My Visit With Gary Carpenter of Rains Guitars.

Steve Stallings · From: Houston/Cypress, Texas

My Rains is one year old and developed a problem with the 6th string return last week after changing strings. I tried to fix it by checking travel, slack, spring tension, etc. Whatever I did didn't help though. Anyway, I gave Carp a call and he invited me up to have a look. I went over to Garys shop in Forth Worth. Rains production is at two shops about a block apart. (The machine shop and the finishing shop.) I was at the finishing shop. Gary appeared to be quite busy. I counted seven guitars in various stages of production.
Gary pulled my guitar out and put her upside down on the workbench. The first thing he did was replace all the return spring screws with a new stainless steel screw that works better than the older version. Then he went thru every single pedal and knee checking for correct slack and tension. He replaced a cross bar inner spring in a crossrod that was a little too loose. He went thru and lubed every area on the guitar and checked for any binding. Then he adjusted the return springs.
He flipped the guitar over, plugged her in and started going thru every single change on this D10 8X8. He made a few more adjustments returning the guitar to the workbench twice. Finally when he was satisfied, he told me to have a go. Perfect. The only problem was I could not find those licks Gary had played on my guitar!
Gary and I chatted during the two hours I spent there. The Rains guitar company is doing well and Gary just had to hire an additional helper. Corky Owens is helping build the guitars too.
I tried to pay Carp for spending two hours doing a tuneup but he refused to take any money and just thanked me for playing his guitars.
If you are looking for a guitar that is really well built, sounds great, and looks great... check out the Rains guitars. Nice guitars built by even nicer folks.
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Steve Stallings
Emmons Legrande II 8X5

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Hey Steve,if you've never heard Gary live,then you need too.I met Gary 25 years ago when I first started playing and he was one of the top players in the area back then.

Bill Terry · From: Bastrop, TX

I don't know anything about Rains guitars, but I do know Carp from my FW days. I've shared a stage with him and done a business deal or two as well. That's not just the way he runs a business, that's the way he runs his life. A true gentleman and a class guy in every respect, not to mention a great player.

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

You guys arn't kidding.

I met Gary in Dallas this year and spent some time with him in the Rains booth. He made it known that if I need anything, he's just a phone call away. Top notch guy, and player! He's helped me out quite a bit and I'll be forever greatful.

JW
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Show Pro D10, Session 400

Ricky Thibodeaux · From: Dallas,Texas

IMHO Gary is the best at what he does. He not only makes a fine guitar, he play the #@%* out of one. He could be a studio musician if he wanted to be, without a doubt. He is also a great teacher to have and I am very lucky to live down the road from him.

Marlin Gengenbach · From: New Mexico, USA

Gary built my Rains a little over a year ago and during the process I talked with him a couple of times via phone and found him to be one of the warmest, most cordial and sincere people I have ever met. That impression was reaffirmed as we met in person at the Ft. Worth show this year.
The world of steel players consists of a lot of nice folks and Gary is sure one of them.

Marlin Gengenbach · From: New Mexico, USA

Gary built my Rains a little over a year ago and during the process I talked with him a couple of times via phone and found him to be one of the warmest, most cordial and sincere people I have ever met. That impression was reaffirmed as we met in person at the Ft. Worth show this year.
The world of steel players consists of a lot of nice folks and Gary is sure one of them.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Hi Steve, Carp is one of the best players out there. His association with Rains Guitars will guarantee quality work and repairs. Jody.

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

One super guy for certain. Always there when needed. If you can't get along with Gary, you better go out to the woodshed and fix what's wrong!! Laughing

Phred

Chris Schlotzhauer · From: Colleyville, Tx. USA

Gary called me the other day and asked me when I was going to bring my guitar in for the 200th gig tune up. He wants to go through it like he did Steve's. He also said he likes to see the guitars again after they have settled in so he can judge how they hold up and also apply new adjustment tricks he's learned, or possibly a new and better screw here or there.
That's great service!
I'm bringin' it Gary. I'm just too dang busy.

Tim Bridges · From: Hoover, Alabama, USA

Well, I got my Spirit D-10 in January and have really loved playing the guitar. When I get home, I have to walk right by the guitar on my way upstairs. Inevitably, the guitar always makes me sit down and play for a bit.

I think Gary left a little mojo in my D-10!! Apparently after he and Corky finished playing it, they left some of that "hands mojo"!

When Gary finished my guitar, he called me and the first thing I heard was steel guitar. Heck, it sounded good over a cell phone! I'll quote Gary: "man, this thing's got tone out the ying-yang...you know what that means? This thing's got tone out the ying-yang!". Dang , he was right!

Gary is a great player and a good guy. Based on my steel, I think he might be on to something. BTW, I have TT single coils that are killer; 20.5 kohm on E9 & 21.5 kohm C6th. This sucker will growl!! Very Happy

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