Emerald X20 short scale

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

Eatswodo, did you feel an appreciable difference in tension between playing the stock X20 at the full-scale length, and then capo'd at the first fret and re-tuned?

I haven’t actually tried that experiment. However, I keep my X20 in open D (DADF#AD) most of the time, using D’Addario NB Lights (053-012), so it’s a little softer than standard, and very comfortable to play.

When I do put it in standard tuning, I’m honestly not aware of much of a difference - but I am one of those annoying people who’s just not that bothered by, or sensitive to, such things

Cheers,
David

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by RP

I could be wrong but I suspect that return shipping might be more than the $55 that Emerald charges for "forward shipping."

Earl referred to an amount of ~$95 above for return shipping.

Now Emerald has changed their shipping method, I wonder how long the current $55 outbound shipping charge will prevail.

[Earl49]

Just passing along my direct experience, David. All return postage / shipping is on the buyer, always. Emerald always had free outgoing shipping built into the price for ages, but were forced to start charging $55 sometime last year as shipping rates went up. I paid $90 in 2017 to mail the Chimaera back to Ireland, and assume it has gone up since. I recently shipped my T5 to a potential buyer, and UPS shipping was $108.

Emerald switched reluctantly to a different and more expensive shipper specifically to help avoid sudden long delays at US Customs for parcels coming in through the postal system (AnPost and USPS). If someone plans to buy on a trial basis, they should probably get the shipping policy clarified by Simon or Chloe before "clicking to buy". And since I am in the US, I cannot speak to whether those in other countries will get a refund on GST, VAT, or Customs fees imposed by their country when they return a guitar. Foreign purchasers need to factor that in too.

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

...did you feel an appreciable difference in tension between playing the stock X20 at the full-scale length, and then capo'd at the first fret and re-tuned?

You won't feel a difference in string tension unless you also tuned down a half step to maintain concert pitch.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Just passing along my direct experience, David.

Understood - I repeated it for the benefit of RP, who apparently had missed your post.

[Earl49]

Got it -- no worries.

I was impressed by the kind and hassle-free handling of my return (I nearly kept the Chimaera as a piece of sculpture, even though it was not going to be a daily player as planned). So I insisted that they deduct their outgoing shipping from my refund, as I did not want them incurring a cost for my indecision. That gesture paid back right away, as two months later I ordered a custom X20-12. In the end they made it all right for me, which led to several more sales. Win-win for all.

[Melt in the Sun]

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

Thanks for your reply. So do you just tell Emerald that you are trying to emulate the Taylor neck shape, and they create a neck of a similar profile to Taylor's?

This is potentially becoming a pricey proposition with short scale a $550 option, custom neck $700, veneer $650, pinless bridge $200, and Anthem pickup at $150.

This thread has a drawing showing some dimensions of the Taylor carves. Emerald used this drawing and as far as I can tell, nailed the profile. They should be able to do exactly the same for you.
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=465170

[RP]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

Understood - I repeated it for the benefit of RP, who apparently had missed your post.

Thanks. I did miss that post. Aside from whatever the financial cost of returns might be, given the slow shipping times and customs log jams we in the states have already experienced it kind of bothers me to think of throwing more peanut butter in the gears with "tryout guitars" which are purchased with the intent of being returned.

I realize that the ability to easily try out an Emerald is problematic, but I still think that buying a guitar from Emerald knowing that you'll return it is a impolite and infringes on their good will. I wish that they'd initiate my previous idea or some variation thereof in which prospective buyers can communicate with and try out the guitars of Emerald owners in a given locale...

RP;

Such communication has occurred on this forum, with a great deal of success. From what I've seen here, there appear to be Emerald owners throughout the country who are willing to show and tell.

[RP]

Originally Posted by EvanB

RP;

Such communication has occurred on this forum, with a great deal of success. From what I've seen here, there appear to be Emerald owners throughout the country who are willing to show and tell.

I'm aware of that but also accept that AGF members who are Emerald owners are a microcosm of Emerald owners throughout the US. I believe that I was told that Emerald sells about 600 guitars in the US every year, and I'd guess that AGF members in the US account for less than 5% of those sales. Let's assume that I've never heard of AGF but got interested in seeing and playing an Emerald. I'd envision a simple exchange of information between myself, Emerald and Emerald owners who live closest to where I reside...

[Spectre2020]

Originally Posted by Melt in the Sun

This thread has a drawing showing some dimensions of the Taylor carves. Emerald used this drawing and as far as I can tell, nailed the profile. They should be able to do exactly the same for you.
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=465170

Melt - thanks for the information! I've never seen this data before.

[futboljim]

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

Does anyone here have any experience with a customized short-scale X20? The strength in my left (fretting) hand is compromised, so I have evolved to playing /buying short-scale guitars and fitting them with extra soft strings to make the guitar playable for me.



I'm interested in buying an X20, but would specify that it be customized to about a 24 1/2 inch scale. I'd then likely change the strings to a low tension or smaller gauge string.



Anyone with some experience with an X20 fitting these parameters?



Also, I'm in Canada and was wondering if any Canadian Emerald customers could tell me what they were charged for customs duty on their guitar. From what I can make out on the Canada Customs site, the current duty on guitars imported from Ireland is 6%.



Thanks to all for their help.



Joe

I hope to have experience soon! I have one on order, hoping it starts paddling it’s way across the pond soon.

[Spectre2020]

Originally Posted by raysachs

Not to try to talk you out of or into anything, but have you had a look at the X7? It's stock with a 24" scale - it's a ridiculously easy to guitar to play. I personally liked the sound more than the X20 I also had a for a while. The only downside I ever found with that scale length was moving a capo too far up the neck started feeling pretty crowded...

Maybe worth a look, anyway - an off the shelf X7 would be a LOT less money than a customized X20...

-Ray

Ray:
Although I kind of had my heart set on an X20, when I bundled the base price with my desired upgrades, wood veneer, Anthem pickup, short scale, added the exchange rate on US dollars, added the 13% in taxes that I'd have to pay in Canada, the cost became hard to justify for me.

So....... I found a one year old X7 (cocobolo) woody with amber back and sides with an Anthem pickup for sale in Canada. Reputable guy, has all of the original packaging for shipping. He's had the fretboard pleked. It looks beautiful.

And I bought it for about 60% of the landed cost of a new instrument, with no waiting period other than shipment via Canada Post. Believe it or not, that savings nears $1,800 Cdn given the exchange rates and taxes.

So, fingers crossed, I've made a good purchase. I'll let everyone know what I think once it arrives!

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

So, fingers crossed, I've made a good purchase. I'll let everyone know what I think once it arrives!

Sounds like a very smart move. And, if you decided it's not for you, it should be pretty easy to move on at little to no loss.

I look forward to hearing your impressions!

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by Spectre2020

Ray:
Although I kind of had my heart set on an X20, when I bundled the base price with my desired upgrades, wood veneer, Anthem pickup, short scale, added the exchange rate on US dollars, added the 13% in taxes that I'd have to pay in Canada, the cost became hard to justify for me.

So....... I found a one year old X7 (cocobolo) woody with amber back and sides with an Anthem pickup for sale in Canada. Reputable guy, has all of the original packaging for shipping. He's had the fretboard pleked. It looks beautiful.

And I bought it for about 60% of the landed cost of a new instrument, with no waiting period other than shipment via Canada Post. Believe it or not, that savings nears $1,800 Cdn given the exchange rates and taxes.

So, fingers crossed, I've made a good purchase. I'll let everyone know what I think once it arrives!

I just sold a Cocobolo X7, but not in Canada, and the fretboard never needed a plek job - it was perfect out of the box. When you say year old, you did get the one with the soundhole cut at an angle, right? So it faces both forward and up. Essentially, anything made after July or August of 2018.

It's an awesome guitar. I hope you love it. But if you don't, it shouldn't be tough to get most or all of your money back. I had mine for about a year and a half and basically paid about a $400 rental fee when all was said and done. And that was buying a new one from Emerald. Well worth it!

-Ray

[Spectre2020]

Originally Posted by raysachs

When you say year old, you did get the one with the soundhole cut at an angle, right? So it faces both forward and up. Essentially, anything made after July or August of 2018.

-Ray

Yes, it is the new style with the angled sound hole. As you said, if I don't bond with it, I can pass it on at little to no loss to me.

Looking forward to it!