Emerald X20 Opus - Page 2

Puerto Player · #16 10-20-2017, 11:40 AM

Just got word today that my custom X20, woody, short scale, slim neck, 1 11/16th nut, etc.......is done and in final finish and should ship next week! I ordered it in May. Trouble is, I have to fly to California for a few weeks next week, then to Mexico for a few weeks from there. I asked Sean if he could ship it to California where I'll be staying. We'll see.

#17 10-20-2017, 02:53 PM

Puerto;

It's great that the instrument is at the completion stage--the uncertainty of where it will find you is painful. I look forward to mission accomplished (and pictures).

jdinco · #18 10-20-2017, 05:14 PM

I'm really looking forward to reading your review of the short scale version, I love short scale/12 fret guitars, but my full scale is so good, I'm afraid to change/sell anything to get a 12 fret. Congrats, I hope you love it.

Puerto Player · #19 10-20-2017, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdinco

I'm really looking forward to reading your review of the short scale version, I love short scale/12 fret guitars, but my full scale is so good, I'm afraid to change/sell anything to get a 12 fret. Congrats, I hope you love it.

It's a 14 fret, short scale. Too much wasted space with a 12 fret!

mot · #20 10-20-2017, 06:50 PM

How short?

I am also looking forward to Ed's thoughts on the X20 and OF660 as I am interested in doing the same, but in the other direction as I already have an X20. It's definitely a keeper and game changer. It has held the position as my favorite guitar from pretty much when I got it in 2013.

RandyOK · #21 10-20-2017, 11:51 PM

I think I found a store that has an OF660 that I can go play tomorrow. I wish I could find An X20 locally to teat drive. I may be able to find a Rainsong though.
Tell me about your experince with the OF660. From the Youtube clips Ive heard it sounds great!

Frettingflyer · #22 10-21-2017, 03:45 AM

Ed, welcome and congrats. Glad you have the journey to keep you company while you wait. I too would be curious what you think of the comparison of the two when you get it.

Puerto Player · #23 10-21-2017, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mot

How short?

I am also looking forward to Ed's thoughts on the X20 and OF660 as I am interested in doing the same, but in the other direction as I already have an X20. It's definitely a keeper and game changer. It has held the position as my favorite guitar from pretty much when I got it in 2013.

It's 24.6" scale length. My wife and I have a place in Mexico right on the water that's where I have my other X20 Artisan. I kind of missed playing it when I'm in the States, so I had this custom built. After buying the Goodall listed below, I realized, with certain guitars, you don't have to compromise anything with smaller size bodies and scales. Even with the Artisan I already have, it's way smaller than the Gibson EC-20 (SJ-185) in the picture, but it's louder. The Goodall is that way too, it's as loud or louder than every guitar I own, but a lot smaller and just a pleasure to hold for hours on end. So, that was basically the thinking behind the custom Emerald. I enjoy a thinner neck over a bigger one, I like short scales, and the 1 11/16th nuts I've owned I enjoyed also. So I stuffed it all into one guitar. We'll see. If it's everything I'm hoping for, I'll probably order an identical one and sell the standard Artisan.

RandyOK · #24 10-21-2017, 12:51 PM

Is that A Turbosound PA in this pic? Do you like it? That X20 is pretty in Red!

Puerto Player · #25 10-22-2017, 08:22 AM

That's an LD Systems Maui 5. I liked it so much, I sold (still selling parts of) my home PA and bought a Maui 28. I use a QSC Touchmix at home and will probably get rid of the LD mixer in Mexico and go with another Touchmix there too. They just do everything you could ask for, and you can save the setup for each of your guitars and/or settings and places you play at. Nice effects too. So much less to move around, sounds is perfect, and footprint and hookup is one piece and a couple of cords. I just play acoustic and sing, usually just a solo thing, but I also play lead with my buddy who's a killer rhythm player. I get to solo for hours over the stuff he makes up. Fun.

Puerto Player · #26 10-22-2017, 08:29 AM

Sorry OP for so much other "stuff" in your thread, but you'll love your Emerald. Unlike almost all other guitars, they are REALLY comfortable to play with their scalloped/shaved upper bout against your chest. They are very touch sensitive so you can get them to sit into just about any song style by how you play it. Not all guitars can do that as well. I've owned some other carbon guitars and played several others for an evening, and personally, I'm sold on the Emeralds. I could see me owning just a couple Emeralds, a Gibson or two and two Goodall's and be a happy guy. Fairly broke, but really happy!

Haragei · #27 12-09-2017, 07:32 AM

The Emerald X20 Opus I ordered on 12th September, arrived past Tuesday, 5th December 2017. I was told the lead time was 4 months but they did the job in less than 3.

The fine print: I don't like to compare guitars (nor people, for that matter) so I won't be referring to my traditional wooden guitars, nor to my other carbon guitar, a Journey OF660.

The X20 Opus (red top) looks extremely nice and is a delight to hold and play. It's very light (4.4 lbs.) and ergonomically perfect, with a bevelled upper age that does not cut into my upper arm. It is very resonant and loud in a good way, with the notes literally popping out of the soundport. I've always been rather a traditionalist but I must admit that I feel that soundwise, a soundport is a major improvement over traditionally located soundholes. So, the instrument is almost intimidating but I'm sure I'll get over that. It is very well suited to play fingerstyle chordal music, where the individual notes ring out and then start to resonate together. I played some Irish music on it (in DADGAD) and it really shines there, with an almost harplike sound.
I'm very pleased and I'll try to post one or two video clips (but I'm a procrastinator, so patience will be appreciated).

Sean was, of course, very helpful.

Haragei · #28 12-09-2017, 08:08 AM

I can't seem to upload pictures. Maybe this works:
https://ibb.co/it1tPb
https://ibb.co/iQQL4b
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFR8_SfcAJE

ac · #29 12-09-2017, 08:17 AM

Gorgeous red in the sunlight. Nice.

Captain Jim · #30 12-09-2017, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haragei

The Emerald X20 Opus I ordered on 12th September, arrived past Tuesday, 5th December 2017. I was told the lead time was 4 months but they did the job less than 3.

The fine print: I don't like to compare guitars (nor people, for that matter) so I won't be referring to my traditional wooden guitars, nor to my other carbon guitar, a Journey OF660.

The X20 Opus (red top) looks extremely nice and is a delight to hold and play. It's very light (4.4 lbs.) and ergonomically perfect, with a bevelled upper age that does not cut into my upper arm. It is very resonant and loud in a good way, with the notes literally popping out of the soundport. I've always been rather a traditionalist but I must admit that I feel that soundwise, a soundport is a major improvement over traditionally located soundholes. So, the instrument is almost intimidating but I'm sure I'll get over that. It is very well suited to play fingerstyle chordal music, where the individual notes ring out and then start to resonate together. I played some Irish music on it (in DADGAD) and it really shines there, with an almost harplike sound.
The bottomline is that I'm very pleased and I'll try to post one or two video clips (but I'm a procrastinator, so patience will be appreciated).

Sean was, of course, very helpful.

Welcome aboard, Haragei - and nice review! Sharp looking with that red. Like you, I found the X20 to be surprisingly loud with that delightful offset sound hole... spend a little time with it, and you find the guitar has amazing range. It can be played quiet... and then really growl when you need it.