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  #1  
Old 10-04-2020, 08:38 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Default Emerald X30 observation

It’s been a couple of months since I acquired my X30, as a travel guitar, for taking on our RV road trips. The last three weeks in CO, I played it almost every night and it was inspiring each time. I’ll say again, it’s a monster guitar, irrespective of the materials it’s made from.

What I observed last night is this. I placed it in my guitar stand and was again, shocked at how big it is. But the immediate thought that came to mind is that because of the way it’s made, with the cutaways and bevels, it feels no larger than my Grand Auditorium when holding it, which it where it matters.

It’s a truly amazing build and I offer this for anyone thinking it’s too large. I’ll add that yes, it has the biggest bass response in a guitar I’ve ever heard, yet it’s quite balanced.

I can’t say enough good things about this model. It’s a dreadnaught players dream, in a more comfortable design.
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  #2  
Old 10-04-2020, 09:58 AM
121 121 is offline
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I agree, the Emerald X30 is a great guitar and very very comfortable to play.

My X30 gets more play time than my Emerald 2016 X7 and 2017 X20.
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Old 10-04-2020, 11:22 AM
kramster kramster is offline
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It is an amazing guitar... what I am trying to say is..I like mine and a lot!
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Old 10-04-2020, 09:11 PM
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mikealpine mikealpine is offline
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How does the guitar do in a group setting? Asking because my Sable, lovely and balanced, blended too well, making it very difficult to stand out and be heard. My Taylor 814 and my RsingSong H-OM seem to stand out better. I think I’d want more treble presence, but most people highlight the strong bass.
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  #5  
Old 10-05-2020, 05:34 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikealpine View Post
How does the guitar do in a group setting? Asking because my Sable, lovely and balanced, blended too well, making it very difficult to stand out and be heard. My Taylor 814 and my RsingSong H-OM seem to stand out better. I think I’d want more treble presence, but most people highlight the strong bass.
I’ve only played it solo, unamplified (K&K mini), alone, so I don’t have a read on that yet. My instinct is that it’s probably a much louder guitar than the Sable, due to it’s size, so I wouldn’t anticipate it lacking in that setting.
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  #6  
Old 10-05-2020, 12:35 PM
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I don't have an X30, but I have played one. I do have an X20, a Lucky13 and a Kestrel. The X20 and X30 are similar, but the X30 has a lot more thump in the bass IMO.

I have tried them all in group settings.

For chords the Kestrel is the clear winner in an acoustic setting. It doesn't have the bass, but it punches through the crowd. The Lucky13 probably just edges the X20 out too though the Lucky gets jangly where the X20 just keeps on going.

For melody, I have to go with the X20 or maybe the Lucky13. If I was amped it would be the Kestrel because I can sometimes coax velvet out of those strings. I think the Lucky can be heard further away on an acoustic melody. I'll have to ask if I ever again manage to bring both. I usually just bring the X20 and/or the Kestrel.

I think the X20 is similar enough to the X30 that these observations are somewhat useful.
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Old 10-05-2020, 08:44 PM
esimms86 esimms86 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikealpine View Post
How does the guitar do in a group setting? Asking because my Sable, lovely and balanced, blended too well, making it very difficult to stand out and be heard. My Taylor 814 and my RsingSong H-OM seem to stand out better. I think I’d want more treble presence, but most people highlight the strong bass.
I expect that the X30 would occupy the same space in a group setting as a Martin D28. Banjo killer!
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Old 10-05-2020, 09:14 PM
steelvibe steelvibe is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esimms86 View Post
I expect that the X30 would occupy the same space in a group setting as a Martin D28. Banjo killer!
Maybe more so
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Old 10-06-2020, 02:52 PM
kramster kramster is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esimms86 View Post
I expect that the X30 would occupy the same space in a group setting as a Martin D28. Banjo killer!
Long live the banjo killer! I have to keep them in separate rooms.
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CA: Early OX and Cargo
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Some wood things by Epi, Harmony, Takamine, Good Time, PRS, Slick, Gypsy Music, keyboards, wind controllers.. etc
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  #10  
Old 10-06-2020, 03:22 PM
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mikealpine mikealpine is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by esimms86 View Post
I expect that the X30 would occupy the same space in a group setting as a Martin D28. Banjo killer!
Shamefully admitting I have never played a D28 for long enough to develop a memorable impression, let alone in a group setting. I have leaned toward Taylor "brightness and shimmer" in terms of tonal preference.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mot View Post
The X20 and X30 are similar, but the X30 has a lot more thump in the bass IMO.
This is the comment I hear quite often. I can imagine that walking bass lines are glorious! And I play those. But I also like to travel up the neck and do fills and lead in the higher frets. There are very few comments as to how the guitar stands out in this regard.

Thanks!
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  #11  
Old 10-06-2020, 04:25 PM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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My X30 projects great volume up and down the fretboard. It’s a powerful guitar, period.


It’s a head turner sonically.

Combine that with tuning stability beyond any wooden guitar I’ve owned, comfortable neck with great playability, and that big guitar tone, and it’s just a hard guitar to put down.

It’s totally a subjective statement, but that’s coming from a CF non-believer who believes he owns the best wooden guitar he’s ever played.

Adjust accordingly because YMMV.
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  #12  
Old 10-06-2020, 05:52 PM
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mikealpine mikealpine is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodallboy View Post
My X30 projects great volume up and down the fretboard. It’s a powerful guitar, period.


It’s a head turner sonically.

Combine that with tuning stability beyond any wooden guitar I’ve owned, comfortable neck with great playability, and that big guitar tone, and it’s just a hard guitar to put down.

It’s totally a subjective statement, but that’s coming from a CF non-believer who believes he owns the best wooden guitar he’s ever played.

Adjust accordingly because YMMV.
This is a nice endorsement of the guitar. I know I want an Emerald, and am torn between the newly designed X20 and an X30 (I know...buy both...bunch of enablers here...). I'd love to get my hands on one for a little bit. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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2013 Joel Stehr Dreadnought - Carpathian/Malaysian BW
2014 RainSong H-OM1000N2
2017 Rainsong BI-WS1000N2
2013 Chris Ensor Concert - Port Orford Cedar/Wenge
1980ish Takamine EF363 complete with irreplaceable memories
A bunch of electrics (too many!!)
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  #13  
Old 10-07-2020, 07:58 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikealpine View Post
This is a nice endorsement of the guitar. I know I want an Emerald, and am torn between the newly designed X20 and an X30 (I know...buy both...bunch of enablers here...). I'd love to get my hands on one for a little bit. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you! I'm sure both are great guitars. Good luck!
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  #14  
Old 10-16-2020, 02:25 PM
martinngibson martinngibson is offline
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Default X20

David , I sent you a private message about playing your X30 and bringing my new X20 for you to play
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  #15  
Old 10-18-2020, 08:57 PM
GuitarDoc GuitarDoc is offline
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Default Playing with others

My 12 X30 is a cannon and it is my natural tendency to play softer anyway to hear other guitarists and singers. I rarely strum do a lot of picking. It’s nice to have that extra gear when the leader points to you to preform a fill or solo. I’m quick to shrink back though. Like other it’s getting the brunt of my bedroom playing time.
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