CA GXi vs. Emerald X20
 

Can anyone compare these two models for me? Does anyone have a preference of CA vs. Emerald in general (if so, why)?

I prefer the CA GX because I own one and love it!

I do realize, of course, that this is absolutely no help to you...

I can only report on the pre-Peavey CA GXi (hi-gloss tobacco burst) which I had since new in '08 and just sold a month ago. I really liked the GXi. Fit, finish and set-up was great for me. It has quite a volume range...soft when you want it, a real cannon that can compete with any guitar. It has a unique tone that I doubt any other guitar, CF or otherwise can compare to. It has stereo and piano-like qualities. The Emerald X20 is reported to have a great sound, but I have no experience with it. What I WILL soon have experience with is the Emerald Chimaera 6/12 doubleneck which is why I sold the GXi to be able to afford.

That is a tuff one. I have played the GXI but not the X20 OS. I will be getting one soon for a week. So maybe I will be able to better compare soon. My Emerald Doubleneck I assume has some of the characteristics of the X20. I used to look at CA as being most woodlike, a little on the darker side. Rainsong and Emerald as bright and more "carbonated". Now I think things are not that easy. Emerald I believe has changed the soundboards on these newer guitars to sound much woodier. Certainly true of the Doubleneck. I like the new Emerald voicing bacause I think it is woody yet bright. I do like bright guitars. I would love to have both of these in the same room. You picked a great matchup!

Thanks guys...keep the opinions coming. Where are the Emeralds made, and how is their quality?

What is the neck profile like on the CA and the Emerald?

I personally do not think there are any carbon guitars made by CA, Rainsong, or Emerald that are not quality guitars. The market place just does not tolerate anything less. The neck is a great question. I really did not like the CA 1 3/4 nut wide neck because it flared wider as you went up the neck. But that was old CA. Peavey makes a slender neck as a option. I personally love the Emerald profile. A little thinner than Rainsongs N2, Emeralds are made in Ireland.

And don't forget Blackbird... also finely crafted instruments.

I have an Emerald X20-OS. The build quality is what you would expect of someone who loves what he does, is highly dedicated to his craft, and knows what he is doing. In other words: solid, refined, meticulous, and lovely to behold.

I'm used to the v-shape neck of my old Martin or my Adamas 12-string, or the round shape of my Tacoma Chief, so the "modern c-shape" of the Emerald wouldn't have been my first choice. But I mostly stopped noticing it after I had been playing the guitar for a little while... the tone captures my attention instead.

Blackbird certainly is in the league, I just have never owned one. Though I loved the Rider I played last year.

How would the Emerald compare to an Ovation or Adamas tone-wise? Are they in the same ballpark, or would the Emerald be in another class all together?

You ask good questions, I have two Ovations currently but never had an Adamas. My gut would tell me that the Adamas would be closer in sound given its partially carbon fiber soundboard. My two ovations are really good examples of the best Ovation USA made. I just never play them any more. They have great necks, but the are heavy with the fiberglass bowls. I really think the carbon fiber guitar makers have left Ovation behind. Ovation tried to innovate a pure carbon guitar but could not bring it to market. I look at my Ovations as I would any other wood guitar. Not in the same class. I think Adamas would be in a similar class with the good carbon guitars, but its not for me. Old technology. Tone wise Adamas I am sure is very good.

I'll be blunt; I have never liked the sound of Ovation or even Adamas 6-strings very much, but somehow the 12-string is another story for me. It just seems to work, tone-wise, and I love the neck. (Not so in love with the weight and electronics, although I get a nice tone out of it with a Fishman Aura, and of course I still have to worry about temp/humidity.) So, although I'm quite fond of my Adamas 12, I think if I can ever afford it, I'll replace it with an Emerald X20-OS 12-string to match my 6.

I agree with Steve (Doubleneck) when he says that "the carbon fiber guitar makers have left Ovation behind", but I would go even farther and say that they've left Adamas behind too.

So, nosajwp, to answer your question directly, for me, yes, the Emerald is in another class altogether, tone-wise. It's loud, full, clear, musical. I've played it for some folks with *very* discerning ears, including a top recording engineer who specializes in acoustic music, and all of them have praised the tone, comfortable design, and build quality. Nobody has griped about it not sounding like wood. Maybe they just didn't want to hurt my feelings, but that wouldn't explain why it was so hard to get them to stop playing and give it back! (Note: these folks and I are all primarily fingerstyle players, but I've worked it over with a pick too, and, while it doesn't sound like a dread, I'm happy with it for pick duty also.)

I will have the Emerald X20 OS Thursday for a week. Steve

Perhaps your next purchase????!!!!

Doubt that, mainly want to compare with my a doubleneck.