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#1
09-15-2023, 10:43 PM
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Emerald wuestions
Never heard of them before tonight. They are gorgeous. I have a Godin, Keisel, Baden, and some others, but nothing I really like. I’m a smaller guy so a big acoustic is cumbersome to me. I love nylons but they always have tuning issues and don’t sound ‘full’. I want one good acoustic to gig with. Recommendations?
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#2
09-16-2023, 09:21 AM
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Welcome to AGF and the Carbon Fiber forum. There's really nothing like an Emerald. The thing to keep in mind is that the contours that they build into every Emerald instrument are such that one feels comfortable playing what would appear to be a larger instrument. I'd suggest that you use the following threads https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=600568 https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=646425 to find someone close to you who has an X20 and see what you think. Emerald also has an Ambassador program (which I'm going to take credit for thinking up several years ago) on their website https://emeraldguitars.com/ambassador-program/ showing Emerald owners who are willing to share their instruments. Be careful though, Emeralds are like potato chips and it's hard to stop at just one...
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FOR SALE '23 Emerald Amicus w/LR Baggs Element https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...82#post7355782
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#3
09-16-2023, 10:19 AM
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You'll find that their x20 is very comfortable. Feels a looot smaller than it is because of their design.
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#4
09-16-2023, 10:49 AM
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Quote:
 Tony
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“The guitar is a wonderful thing which is understood by few.” — Franz Schubert "Alexa, where's my stuff?" - Anxiously waiting...
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#5
09-17-2023, 01:36 PM
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If I had to pick a smaller Emerald nylon, an X10 thin body would probably top my list (at least for today).
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------------------------------- Emerald Green Wing, Multi Scale Length X10 Emerald Ruby Cross, Multi Scale Length X30 Breedlove Blond Jumbo Yamaha Silent Steel String
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#6
09-18-2023, 09:22 AM
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RP's suggestion to see if there is an Emerald owner near you is a good one.
I gravitate toward smaller guitars, mostly for comfort. My X-20, even though it's the size of an OM, feels much smaller than any other OM I've owned or played. It's hard to overstate how much of a difference the curves, bevels and generally organic shapes that Emerald uses matter.
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#7
09-18-2023, 10:06 AM
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Quote:
I have never played one so nothing to compare it to.
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Emerald X10 Woody Journey OF660 McPherson Sable
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#8
09-18-2023, 10:34 AM
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Quote:
For the OP, I’m 5’9”, around 190lbs, and the X20 is simply the most comfortable acoustic guitar I’ve ever played. My little Martin 0-16NY feels almost lumpy by comparison.
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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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#9
09-18-2023, 10:36 AM
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Emerald publishes the specs, if you look at them you’ll immediately see the X20 has the dimensions of a deep-bodied OM. Lower bought and length of an OM, depth of a dreadnaught.
Ergonomically, with all of the curves and bevels, the X20 feels smaller than a standard OM (even with the deeper body). But acoustically, it’s not crazy to compare it to a dread. It’s got a very dread-like tone and volume. So Emerald has chosen to market the X20 as comparable to a dread. Dreads are the biggest selling body size so I can understand that motivation. I suspect that the acoustic properties of the X20 are enabled by some of the design choices that are enabled by carbon. The offset soundhole is an obvious feature. Less obvious is that the top of the soundboard on an X20 is concave, not convex. Other than the Emeralds, I have never seen another flat-top guitar with a concave top. The concave top allows the distance between the top and the saddle to be a little bit higher than standard (which in turn potentially allows a little more force pushing the saddle into the soundboard than the standard convex design). There are likely other contributing design choices. One person’s opinion — there is a gap in the Emerald product line-up. They have the OM-sized X20 with a 15” lower bought, and then the jumbo-sized X30 with a 17” lower bought. I think they ought to do an “X25” with a 16” lower bought. So, same physical size as a dread, but potentially even bigger tone and volume. But the product development for carbon is expensive so I can understand why they have held off on this. I’m holding out hope for an X25 someday. In the meantime, I very much enjoy my X20.
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#10
09-19-2023, 08:51 AM
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Here is a comparison of the X-20 to a Martin OM, side by side, and overlayed. They are very nearly the same size. BlueStarfish is right in that the X-20 has about the depth of a dread. But I've never noticed it. The curves, bevels and the way they slant the sides makes it feel smaller than it actually is.
e.jpg Quote:
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#11
09-19-2023, 10:22 AM
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Great photo comparison, Kevin. They describe X20 as a dreadnought, but it feels more like a 000 or OM with those bevels. As a general rule, any Emerald feels about one size smaller than its outline suggests. The X30 jumbo feels more like a deep dreadnought to me and is a real armful. X20 feels really comfy and nice. Going smaller would be the latest version of the X7, which is about 85% of the X20 size (just picking a number, didn't do the math).
Back to the OP I have owned five Emeralds, but have never played a nylon string Emerald or seen on in person.
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