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Emerald's frets and fingerboard radius
Hi everyone,
I recently ordered a custom Emerald X20 and, waiting to be able to bore Kevin with my questions again after January 4th , I was wondering if any of you could clarify me what size the Emerald frets have and what fretboard radius. Thanks! |
#2
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Pretty sure the X20 has a 16” fretboard radius. It used to be listed on their website, but it doesn’t seem to be there for any of the X20 variants at the moment. No idea what the actual fret size - except it doesn’t seem unusually narrow, wide or tall to me When is your guitar scheduled to be completed? What custom options did you select?
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#3
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Unfortunately this is the only aspect that I have not discussed before placing the order at the beginning of this December. I googled and found confirmation of your indication, the radius should be 16° Maybe a couple of points less I would have preferred but now I'm playing a Taylor that is 15° so I shouldn't notice any particular differences, also because the neck should also be similar to taylor's, right? It would also be interesting to understand what kind of frets to expect. Any fret between .085 "/. 100" wide and .043 "/. 047" tall I suppose will suit me. Guitar should be ready in early April but I have no date. Customizations are: - short scale 24 " - 12 frets - gold / black with silver weave - piezo + midi |
#4
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I just measured the frets on my X20 with a digital caliper. I took several height measurements, as it’s not easy to orient the caliper consistently - width is much easier.
Fret width is .083” Fret height, as best I can tell, is .043 +/- .002 Looks like it’s in the right ballpark for your needs!
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#5
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Even the Taylor I'm playing in these days has similar measurements, .080" x .043" I would have preferred a little taller (but very little, .045 ") and a little wider (.090") but, since it is also difficult to find stainless steel wires of the sizes I want, I think I will not ask for any changes. Thanks for helping me Last edited by domen; 12-27-2020 at 05:09 PM. |
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In your options list, you have ‘piezo + midi’ - do you know which bridge you’re going to be getting? There’s the older one that used to be on the X10, and the newer ‘strat-style’ one that’s just made its appearance on the newest X10s. Sounds like it’s going to be a lovely instrument - obviously Emerald, but just different enough to really make it your own.
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#7
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I really really like it, just hope does not make x20 sounds brighter |
#8
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I don't know the specific dimensions, but the fret board radius and fret size are very comparable to Taylor. I am pretty strongly imprinted on Taylor necks - they work quite well for me. The Emerald neck works wonderfully too, or I would not have bought anything beyond the first one. Emerald fret work is about as good as they come. I like that the stainless steel frets will certainly outlive me without needing replacement or re-crowning.
Wearing GHS Silk & Bronze for the past week has tamed the harshness to a degree, but not fully. I'm coming to the conclusion that the new X20 is so much brighter because they changed the layup or materials on the top, but have no idea what exactly was changed. The new one isn't bad now for bare nails finger picking, but strumming.... not so good. The brightness doers not seem to have anything to do with scale length. I have capo'ed at the first fret and tuned down to Eb on the original X20, yielding nearly the same scale length and string tension, yet the richer tone of the older guitar still shines through. |
#9
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Needless to say that your review, after having found only spectacular words for Emerald, and having placed an order only few weeks ago for a guitar similar to yours, leaves me worried and with some doubts. I would like a guitar that allows me to play both fingerpicking and strumming with satisfaction. I will not have a second X20 to make comparisons but I chose an X20 precisely because of what I have read and heard about its rich full sound. If I wanted a guitar that when strummed sounds as you describe, I would have stuck with my GS Mini and probably would have add an X7 or a Taylor 522. I have never owned guitars of a certain level and the X20 represents an investment that will weigh on my daily life for a year and a half. I simply would like to spend money on what can really satisfy me, like everyone. But I don't want to sound negative or being too worried without getting it right first. Everyone has only wonderful words for Emerald and I haven't even received the guitar. It's okay to stay optimistic . I will wait until January 4th to read further information from you and possibly write to Kevin. Is there anyone else here on the forum who recently received his X20 after you? |
#10
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Emerald is not identical to Taylor neck profiles, but close enough for me. I have my X20 mostly because another AGF'er had some issues with the neck profile compared to his Taylor and Rainsong guitars. So he sold it and I happily bought it -- and will keep it. I have no idea on what that new bridge/saddle design might do to tone, good or bad. I remain optimistic for you, even as my hope fades further.
My communication with Emerald and postings here are intended to let them know that whatever voicing changes they made recently may not be considered as a universal improvement. Without feedback, how would they know? |
#11
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I bought an X20 off the shelf in sept/oct. i knew nothing about CF guitars, having never played or even seen one, i totally love mine. I now have 4 taylors for reference. . EDIT: i broke a bunch of rules so i changed my post.
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X7, X30-12 string, X20, Amicus Last edited by kitesurfer; 01-01-2021 at 07:20 AM. |
#12
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I hope so, I really hope so because what you describe is exactly how I would like to feel when receiving the X20 Play it for the first time and understand that it will be my favorite for a long time. Last edited by domen; 01-02-2021 at 12:48 PM. |
#13
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I loaned it to a friend for a week or two so he could give me an unbiased second opinion, but I have not given up on it -- yet. Candidly, if he or his carbon-curious friend offered me a reasonable price, it would be sold in a heartbeat. Or it would go back to Donegal for a refund if they offered me that option (they have no obligation to do that with a custom order). Playing the 2016 version of the X20 last night for an hour was much nicer tonally, but I already miss the shorter and more comfortable 24.6" scale length. My instinct there was correct. But I had no idea that they would change the fundamental layup process - or whatever they did - by the time mine was under construction. I approved the pinless bridge and scalloped fretboard end, but nothing was said about a different top. With five other examples of Emerald guitars in the house, I was pretty confident about what would be delivered. I was ready to accept the new custom guitar to replace the stock model outright, but it has not worked out that way. |
#14
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Kevin confirmed that the frets on the X20 are FW43080 (.080 x .043), almost as @eatswodo had kindly measured ... that's okay for me
considering that radius is 16° i should not feel differences arriving from a 15°, what do you think? or maybe that single degree of difference can be felt more also thanks to the different neck width? (1 11/16 vs 1 3/4) Quote:
I obviously exposed my fears to the very kind and patient Kevin who was very concise on this topic, he simply said that he played about every Emerald guitar and the x20 is the perfect dreadnought, adding to see @byudzai's in-depth review (which we both certainly have carefully seen) and the comparison with the D28. The point here however would not be how the new X20 sounds compared to the Martin D28 but rather how the new X20 sounds compared to an old X20. I can certainly understand Kevin's caution in not saying if they have changed something but I repeat that, given that a purchase of an Emerald can only be considered by listening to opinions and videos on the net, it would be useful not to give different expectations to customers. I do not intend in any way to cancel this expensive purchase but at least I do not want to have expectations that then lead to any kind of disappointment. Spending all that money and not being happy with it would be a really bad blow. If you think it will be appropriate to tell something more about what Kevin told you I would be grateful otherwise I understand that, at some point, it may remain a private matter. |
#15
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One small point - the radius is actually measured in inches, not degrees, so would be more properly expressed as 16".
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |