X7, 10, or 20 for a fingerstyle oriented guitar

Emile640 · #1 09-23-2023, 06:41 AM

Hi all,

I'm digging my Rainsong but would like an even shorter scale than 24.9 and a wider 46mm nut instead of 44. That brings me to Emeralds offering that kind of customization. I'm wondering which model folks would recommend most for fingerstyle playing, the X7, X10, or X20?

Thanks

mountainmaster · #2 09-23-2023, 07:41 AM

Which scale length? 24 or 24.5 inch?

The X20 and X10 are not offered with scale lengths shorter than 24.5.

Personally I would not pick a scale length that short for a large body guitar such as the X20 for fear of volume loss.
Although I have no experience with short scale X20 guitars I do have a full scale X20 Nylon which has a rather low volume. A bit too low to my ears and I blame the lower tension of the nylon strings for it.
Since reducing the scale length also results in a lower tension it may have a similar negative effect on the volume. But then again I could be totally wrong about this.

The X10 and X7 are about the same in body size. If you prefer a 24.5 inch scale length I don't think it matters which one you pick. The X10 will be scaled down, while the X7 will be scaled up.

The X7 is the only one that comes with 24 inch which is the standard scale length. So if you prefer that option it will save you the price of one customization.

Emile640 · #3 09-23-2023, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the insight. I’m going with 24.5” (623mm) scale. I’d definitely use higher tension strings on it for sure so there shouldn’t be any perceived volume loss. Probably the x10 or x20 then….

121 · #4 09-23-2023, 08:41 AM

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Aspiring · #5 09-23-2023, 08:42 AM

I have a custom x20 with a wider neck (46mm) but stock scale. I love it for fingerstyle. I have played an x7 which is also nice but for me the tone and volume of the 20 wins.

I have played my X20 back to back with KevinH who has a stock 44 width x20. The 2mm nut width difference was very noticeable to both of us while playing.

dgaemc2 · #6 09-23-2023, 09:31 AM

My vote for fingerstyle goes to X20.

It's larger body (while still comfortable) is louder acoustically. I selected the Ghost Piezo + K&K and I highly recommend this system for all playing styles. It allows you to blend cut and warmth easily and sounds great.

The X10 is also a great guitar (and a bit smaller than X20) but neck profile is slightly slimmer and flatter to have a closer feel to an electric guitar. But, I can easily play fingerstyle on it too and it sounds great.

The X7 is a much smaller guitar and is noticeably quieter than X10 & X20 when played acoustically. It's also a 12 fret guitar which I find to sound warmer and doesn't offer as much cut when playing fingerstyle.

raysachs · #7 09-23-2023, 09:40 AM

The one warning I’d give you regarding the X7 is the location of the bridge on the body. It’s scale length is achieved largely by locating the bridge quite far toward the end pin end of the guitar. If you fingerpick with your hand floating over the strings, you should be fine. BUT, if you like to have your right hand on or near the bridge for palm muting and/or anchoring, the bridge is soooo far to the right, toward the end of the guitar, that it’s a really unnatural reach to get your right hand back toward the bridge.

I had an X7 when I was first getting into blues fingerpicking - I like to rest my right palm on the bridge for both anchoring and palm muting and I found the X7 really uncomfortable for that type of playing and ultimately sold it. And if you’re going for a longer than standard scale length, they achieve that by moving the bridge even farther back - they don’t make the neck longer - they shift the bridge even farther back in the top. The neck on the X7 is quite short - I found it pretty crowded to hold my left arm in that tight to my body. Every adjustment to scale is don’t by moving the bridge back on the body and then adjusting the fret locations to compensate.

This may not be a problem for you, but you should be aware of it.

-Ray

Captain Jim · #8 09-23-2023, 10:21 AM

For another perspective: I appreciate where the bridge is located on the X7 - right in the widest part of the lower bout.

Back when I was considering a Taylor 522 (years ago), they offered a 12-fret and a 14-fret model. The 12-fret had the same scale, with the bridge moved deeper into the lower bout. Even Bob Taylor said (in an interview) that the 12-fret had a warmer, richer sound than the 14-fret, due to the bridge being in the "sweet spot" in the lower bout. Maybe this is part of why the X7 sounds so good for a smaller guitar? I like the tone and find the previous gen X7 is still the most comfortable acoustic guitar I own.

It makes me wonder if the tone on the X20 (which is already very nice to my ears) might be even better if the bridge was moved deeper into the lower bout?

Just musing about music stuff.

dgaemc2 · #9 09-24-2023, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emile640

Hi all,

I'm digging my Rainsong but would like an even shorter scale than 24.9 and a wider 46mm nut instead of 44. That brings me to Emeralds offering that kind of customization. I'm wondering which model folks would recommend most for fingerstyle playing, the X7, X10, or X20?

Thanks

Here's a good demo that might be helpful to you? Check out 4:00 mark for fingerstyle comparison between Emerald models. Check out the full demo for various playing style comparisons. This demo is a miked acoustic comparison.

https://youtu.be/zOC3qsL7S9A?t=239

raysachs · #10 09-24-2023, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

For another perspective: I appreciate where the bridge is located on the X7 - right in the widest part of the lower bout.

Back when I was considering a Taylor 522 (years ago), they offered a 12-fret and a 14-fret model. The 12-fret had the same scale, with the bridge moved deeper into the lower bout. Even Bob Taylor said (in an interview) that the 12-fret had a warmer, richer sound than the 14-fret, due to the bridge being in the "sweet spot" in the lower bout. Maybe this is part of why the X7 sounds so good for a smaller guitar? I like the tone and find the previous gen X7 is still the most comfortable acoustic guitar I own.

It makes me wonder if the tone on the X20 (which is already very nice to my ears) might be even better if the bridge was moved deeper into the lower bout?

Just musing about music stuff.

Jim, I also really liked the sound of the X7 a lot - more than the X20 or X30 I’ve spent time with. From the player’s perspective I like the latest generation more than the previous gen, because of the sound hole orientation, but recorded out front, there’s practically no difference. And I don’t doubt the bridge location has something to do with that. My comment was just about the difficulty with using a bridge in that location IF you like to have your palm in close proximity to the bridge for any combination of palm muting and/or anchoring. Which may apply to the OP, who was talking specifically about finger style playing. I loved the X7 for strumming and using a flat pick, but for finger style, I found the bridge location to be a problem…

-Ray