NGD - X20 Pao Ferro, short scale

[futboljim]

Hi all

As we all saw in the shipping video, my Emerald also shipped the end of May, and arrived to me on Friday. My darn life was a little busy the last few days, but I was able to carve out a little time with my new baby - WOW, very happy!

The guitar sounds wonderful, plays very well, and is just so darn comfortable to play. The veneer looks fantastic, although I will say I was expecting more of a contrast between the heartwood and sapwood based upon the unfinished image. Not a complaint; rather, an observation.

I read with interest the thread about Rainsong and Emerald necks. I happen to like both. I prefer the more full N2 neck, but also prefer the wider string spacing and more width up the neck on the Emerald. Different strokes, as they say. I think the perfect neck for me would be a combination of the two.

Anyway, back to the X20. It shipped with what looks like 80-20s, non coated. I'm such a hack that I prefer coated strings for string noise as well as useful life. That said, I enjoy the sound as it sits today - good strings for this guitar. Pretty sure that it will have Elixir PBs on it by tomorrow morning, and I will offer a report on those, too.

I'm at work now, so I don't have too much time to continue writing. However, I did snap some shots, and recorded three comparison videos before I left the house today. I will be interested in doing this comparison again, when I change strings on the X20. (btw, the APLE has a new set of coated DA lights on it in the video.)

Please excuse the mistakes, and the singing! Other than that, I hope this comparison is useful to some. I will do another after I change strings on the X20.

https://youtu.be/nOpslNr_99M

https://youtu.be/JZFwSjxzrog

https://youtu.be/vGIzixAX2pI

[RP]

Many congrats, Jim. That's beautiful....

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by RP

Many congrats, Jim. That's beautiful....

Thanks, Randy!

[Captain Jim]

Lovely! Thanks for sharing the videos. Both guitars sound nice, and I enjoyed your playing (and singing). Congrats on your new acquisition - the X20 is a great design, and that is a fine looking veneer!

[steelvibe]

Beautiful guitar Jim- what a stunner!

I've been waiting for your NGD because I've been curious about Emerald's approach to a short scale. I imagined 12 fret to body and the bridge shifted into the middle of the lower bout, which is my favorite design overall and more like the X7. Now that I've observed more of Emerald's processes with the creation of the Wissenborn, it appears that would require a very lengthy process to create an X20 the way I envision it. Hey, one can dream...

[SpruceTop]

Jim, that's a gorgeous Emerald X20--Enjoy Your New Friend For Decades To Come & I Dig Your Videos!

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Lovely! Thanks for sharing the videos. Both guitars sound nice, and I enjoyed your playing (and singing). Congrats on your new acquisition - the X20 is a great design, and that is a fine looking veneer!

Thanks much, and you're welcome. I've always enjoyed comparison videos that others have done, and I like to be able to share a little now and again.

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Beautiful guitar Jim- what a stunner!

I've been waiting for your NGD because I've been curious about Emerald's approach to a short scale. I imagined 12 fret to body and the bridge shifted into the middle of the lower bout, which is my favorite design overall and more like the X7. Now that I've observed more of Emerald's processes with the creation of the Wissenborn, it appears that would require a very lengthy process to create an X20 the way I envision it. Hey, one can dream...

Thanks!

I thought about asking for something like you describe, but actually was looking forward to the 14 fret join. For me, it was the right decision. I love my APLE, but there are a couple of moments that I do not like that 12 fret neck so much.

Interesting to me is that the X20 feels less bulky than the APLE (Shorty body). Both are quite comfortable, but the X20 is more so. Emerald has really dialed in the ergonomics.

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Jim, that's a gorgeous Emerald X20--Enjoy Your New Friend For Decades To Come & I Dig Your Videos!

Thanks, and I sure hope to!

I am pondering doing a comparison through my Bose S1. Have to think about the setup to do that well.

[David Eastwood]

That is as lovely as expected, Jim - I especially like how mellow the top looks, yet with a wealth of detail when you get closer.

Can’t wait to see it in person and compare it with mine. Let me know when you’re comfortable with having a visitor!

[kramster]

A couple of darn fine guitars you have there...Nice!

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

That is as lovely as expected, Jim - I especially like how mellow the top looks, yet with a wealth of detail when you get closer.

Can’t wait to see it in person and compare it with mine. Let me know when you’re comfortable with having a visitor!

Thanks, Dave. We are on an odd work schedule, and I head to the cabin off and on to be with the family - and that seems a variable schedule right now, too, lol.

I'll shoot you a note, and we can start figuring something out. I am thinking that as long as we have a decent day, we can get a little front porch time, plenty of room there!

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by kramster

A couple of darn fine guitars you have there...Nice!

Thanks, kramster! I credit/blame this forum for what I've done!!!

funny thing - when this arrived, my wife started to give me a little grief about another guitar. I had to remind her that I actually sold two off to make room for this one!

[jwellsy]

That's richer than a Dairy Queen Turtle Blizzard.

[kramster]

Originally Posted by jwellsy

That's richer than a Dairy Queen Turtle Blizzard.

Well now I want ice cream...trouble maker!