle lower and run 10s - I am fiddling with it now to make sure it is very low with no buzz. Thanks
Okay, straight out of the gate I liked the carbon model better. That was surprising. I travel a lot for work and think this will be a worthwhile investment.
Wood still sounded better for me.wood seem to resonate so smoothly and longer compared to carbon fiber.i tried a carbon fiber guitar before.its good.but somehow i still prefer wood.could it be that I've gotten used to wood since i have been playing guitar before they thought of carbon fiber guitars. Or probably wood just sounds better for me.they both sound good but you can immediately tell wood from carbon fiber even with a blind test.
So what actually are the prices of the two guitars - you forgot to mention that all important bit of information!
1299 carbon fiber
299 wood