picking a CF guitar

Rampant · #1 07-20-2014, 10:40 PM

I'm mainly looking at the CA cargo and the Emerald X7.

I really like the neck profile on my Taylor - rounded, maybe even a slight V.

Those who have experience I'd appreciate feedback on how the different guitars necks feel.

steelvibe · #2 07-20-2014, 11:13 PM

Welcome to the forum Rampant! You will like it here.

I'm not the guy to answer your question because I've only touched a grand total of 2 carbon fiber guitars in my life, but you will find a great many here that have owned or still own a plethora of CF guitars. Very knowledgeable and that is a good thing; carbon fiber guitars are hard to find and thus take for test drives. I predict in 20 years that will not be the case and CF will be overwhelmingly available.

Doubleneck · #3 07-21-2014, 04:51 AM

I think a Taylor guy could adapt to either of these necks pretty easily. Personally I think the decision is more sound and overall look. Both very good guitars.

kramster · #4 07-21-2014, 06:48 AM

Pickin' and strum in' a CF...all good

mikealpine · #5 07-21-2014, 07:08 AM

At the risk of irking people, as a new CF convert, I'd suggest a model with a truss rod, especially if you like very low action. I returned a CA GX because it couldn't be adjusted low enough. Bought a Rainsong and love it. Plenty of CA guitars are sold, and owners apparently love them, but I needed more flexibility in adjustment.

mchalebk · #6 07-21-2014, 07:18 AM

If thinking about a Cargo and an X7, pay attention to the scale length. The Cargo has a 22.75" scale length, while I believe the X7 has a 24" scale. I find the Cargo's fretboard to get cramped when I place a capo on the 7th fret (which I do on a regular basis).

Rampant · #7 07-21-2014, 08:35 AM

I'm honestly a bit more interested in the emerald, just because I like the sound of my taylor - more balanced than "bassy" like the Martins are. I like some shimmer in my guitar but the bass can't be TOO weak - I'm a tenor, so I like stuff that fattens the sound.

I'm still interested in decriptions of the necks. I like medium beefy, slightly V necks. but I can survive a C.

Rampant · #8 07-21-2014, 08:45 PM

No feedback?

mikealpine · #9 07-22-2014, 07:57 AM

I very briefly (maybe 2 days) had an Emerald X20. I don't recall the neck being beefy in the least. If I remember correctly, the neck was pretty thin. I returned it because I found the smaller body size put the back of the guitar at an uncomfortable spot on my rib cage. The guitar sounded great, though, and if not for the shape not fitting me well, I'd have been happy to keep it. Unfortunately that's the best I can do.

Earl49 · #10 07-22-2014, 09:20 AM

I've never played or seen an Emerald, so I cannot help much. We do have a CA Cargo, and it sounds nice period, not just considering it is a small guitar. My wife really loves it and has not played her GS Mini since the Cargo came home. She got to try a larger CA model recently (forget which one, probably a Gx) at the same local store but did not think that the larger body provided that much more tone for her and put it back after about three minutes.

The Rainsong WS-1000 (technically hers) now lives on my side of the guitar room. I'm OK with hand-me-downs......

We hope to make an overnight trip to Salt Lake City sometime this summer or fall and visit McNichol's as they carry a variety of CF guitars.

ac · #11 07-22-2014, 03:17 PM

The Cargo is heavier and longer than the X7-OS and has a very short scale length vs. a short scale length. No truss rod available with the Cargo.

The Cargo is not as loud as the Emerald but it has amazing bass for it's size and the overall sound seems to be the real attraction.

The Emerald has a brighter sound but is one that I personally love. I own an X7-OS and became interested during the period CA shut it's doors and later was purchased and generally improved by Peavey. If that had not happened, I probably would not have looked toward Emerald, but am glad that I did.

As to customization, Alistair can do almost anything you can imagine, colors, finishes, different tuners, electronics, make it 12 string, or whatever.

There were sided by side comparison videos of the Cargo and X7 and X7-OS done some time ago and should still be on the MacNichol's forum somewhere. I think that would be useful for you to hear. You may greatly prefer the sound of one over the other--enough to have the decision become easy. Not everyone loves the Emerald. Not everyone loves the Cargo.

Both are great guitars with enough difference that some people on this forum and on the MacNicols forum have one of each. If I could afford it, I would too.

Acousticado · #12 07-22-2014, 09:00 PM

I own a Taylor 814ce, a Cargo and an Emerald Chimaera (6/12 doubleneck). Assuming that the neck profiles across Emerald models are the same or similar, being that the Taylor neck profile is your preference (as it is mine), you should be quite pleased with the Cargo or Emeralds.

J.R. Rogers · #13 07-23-2014, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rampant

I'm mainly looking at the CA cargo and the Emerald X7.

I really like the neck profile on my Taylor - rounded, maybe even a slight V.

Those who have experience I'd appreciate feedback on how the different guitars necks feel.

I'd highly recommend the Rainsong Shorty. I think it will give you the neck feel that you want and the short scale makes for a more comfortable playing neck for many... It was my choice for guitar of the year in 2011 and I still travel with this same guitar and frequently find myself talking about it and sharing it with other guitar players I meet. The comments are always favorable when people give this guitar a few minutes.

I've found the CA guitars to be a bit more like Martins. I don't have enough experience with the Emeralds to comment positively. I do have one of their X5 woody guitars but it's more of a travel piece.

Doubleneck · #14 07-23-2014, 04:57 PM

JR, the Rainsong N2 profile similar to a Taylor? You can love the Rainsong profile but Taylorlike it is not in my opinion, its a modified U. I would agree the Emerald may be the closest.

Doubleneck · #15 07-23-2014, 05:27 PM

Here is the neck measurement of the NS neck by Ted

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales
The Rainsong 12-Fret NS neck measures .0873" at the 7th fret from the fretborad to the back of the neck. For comparison the Taylor 12-Fret neck is .0875, the SCGC D12 12Fret is .0892 and the Martin D16 14 fret measures .0890 at the 7th fret.

The neck thickness is about the same as a Taylor 12 fret, but it's not the thickness that is so different its the profile. A U shaped profile (Rainsongs is a "modified" U) is thick at the sides opposite of a typical Taylor. Many love the full feeling I am ok with it but Taylor profiles to me are ideal.