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Originally Posted by steelvibe
Thanks to those who have already responded! Keep them coming if there are others.
I already own an OF660 and will be flying for the first time with it next month and can't really 100% evaluate this guitar until I fly with it. Since I've had it I've only broken it down maybe 5 times as I keep it in a nice gigbag for normal use. I love that you can break it down for flying though- simply hard to beat. I've had it for 9 months and so far I think I really like it.
I ask because I've been lurking Emerald's website lately. I love smallish guitars and that is all I've had for about the last 4 years.However, I'm wavering between an X7 and an X20. I know the X20 is a big guitar and that kind of breaks my small guitar rule, but I've heard it feels smaller than most full sized guitars due to the ergonomic construction. I've already come to appreciate the arm and rib bevels for sure with that feature on the OF660! To say they are wonderful would be an understatement. The X20 also sounds better to my ears (*only what I hear in videos, and I actually prefer the sound of the original X7 based on these same videos-FWIW).
I have a 2 guitar rule that I've been strict with over the years- the only time I ever had three, one was for sale. I've always wanted to at least try an Emerald and, with all the mostly positive reviews here, would consider a purchase.
Having said all that; I have 2 guitars. One is a Martin Dread Jr and the other is the OF660- both "travel" guitars. In order to get an Emerald I would have to sell at least one of those. However, I really like that little OF660 and it has become my go-to, even over the D Jr., so that seems the direction I'm leaning. Problem is I could make almost twice as much selling the OF660 used.
If you already have 2 small guitars and were deciding between an X7 and X20 What would you do?  BTW I would go with a standard model-no woody and no pickup, and no HSC. That would help save me some cash. |
You may have read my write-up already, but I moved over to carbon fiber with an X20 and then bought an old style X7 used as a companion to the X20. That was a great combination, but I found myself always playing the X7 and neglecting the X20. The old X7 didn't sound nearly as good at the player's ear because it doesn't have the offset soundhole (although it sounds quite good recorded with a mic in front of it). So I then bought a new style X7 which I like(d) so much I sold the other two and it's my only acoustic now.
To me, it's a close call but I personally like the sound of the new X7 a bit more than the X20, but I like them both a lot. And I'm quite sure I'm atypical in this preference. But even if it was a toss-up, I find the short scale X7 just a lot more fun to play for almost anything without a capo or with one up to about the 3rd fret. So, for me, it was the X7 over the X20.
But you're right, even though the X20 sounds like a full-size guitar - to me it sounds like a dreadnaught - it doesn't feel like one. The various bevels and tapers and angles make it feel more like an 000 or OM sized guitar. And similarly, the X7 sounds to me like an 000 or OM, but plays more like a parlor.
If I was gonna keep the X7 as a companion to the X20, I'd have probably kept the older one. But I would never have been happy with the older one as an only guitar and I am VERY happy with the new X7 as an only guitar. I guess I'd say if you plan to keep the OF660 and you prefer the sound of the X20 of the X7 based on the videos you've seen/heard, I'd recommend you go for the X20. If you were thinking of keeping just one carbon guitar, though and you'd want it for both traveling and as a main guitar, then I'd say go for the X7.
That said, I've never played an OF660, so I can't offer anything there, but it sounds, based on what you've said, like you should keep that for a travel guitar and have something larger for a primary...
-Ray