Taken the plunge on an X20!

[Gary C]

As this is my first proper post, I’d best introduce myself. I’m 64 and based on the south coast of England (Sussex). I would like to say I’ve been playing for 50+ years, but the truth is that although I started at 14 there have been long periods where I haven’t played at all, with the longest being almost 30 years! (Life, etc...) But I got back into it about a year ago, and it’s like the floodgates have been opened! Despite my advanced years and rickety old fingers, it feels like this is the right time, as I’ve never been more enthusiastic, passionate, or had so much fun.

Unfortunately, my old acoustic – a battered but much loved 1973 Japanese Kimbara dreadnought, which was my first guitar, has grown a belly almost as big as mine over the last 49 years, so I treated myself to a beautiful Eastman AC522CE, and a couple of electrics (Strats).

Then, while gawping at guitar porn on the internet one day, I saw an Emerald. Without even knowing what it was (I didn't know carbon guitars even existed!), I fell in love, and I knew instantly that I had to have one!

Well, after much research via the usual channels, and, of course, this forum, at the end of April I put an order in for an Emerald X20 with a Koa veneer and K&K + Ghost with the genius adjustable bridge. (No inlays – I really love the look of the naked carbon fretboard. And I was completely maxed out on my credit card!)

It took me literally weeks of immersion in the brilliant 3D Builder going through just about every option, and a few chats with the super helpful Davy K before I pressed the button. I’m terrible at making final choices - especially when presented with so many options - and I'm still not sure if I made the right choice with the veneer. But then It would be the same no matter what I'd gone with. And it has to be said that, being brutally honest, my design skills are pretty shabby. Even with the 3D builder I was having trouble visualising what the various veneers would look like once lacquered. Looking at pictures and videos of finished guitars really helped, and the Koa in particular, seems to really ‘pop’ and become almost holographic when lacquered, whereas the veneer samples in the Builder can naturally look ‘flat’ by comparison. But it’s utterly amazing to have the ability to view them and position them. (Do be aware that large chunks of your life can easily slip away while so doing!)

Anyway, after countless hours I’d narrowed it down to just the 12 ‘final’ choices in different woods (all of which I loved), and, as said, while I’m still not sure about the final-final choice, I’m sure it will beautiful.

I have to say that Emerald has been a great company to deal with, and I can’t wait for my X20 to arrive! I will of course post some pictures and a review when it does.

[RP]

Welcome to AGF and the world of carbon fiber. I'm sure that your X20 will be a beauty and a delight to play...

[KevinH]

Welcome to the forum! I have a similar story, though with a few more birthdays passed. It took me a little longer to discover CF and Emerald. I received my X20 earlier this year and love it. A joy to play. I'm sure you'll like yours.

Just saw yours in the shipping video. That's a beautiful piece of Koa!

[David Eastwood]

Congratulations! You have chosen an excellent guitar, topped with a lovely piece of koa. I hope you’re as pleased with your X20 as many of us here are.

[SpruceTop]

Gary, Congratulations on your Emerald X20 Build! Koa Rocks! Enjoy!

[jdinco]

The Emeralds are truly a work of art..enjoy.

[PassingThru]

Welcome to the forum. What an intro. Nice choice.

[Gary C]

Many thanks to all for the kind words.

I'm sure that you're right. I just need to see it in the flesh. And now I know it's reached the Shipping Room stage it won't be long before I have the beauty in my hands!

I'm beyond excited, and feel closer to 14 than 64! (But buying amazing guitars does tend to do that, I've found.)

[elninobaby]

Welcome, Gary, and good luck with your X20. I think you’ll love it. My wife got me one for a Christmas (and birthday and maybe a few other occasions) last year. And I love mine. I didn’t see where you describe the color. I got emerald green, because I believe if you’re going to get an Emerald Guitar, then what the heck. But I love the other colors, too. I played it at a concert I produced recently to benefit the people of Ukraine. Here’s a photo of me on stage and one back stage of a Ukrainian musician Kateryna Aiman, who plays a string instrument called the domro. But her boyfriend plays guitar and she wanted a photo with my Emerald. She looks better behind it than I do.

Tom

[RP]

Now she looks even better...

[VJP5]

Welcome and congratulations!! I can appreciate the dilemma on picking a veneer. It is a mind numbing experience.

Wishing you years of enjoyment!

[steelvibe]

Man, fun stuff clicking "buy" after all those options. I'm guessing you will love it. Please keep us posted!

[elninobaby]

Originally Posted by RP

Now she looks even better...

Thanks! I didn’t know how to rotate it!

[RP]

Originally Posted by elninobaby

Thanks! I didn’t know how to rotate it!

You're welcome. To rotate the picture:

Download the picture from AGF post to your computer download file.

Rotate the picture in your Download file to desired positioning.

Go back to your AGF post.

Delete the unrotated picture in your post.

Upload corrected picture from your Download computer file to your AGF post.

[Gary C]

Well, the race to see which forum members in the recent shipping video would receive their guitars first has been decided!

There were only two in the running, RP (USA) and me (England), but despite the difference in distance we had a 4-day period of almost total shutdown over here to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubillee, so RP won by a mile (well, several thousand miles!).

I received an email from Davy on Tuesday saying it had been sent, and 24 hours later there was a knock on the door. Yes, my X20 has landed!

I needn't have had any concerns about my choice of veneer. It looks absolutely stunning in the flesh, with all the lovely contrasts of dark and light I was hoping for. I'll save any further superlatives (or otherwise) until I've had a chance to have a proper play and get to know my new love more intimately, but for now, here she is:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XkA...ew?usp=sharing