Just speculating about Emerald redesigns...

mountainmaster · #1 08-21-2018, 05:35 AM

But do you think the X20 will be next? I would love to see that guitar without a heel and a deeper cutaway like the recent new models.

Tøf · #2 08-21-2018, 07:26 AM

Probably, but when I asked Alistair about it he told me there was no plan to update the X20 anytime soon. The X20 being 14 frets the need for a deeper cutaway is less than for the X30... still nice to have though

Captain Jim · #3 08-21-2018, 08:46 AM

The X20 is already a very comfortable guitar, with plenty of access to the upper frets. I really appreciate how Alistair continues to improve and evolve the entire line. From my perspective, the X20 already feels "fresh" compared to other guitars. Of course, I haven't had the opportunity to play one of the new designs, yet.

mountainmaster · #4 08-21-2018, 09:36 AM

I still have a long wait ahead before my X7 nylon arrives but I am already contemplating my next Emerald.

It will be a steel string but I have not decided yet whether it is going to be another X7 or an X20.

For an X20 I prefer 12 frets to the body and that would require increased upper fret access.
Either that or dropping some of the upper frets, which would not be so bad since acoustic guitars with 24 frets are a rarity anyway.

OK, so maybe not the deep cutaway, but surely that heel can still be annoying?

Earl49 · #5 08-21-2018, 10:18 AM

When I ordered my custom X20-12 last year I requested a 20 fret neck, instead of the normal 24 frets that come on X20 models. Alistair likes 24 frets because it gives two full octaves on one string, and it is unique. My six string guitars don't get played above about fret 18, and never once on a twelve string. My playing does take me routinely to the 17th fret. The current cutaway is more than adequate for my purposes, and ditto for the sound, and I have never noticed the neck heel being in the way as-is

But I never considered 12 frets to the body. It is not clear what might be gained tonally by going to twelve frets, which moves the bridge location on a wood guitar to a more favorable spot on the top.

FWIW I played my wife's X7 for an hour the other day. It is comfy and cute, and sounds very good. But I prefer the bigger, bolder tone of my X20 better. It is good to have both on hand.

Captain Jim · #6 08-21-2018, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

When I ordered my custom X20-12 last year I requested a 20 fret neck, instead of the normal 24 frets that come on X20 models. Alistair likes 24 frets because it gives two full octaves on one string, and it is unique. My six string guitars don't get played above about fret 18, and never once on a twelve string. My playing does take me routinely to the 17th fret. The current cutaway is more than adequate for my purposes, and ditto for the sound, and I have never noticed the neck heel being in the way as-is

But I never considered 12 frets to the body. It is not clear what might be gained tonally by going to twelve frets, which moves the bridge location on a wood guitar to a more favorable spot on the top.

FWIW I played my wife's X7 for an hour the other day. It is comfy and cute, and sounds very good. But I prefer the bigger, bolder tone of my X20 better. It is good to have both on hand.

Earl - you used the "C" word on the X7?? Comfy, yes, sure... but: cute? Cute? That's for a puppy. Maybe a baby. I've even had a couple boats that people called "cute." Alice's X7 is gorgeous! Mine is a manly-man black with the Crystal Ice on the back and sides. Yes, the X20 sounds and feels bigger. But... "cute"??

For full disclosure, I was playing my X7 before I read your post and could feel my manly-man-ness welling within. Not sure I would be able to play the new X7 without tearing though my shirt like the Hulk.

casualmusic · #7 08-21-2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmaster

But do you think the X20 will be next? I would love to see that guitar without a heel and a deeper cutaway like the recent new models.

Hi MM

Emerald rethought it's product line-up and decided that redesign of the X20 body shell is not needed at this time.

They are probably focusing their energy on marketing, selling and delivering many X7 X10 X30s (and X20s) to grow the business and recover the costs of research / design / tooling.

The X10 aims at the lively electric guitar market (Fender and Gibson electrics are doing fine, and Godin/Seagull reports that electric guitars are about half its 160,000ish annual sales). The X10 prioritizes the electric part of electric-acoustic, and offers outdoor performers better weather resistance and easier customization than wood guitar brands. These new customers need to be contacted and informed through advertising and press interviews.

The bigger X7 keeps its compact 34" length (amazing) and 24" scale for customers who want a small guitar. The bigger sound box addresses adverse loudness comparisons to the CA Cargo, Rainsong Parlour and McPherson Traveller. (Journey 660 is too competitive for compact air travel: smallest bulk, lowest price and colours). For loudness, Emerald says that the new X7 is actually a practical alternative to the X10 that we wanted revived.

The X30 boomer is needed for unamplified performances and to compete with dreadnaughts and jumbos at acoustic jams.

Emerald's real bread and butter is customizing with colours, veneers, necks, hardware, etc which it does well.

Cheers.

Earl49 · #8 08-21-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Earl - you used the "C" word on the X7?? Comfy, yes, sure... but: cute? Cute?

Sorry Jim, I did not meant to rile up your testosterone this morning. My second caffeinated soda had not kicked in quite yet. Go pet Rufus's belly and play him some soothing tunes on your awesome X7 woody. All will be well.......

Captain Jim · #9 08-21-2018, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

Sorry Jim, I did not meant to rile up your testosterone this morning. My second caffeinated soda had not kicked in quite yet. Go pet Rufus's belly and play him some soothing tunes on your awesome X7 woody. All will be well.......

Well, I would... if I had an awesome X7 woody... but, I played him some soothing tunes with my awesome X7 Opus.

It was cute... I mean his reaction, not my manly-man X7.

Methos1979 · #10 08-21-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

my manly-man X7.

Wait until you see my X7 custom woody... No one will call her 'cute'. She's going to be SEXY! The NGD post will have to be rated NC17 - you'll have to prove your age before you can access her photos!!! 'Guitar Porn' will no longer be a colorful euphemism!!

Captain Jim · #11 08-21-2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Wait until you see my X7 custom woody... No one will call her 'cute'. She's going to be SEXY! The NGD post will have to be rated NC17 - you'll have to prove your age before you can access her photos!!! 'Guitar Porn' will no longer be a colorful euphemism!!

Wow - looks like I'll just make the age cut.

I have no doubt that your new X7 custom woody will be a looker.

One must understand that my buddy Earl is a big guy; self-described as "NFL size." Putting an X7 on him would be... cute. Being an average size guy myself, I am able to pull off the X7 or the X20 without either seeming too big or too small.

Does this guitar make my butt look big?

I guess this means you will be learning some Justin Timberlake, Scott... 'cause you will be "bringing sexy back."

kramster · #12 08-21-2018, 06:26 PM

So is a custom woody the new black?...whatever all that actually means these days...

Captain Jim · #13 08-21-2018, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramster

So is a custom woody the new black?...whatever all that actually means these days...

Didn't you see the Padauk in another thread? Apparently it is the new oran... um, red!

AZLiberty · #14 08-21-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

When I ordered my custom X20-12 last year I requested a 20 fret neck, instead of the normal 24 frets that come on X20 models.

Odds of me playing a 12-string past the 5th fret are pretty low. Is that 12 also a short(er) scale? The one thing I really liked was the flipped G course for fingerpicking.

Earl49 · #15 08-21-2018, 08:47 PM

Good memory there, AZ. It is a 24.6" scale, and I had them flip the G course for finger picking during the final set up. That is something I do on all my twelvers (my former Seagull S12 and my soon-to-be ex-Taylor 354). That way my index finger gets both the primary and octave string on its up stroke. I've even pondered flipping all of the courses, Rickenbacker style.

When my order was developing, I realized that there would be no need for 24 frets on a twelve-string - ever - and the longer fret board might actually get in the way of my strum depending on how the guitar sat. So I had them use the 20 frets from the twelve string side of a Chimaera. I too don't play much past fret 5 or 7 on a twelve string normally, even when capo'ed up. I have tried some alternate tunings where I play higher up the neck, like Open G. But that makes for too many G strings and D strings. Sometimes too much is..... too much.

Aside: we'll be heading for Sun City again in mid-October to visit MIL. Since we are driving, I can easily bring the X20-12 with me too, if you like. It would be interesting to play it next to your WS-3000. Carbon Fest II?