Emerald X7 neck

[Gitarre]

There aren't any Emerald dealers around me so I am wondering if anyone could describe the neck profile in the X7. Slim carve along the Taylor line? Or what would it be comparable to?

[Jimmy Koh]

I've played the X7-OS and owned the T8. Yes, slim, D profile (correct me if I'm wrong), and 1 3/4 nut width which is wide enough for fingerstyle play. By the way, I am 1.80m tall.

Just to add on - get one that has a truss rod, and shave down the saddle. It will play like a electric!

[Fixedgear60]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Koh

I've played the X7-OS and owned the T8. Yes, slim, D profile (correct me if I'm wrong)

I agree with Jimmy as I have an Amicus and new X5. The Amicus has a solid neck but the x5 has a hollow neck and no truss rod. I do not want get into the religious argument of no truss rod but the hollow neck IMHO really adds to the playing experience in terms of sound and feel while playing. I really enjoy the feel of the vibrations. This is also true of my Blackbirds as well.

Also I typically order with satin neck finish (no extra charge) which I find reduces the stickyness of the gloss finish while I am playing. Alistair is very unique in that he a master of dialing the right guitar for you. Almost custom but at retail prices...

Hope this helps....

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

I agree with Jimmy as I have an Amicus and new X5. The Amicus has a solid neck but the x5 has a hollow neck and no truss rod. I do not want get into the religious argument of no truss rod but the hollow neck IMHO really adds to the playing experience in terms of sound and feel while playing. I really enjoy the feel of the vibrations. This is also true of my Blackbirds as well.

Also I typically order with satin neck finish (no extra charge) which I find reduces the stickyness of the gloss finish while I am playing. Alistair is very unique in that he a master of dialing the right guitar for you. Almost custom but at retail prices...

Hope this helps....

I don't have an X7, nor have I tried one. Fwiw, the necks on my Chimaera 6/12 doubleneck feel similar to my Taylor. Unlike Fixedgear, I didn't like the hollow necks at all...for my bare fingering playing style, I was frequently hearing a 'thwack' sound that for me was very unappealing. Alistair offered to replace it, so I waited until he had modified his design to solid necks and titanium truss rods. He must've had customers with such issues, which is why I assume he changed rhe neck design. The problem I had experienced with the first Chimaera was gone with the second. Mine has gloss necks and although I haven't tried a satin neck on an Emerald, I don't find the gloss sticky at all.

[Doubleneck]

Played several Emerald, own a Doubleneck, bottom line Emerald has great modern profile necks. My preferred neck in the carbon space so far.

[sam.spoons]

I replied to a PM from Gitarre asking the same question about my X7 and answered thus :-

"Hi John, The neck on my X7 is a little chunkier in the shoulders than I prefer, more D than C or V shape. I adapted to it very quickly though and don't notice it really anymore. I haven't played a Taylor for a while so I can't make a meaningful comparison.

You can order custom scale lengths and neck widths so I assume Alastair can also offer custom profiles (email him and ask, he's very helpful) but there is a considerable up charge. I'd like 25" scale on a slim C neck profile and no built in pickup (or maybe a K&K without the barn door) but cost and the 4-5 month wait persuaded me to buy a stock guitar from a UK dealer.

I do love mine and I'm happy to live with it's few minor shortcomings 'cos it's just so **** good "

So I wouldn't describe the neck as slim, it's far from huge (like those styled after some early Selmers and old Martins) but it's a slightly chunky D IMHO. Given the production methods Emerald use I can't see there being any difference between one X7 and another so I guess we all perceive these things differently. I'll try to play a Taylor in the next couple of days and compare them.