Request for Virtuo owners

wickedwahine · #1 09-23-2023, 06:03 PM

I am contemplating getting a Virtuo and have a question for owners - and favor to ask. I have asked this question previously in the past and got hypothetical answers, but hoping for a more definitive answer.

Can the Virtuo achieve a jazzy, archtop like tone? Every example I see is rock or blues, but I am hoping the neck pickup will let me approximate something close. Yes, I know they make the Kestrel, but that is too large for me to play comfortably.

I have had a Benedetto before (currently selling it). I don’t expect anything close to that sound profile. But I also have a Taylor T5z that I am planning on returning, and it will do in a pinch with fiddling with the knobs on it.

Can anyone with a Virtuo please do me a favor and try turning down the tone using the neck pickup and let me know if you can get anything close to a jazz approximation? I would really greatly appreciate it.

Captain Jim · #2 09-23-2023, 07:40 PM

Hi, Staci. I am a fairly new Virtuo owner (got it during Emerald's 25th Anniversary event). I have had a Taylor T5 for a lot of years, long before they came out with the T5z. I can't say I've tried for a "jazz tone" (there are a lot of jazz players and don't all have the same tone) with any of my guitars. That said, in my limited time with the Virtuo, I find it to be able to produce an amazing array of tones... and that's before trying it with different amps (which also color the tone).

We were out in our motorhome when I got the Virtuo, and have been home for a few days, but... all my music gear (except the Virtuo and X7) is packed away for an upcoming move - the only amp I have that is accessible to me until after we settle in is a small Spark Mini. It has a variety of clean options. I don't know if that is enough to give you a definitive answer, though... as I'm going from memory here regarding the nearly endless array of tones I was able to get with the Virtuo and that little amp.

As an old rock 'n roller, a jazz tone hasn't been on my radar. The T5 has been my favorite electric guitar since I got it. I did have a one year dalliance with an Epiphone solid-body electric with the Fishman Fluence pickups, and it sold me on those pickups... just didn't care for the fretwork on that guitar. I really like the Fishman Fluence on the Virtuo... and the playability of the Virtuo is a delight.

I'm looking forward to getting moved in and getting my music room set up... but that may be November before that happens. If you're still in the consideration stage at that time, I'd be happy to explore it further.

Jim

Markcarl · #3 09-23-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwahine

I am contemplating getting a Virtuo and have a question for owners - and favor to ask. I have asked this question previously in the past and got hypothetical answers, but hoping for a more definitive answer.

Can the Virtuo achieve a jazzy, archtop like tone? Every example I see is rock or blues, but I am hoping the neck pickup will let me approximate something close. Yes, I know they make the Kestrel, but that is too large for me to play comfortably.

I have had a Benedetto before (currently selling it). I don’t expect anything close to that sound profile. But I also have a Taylor T5z that I am planning on returning, and it will do in a pinch with fiddling with the knobs on it.

Can anyone with a Virtuo please do me a favor and try turning down the tone using the neck pickup and let me know if you can get anything close to a jazz approximation? I would really greatly appreciate it.

I’m a recent Virtuo owner and am really happy with it. I played Captain Jim’s Virtuo and really liked it too. I’m not a jazz player. I mostly play fingerstyle acoustic guitar and rock electric guitar. The Virtuo is very flexible tonally. For electrics, I also own a Les Paul, Stratocaster, and several PRS DGT guitars. The Virtuo holds its own when compared to any of those guitars and offers some benefits they don’t have.

The Virtuo has Fishman Fluence pickups which I really like. Eventually I want to put a set of these pickups in the Les Paul. I like the Fishman pickups better than the pickups currently in the Les Paul.

I play a lot with the neck pickup on for clean tones and the Virtuo sounds great this way in both humbucker and single coil mode. When I roll back the tone control the change is noticeable on the Virtuo. It’s a warmer / rounder tone. I notice the same thing with the PRS DGT. The other day I was playing “Rain Song” and “Ten Years Gone” on the neck pickup. I like the tone of the Virtuo a lot.

I’m 59 and have had several back surgeries. I really appreciate how light and ergonomic the Virtuo is - around 5 lbs. I notice I’m more inclined to pick the Virtuo up and play it standing up with a strap. Sometimes I walk around the house playing the guitar. I would never do that with my Les Paul. The Les Paul feels like a boat anchor compared to the Virtuo and hardly ever gets played…

I think the Virtuo can achieve a jazzy tone. But your opinion is really all that matters if you’re considering getting one and you know what you want. I’d be willing to do a FaceTime, Zoom, or phone call and play the guitar and talk about it if you want. I sent a private message with my contact info if you want to do that. Captain Jim let me play his Virtuo guitar before I got mine.

mountainmaster · #4 09-24-2023, 02:33 AM

I don't own one but this is a quote from the Virtuo review in Guitar Player magazine:

Quote:

The Fluence pickups are excellent on the Vintage setting (volume knob down), delivering a wide range of richly textured tones that have a great jazz/archtop vibe on the neck setting and enough fat bright snap from the bridge position to nail a country gig.

dgaemc2 · #5 09-24-2023, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwahine

I am contemplating getting a Virtuo and have a question for owners - and favor to ask. I have asked this question previously in the past and got hypothetical answers, but hoping for a more definitive answer.

Can the Virtuo achieve a jazzy, archtop like tone? Every example I see is rock or blues, but I am hoping the neck pickup will let me approximate something close. Yes, I know they make the Kestrel, but that is too large for me to play comfortably.

I have had a Benedetto before (currently selling it). I don’t expect anything close to that sound profile. But I also have a Taylor T5z that I am planning on returning, and it will do in a pinch with fiddling with the knobs on it.

Can anyone with a Virtuo please do me a favor and try turning down the tone using the neck pickup and let me know if you can get anything close to a jazz approximation? I would really greatly appreciate it.

I am also a happy new owner of a Virtuo who doesn't really go for jazz tones. However, check out the 2:22 mark of this clip to give you some idea? He adjusts switches to be in the neck humbucker mode but also has the boost engaged for that short segment. I believe the link below is saved to 2:22 mode. At the 2:40 mark he adds the Ghost Piezo to the neck PU which brightens things up significantly and ends the "jazzy tone example".

There aren't any demos showcasing warm jazzy tones, but I do think the Virtuo is capable of them since the magnetic Fishman pickups have an effective tone control sweep.

https://youtu.be/WiH7KwV9XOk?t=142

dgaemc2 · #6 09-24-2023, 06:32 AM

OP, here's my attempt at a "jazzy tone" with my Virtuo.

Virtuo plugged straight into my Cali Tweed. Neck PU in HB mode.

Started with boost disengaged.
At 0:40 mark engaged HB boost.
At 1:01 mark I disengaged the boost again.

Recorded in the room sound using a Zoom Q2n recorder.

Clearly, I am not a jazz player but this might give you some idea.

https://soundcloud.com/user-71346540...social_sharing

wickedwahine · #7 09-25-2023, 11:03 AM

Thank you all so much for your replies and links. Dgeamc2 thanks so much for taking the time to do sound samples.

I think I can make it work tonally and just have to make my final decision now taking into account the 25.5” scale (I generally prefer 24.7”). But I really want to thank everyone for their replies in helping me make up my mind.

Markcarl - will respond to your PM thanks.

mountainmaster · #8 09-25-2023, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwahine

I think I can make it work tonally and just have to make my final decision now taking into account the 25.5” scale (I generally prefer 24.7”).

I do not understand why Emerald does not offer alternate scale lengths for the Virtuo. After all, it is based on the X10 slimline which they can make with a 25" or 24.5" scale length (not 24.7" though).

Have you asked Emerald?

Earl49 · #9 09-25-2023, 05:05 PM

For a 25.5" scale neck, capo at the first fret and tune down a half step. That yields an effective scale length of roughly 24.1". I tried that when testing how I might like a 24.6" scale for my custom X20-12, playing my Taylor with capo for about a month. Since Emerald uses hard stainless steel frets, having a capo on semi-permanently won't prematurely wear divots in the frets. All of the side dots will then be off though....

A quick Google search came up with this StewMac fret calculator. It shows the distance from the face of the nut to the center of the first fret at 1.431" and a new scale length of 24.07". https://www.stewmac.com/fret-calculator/

I agree that Emerald would find a ready market for 24.9" or 24.75" versions of their guitars as stock models. After all I'm not the only one with hands that are getting older and liking shorter scales.

DavidE · #10 09-26-2023, 09:23 AM

I don’t play jazz. But my Virtuo arrived 10 minutes ago and I made a video for you. Dont mind the terrible playing. The sound is through a Bose S1.

https://youtu.be/VUBbLEUCVR4?si=bQpoBLFEqZ3H6YTw

Captain Jim · #11 09-26-2023, 10:29 AM

Hi Staci,

I took a minute this morning while I had the Virtuo out to record a clean tone with the Virtuo. My recording gear is all packed away for our upcoming move, so this is just with a very small amp recorded with an iPhone. Hope it gives you some idea of what an old rock 'n roller comes up with for a jazz tone.

Captain Jim · #12 09-26-2023, 10:33 AM

I see while I was posting that clip, David E gave you a preview on his newly arrived Virtuo. Look at all the willing help you get around here!

David E - congrats on the new Virtuo; looks and sounds great!

wickedwahine · #13 09-26-2023, 12:00 PM

You guys are so awesome. That is why I love this forum. David and Jim - thanks so very much.

DavidE · #14 09-26-2023, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidE

I don’t play jazz. But my Virtuo arrived 10 minutes ago and I made a video for you. Dont mind the terrible playing. The sound is through a Bose S1.

https://youtu.be/VUBbLEUCVR4?si=bQpoBLFEqZ3H6YTw

What I thought was single coil was actually the hot humbucker mode. I literally had it 5 minutes before making the video. Lol

David Eastwood · #15 09-26-2023, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwahine

Thank you all so much for your replies and links. Dgeamc2 thanks so much for taking the time to do sound samples.

I think I can make it work tonally and just have to make my final decision now taking into account the 25.5” scale (I generally prefer 24.7”). But I really want to thank everyone for their replies in helping me make up my mind.

Markcarl - will respond to your PM thanks.

Another option, which I don’t think anyone else has mentioned, is an X10 Slimline with the scale length you want, and the Krivo humbucker. Electronically, that’s pretty much the same setup as a Kestrel, which is clearly capable of the tone you’re looking for.

Of course, if you’re looking for the bells and whistles that the Virtuo has to offer, in addition to getting the jazz sound you’re after, the X10 Slimline falls short.

If not, it might be something to consider.