RainSong APSE (Al Petteway) Sunburst Guitar - SOLD
Al Petteway Special Edition (APSE) Guitar (New)
In Al's own Words:
For the APSE, I chose the OM size body since it is really the perfect size for solo fingerstyle players. The frequency response is more evenly balanced across the strings and the high strings have a sweetness that doesn't happen with a bigger guitar. It's much easier to mix in an ensemble or duet setting as well. Since I play with my wife Amy White much of the time, we like to set up her guitar to produce the big bass bottom while I fill in more of the mids and highs. It makes for a much cleaner sound.
I like 12-fret necks for a number of reasons. Moving the neck forward by two frets also moves the bridge more into the center of the top, which, to my ear, gives the guitar a bit more sweetness and warmth. Physically, I find it easier to play since I don't have to extend my left arm away from my body as far to get to the lowest frets. In recent years, I've had to deal with arthritis and tendonitis issues in my left shoulder, so a shorter neck really helps me play with less pain.
The development of the unidirectional soundboard by RainSong seems to have solved one of the issues that most people have with carbon graphite guitars. By replicating the grain that happens naturally in a piece of wood, this top seems to vibrate more like a wood top, resulting in a bit more of a natural response in the lower frequencies without messing up the balance in the mids and highs. It makes it extremely easy to mic the guitar for live performance or in the recording studio since EQ is not necessary to take any "boom" or "mud" out or to add highs in.
The all-carbon body construction, the OM body shape and the 12-fret neck working together with the unidirectional top produces a clarity that is truly spectacular. This combination has never been available in this size guitar before and I am very excited about it.
The Gotoh SGV510Z tuners are amazing and they make possible a degree of precision tuning that professional and amateur fingerstyle guitarists alike will really appreciate, especially if they use a variety of altered tunings like I do..............
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We accept Visa/Mastercard/American Express/Discover from USA residents and good ol' cash. Personal checks are accepted under the condition that shipment is delayed until the check clears the bank. TN residents add 9 3/4% sales tax.
We ship UPS ground insured, unless otherwise specified by the buyer. On finer instruments, we insist on overnight shipment for safe handling. Buyer pays shipping unless otherwise agreed upon. International shipments are via FedEx.
Must have prior approval of return. Opened strings are not returnable. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your guitar, simply return it fully insured (with prior authorization) via shipping method we agree upon. When we receive the instrument in the same condition as when we shipped it, you will happily be issued a refund minus all shipping costs.