Is this common on an emerald x20?

[twg1996]

Hi, there seems to be some bits of air in the finish... Is this normal?

20170718_125443 by Juhan Song, on Flickr

20170718_125450 by Juhan Song, on Flickr

[Acousticado]

Hmmm...Emerald has a longstanding reputation for attention to detail and high quality finishes, so I would say it's not normal.

[jonfields45]

I've seen this before on gloss CF finishes though my current RainSong does not show any (but it does show the finish following the tiny contours of the CF fabric). I don't think CF guitars are finished with a filler like wood since the epoxy in-theory is going to perfectly fill all the gaps, but it doesn't. Either the finish is going to accumulate in, bridge over, or follow the CF fabric's contours. My RainSong looks (to me) like what I expect for thin nitro on wood.

[Earl49]

It seems like all the "air pockets" occur on the edges of the CF warp and woof. So it is possible that some air bled through from the unsealed (?) back side while the surface clear coat was curing. Sean from Emerald will likely see and comment on this soon. My opinion is that it is only cosmetic and not a structural issue at all. How old is this guitar?

[twg1996]

Originally Posted by Earl49

It seems like all the "air pockets" occur on the edges of the CF warp and woof. So it is possible that some air bled through from the unsealed (?) back side while the surface clear coat was curing. Sean from Emerald will likely see and comment on this soon. My opinion is that it is only cosmetic and not a structural issue at all. How old is this guitar?

It arrived around a week ago

[jdinco]

Contact Sean....I'm sure Emerald will support you and answer any questions. To answer your question though, I don't see any of those on my X20.

Maybe Alistair is working toward one of those elusive see-through guitars? I do not have any such clarity in my X10.

[twg1996]

I've contacted emerald... Thanks for the help everyone. I'll keep you posted on what happens

Maybe a new weight saving technology?
Seriously though, I'm sure Emerald will see you ok.

[twg1996]

Originally Posted by xtjohn

Maybe a new weight saving technology?
Seriously though, I'm sure Emerald will see you ok.

Hahaha good one

and it may not be a problem

[Frettingflyer]

I have not figured out how to post photo's yet, but I have 2 very tiny spots where the fretboard meets the body that I didn't notice for a couple weeks. Emerald said it wasn't structural and should never cause any problem but I could send it back if I wanted. I didn't think it was worth going back to Ireland over but it isn't very noticeable on mine.

[Strumalot]

I just checked out my X10N and I have the same separation issues. And it is rather extensive. I am not sure if the guitar came this way or it developed over time, but I first noticed it when I changed strings about a month ago.

I will be curious to learn what Emerald has to say.

The guitar still works OK, but this would likely hurt the resale value.

[Alistair Hay]

Due to the way we mould our guitars there can be some tiny air pockets trapped in the carbon weave. As the resin flows through the carbon laminate you can get little air bubbles that form in the intersection between the warp and weft of the fibres. Its a common difficulty in carbon production. These air bubbles dont effect the structure and we do everything possible to minimise them for cosmetic purposes.
Its not something to worry about from a structural standpoint but if anyone has further concerns about this then please do get in touch.
Alistair

[twg1996]

As long as it is not a long term problem and no more will occur and spread further I am fine... Is the amount of air I have more than normal or is this the norm?