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#1
09-17-2023, 12:43 PM
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In appreciation of the Amicus
I’ve had this guitar for years now. Even though it’s designed to be tuned to D I kept in tuned down to B as I bought this instrument to give me a unique sound. The guitar handled being tuned down so low that I never gave it a second thought. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, I watched a video of someone playing a similar guitar in it’s regular tuning and I thought, “wow, that sounds great! Why doesn’t mine sound like that?” 😁
So I tuned it back up to D. When I’m just sitting around and want to strum and sing, the whole step down (from E) makes it easier for me to sing while the Amicus’ higher tones sound wonderful. This is now my favorite strum/sing guitar. Thanks Emerald for making such a unique instrument! It’s also a lot of fun doing acoustic sing-alongs as my friends are getting older as well and our voices don’t go as high. Does anyone have string recommendations to make the Amicus a little easier to play? I think they came stock with 9-42. 
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#2
09-17-2023, 01:19 PM
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I’ve had my Amicus for about two years.
When I got mine, it felt a little stiff, so I, too, downtuned - first to C, and then to B. After a while, though, I felt as if I was rather missing the point, so I went back up to D - and, all of a sudden, the sparkle came back. It’s obviously the sweet spot, and the tuning it’s optimized for. I had St Paul Guitar Repair lower the nut slots a tad, which drastically helped the playability. Then after trying different strings (including Newtone’s purpose-made set), I settled on the D’Addarios pictured below - cheap as chips, and available just about anywhere. They, too, help the playability, and don’t hurt the tone in the slightest (to my ear, at least). IMG_2951.jpg
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1963 Martin 0-16NY 2021 Emerald Amicus 2023 Emerald X20 Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo
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#3
09-17-2023, 01:55 PM
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These are made for the Amicus...https://newtonestrings.com/shop/emer...v=7516fd43adaa
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FOR SALE '23 Larrivee 000-44 Full Gloss with Sunburst Top https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...14#post7337214
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#4
09-17-2023, 02:13 PM
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Thanks a bunch! I think I’m going to try the set of 8’s as the action looks just right for the way I like to strum. It looks like if the nut goes lower, I’m going to get some buzzing. The saddle might be a good candidate but even a little off of that might be it buzzing.
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#5
09-25-2023, 03:12 PM
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What brand and gauge come on the Amicus when it's shipped? I recently got one during the 25th anniversary sale at 25% off. It won't need new strings for a while, but would like to know what comes on them from Emerald as well as what others are using.
Thanks! Jim
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#6
09-25-2023, 03:53 PM
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Quote:
I do recall seeing a post somewhere about what stock sets they used to come up with these. Turns out it's in Emerald's FAQs: We create a custom set of strings for the Amicus and the easiest way to find these string gauges is to order two sets of Daddario EXP-13 and two single .0085 strings (we use Daddario NY steel) discard the .052 strings from the sets and this will leave you with 12 strings perfectly suited to your Amicus. Yes its a bit complicated but well worth it when you hear the Amicus sing
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1963 Martin 0-16NY 2021 Emerald Amicus 2023 Emerald X20 Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo
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#7
09-27-2023, 08:30 AM
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To make the Amicus a bit easier to play, I have a mix of the stock gauge strings paired with a set of 8-38 gauge. The only problem I had was with the 08 gauge string. The brand I bought tended to snap when bringing it up to tune, so I had to up-gauge the high string. It works great to lessen the tension.
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