Get the emerald but I suggest you find a land lover to store your Martins. I have a '73 D 35 given by parents. It's an old friend. I'm not giving up my J12 40 either. But I love CA gxi. Make it a point to play them all daily but my 35 feels so "fragile" now compared with my other and doesn't leave the house except for repairs. I couldn't imagine having it on a boat.

My theory is this.

Pay $1250 for the Emerald. Play it for several months. If you decide you don't like it, you can pretty easily sell it here on the forum for what you have into it.

So, worst case, you are out the cost of shipping and maybe a trip.
Best case, you have a new guitar you love.

^^ This is very good advice. If you don't buy, send me the contact info by PM and I will.

Well after an initial flurry of email exchanges with the seller 2 days ago, I received his phone number to contact.I have left voice mail to arrange a meeting and a couple of texts early yesterday .... No replies. If I don't hear back by tonight I will assume this is not in the cards this time around.

At that price, I doubt it's still available. Maybe next time.

I missed a guitar that I wanted a few months ago because I wanted to think about it a day or two. It was sold the same afternoon I discovered it. Still waiting for another to come along, but finding that specific used guitar is a rare event. I should have jumped when I first saw it. Live and learn.

I'm a little confused, isn't a brand new emerald x20 opus with warranty 1499? Is 1250 a good used price for this? Doesn't seem like much of a discount, I think I might pay a little more for a new one with warranty.

To OP, I have also been contemplating going all carbon fiber. I also have a Martin 000-18 that I really enjoy, but don't like worrying about(humidity fluctuations, and small children who are very apt to come over and bang on it while I am playing). With my Blackbird I don't have to worry at all!

That's about as much of a discount as you are likely to find for a recent X20.

Given that it has a K&K installed I'd call the price fair, but not any sort of super killer deal.

When I was pricing a new Opus X20 with K&K back in Nov 2016, the Opus X20 was $1495.00 and the K&K was an addition $275.00.

I considered the 1250.00 with k&k installed a fair price, not a killer deal, just a fair price. I don't mind paying a fair price for something I like.
P.s. the seller contacted me and will be driving past my location on his way back to school in VA. Hopefully we will connect.

Sooo did he show up???
Is there an end to this story?

He never called. Item still listed on Craigs list. Maryland, eastern shore, search Emerald guitar.
I believe he is a student. Anyway, I will no longer chase.

There will be others...

Given all you have gone through with this guy, he is obviously very far from a motivated seller.
Good luck with your hunt!
Don't give up on your Martins.