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Old 07-06-2022, 10:30 AM
Jon S. Jon S. is offline
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Default Considering Emerald Virtuo - veneer top or not?

Two questions:

1. Does veneer top versus none impact the guitar's projection or tone?

2. One of the great benefits of an all (or mostly all) carbon fiber guitar is its overall stability in extreme temperature and humidity variations. How would adding a veneer top to a Virtuo impact this?

Thanks.
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Old 07-06-2022, 11:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
Two questions:

1. Does veneer top versus none impact the guitar's projection or tone?

2. One of the great benefits of an all (or mostly all) carbon fiber guitar is its overall stability in extreme temperature and humidity variations. How would adding a veneer top to a Virtuo impact this?

Thanks.
1. Probably not because it's so thin.

2. No Effect on the guitar's stability under varying conditions because the veneer is sealed under the polyurethane finish.
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Old 07-06-2022, 11:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
Two questions:

1. Does veneer top versus none impact the guitar's projection or tone?

2. One of the great benefits of an all (or mostly all) carbon fiber guitar is its overall stability in extreme temperature and humidity variations. How would adding a veneer top to a Virtuo impact this?

Thanks.
1. A veneer top doesn't affect the projection or tone of a fully acoustic Emerald, so I'm quite sure it won't with such a heavily electrified Emerald.

2. Again, not even a little bit. The veneer is so thin and so well bonded to the carbon that it's literally NOTHING but decoration. Still get all of the benefits of carbon fiber, but with a prettier looking top...

-Ray
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Old 07-06-2022, 02:48 PM
Jon S. Jon S. is offline
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Thanks for the answers.

I actually am finding myself attracted to the "neo-industrialism" of a pure carbon fiber top with no veneer. In particular, I dig the amber finish on standard twill carbon.
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Old 07-06-2022, 02:57 PM
JackDaniel JackDaniel is offline
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I have a Virtuo with a veneer top and have been thinkin of going to a plain black one.

I did find an amber one on sale for a fantastic price but its in the UK. Almost bought it last week but I realize I really just want a black one.
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Old 07-06-2022, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by JackDaniel View Post
I have a Virtuo with a veneer top and have been thinkin of going to a plain black one.

I did find an amber one on sale for a fantastic price but its in the UK. Almost bought it last week but I realize I really just want a black one.
I’m a practical fellow. While I love the look of the veneers, I cannot bring myself to pay the upcharge for something which is purely cosmetic.

I also really like the look of the carbon fibre, especially the way Emerald finishes and presents it.
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Old 07-06-2022, 04:26 PM
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There was a thread a while back on this with a post on Emeralds Facebook page linked where Alistair discussed this

If I remember correctly he said there was no impact to the tone except in nylon string instruments where there is a slight impact this was due to them being able to adjust the layup for the steel string but not being able to in the nylon string This was two years ago so it may have changed.
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Old 07-06-2022, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
I actually am finding myself attracted to the "neo-industrialism" of a pure carbon fiber top with no veneer.
Besides cutting about 20% off the price (with no affect on anything other than a woody look decoration), a custom build might be completed a bit sooner.

Last edited by redi; 07-07-2022 at 09:00 AM.
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Old 07-07-2022, 04:21 AM
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Besides cutting about 20% off the price (with no affect on anything other than a woody look), a custom build might be completed a bit sooner.
I've ordered the majority of my Emeralds, past and present, with veneer because it's very nice to individualize a guitar that begs for individualization and is done so well by Emerald. Even without the veneer, they've been "custom orders" because I ordered them without a pickup system. I don't do this for reasons of cost but simply because I don't want or need electronics. I really haven't found the two-month wait for a custom Emerald to be such a big deal, and besides you get to see your instrument featured to the world on the weekly Shipping Video...
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Last edited by RP; 07-07-2022 at 11:18 AM.
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Old 07-07-2022, 08:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
Thanks for the answers.

I actually am finding myself attracted to the "neo-industrialism" of a pure carbon fiber top with no veneer. In particular, I dig the amber finish on standard twill carbon.
Me too! I love the look of the top and body carbon fiber weave on my Emerald X20 Transparent Green and the black weave of my RainSong BI-DR1000N2.
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  #11  
Old 07-07-2022, 07:53 PM
DethWshBkr DethWshBkr is offline
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Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
Me too! I love the look of the top and body carbon fiber weave on my Emerald X20 Transparent Green and the black weave of my RainSong BI-DR1000N2.

I love raw carbon, but I do find the Emerald carbon layups boring. Even the back of a veneered one is just bleh.
Still great - don't get me wrong, but just "meh".
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Old 07-08-2022, 05:24 AM
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I love raw carbon, but I do find the Emerald carbon layups boring. Even the back of a veneered one is just bleh.
Still great - don't get me wrong, but just "meh".
Other than emulating Rainsong’s Black Ice (which I think is stunning), what would you like to see them do differently?
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Old 07-08-2022, 08:01 AM
Jim in TC Jim in TC is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
Thanks for the answers.

I actually am finding myself attracted to the "neo-industrialism" of a pure carbon fiber top with no veneer. In particular, I dig the amber finish on standard twill carbon.
I ordered the X7 with amber and could not be more pleased - it looks great!
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Old 07-08-2022, 09:52 AM
DethWshBkr DethWshBkr is offline
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Originally Posted by David Eastwood View Post
Other than emulating Rainsong’s Black Ice (which I think is stunning), what would you like to see them do differently?

Well, they don't have to completely copy RainSong with the patchwork on the BI.
But, the book matched angled carbon on the rear is very nice.
I dont know exactly, but when you have sheets of material with perfect uniformity and defined orientation to it....

I'd probably do something like having 4 different lines converge at the middle and then the Emerald emblem in the middle. How about a round 4" diameter UD carbon patch in the middle (or a 12k weave) with the 3k weave all "lining" to converge in the very center. Then the Emerald emblem in the 4" circle. Kind of like a crest. I dunno. That's just a quick brain dump.
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Old 07-09-2022, 04:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Silberman View Post
Thanks for the answers.

I actually am finding myself attracted to the "neo-industrialism" of a pure carbon fiber top with no veneer. In particular, I dig the amber finish on standard twill carbon.

I like the standard twill carbon look also.
No wood veneer here.
My X7 and X20 are both amber.
My X30 is black, but I purchased used.
I prefer amber.
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