Recently added carbon to our arsenal

[outwestbound]

Greetings. On 10/16/20, we posted a thread "Advice on carbon fiber full vs hybrid" and learned a lot from that. Thanks to all who took their time to PM me and/or comments.

We knew nothing about carbon then. Our initial goal was to identify carbon travel guitar candidates for a trip, which we did. But since there is no legitimate reason NOT to buy another guitar, we began thinking that we'd like to get out of the "climate control" business, as we travel full-time in our RV.

We're now thinking we'd like to replace our wooden Martin OOO21 custom shop and Taylor 512 12-fret with more "full size" carbon models. We are both under 5'4" and with small hands, which preclude nearly all offerings by Blackbird, Rainsong, etc. I think we'd be ok with the Savoy, but our perceived lack of its ergonomics and two-piece eKoa construction didn't grab us. We're leaning towards Emerald for a custom build.

We bought a used Journey OF660 for a travel guitar.

We bought a used August 2019 custom X7 with in royal ebony/black.

This color isn't something we'd typically buy, since we're cocobolo/amber type folks, but this X7 gives us a basis to work from in determining specs for a custom. If we do a custom Emerald, we'd either (option 1) use the X10 body and reduce the neck to a 24" scale, 12-fret, OR, (option 2) put the X10 neck/headstock, at 24" scale, 12-fret, onto the X7 body. If we use the X10 body option 1, we'd eliminate all electronics and use the X7 bridge spec.

Given our small player body sizes, we view either the X7 or X10 as full sized instruments and accept either size. Even by Alistair's measurement and as noted in this forum, the X7 is demonstrably louder, but we suspect (simply guess) that our specification for the X10 may be louder. Because, there would be less fret board surface area on the sound board and no humbucker plus an acoustic bridge/saddle. Also, the 24" scale may set the bridge back a little on the lower bout. Due to the way Emerald categorizes a "modification" for pricing, modifying the X10 "may" be more cost effective.

Here are the new additions.
Journey OF660 (with pickguard)
Emerald 2019 X7 Royal Ebony/Black (named "The Raven")
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qcoT1sHHh4ved9wE7

Again, thanks for all the help folks!

Outwest;

Nice start and nice procrastinations. I assume you're good with the standard nut width?? The 7 and 10 are not that far apart, size-wise. Maybe you should order one of each?

[RP]

"We" ??????

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by outwestbound

We're leaning towards Emerald for a custom build.

In your earlier thread on the subject, you were concerned about displaying a valuable instrument in some of the circumstances you might find yourself in while traveling - if I recall correctly, $1500 was your upper limit.

Has your thinking changed on that aspect - especially as there's no standard new Emerald in the vicinity of that number, let alone anything custom?

[mot]

Originally Posted by RP

"We" ??????

Don't ask. It's a royalty thing.

[outwestbound]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

In your earlier thread on the subject, you were concerned about displaying a valuable instrument in some of the circumstances you might find yourself in while traveling - if I recall correctly, $1500 was your upper limit.

Has your thinking changed on that aspect - especially as there's no standard new Emerald in the vicinity of that number, let alone anything custom?

Good point. Yes, we changed our initial plan based on what we learned about carbon. We settled on the Journey OF660 carbon travel guitar for the next overland trip and got one used off Reverb for $850. We also decided to replace our 2 "full size" wood guitars with a single "full size" carbon; probably a custom Emerald. The Emerald would not leave North America. We consider the X7 or X10 body size "full size", although I realize they are parlor sized.

Chloe estimated about $2,700 + shipping for what we want custom (no wood veneer).

We'll sell our Martin OOO21 and Taylor 512 at some point. Also, it's likely we'll sell this black Emerald X7 we just bought when the custom arrives. This will get the acoustics down to just the OF660 and the custom Emerald. This is a good solution, since traveling full-time in vehicles makes maintaining the wood guitars onerous.

Sounds like a plan. Good on you! A lot of decision-making and a great deal of anticipation. Enjoy.