#46
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I do not represent Emerald, but with all respect, why the price of the X7 is "moot" if it is still officially set at $995.00 included shipping to the US ?
Also, It is arguable that the X7 is not in the same league of the Cargo tonally. They sound different, but for me, for example, the Cargo sounds a bit muddy while the X7 sounds clear and pleasant. Other players think the opposite, of course. The ancient Romans said (in Latin) : De gustibus no est disputandum" which can be translated, approximately, into " There is no point in having a dispute based on individual taste" ! I mean all this in a positive fashion and with no intention to create an argument ! |
#47
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Doing business in today's world is constantly changing with advances in global communications and fast door to door shipping now so easily available. Now and then, I order a number of different types of small items, e.g., for electronics, photography, etc., directly from China. No middle man. It's shipped from a factory to my door, sometimes in a weeks time. (I'm not even sure I know where to find a local dealer for such items.) Who knows if or when other CF builders might just someday follow suit and begin selling direct themselves? Anything's possible. I'm sure they're also watching and taking close note of Emerald's progress. In the end, it's just a matter of what business model suits each company best. That's a decision solely up to them, of course. Last edited by ac; 09-13-2016 at 02:22 PM. |
#48
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The cool thing about having all this stuff shipped directly to our doors is that every day is Christmas (sorry...Holiday). The downside is that eventually we run out of room. I suppose the more enterprising people among us will rent storage space. Let the good times roll.
Tony
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“The guitar is a wonderful thing which is understood by few.” — Franz Schubert "Alexa, where's my stuff?" - Anxiously waiting... |
#49
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Yes, 995 without electronics, factory direct. That last part is important, because in fact Emerald is getting almost twice as much for an X7 now, than what they were charging their dealers back in 2009. By contrast, CA is getting only 30% more for the Cargo RAW now, than what they were getting back in 2009. My point was that everyone raised their prices. And before you start thinking that being able to go factory direct is great for consumers, fact is, buying direct from Ireland without being able to try any of the guitars first is not a very attractive proposition for most customers here in the US. Having a US based dealer network would definitely add value to the Emerald line. Quote:
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#50
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I would prefer to have a showroom full of neat instruments to check out before I buy. Before MacNichol went of business I often recommended his shop as a field trip for anyone interested in a CF instrument. I make the same recommendation for L.A. guitars.
That said, there is one thing that Emerald has going for it that can't be found in most showrooms--extensive customization. I believe that that makes direct sales a viable business model, that and word-of-mouth regarding successful instruments. |
#51
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Tom '21 Martin D-18 Standard | '02 Taylor 814c | '18 Taylor 214ceDLX | '18 Taylor 150e-12 | '78 Ibanez Dread (First acoustic) | '08 CA Cargo | '02 Fender Strat American '57 RI My original songs |
#52
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I think what Emerald is attempting to do with road trips is laudable. If I were Alistair I'd try to farm the trips out to Mr. Stone--he started the road trips in his shop and they were marvelous. In any event, the road trips offer a nice preview of factory direct sales.
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#53
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Similar products compete in the same market space.
In the smallish size carbon fiber guitar market you have the following: Rainsong P12 Rainsong P14 Emerald X-7 Peavy/CA Cargo Journey OF660 Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Prices increase with time. We all understand that. Whether the Cargo can compete effectively with the recent price increase remains to be seen. I personally think that either the P12 or X-7 is a better value proposition.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#54
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But one thing that frequently gets overlooked in these comparisons is scale length. If that matters to you, then these guitars are more different than you might expect. Cargo at 22.75", X7 at 24", Journey at 24.5", Rider at 24.5", P12 at 24.9", and P14 at 25.4". (I almost purchased a Cargo many years ago but found the scale length to be a bit cramped above the fifth fret.) |
#55
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#56
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I left off the Rider for the same reason I left off the X-5, I don't think of it competing in the same market space. Everything I listed is essentially an 0 size instrument, though as you mention scale length varies.
Of the ones I have played, I like the P12 better than the P14, both Rainsongs better than the X-7, and the Cargo or Journey last. The Journey is very nicely made, but way to bright and trebbely/shril for my taste. However, if you want a CF guitar that disassembles, there is no competition.
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Larrivee OM-03RE; O-01 Martin D-35; Guild F-212; Tacoma Roadking Breedlove American Series C20/SR Rainsong SFTA-FLE; WS3000; CH-PA Taylor GA3-12, Guild F-212 https://markhorning.bandcamp.com/music |
#57
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If you like the X7 better than the Cargo or the Journey, like me, and do not need electronics, then the X7 is really an outstanding value at & 995.00. Yes the Rainsong parlor is a fantastic option, but at the end it costs several hundred dollars more. Yes, with the direct sales of Emerald it could be a risk to order the guitar unseen from Ireland, but if you do not bond with it, it is easy to sell it to another buyer in the States with a minimal or no loss.
What really strikes me, especially for the price, is the accuracy of build of Emerald guitars. The fret board is so perfect that it is a work of art. |
#58
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Back to the point, time will tell if CA is able to sustain at these prices. Last edited by pandaroo; 09-14-2016 at 06:26 PM. |
#59
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I spoke to one of CA's dealers at NAMM back in January, and he told me the guitars are selling just fine. Don't forget, it's been over six years since CA closed, and over five years since Peavey started building them again.
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