| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Fran Guidry |
Posted - 12/14/2009 : 06:41:52 AM
When Admin Andy came out to Kailua Beach in October he brought along Darin Leong's Composite Acoustics OX guitar ( http://www.caguitars.com ). Whoa, what an interesting instrument. Made in Lafayette, LA, from a matrix of carbon fiber and epoxy, these guitars are unaffected by temperature and humidity, sound and play great, and don't cost the moon. When we caught Brother Nolan at the Windward Community College Ho`olaulea he and his lead guitarist were both playing Composite Acoustics guitars.
So when an opportunity for a used OX popped up in one of the guitar forums I visit I begged, pleaded, and wheedled until Lynnie gave the OK. I've had the guitar for a couple of weeks now and I'm really enjoying it. The look is dramatic, the sound is sweet, it plays nice and easy, and it stays in tune well. I put medium strings on it and tuned to taropatch F for this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqzDWMBP2gk
I also did a blog post with pics and more commentary: http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2009/12/13/composite-acoustics-ox-raw/
Fran |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| maggie |
Posted - 05/04/2010 : 6:50:27 PM
Thanks everyone for the feedback on Cargo vs Emerald question and thank you Sal, for sending the link to me. The Cargo arrived yesterday and I spent the afternoon sitting on my back lanai trying to convince myself it was warm enough to play outside -- it wasn't, but that didn't matter. I'll get a chance to really break it in next week when I take it to the infamous windy, rainy Oregon coast. |
| Lawrence |
Posted - 04/30/2010 : 2:53:13 PM
quote:
Which sorta obviates the whole concept, doesn't it? 
Well yes, but not entirely. Admittedly the Cargo is a lot stronger than a regular wooden guitar, but in the soft case it may not survive a strong thrust from the tubular steel rod of a baby carriage (which might happen to be gate checked on the same flight). And would you want to check it at the counter in the gig-bag? - probably not.
The other reason for a CA-Cargo is the other Magic airline number: 62.. The last time I flew to Hawaii, United wanted $175 each way for any checked baggage over 62 inches (L+W+H) and they made SURE to measure EVERYTHING. Since then they have backed off a little and the extra charge for more than 62 inches (up to 80 inches) is "Only" an additional $100 (on United, American, Hawaiian, etc). So the way I figure it is, even in a "hard" case the CA-Cargo should be able to stay under this magic 62 inches and save $100 each way even if checked, and even if the counter crew are obnoxious. But of course, in a hard case, it is not likely to make it on-board, so counter checking would be required. However, this is the way I have traveled with my guitar for the last many years, in a Calton Case and in checked baggage. It is only because of these recent "improvements" in airline travel that I have to go to such efforts (buy a new smaller guitar, look for a smaller hard case, etc).
|
| Mark |
Posted - 04/30/2010 : 1:43:07 PM
quote:
Do you carry your CA-Cargo on board in it's little soft case?
Yep. Even fits in the tiny prop planes that fly outa Medford.
FWI: On this trip, for the Seattle to Maui leg, I put the case on my back upside down, so from the front (facing the boarding agent at the gate) it just looked like a regular backback.
quote:
What do you think will happen if they force you to check it?
(which they may do someday)
Probably not much. As I'd said earlier-- it has already been through some pretty sever temperature & humidity changes.
And it's a heckuva lot tougher than the Baby Taylor travel guitar--or my beloved old Appalachian dulcimer &/or Po Mahina ukulele -- all of which (including the uke!) went into the hold at the gate at one time or another. All were in soft cases.
quote:
Are there hard-sided cases available that fit a CA-Cargo so it can travel as checked baggage?
Most likely. Taylor usta make one for the Baby. Don't know where you'd find one, tho'.
You can always have someone custom make a flight case for ya.
Which sorta obviates the whole concept, doesn't it? |
| Darin |
Posted - 04/30/2010 : 07:17:08 AM
Just an FYI, if anyone is looking for a Cargo, there are two on consignment at Dan's Guitars right now. |
| Lawrence |
Posted - 04/30/2010 : 06:44:06 AM
The CA-Cargo IS a little smaller than a regular guitar (at about
9/10 scale), but is still longer than the Magic 22 inches. (If it
is over 22 inches (or does not fit under your seat) the airlines can
insist (if they wish to) that you gate-check it. So how much luck
have the various Cargo players here had in always getting them
onboard, and IF they ARE gate-checked in the soft case that comes
with them, how do you think they will hold up?
I have one of these things and was thinking of getting a small hard
case (of some sort), so I can check it at the counter, just in case
the air-crew are having a bad day.
Anyone with experience to share on this?
|
| Admin |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 08:40:42 AM
Maggie,
Congrats on the new guitar. I am really liking my GX. I hope that the company makes a comeback. |
| maggie |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 08:15:52 AM
Got it! Arrives Monday.
Thanks everyone... the Cargo will be a great companion for a summer of cross-country road trips - worlds' largest frying pan, cadillac ranch, and colleges, here we come.
Cheerio... |
| Lawrence |
Posted - 04/29/2010 : 06:31:11 AM
Mark,
Do you carry your CA-Cargo on board in it's little soft case?
What do you think will happen if they force you to check it?
(which they may do someday)
Are there hard-sided cases available that fit a CA-Cargo so
it can travel as checked baggage?
(Inquiring minds want to know)
Mahalo...
...Lawrence
|
| Mark |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 8:58:22 PM
Hey Maggie-- Hail to the chief, and all that. Be sure to duck.
Here in Honokowai, surf is way down, & trades due to shut down, too. So looks like rain & vog in the forecast. On the plus side---well, we are on Maui.
Looked at the cargo link from Sal-- sounds like a reasonable deal.
For the record, mine's not a "raw"-- which looks really cool. Also, I do have the pickup. But I kinda wish I didn't--every time I fly with it, TSA gives it the third degree.
Good luck!
|
| maggie |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 6:04:15 PM
thanks Salmonella... I jumped, we'll see what happens. |
| salmonella |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 5:26:44 PM
Maggie
You might jump on this one....
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183041 |
| maggie |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 4:18:23 PM
eh Mark... you one rascal, you know... all you have to say is "greetings from Maui" and the envy come up in me, big time. I'm here all huddled up in wool socks and fleece jacket, watching hail the size of marbles pelt the windows and you on Maui, wearing shorts and slippahs and sportin da red noses... something not right about this picture. Maybe we switch places next week, K?
Mahalo for the Cargo tip... I'll surf eBay and JediStar for bomb-proof guitars; you and Annie surf Lahaina town. Surf mo bettah deah, anywayz - When it's big, Lefts off da breakwall are da best.
Take care bruddah.
P.S. Not kidding about the hail - dem beeg buggahs; Richter scale probably jumping all over the place. No worries though - right now I'm real happy I rent. Don't have to pay for no broken windows.
|
| Mark |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 10:50:59 AM
Hey Maggie, greetings from Maui!
Couple thoughts:
Search ebay for Cargo guitars--they do show up.
Also, check out the links I posted for the JediStar site elsewhere in this section. Lot's of interesting travel guitars, some of which will happily live in the trunk. Many of the pix on the JediStar site have links.
Cheers.
|
| Volcano |
Posted - 04/28/2010 : 05:04:26 AM
I actually have a lot of experience with the Emerald guitars. I consulted with a company that was considering distributing them in the US. They are made in one piece in an injection mold. The company makes large plastic objects like swimming pools. They would not say exactly how the process worked, but it seemed pretty ingenious. The problems of glues and neck join are eliminated. They should be extremely stable over time even though they are not carbon fiber. They sounded good plugged in but unfortunately the acoustic qualities were quite lacking. Kind of okay if played very softly. There are some recent You Tubes of them plugged in with a rock band. Some outrageous and unique designs. Nice folks.
|
| maggie |
Posted - 04/27/2010 : 1:27:01 PM
Does anyone have experience with the Emerald X5 or the Emerald X7? I'll be spending the summer driving across the country moving kids from home to various colleges -- not too fond of flying anymore -- and I'd like to have a guitar that could stand up to being locked in the trunk all day, and then brought out in the evening around the camp fire. Sadly, I looks like I may have missed the boat with the Cargo (no pun intended). |
|
|
