#91
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Earl, it’s too bad we don’t live closer. My X20 was from the first run of the new design with the pinless bridge, in the same finish as yours, and has a nice balanced sound with EJ16s. It’s very similar to my RainSong with a little more base, and not harsh at all. I prefer a shorter scale length, and have an X20 on order with a 24.875" neck. When it arrives I can A/B it with the 25 1/2" version I already have, and let you know if it’s more harsh sounding.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#92
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Earl -- I feel for you! I also have an older X20 (2013) and it's fantastic. It's disappointing and baffling to see that Emerald hasn't taken better care of you on this, especially given that you're an established return customer and Emerald's customer service has been heralded in the past. I'm sure this goes without saying, but I assume that you've talked with Alistair directly about the issue? I had a problem with an X7 that I ordered and found out quickly that Emerald is lacking an experienced, professional, customer-focused front end, but once I dealt with Alistair all was taken care of quickly. If I was Alistair and read that a customer like you was done with Emerald, I'd be working pretty hard to make things right. I've been a big Emerald fan over the years, but based on your experience I'd definitely be wary of ordering a custom in the future.
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#93
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My first short scale guitar was a RainSong Shorty. While I no longer have it, that guitar taught me what I previously did not know; I have a preference for shorter and/or 12 fret guitars and my last to purchases stay true to that preference.
I've mentioned on this forum multiple times that I've been dreaming of a short-scale X20. Not only this, I think that Emerald would actually even benefit from having a stock option for both of their largest guitars that are short scale. I also read on here all the time how much AGF'ers love short scale guitars, wood or CF so I don't believe my preferences are necessarily in the minority. I would be curious the tonal qualities of a short scale X20, where the bridge was also relocated to the center of the lower bout much like the X7 or any of the 12 fret RainSongs. If such a guitar was A/B'd with an X20 where only the neck was shortened (like in the case of Earl's X20 in this review) would we hear a clear tonal difference? I suspect the answer would be yes but I don't want to fund the research and development. I just think Emerald should "build it and they will come". |
#94
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Earl, did you try the Plectrums? On my older X-20 (2017 vintage), they are very balanced but not very loud but since I don’t play out, it’s not a big concern.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#95
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Quote:
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The scale length on Earl’s guitar is 24.6”, another .275” shorter than mine. One thing I’ve noticed, is that with offset sound hole, there isn’t the same visual reference as my with other acoustics for strumming. Also, only 1/8” of the 5/8” difference between my new and stock X20 is at the neck/body joint. The other 1/2” is from a shift in the bridge position. From Steelvibe's post, it sounds like all of the 0.9” difference in Earl’s X20 is where the neck meets the body.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#96
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#97
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Hi Earl,
Wondering where things stand with your X20....did you decide to ship it back to Emerald?
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2014 Emerald X10 Quilted Maple 2016 Journey OF660 2020 McPherson Sable Gold EVO Honeycomb |
#98
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Earl’s X20 has a 24.6” scale, 0.9” shorter than a standard X20, compared to the 0.625” difference from the stock 25 1/2” length on mine. And from the info on this thread, it sounds like the 0.9” difference occurs where the body meets the neck, with no shift in the bridge position. Both of my X20s have a similar sound quality like my RainSong. Strung with PB J16s they are clear and warm, with a nice full bass. My youngest son is an excellent guitarist, and he really likes how the X20s sound. His main acoustic is the Martin SW00-DB Machiche in my signature, so he has a good base for comparison. This is pure speculation, but I wonder if Earl’s new X20's problem sound could be due to taking all of the scale length difference from where the neck meets the body, with no shift in bridge position. It’s also possible that there is something else happening with that specific guitar.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#99
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I have already written it everywhere and I am sorry to repeat it for those who have already read: I am waiting for an x20 with 24 "scale length and 12 frets. In theory the bridge will have to be moved considerably. Surely we will be able to resume this exchange of ideas when my x20 will be here (I will post some photos for comparison), awaiting Earl's opinion, if he deems it appropriate to tell us more about the position of the bridge on its x20 short scale. |
#100
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |
#101
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I think it was me. I asked him but he just answered a short "yes" with no further details. When I understand that he is very busy I don't insist for not becoming annoying
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#102
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I understand about Kevin being busy. Maybe an email would give him more time to respond without pressure.
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1950 Martin 00-18 RainSong Concert Hybrid Orchestra Model 12 Fret Eastman E20OOSS. Strandberg Boden Original 6 Eastman T185MX G&L ASAT Classic USA Butterscotch Blonde Rickenbacher Lap Steel Voyage-Air VAD-2 Martin SW00-DB Machiche 1968 Guild F-112 Taylor 322e 12 Fret V Class |