EMERALD X-7 OPUS

[Kupuna50]

If you own or have owned an Emerald X7, have you ever used lower tunings like DADGAD?
What did you think of how the X7 handled it?
Pros / cons?
Thanks!

[kbenson]

I have an X7 and I just started experimenting with DADGAD. I have Martin Retro lights on it, 12 - 54. It sounds as nice and full as a standard scale guitar but if you dig in there is some buzzing on the 2nd and 1st strings. Probably due to the dropped tuning combined with the shorter scale. In the future I plan on trying mediums on it. A pro is that 4 and 5 fret stretches are more comfortable! Hope that helps.
Kevin

[Matt_Adamas]

As I recall, the X-7 comes strung from the factory with mediums and hat's what they recommend for it.

That said, I use 11-52 on my X-20 so I don't expect to string my X-7 with mediums either.

[ac]

Originally Posted by kbenson

I have an X7 and I just started experimenting with DADGAD. I have Martin Retro lights on it, 12 - 54. It sounds as nice and full as a standard scale guitar but if you dig in there is some buzzing on the 2nd and 1st strings. Probably due to the dropped tuning combined with the shorter scale. In the future I plan on trying mediums on it. A pro is that 4 and 5 fret stretches are more comfortable! Hope that helps.
Kevin

Mediums should do it, or maybe even easier, a tweak of the truss rod should eliminate buzzing from strings tuned down a bit, without changing to mediums.

Unless it's a much older X7, it should have a truss rod.

[Earl49]

Short scale requires a heavier gauge of strings to maintain similar tension - at the same pitch. The Taylor CG Mini comes with mediums. It will work with lights, but you lose some tone and can get buzzing. I suspect similar results for the X7. FWIW, my wife's CA Cargo lives in Open G (taropatch) tuning, with lights. But she has a soft finger style touch. When I play it, I have to back way off on my attack for the bass string.

[jdinco]

I'm pretty sure the X7 ships with light strings. I use Elixir Nano lights and it sounds very good.

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by jdinco

I'm pretty sure the X7 ships with light strings.

Sean? We need you here.

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by Bluside

Sean? We need you here.

Haha, it's 10:55 pm in Donegal, Ireland, so Sean may be partaking in guilty pleasures rather than hanging here, so don't expect a response until at least tomorrow morning.

[Matt_Adamas]

Originally Posted by jdinco

I'm pretty sure the X7 ships with light strings. I use Elixir Nano lights and it sounds very good.

i did a little digging and it comes with 12-56. Basically a set of mediums that start with a 12 instead of a 13 which seems kind of odd. I wonder if it's a mistake. I swear I read somewhere that they came strung with EJ17s

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f....php?p=4927673

[Captain Jim]

Elixir Light-Mediums or Lights (if I don't have the L-Ms on hand) are what I use.

[jdinco]

Now my memory may be off....but I ask Sean this question and I am 99% sure that he said the X7 ships with EJ16's 12-53, which I didn't care for at all and replaced them on day one with the Elixirs. Big improvement to me.

[Emerald Guitars]

Originally Posted by Bluside

Sean? We need you here.

Hi Kupuna50, Bluside & Everyone,

I'm not aware of anyone ever mentioning playing lower than DADGAD to me, and the only video I found was of Ted playing, what I think is Drop D, https://youtu.be/t3iAic5hB5A. If anyone ever has any specific requests, we are more than happy to organise I quick video.

As for the strings, I think someone kindly already mentioned this, but just to confirm the gauges we put on the X7 are .012, .016, .026, .036, .046, .056 and the brand we use in-house is D’Addario!

We are always here to answer any questions you may have.

Best wishes from all the team,

Sean

[PeteCady]

Originally Posted by Matt_Adamas

i did a little digging and it comes with 12-56. Basically a set of mediums that start with a 12 instead of a 13 which seems kind of odd. I wonder if it's a mistake. I swear I read somewhere that they came strung with EJ17s

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f....php?p=4927673

Actually, 12-56 sets are fairly common. Often called "Bluegrass Gauge" or "Light Top/Medium Bottom." D'Addario EJ19 or EXP19, for instance: 12-16-25-35-45-66. But many brands make a similar set.

[Emerald Guitars]

Dear All,

Here is the link to the exact set of strings we put on our X7s in the factory setup. http://www.daddario.com/DADMobilePro...d-b5576db7b35a

Best Wishes,

Sean

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by Emerald Guitars

Dear All,

Here is the link to the exact set of strings we put on our X7s in the factory setup. http://www.daddario.com/DADMobilePro...d-b5576db7b35a

Best Wishes,

Sean

Thanks, Sean. Good info to know.

Just a suggestion, but this kind of info would be nice on your web page for each of your instruments. The subject comes up here often.