Emerald x20 12 strings

[lumena]

I am a happy owner of an Emerald x20 artisan. I am in fact so happy that I am considering selling my wood 12 string and just playing carbon fiber all the time. My question has to do with how the x20-12 performs with regard to balance and lowered tunings.
I am curious about whether or not the neck is heavier than the body as is often the case with 12 strings and I would prefer if that was not the case.
I would also like to know if anyone is currently using an Emerald 12 for C# tuning like Leo Kottke etc. Stories and/or clips would be fantastic.

[LesRose]

Originally Posted by lumena

I am a happy owner of an Emerald x20 artisan. I am in fact so happy that I am considering selling my wood 12 string and just playing carbon fiber all the time. My question has to do with how the x20-12 performs with regard to balance and lowered tunings.
I am curious about whether or not the neck is heavier than the body as is often the case with 12 strings and I would prefer if that was not the case.
I would also like to know if anyone is currently using an Emerald 12 for C# tuning like Leo Kottke etc. Stories and/or clips would be fantastic.

Lumena, I recently became an Artisan X20-12 owner and Will try to respond to your concerns. All of my guitars are 12's. This one is a doozy!
Her neck is sleek, supporting the headstock nicely. There is no pull or dive, it is an elegant feeling that befits the look of the instrument. The straight strings and slender styling of the headstock keep it regally ʻchin upʻ.
My husband has an X20 Opus, yes we have compared them.

My 12 is Perfectly balanced in all respects - sight, sound and poundage, I hold a beautiful guitar.

There is something that defies description, but if I had to go back to only having one - she would be it.
Have tried no other tunings yet, but see no reason why it should not be excellent. I dabble in G and will be heading to open C (Attaʻs C) soon.
I have nothing but the ultimate respect for the instrument and the sound of the music is incredible. I listened to the clips over and over, and over and over.

I wrote a post about it http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=427443

[lumena]

thanks LesRose,

I have had a similar experience with my x20 artisan. I actually like it better than either of my Martin guitars. I think there is something about the sound of carbon fiber that really hits a certain resonance with how I imagine what my sound is.
Thanks for your sincere reply.
L>

[LesRose]

Lumena, I also have Martins and despite my long time claim as a 'Martin gal'. There is really something to this X20-12 that is fuller and deeper, yet not a muddy note to be found.

[Alistair Hay]

I haven't been on the forum for a few weeks but thought i would pop in and say hello on a fine sunny Saturday morning.
This is a very encouraging thread. Its great to hear about musicians bonding so much with our guitars.
The X20 12 string is one of my favourite creations. Its always hard to predict what a new design will sound like but the instant I heard the first X20 12 string I knew it was special. Your not supposed to favour your children but I can't help it.
The X20 12 will work fine in c#tuning but if thats going to be your main tuning then let us know at the time of order and we can adjust the intonation to suit it better.
Have a great weekend
Alistair

[skateborg23]

Yesterday I received an essentially unplayed mint condition 2019 Emerald X20-12 Artisan Black that I purchased from the original owner. This is my second Emerald guitar. (I purchased a new X7 QM-G from Emerald earlier this year.) This X20-12 sounds amazing. I've tried several different tunings, and it seems well suited to DADGAD as well as open C with a capo on the 4th fret. So much range!

Question: What brand and guage strings does Emerald ship on new X20-12 Artisan guitars?

[guitarwebguy]

Ah ... great thoughts .... my custom x20-12 (got it back in October) came with D’Addario EJ37’s and I love this guitar, so much so that my Breedlove Masterclass 12 is for sale ....

[skateborg23]

I asked Chloe Tinney, Sales Exec @ Emerald Guitars, which strings they ship on new X20-12 Artisan guitars. Her reply was:
D'Addario EXP36 80/20 Bronze .010 - .047 are the standard strings we put on our factory set up X20-12's.

I've used D'Addario 80/20 strings in the past and found that they oxidize rather quickly, in just a couple of weeks. I happened to have a 12-string set of Elixir Phosphor Bronze Light .010 - .047 in my box of new strings, so those went on my X20-12 last night. The Elixir PB Lights sound really good to my tinnitus-y ears.

Loves my Emerald X20-12!

[RP]

Originally Posted by skateborg23

...Loves my Emerald X20-12!

I'm glad to hear that, Kevin....

I played one of the first double necks at the second Carbon Fest in Park City--a 6/12. I've dabbled with 12s and found them uncomfortable and a pain to keep tuned. The 12 part of the double amazed me. It, along with the 6, was light weight, comfortable, stayed tuned, and was incredibly easy to play. The Emerald 12, like most Emeralds, is remarkable.

[tcb37]

I’ve been going back and forth between getting a Chimaera or the X-20-12. One of my concerns with the double neck is the different arm/elbow angle between the six and twelve. I’m kinda leaning towards the X-20 for that reason.

tcb;

My thinking, also.

[tcb37]

There’s a used Chimaera on Reverb now that I was looking at but I think I’ll wait for the right 12 string.

Not much left in the world at large, but in the CF world it's good to be patient. Good luck in your hunt.

[Song]

Originally Posted by skateborg23

I Loves my Emerald X20-12!

cONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW GUITAR! ooopppsss

I don't see a pic!