Considering a Custom Emerald

[Goodallboy]

I'd like some thoughts on what I'm considering.

First, some background. I've recently entered the CF club with an amazing Emerald X30 (K&K Mini) that has prompted me to consign my custom McCollum Braz/Spruce GA to Dream Guitars.

I have interest in an X10, Level 2. However, on a recent shipping video I saw a custom X30 with the Krivo and Piezo. This has me rethinking the X10 route.

Does anyone have experience with those pickups in the X30? That monster of a guitar with electronics, is quite intriguing.

Your thoughts before I speak to Emerald?

[Captain Jim]

Interesting choices. You know you like the X30. The X10 feels significantly smaller than my X20; I kinda enjoy the 1 11/16" nut width for that "electric feel." Just surmising, but I think the Krivo on the top and the individual saddles/piezos do affect the acoustic volume on my X10.

Just me, but I enjoy the variety. Just because we were running out of wall space in my music room, my wife suggested putting the X7 in the motorhome (which we store inland about 40 miles). I did... because I didn't want to have the "you are running out of room" discussion. I missed the X7, though, and brought it back home when we went out to the motorhome to dump water from the fresh tank, water heater, and lines with this recent winter event. All that in mind, I'd go for the X10 level 2... your mileage may vary.

Good luck with the decisions.

[mikealpine]

You got your X30 without a pickup? I am not familiar with the pickups you mention, but I thought they offered LR Baggs options. Would you add the pickups to your current guitar, or order another X30?

[RP]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Would you add the pickups to your current guitar, or order another X30?

I was wondering the same. I've never played an X10 but imagine that it's quite a different instrument from the X30. Are you ordering primarily for the pickups?

[martingitdave]

I've never had much success over these last few guitar buying years thinking: "well if I liked this, I'm gonna LOVE that!" Invariably, it's never worked out in real life like it did on paper. I think instruments (even carbon fiber) are different enough that you have to play them to make any sorts of conclusions about 1. their tone and 2. if you will actually like the resulting tone. Some people really get lucky this way. So far, I've only been unlucky guessing.

Of course, my buying and selling should be a lesson for anyone else about being happy with what you have because the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

Lastly, with response to pickups, the Anthem system will change the tone of your guitar. How much? Depends. Will you like it? Depends. I haven't liked any guitar acoustically as much after I have installed an Anthem system. Some others disagree.

[Goodallboy]

Wow, I must not have been clear, at all.

I have an X30 that was purchased used, that came from the factory a few years ago with a K&K Mini.

I had been looking into a custom X10 Level 2, until I saw an X30 being shipped with the same pickup system.

I love the X30 so much that I could only imagine how that guitar would sound with the Krivo and Piezo, offered most often on the X10.

I was curious of anyone had thought of that guitar (X30) and those pickups vs the X10 option.

Sorry that wasn't clear.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

Wow, I must not have been clear, at all.

I have an X30 that was purchased used, that came from the factory a few years ago with a K&K Mini.

I had been looking into a custom X10 Level 2, until I saw an X30 being shipped with the same pickup system.

I love the X30 so much that I could only imagine how that guitar would sound with the Krivo and Piezo, offered most often on the X10.

I was curious of anyone had thought of that guitar (X30) and those pickups vs the X10 option.

Sorry that wasn't clear.

Indeed, I misunderstood. :-)