Anyone in southern Oregon have an Emerald Amicus?

dmcginnis · #1 06-10-2020, 03:32 PM

Hi all - I am interested in trying out an Emerald Amicus. I live in southern Oregon - anyone nearby have one they would let me try out?

Thanks,
Dave McGinnis
Medford, OR

Earl49 · #2 06-10-2020, 03:48 PM

Can't help you. Dave. I have several Emerald guitars here in SW Idaho, but not an Amicus (although I have played one in Arizona).

It has been suggested that Emerald keep a private voluntary database to facilitate just this sort of show & tell program. But they seem to have their hands full keeping up with demand.

RP · #3 06-10-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

...It has been suggested that Emerald keep a private voluntary database to facilitate just this sort of show & tell program. But they seem to have their hands full keeping up with demand.

Great idea, Earl...

David Eastwood · #4 06-10-2020, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

It has been suggested that Emerald keep a private voluntary database to facilitate just this sort of show & tell program. But they seem to have their hands full keeping up with demand.

While we're not privy to their production numbers, the weekly shipping videos show them moving a respectable number of guitars.

If the lack of retail outlets is ever perceived to be an impediment to sales, I'm sure they'd consider all kinds of options, but I'd imagine that GDPR compliance alone would be a serious barrier to Emerald undertaking something like this.

RP · #5 06-10-2020, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eatswodo

While we're not privy to their production numbers, the weekly shipping videos show them moving a respectable number of guitars...

I was told that app. 600 Emerald guitars were shipped into the US last year...

esimms86 · #6 06-10-2020, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

I was told that app. 600 Emerald guitars were shipped into the US last year...

To put that in perspective, that is probably a fraction of the number of guitars built by Martin or Taylor on a daily basis(at least during non-pandemic times). Emerald really is a custom shop that also has guitars available for sale that were built on spec.

dmcginnis · #7 06-10-2020, 06:44 PM

I agree that it would be great to have Emerald make instruments available for demo purposes. It is a significant investment to purchase one blindly without playing it. But, I confess that I have done that twice with Emeralds - on old (very old) X-05 very early in their business lifetime, and then again on my current X7 that is absolutely marvelous. I spend my winters down in the Phoenix area, so I may have to contact Kramster again about coming to visit his Emerald collection. I wanted to do that last winter, but this Covid-19 pandemic got in the way, unfortunately. There was a GREAT deal on an Amicus in the classifieds recently, but I dithered too long and someone else got it before I could make a decision. Bummer. So, that got me thinking that it would be great to have the chance to try an Amicus out and compare it to my mandolin playing (which leaves much to be desired!). I still hope someone in the region will have one I can try playing.

RP · #8 06-10-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcginnis

...There was a GREAT deal on an Amicus in the classifieds recently, but I dithered too long and someone else got it before I could make a decision. Bummer...

Not for me. I snagged it, and have been thoroughly enjoying it. Using it for lots of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs. Interesting point-counterpoint to my new X30....

dmcginnis · #9 06-10-2020, 07:59 PM

Ahhh...so you got the great deal! Well done, sir.

Does anyone know if the Amicus had gone through any design changes over the years?

Earl49 · #10 06-10-2020, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

Great idea, Earl...

Of course you'd think so -- it was your idea originally, IIRC. An X30 and an Amicus.... you have both ends of the spectrum covered now.

RP · #11 06-11-2020, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

Of course you'd think so -- it was your idea originally, IIRC. An X30 and an Amicus.... you have both ends of the spectrum covered now.

I still think it's a good one. I needed an Amicus like I needed, well another guitar. I'd never even considered getting one, especially with my X30 about to land in Charlottesville. But I'm really glad I got it. Like I said, it provides a great tonal choice for Nitty Gritty songs and I'm sure many others. Getting back to the OP, if he lived closer I'd be glad to let him try it out...

David Eastwood · #12 06-11-2020, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcginnis

Ahhh...so you got the great deal! Well done, sir.

Does anyone know if the Amicus had gone through any design changes over the years?

I was seriously considering this one as well, but dithered just a moment too long.

As far as design changes are concerned, I don’t believe there have been any. I was on an online Q&A session with Emerald a month or so ago, and I asked Mr. Hay if he’d ever considered updating the Amicus with the offset soundhole on the current guitars, and his response was that he rather liked it as it is, and he didn’t want to mess with a good thing.

After seeing what’s involved in making a mould, I’m sure that’s also a factor.