NGD: Emerald Cocobolo X20 - A classy touch from Emerald Guitars!

[Matt McGriff]

I have been in touch with Sean to begin the process of ordering a custom woody X20. After watching the FB Video of Alistar reviewing all of the new veneers he got in, there are a lot of wood options! Coco, Pao Ferro, Spalted Maple, etc!

To the two of you who have had these made (and Alistar), is there a consultation with the buyer on different choices of bookmatched pairs of veneer that you pick from? There are so many variations in sap wood content, grain patterns, etc, it would be nice to have a few veneers to choose from. Or do you just get the veneer that they select for you?

[pandaroo]

Thats how i got mine, i get to choose the veneers first.

[Alistair Hay]

Originally Posted by Matt McGriff

I have been in touch with Sean to begin the process of ordering a custom woody X20. After watching the FB Video of Alistar reviewing all of the new veneers he got in, there are a lot of wood options! Coco, Pao Ferro, Spalted Maple, etc!

To the two of you who have had these made (and Alistar), is there a consultation with the buyer on different choices of bookmatched pairs of veneer that you pick from? There are so many variations in sap wood content, grain patterns, etc, it would be nice to have a few veneers to choose from. Or do you just get the veneer that they select for you?

As we have built up more of a collection of exotic veneers it has created a bewildering array of possibilities. For this reason I am now offering the ability to do a Skype consultation where we can lay out the various veneers and overlay templates to create the perfect option for you. You also have to use your imagination a bit to see how its going to look completed.
I have done this a few times recently and its a fun process for both parties.
Drop Sean an email and he can schedule this.
Alistair

[Long Jon]

Re: Alistair's post above...

What a GREAT way of working on a custom build with a truly GREAT firm !

And A terrific use of SKYPE too, which I usually hate, (you know, waving at distant friend's grandchildren and that.) ..

[mikealpine]

That is stunning!! I've been hoping to see a rib bevel on the X20 at some point. I'd be likely to jump on board. Really beautiful instrument!!

[J.R. Rogers]

Wow - such a beautiful instrument. Congratulations! I really love what Emerald is doing with the blending of the two worlds - organic + modern materials.

JR

[Bluside]

Another winner. Congrats.

[GuitarDoc]

Originally Posted by Alistair Hay

Im on vacation this week and just popped into the forum to see whats going on. I dont get much time on here these days.
Im delighted to see you guys enjoying the custom Woodies so much.
It has been such an interesting creative process developing these instruments. Right the way from sourcing the veneers to choosing how to cut it and then adding the cosmetic appointments. It really creates such a vast palette to choose from.
As we finish each of these guitars they become our favourite and then the next comes along and it takes its place.
For this one I tapered the book match to create the V in the heartwood and I really like how it turned out.
Alistair

When will program to see different veneers be running? Doc.

[pandaroo]

Thank you everyone here.

The X20 has been reviewed to death here and I echo what has been said before.

This guitar is so light!!

One thing I do definitely want to point out is that when I was playing this side by side with my Collings D2H dread and while the X20 is the smaller of the two, to my ears the X20 hands down by far louder with jumbo-like fullness with plenty low end. This could be partly due to the offset soundhole towards the player. I play mainly to myself and I like it that way.

Now is time to experiment with strings. I almost always settle with Elixirs on almost all of my past acquisitions. Anyone tried mediums 13-56s on their X20s?

[Matt McGriff]

Originally Posted by Alistair Hay

As we have built up more of a collection of exotic veneers it has created a bewildering array of possibilities. For this reason I am now offering the ability to do a Skype consultation where we can lay out the various veneers and overlay templates to create the perfect option for you. You also have to use your imagination a bit to see how its going to look completed.
I have done this a few times recently and its a fun process for both parties.
Drop Sean an email and he can schedule this.
Alistair

Alistar,
Thank you for the response. My plan is to initiate the build in early July. I'll be in touch for sure.

Matt

[Uncle Pauhana]

Originally Posted by pandaroo

Anyone tried mediums 13-56s on their X20s?

I've had my X20 for over four years now, and have never used anything but mediums. I use everything from standard tuning, to D-standard, to various Hawaiian slack key tunings. I can go as low as B-flat on the bass string with no problems. Although I had always used D'Addario phosphor bronze on other guitars, I've settled on Ernie Ball aluminum bronze strings for my X20.

[TheChicagoTodd]

Originally Posted by mot

Hi Alistair,

I hope you are having a great vacation. I don't have the funds at the moment, but sometime in the next decade (hopefully sooner but post college expenses) I will be putting in an order for a 12 string. I expect (and hope) that it will be your favorite guitar you've ever created when the time comes.

Mot...

I recently received my X20-12 and I'm sure you will love it if you order one!

Cheers...

Todd in Chicago

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

Stunning guitar mate! Hard to imagine a nicer looking instrument.
Bet I won't be as lucky with import tax & customs when my Emerald reaches Oz.

[Earwitness]

Just a gorgeous guitar. Wow.

[mot]

Originally Posted by TheChicagoTodd

Mot...

I recently received my X20-12 and I'm sure you will love it if you order one!

I am going to have to do a lay away plan at the moment.