#16
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I had heard about the x10's, but didn't know when they would show up on the website for sale again. I saw pictures of an emerald with a pinless bridge, so I was looking into that as well. Not an easy decision, but a fun one...and I can't wait to decide what I'm going with and actually make a purchase.
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#17
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Joe;
Your choices continue to grow as this thread continues to grow. There are a lot of options. If you not in a great hurry you might want to wait for Alistair to start the road trips for his guitars. Any of his instruments will give you a good idea regarding the kind of quality you can expect from the CF field of guitars. You might also indicate where you are and ask if anyone near you has a CF guitar that you could play. Also, you haven't mentioned what you currently play, or what has been your favorite wooden instrument--that might bring out more suggestions. My approach to CF instruments has been to try what I can find available and buy what is not available locally. In my search for my ideal CF instrument I've purchased a number of guitars and have found that they are pretty easy to re-sell. I count the difference in buy/sell price as rental fee. The X10N has been a keeper for me; it is comfortable, it has great tonal and projection qualities, and it is incredibly easy to play. I like it enough to have asked Alistair to make me another one based on some new Emerald developments. That said, I should also point out that I have a Rainsong Parlor that is also a keeper. I think what you'll find is that are a many CF guitars that might serve your needs and desires. Enjoy the search, may you live long. |
#18
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Quote:
Apples and oranges, though as some have suggested. The L13 is more traditional in looks and tone. I had a v.1 for a short time, one of the very first ever. I didn't keep it due to my disappointment with its sustain...but I'm sure v.2 is better, and besides, everything else I've owned from them was fantastic (Super OM, Tenor Uke). I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new L13. The Emerald X20 is better put up against the Blackbird Super OM. To me, the Super OM wins for tone, the X20 wins for comfort. Both non-traditional in appearance! Yes, I'd say the X20 is brighter, more percussive, snappy, harder, immediate. If you're mainly a strummer, I'd be looking into a bigger body. The X20...or a Rainsong WS or Dread body. Or El Capitan if price isn't an issue. |
#19
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I have had a L13 and played a X20 for a week. Totally different guitars. One traditional the other about as non transitional as it gets. Ted described the L13 well. I would get on the Emerald coming road trips and try a X20 out. Only way to know.
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#20
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Anyone run into sustain issues with the newer lucky 13's? I really like the way Johnny Gallagher makes the x7 and x20 sound... The two videos of him playing those guitars on emeralds website are great to listen to. Are those acoustic or plugged in? They both seem like they would be loud enough considering I only play in my house. If anyone his familiar with The Tallest Man on Earth I really like how his playing sounds. I know he doesn't use carbon fiber, but with the mix of strumming and finger picking he does, would that help narrow down what might fit that style best?
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#21
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I haven't seen anyone commenting negatively on L13 sustain, v1 or current.
The L13 moved to its second version very quickly. My issues might've been specific to that particular build...it was literally the first L13 to be sold at a dealer. There were several frets further up the board (along with the low E, even on lower frets) that just thunked. Again, that wouldn't put me off from buying a Blackbird. They're perfectionists and innovators, plus they have great customer service. |
#22
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The L13 I have was made in Summer 2014. It has fairly incredible sustain. The X20 sustain is awfully close fwiw. I like strumming more on the X20 and I could go either way on finger picking. The L13 is a little easier on the fingers because of the shorter scale, but both guitars are great. If I could have only one I would probably give you a different answer each time you asked. I think the X20 has a broader range of applications and styles, but the L13 is such fun to play.
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#23
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I have a 2013 version of the L13 and no problems with sustain here.
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Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos |
#24
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Sirwhale - I've seen your posts here and we've and a couple of exchanges but I hadn't seen your videos before. Great stuff and I dig your choice of tunes. The L13 is a great fit!
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National Resophonic NRP 12 Fret Loar LH-700-VS Archtop Eastman E8-OM Herrmann Weissenborn Recording King RP-10 Recording King RG-35-SN Lapsteel Maton 425 12-string ESP 400 series telecaster Eastman T485 Deering Americana Banjo My Youtube |
#25
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Quote:
__________________
Christian Guitar: Camps Primera Negra A (a flamenco guitar) Strings: Aquila SugarAquila Rubino, Knobloch CX, Aquila Alchemia I play: Acoustic blues & folk Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/sirwhale28/videos |
#26
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That L13 is just the perfect guitar for your style. Good playing.
__________________
Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#27
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How loud is the x7? I've read the x20 can be louder than a dread when strummed, so that's pretty loud. How do the smaller L13 and x7 compare when strummed? Mot your post sums up where I'm at in the process of buying one of these guitars right now... That your pick would change every time asked. I think any video of the x7 I've managed to find is plugged in if they are strumming.
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#28
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My X7 is about as loud as a decent full sized acoustic (my roughly OM sized Eastwood). I did a casual gig with a cajon and a Epi J200 for rhythm guitar and me playing Gypsy Jazz lead on the X7. No problem being heard to around 40 people. The Aylward is louder but the X7 is plenty loud enough for unplugged gigs.
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Brian Eastwood Custom Acoustic (1981) Rob Aylward 'Petit Bouche' Selmer Style (2010) Emerald X7 OS Artisan (2014) Mountain D45 (mid '80s) Brian Eastwood ES175/L5 Gibson Les Paul Custom (1975) Brian Eastwood '61 Strat Bitsa Strat with P90s (my main electric) The Loar F5 Mandolin, Samick A4 Mandolin Epiphone Mandobird Brian Eastwood '51 P Bass NS Design Wav EUB Giordano EUB |
#29
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So plenty loud for myself in my house. Decent sustain on the x7?
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#30
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The X20 is really fun to play too, but I have to work a little harder at fretting the strings. The Pono baritone ukulele really contrasts this a lot because it is so easy to fret compared to either guitar. j
I think the point that will help you decide is that for the L13 you can have any color you want as long as it is black versus the X20 which has so many color choices and other options that you could order a different variant every year for decades and still not exhaust all the possible combinations possible. All those choices can make choosing very hard. |