Quote:
Originally Posted by ac
When was the T8 last produced? It seems it was several years ago and only produced for a short time, compared with the other models.
I think Emerald has revamped almost all it's current line since that time and has gained a great deal more experience, especially with veneers. In the past, it seems to me there were few veneers produced in comparison with today, but I may be wrong.
That time span between older and the current models, the never-ending improvements in design, together may be a big factor in explaining the differences players are experiencing.
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The T8 Opus was produced in 2013. I love it, so much so that I started looking for another T8. I found another identical Opus T8, same Color and all. But the soundboard of the second one was slightly thick, and I experienced the compressed tone with the second one.
When I saw a lefty Opus T8 was on sale in eBay in 2017, I contacted Emerald, but was told the lefty was sold, and they could build me a brand new T8 Woody Opus (glossy TOP and neck, matte side and back), with Sean promising me that the tone would be same as my 2013 Opus.
So I sold the 2nd T8, and confirmed the deal of the new 2017 Opus Woody.
Mind you I played my first Opus at least two hours every night. So when the Woody arrived, at first strum/pick, the tone was different - I can tell. And I began to look into the details that caused the tonal difference. All saddles heights were adjusted and equalled, same new strings, with reference from family members as audience - the Woody is not as loud and as projected as the Opus. I use a Korg soundhole pitchclip, it can fit easily into the Opus just like any other wooden acoustic guitar, but not on the 2017 Woody.
I am holding on to the two T8s as I wrote this text now. One may think that my expectations for any CF guitar builder is high. The Woody T8 is good, it serves its function, aesthetically and tonally with a flexibility for stage use. But the 2013 Opus is just different. Maybe it’s the “one that slipped out of the builder’s vault”. But the verdict is here - there is a significant difference in soundboard and tonal thickness between the 2013 and 2017 builds, and these are very evident on smaller guitars like the T8.
For those who stand by the fact that there is no difference between a Opus and a Woody Emerald, all I can say is, the Opus could have a soundboard thickness as thick as the Woody one.
On the subject of creating a tone on a brand new guitar similar to the Emerald you already have? I think it is possible, but at the high expense of shipping your existing guitar to Emerald to replicate. It will never be possible with a promise over the phone/email. Again, these guitars are created from hand, therefore uniformity and consistency is never a given.