New redesigned Emerald X20!

[esimms86]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

I like everything except the new bridge shape. I feel the point has become one of Emerald's signature design features, and complements the shape better than the new one.

I do like the pinless bridge.
Bevels on Bevels!
Some folks will like the improved neck access.
The fretboard swoop looks fantastic.


I expected a redesign of the heel this year, the other changes are unexpected.

You can't expect Alistair to sit still during the pandemic; after all, he's a guy who started out working with racing boats and formula one race cars!

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

I was pretty impressed by how hard he could attack the guitar without it sounding like it broke up. Many smaller guitars begin to sound distorted when played hard like that.

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I was pretty impressed by how hard he could attack the guitar without it sounding like it broke up. Many smaller guitars begin to sound distorted when played hard like that.

The X20 is a very versatile acoustic guitar. The new tweaks are functional and aesthetic, not just a change for change' sake. Nice!

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I was pretty impressed by how hard he could attack the guitar without it sounding like it broke up. Many smaller guitars begin to sound distorted when played hard like that.

Yeah definitely a couple magicians there- Alistair and Hagrid...er, Johnny.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

Yeah definitely a couple magicians there- Alistair and Hagrid...er, Johnny.

Hagrid! I love it. ROTFL

It was a good video and the enthusiasm came through clearly from both builder and user. I did send an email last night before hitting the rack, but no answer so far. As mountainmaster pointed out, I'm sure that Chloe and Kevin are hip deep in emails right now given the announcement. They will answer when they can.

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Hagrid! I love it. ROTFL

It was a good video and the enthusiasm came through clearly from both builder and user. I did send an email last night before hitting the rack, but no answer so far. As mountainmaster pointed out, I'm sure that Chloe and Kevin are hip deep in emails right now given the announcement. They will answer when they can.

I’m very tempted by this model. I returned an X20 because I found the top back edge to be uncomfortable on my ribs. If it had a bevel, I’d have kept it. I see one of these in my future, regardless of whether Or not I get a Sable now.

[dmcginnis]

The new design is very impressive - I would really love to hear a good comparison between the new and old X-20 and the X-30 to see how the sound compares. They do such good quality videos now - it would be great to have a comparison video showing a variety of playing techniques.

[Earl49]

Just when you are out Mike, they pull you back in! At some point you will have to fish or cut bait..... I can tell you direct experience that returns (while not free) are easy with emerald. You will be out roughly $160 for shipping both ways. I returned a March 2017 special Chimaera because it did not quite work for my playing style, but even so I almost kept it because it was such a cool example of the guitar making art. Since then, we have bought five Emeralds, with a sixth currently in the queue somewhere, so it's not like they lost. Plus that Chimaera sold again in a matter of weeks.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by esimms86

You can't expect Alistair to sit still during the pandemic; after all, he's a guy who started out working with racing boats and formula one race cars!

Well he was spending a lot of time making that Weisbourn (or however it's spelled)

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

Well he was spending a lot of time making that Weisbourn (or however it's spelled)

Yeah, what a slacker.

It’s Weissenborn, BTW.

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Just when you are out Mike, they pull you back in! At some point you will have to fish or cut bait..... I can tell you direct experience that returns (while not free) are easy with emerald. You will be out roughly $160 for shipping both ways. I returned a March 2017 special Chimaera because it did not quite work for my playing style, but even so I almost kept it because it was such a cool example of the guitar making art. Since then, we have bought five Emeralds, with a sixth currently in the queue somewhere, so it's not like they lost. Plus that Chimaera sold again in a matter of weeks.

Yup! I’m likely to buy the Sable now (working on a good deal) and an X20 down the road. I still want them to come out with an X25...

[esimms86]

Alistair should send one each of the “old” and redesigned X20 to Tony Polecastro of Tony’s Acoustic Challenge. If he also threw in an X30 for the ocean voyage he could ask Tony to compare all three. Tony, after all, is known for playing the same music samples on every guitar he reviews so it would really be an “apples to apples” comparison. He could also give his assessment of the ergonomic changes which would not be so notable to someone with Johnny Gallagher’s physique(said with absolutely no disrespect intended).

Alternatively, he could just gift one to Ruppster .

[jdinco]

Alistair has already stated that there is no tonal difference between the old and new X20....I tend to believe him.

[Earl49]

Me too JD, and I take comfort in knowing that the tone will not change -- I really like my current 2016 stock X20. I still have no idea if my upcoming custom X20 (ordered in FEB) will be the old version or the new version.

[seannx]

He does say that the pinless bridge provides a more direct connection of the strings to the top than bridge pins, to give a stronger transfer of string vibration to the top. While I don’t imagine that would change the sound, maybe it could increase sensitivity plus slightly more volume. What do you all think?