Waiting for my shipping video...

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

That's awesome news! I wonder if the lack of a wood veneer makes any difference. Best of luck with it!

Thanks. Right now IÂ’m just getting to know it. I never knew that blue tinted carbon fiber would look so good in person.

My first two impressions of the guitar were (1)though itÂ’s comfortable for a guitar of its size, itÂ’s still really physically imposing, and (2)I was in no way prepared for how deep the low E string sounds. I used to own a 2017 D28 and, while I obviously canÂ’t do a side by side comparison, the X30 sounds like it could easily out dreadnought a dreadnought.

As others have stated, it is a cannon AND a great strummer. I like to fingerpick and this one responds beautifully to a light touch. It sounds balanced but, when compared side by side with my Kestrel, it’s pretty clear that the Kestrel has a “no string stands out more than any other” string to string balance that I’ve only found in archtops.

Major kudos go to Emerald for a perfect set up right out of the box. My Kestrel required a professional set up (plus I had the strings changed to flat wounds) so I wasnÂ’t expecting the X30 to be set up so spot on.

IÂ’ve spent a minimal amount of time playing with the Anthem pickup but, if I had it to do all over again, IÂ’d go with no pickup.

The neck is fatter than I anticipated but got I used to it pretty quickly (plus, I have large hands).

The last thing I would say, at least for now, is that the sound hole is perfectly placed such that the sound projects wonderfully to my ears as a player; a side sound port in the X30 would most definitely be superfluous.

And no wolf tones!

[philjs]

Originally Posted by esimms86

You're less than two weeks away from getting your mug! A fan fret X30 with a 27 inch low E string and 25 1/2 inch high E string; I'm impressed and also a little jealous. I'd be more jealous if I hadn't received my new X30 in blue carbon with abalone fretboard dot markers just two days ago. (And BTW, no wolf tones anywhere!)

Congrats on the blue beast...

I'll be tuning the fan fret much lower than E. Since I'm a full-time DADGAD player (with liberal use of partial capos) that would be D anyway. Planning as low as AEADEA (B standard) but will likely spend most time in BbFBbEbFB (C standard), with appropriate string choices of course.

A mug will be a nice bonus but I'm really jonesing for the guitar! By the time I actually receive this, it'll have been 7 months since ordering...but I'm pretty sure I'll need a second mug so, presuming I like the X30 (!), will likely order a matching X20 with a 26 to 25 inch fan for actual DADGAD. Maybe I'll get it for Christmas!

"The waiting is the hardest part..."

Phil

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by philjs

Congrats on the blue beast...

I'll be tuning the fan fret much lower than E. Since I'm a full-time DADGAD player (with liberal use of partial capos) that would be D anyway. Planning as low as AEADEA (B standard) but will likely spend most time in BbFBbEbFB (C standard), with appropriate string choices of course.

A mug will be a nice bonus but I'm really jonesing for the guitar! By the time I actually receive this, it'll have been 7 months since ordering...but I'm pretty sure I'll need a second mug so, presuming I like the X30 (!), will likely order a matching X20 with a 26 to 25 inch fan for actual DADGAD. Maybe I'll get it for Christmas!

"The waiting is the hardest part..."

Phil

You should check out Teja Gerken’s review of a Lowden fan fret baritone guitar on the Peghead Nation YouTube channel. I forget the exact pitches he tunes to but it’s a subterranean equivalent of DADGAD. Might have you jonesing for a baritone fan fret X30 in addition to/instead of a fan fret X20. And no, I don’t get a commission from Alistair 😊.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by esimms86

You should check out Teja Gerken’s review of a Lowden fan fret baritone guitar on the Peghead Nation YouTube channel. I forget the exact pitches he tunes to but it’s a subterranean equivalent of DADGAD. Might have you jonesing for a baritone fan fret X30 in addition to/instead of a fan fret X20. And no, I don’t get a commission from Alistair 😊.

The amber X30 fan fret that's coming IS my new baritone, e!

It has the same scales, 25.5" to 27", as the X20 7-stringers. I'm just leaving off that pesky high string of the 7-stringer in an X30 jumbo body. And Emerald's X30 baritone uses a 27" scale so the bass string of my fan fret will sit at the same relative scale length. As I mentioned, I'll be tuning it to DADGAD-intervals but pitched in A (ie. AEADEA) or Bb (ie. BbFBbEbFBb).

This X30 is my replacement for a custom-made Crosby JE redwood/black walnut fan fret (26" to 27.25" scale) that I used for 4 tracks on my CD but sold last Christmas when an "offer I couldn't refuse" was made. A recent convert to CF guitars, I ordered the X30 just a week after making that sale 'cause I NEED a baritone and I thought this was my best bet for replacement...

I love Lowdens and have had two (still have the O23c). I'd LOVE a Lowden multiscale but I don't think I'll EVER be able to afford one. The buy-in (the base cost and the exchange rate!) is just too hefty. Unless you have one to sell? For cheap?

Phil

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by esimms86

Thanks. Right now IÂ’m just getting to know it. I never knew that blue tinted carbon fiber would look so good in person.

My first two impressions of the guitar were (1)though itÂ’s comfortable for a guitar of its size, itÂ’s still really physically imposing, and (2)I was in no way prepared for how deep the low E string sounds. I used to own a 2017 D28 and, while I obviously canÂ’t do a side by side comparison, the X30 sounds like it could easily out dreadnought a dreadnought.

As others have stated, it is a cannon AND a great strummer. I like to fingerpick and this one responds beautifully to a light touch. It sounds balanced but, when compared side by side with my Kestrel, it’s pretty clear that the Kestrel has a “no string stands out more than any other” string to string balance that I’ve only found in archtops.

Major kudos go to Emerald for a perfect set up right out of the box. My Kestrel required a professional set up (plus I had the strings changed to flat wounds) so I wasnÂ’t expecting the X30 to be set up so spot on.

IÂ’ve spent a minimal amount of time playing with the Anthem pickup but, if I had it to do all over again, IÂ’d go with no pickup.

The neck is fatter than I anticipated but got I used to it pretty quickly (plus, I have large hands).

The last thing I would say, at least for now, is that the sound hole is perfectly placed such that the sound projects wonderfully to my ears as a player; a side sound port in the X30 would most definitely be superfluous.

And no wolf tones!

Great review, thank you! Would you say the bass overpowers the trebles? I like a guitar with a strong, crisp bass, but also like when the treble string shine. And perhaps that can be impacted by using brighter strings? I sing kind of in the middle, which is why I like a guitar to be strong on both ends of the spectrum, and not compete with me where my voice lies. Most videos seem to want to emphasize how strong the bass is, hence my question about the high end. Would love your thoughts on that! Enjoy the new beauty!! The blue is very striking.

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by philjs

The amber X30 fan fret that's coming IS my new baritone, e!

It has the same scales, 25.5" to 27", as the X20 7-stringers. I'm just leaving off that pesky high string of the 7-stringer in an X30 jumbo body. And Emerald's X30 baritone uses a 27" scale so the bass string of my fan fret will sit at the same relative scale length. As I mentioned, I'll be tuning it to DADGAD-intervals but pitched in A (ie. AEADEA) or Bb (ie. BbFBbEbFBb).

This X30 is my replacement for a custom-made Crosby JE redwood/black walnut fan fret (26" to 27.25" scale) that I used for 4 tracks on my CD but sold last Christmas when an "offer I couldn't refuse" was made. A recent convert to CF guitars, I ordered the X30 just a week after making that sale 'cause I NEED a baritone and I thought this was my best bet for replacement...

I love Lowdens and have had two (still have the O23c). I'd LOVE a Lowden multiscale but I don't think I'll EVER be able to afford one. The buy-in (the base cost and the exchange rate!) is just too hefty. Unless you have one to sell? For cheap?

Phil

(Head slap) duh! Of course, you're getting an X30 fan fret baritone. And, nah, I don't have a Lowden fan fret baritone for sale but I can find a deal for you for only $11K LOL!

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Great review, thank you! Would you say the bass overpowers the trebles? I like a guitar with a strong, crisp bass, but also like when the treble string shine. And perhaps that can be impacted by using brighter strings? I sing kind of in the middle, which is why I like a guitar to be strong on both ends of the spectrum, and not compete with me where my voice lies. Most videos seem to want to emphasize how strong the bass is, hence my question about the high end. Would love your thoughts on that! Enjoy the new beauty!! The blue is very striking.

At first, I thought that the low E string was a bit overpowering when playing fingerstyle but then I made a small adjustment in my thumb attack and all was well. I would describe it as being akin to Johnny Cash playing "boom chick" on his D28 or D35. It blends beautifully when strumming and flatpicking(unless you accentuate your pick attack on the low E, which we sometimes do purposely for effect). Play a D28 and a D18 side by side and you'll begin to appreciate my subjective experience.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by esimms86

(Head slap) duh! Of course, you're getting an X30 fan fret baritone. And, nah, I don't have a Lowden fan fret baritone for sale but I can find a deal for you for only $11K LOL!

With the exchange rate that $11K is almost $15K in CA$ (over $17K when 15% taxes are also in...and thus my problem with the hefty buy-in)! Even the $650 upcharge for Emerald veneers translates into a $1K add (exchange + tax) here. I just couldn't justify it for appearances sake...and it'll be the same for the planned X20 FF!

I'd really (really) love a Lowden O22c (or O23c) FF but it's not even within the realm of possibility...I'm closer, by far, to a not-yet-existing 7 sub-bass X30 Synergy!

Phil

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by philjs

With the exchange rate that $11K is almost $15K in CA$ (over $17K when 15% taxes are also in...and thus my problem with the hefty buy-in)! Even the $650 upcharge for Emerald veneers translates into a $1K add (exchange + tax) here. I just couldn't justify it for appearances sake...and it'll be the same for the planned X20 FF!

I'd really (really) love a Lowden O22c (or O23c) FF but it's not even within the realm of possibility...I'm closer, by far, to a not-yet-existing 7 sub-bass X30 Synergy!

Phil

There’s a drop dead gorgeous Lowden O50 baritone fan fret for sale at The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts. It’s selling for $8620 which you could spend to get a couple of Synergy guitars and still have around $500 left in your pocket. It has an Alpine Spruce top and the prettiest Fiddleback Mahogany back and sides that you’ll ever see. The body is deep like an X30. I’m not seriously suggesting that you start saving your money for it, rather, I’m just pointing it that it’s some serious guitar porn to drool over while we collectively nurse our pandemic era wallets. Oh, and there’s a video!

[philjs]

Finally! My X30 fan fret made today's shipping video, around the 9:00 mark, 2nd from last...



I've had the UPS shipping tracking info since July 27th so now the wait truly begins. Note, too, that today is 7 months minus 2 days since I ordered it (at least 2 months of that, I'm sure, can be laid at the feet of a certain un-named virus...).

Phil

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by philjs

Finally! My X30 fan fret made today's shipping video, around the 9:00 mark, 2nd from last...



I've had the UPS shipping tracking info since July 27th so now the wait truly begins. Note, too, that today is 7 months minus 2 days since I ordered it (at least 2 months of that, I'm sure, can be laid at the feet of a certain un-named virus...).

Phil

Congrats. I was somewhat surprised not to see it in the July 31st shipping video. I’ll have to check out the new shipping video when I get done with my honey do list.

The lockdown in Ireland began on March 12th and the phase one reopening was announced on May 18th. Ireland goes to phase four on August 31st. I can’t tell you how jealous I am. Ireland has had less than 27,000 cases total. Okay, back to your Emerald.

When my x30 shipped they notified me of the shipping label and tracking number on Monday and then shipped on Thursday, so your experience is not rare, at least in that regard. I very much look forward to seeing your NGD post.

[esimms86]

Beautiful guitar Phil. I bet you wouldn’t trade it for all the granite in Halifax!

[philjs]

Originally Posted by esimms86

Congrats. I was somewhat surprised not to see it in the July 31st shipping video.

Yeah, you and me both...when I paid the balance on the 24th, then got the shipping ticket notice on the 27th I expected to see it in the video on the Friday. There were a bunch of guitars going to Canada but not mine!

So, the wait continued...

Originally Posted by esimms86

When my x30 shipped they notified me of the shipping label and tracking number on Monday and then shipped on Thursday, so your experience is not rare, at least in that regard.

Same thing here...on Thursday I got a UPS update that "your scheduled delivery date has changed" and tracking said it had "shipped" with a "pickup scan". It's now in export clearance in Dublin...

Phil

[steelvibe]

Congrats on your X30 fan fret. That is one cool guitar