Things I've learned about Emerald Guitars...

RP · #1 11-13-2021, 10:01 AM

I just purchased and received my fourth Emerald guitar and wanted to share some things I've learned to benefit prospective buyers. Hopefully, others will chime in with things they've learned.

1. Emerald has an incredible number and array of options. These options tend to be pricey.

2. Paying the extra $100 for "Courier Shipping" is well worth it.

3. Emerald tone has a warm resonant quality.

4. Emerald Customer Service can be very good. I say "can be" because my experience with the couple of times that I needed to work with them they were excellent, but others have written about concerns.

5. It's possible to get hit with Customs Fees upon delivery of your Emerald.

6. Emerald is the only guitar company that includes a hand-made ceramic mug with your purchase.

7. I'd be glad to meet up with anybody who's near Charlottesville, VA and wants to play my Emerald, or my Rainsong for that matter.

8. Emerald quality control is amazing.

9. Emerald guitars are downright gorgeous.

KevinH · #2 11-13-2021, 11:01 AM

I'm new to Emerald, and I'm planning on submitting an order for an X20 next week. Your list nicely captures my first impressions. One thing I would add is that, not only do they have a lot of options, they've done a good job of making them all very accessible so you can get a good visual of what your guitar will look like, through their online Configurator, the library of veneers, the shipping videos, etc.

And they've been very helpful in picking out a veneer. Kevin has been emailing me images of pieces shifted around in various ways.

I do wish there were other ways to vary the scale length, rather than shifted the bridge forward and aft, but there are probably practical reasons for that.

RP · #3 11-13-2021, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinH

I'm new to Emerald, and I'm planning on submitting an order for an X20 next week. Your list nicely captures my first impressions. One thing I would add is that, not only do they have a lot of options, they've done a good job of making them all very accessible so you can get a good visual of what your guitar will look like, through their online Configurator, the library of veneers, the shipping videos, etc.

And they've been very helpful in picking out a veneer. Kevin has been emailing me images of pieces shifted around in various ways.

I do wish there were other ways to vary the scale length, rather than shifted the bridge forward and aft, but there are probably practical reasons for that.

You're absolutely correct, and I don't know how I omitted the newish 3D Builder which makes putting together a custom order a whole lot easier. However, what I really like is that they've made it much easier to choose a piece of raw veneer...

Acousticado · #4 11-13-2021, 11:20 AM

All very true, RP. Nice summary.

RP · #5 11-13-2021, 12:44 PM

10. Emerald's sound hole works wonderfully for us couch guitarists.

11. Whereas most guitar manufacturers hide the best wood grain on the backs of their guitars, Emeralds proudly display their beautiful grains on the front for all to see.

12. Emerald may very well be the most innovative guitar company today.

13. The contours that are built into every Emerald make it one of the most comfortable guitars to play.

14. Factory PLEKing helped make my new X20 the most playable new guitar I've ever purchased.

Captain Jim · #6 11-13-2021, 03:50 PM

On the third Emerald I bought/ordered, I asked that this guitar "gets the same good Irish mojo of the first two." That wasn't listed on the invoice, but that X10 is loaded with it. Apparently, it is like the mug: a delightful lagniappe they don't charge extra for.

redi · #7 11-16-2021, 01:13 PM

15. If you close your eyes, a plain standard Emerald plays, feels, and sounds just as good as a fancy veneered one. It is completely up to you how expensive you want to make it.

RP · #8 11-16-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redi

15. If you close your eyes, a plain standard Emerald plays, feels, and sounds just as good as a fancy veneered one. It is completely up to you how expensive you want to make it.

16. Even the least costly Emerald instruments are speced out very well...

Captain Jim · #9 11-16-2021, 06:16 PM

17. If you open your eyes, an all carbon fiber weave (no veneer) Emerald is also very pretty.

jdrnd · #10 11-16-2021, 07:27 PM

BUT The problem with Emer.. . ouch #*&%., RP Stop elbowing me.

AS I was trying to say

The problem with Emerald is that you can't try them first or play different models at the same sitting to get a feel for their differences.

Few of us know for sure if there are differences between individual instruments in the same model because there is no place where you can get multiple X-30s, or X20s etc live in the same room. We just take other people's word for it that they are all the same.
Maybe some individual instruments sound better than others

RP · #11 11-16-2021, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrnd

BUT The problem with Emer.. . ouch #*&%., RP Stop elbowing me.

AS I was trying to say

The problem with Emerald is that you can't try them first or play different models at the same sitting to get a feel for their differences.

Few of us know for sure if there are differences between individual instruments in the same model because there is no place where you can get multiple X-30s, or X20s etc live in the same room. We just take other people's word for it that they are all the same.
Maybe some individual instruments sound better than others

Of course that's true, but my point was to share things that I've learned and not to restate the obvious, Emerald has no dealers. One could use the same no dealers concern about pretty much any boutique builder. Try finding a shop that has a selection of Rockbridge or Henderson guitars...

jdrnd · #12 11-18-2021, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

...Emerald has no dealers. One could use the same no dealers concern about pretty much any boutique builder. Try finding a shop that has a selection of Rockbridge or Henderson guitars...

That's a good point. I was grouping Emerald with Martin, Gibson, and Taylor and that is way off base. Emerald is over represented at this forum.

David Eastwood · #13 11-18-2021, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrnd

That's a good point. I was grouping Emerald with Martin, Gibson, and Taylor and that is way off base. Emerald is over represented at this forum.

Over-represented?

I’d suggest it’s just a reflection of current interest levels. This is an equal opportunity sub-forum, and no boosting or repression is apparent.

It’s not a competition.

jdrnd · #14 11-18-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

Over-represented?

I’d suggest it’s just a reflection of current interest levels. This is an equal opportunity sub-forum, and no boosting or repression is apparent.

It’s not a competition.

I never said it was?
If AGF was used to determine the most popular guitars in the world, Emerald is over represented.

...at least currently.

steelvibe · #15 11-18-2021, 08:26 PM

Emerald is a fascinating company and their popularity is well deserved in my opinion...and this is coming from someone who has yet to play one. I love how they are taking guitar building into the next generation.

Next thing you know Alistair will be revamping the tops of the next series of Emerald guitars and they will sound better than anything out there.

I dare you to doubt him.