Emerald: First Gig

Leonardwest · #1 07-29-2017, 09:58 PM

Today I did my first gig with my Emerald Chimaera.

Ensemble was acoustic bass, violin, vibraphone, and guitar.

Hot day, with lots of transitions in terms of temperature and humidity.

Only 1 of the 18 strings needed tuning...incredible.

Sat in the mix wonderfully - sounded great.

Bonus - on one tune I got a reasonable jazz guitar sound out of the 6 string.

Lots of interest from audience members afterwards, too. And not just musos.

What a wonderful instrument! Need to woodshed more to better realize its potential.

Thanks Emerald!

AcouStickistNS · #2 07-30-2017, 06:10 AM

I noticed this also over on my side of the state as well. Last Thursday I checked my tuning before heading out with it and most everything was still in tune. Only one or two strings were a tiny bit off. I could have played without tweaking it. Hasn't been touched for a couple of weeks. I have two other carbon fiber instruments that are similar. The only wood I know of that behaves similar to carbon in this manner is Wenge.

Did you play in Montague? Been getting a lot of emails on their music festivals over there.

Doubleneck · #3 07-30-2017, 06:35 AM

A Emerald Doubleneck will make you many friends after the gig, it alone is a showstopper.

Acousticado · #4 07-30-2017, 09:08 AM

Glad you're enjoying your Chimaera. Please tell us more about it...color, electronics, etc. Post pics of you're able. I have a cocobolo woody version on its way to me right now.

Leonardwest · #5 07-30-2017, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcouStickistNS

I noticed this also over on my side of the state as well. Last Thursday I checked my tuning before heading out with it and most everything was still in tune. Only one or two strings were a tiny bit off. I could have played without tweaking it. Hasn't been touched for a couple of weeks. I have two other carbon fiber instruments that are similar. The only wood I know of that behaves similar to carbon in this manner is Wenge.

Did you play in Montague? Been getting a lot of emails on their music festivals over there.

In Grand Rapids.

Actually I haven't had to do much tuning at all since I received the instrument a couple of months ago.

Leonardwest · #6 07-30-2017, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Glad you're enjoying your Chimaera. Please tell us more about it...color, electronics, etc. Post pics of you're able. I have a cocobolo woody version on its way to me right now.

It is an Artisan in Red like this one:

http://emeraldguitars.com/wp-content...t-Object-1.jpg

AcouStickistNS · #7 07-31-2017, 04:52 AM

One thing I've had to remind people I know is that this is not an electric guitar. They are amazed as to how loud it is unplugged. I'm thinking the inside volume is the same as a normal acoustic, thus allowing a thinner body. The thin body fools some people into thinking it's a hollowbody electric.

Acousticado · #8 07-31-2017, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonardwest

It is an Artisan in Red like this one:

http://emeraldguitars.com/wp-content...t-Object-1.jpg

Thanks Leonard. The Chimaera looks great in red. I see that you have the Baggs iMix. Based on your satisfaction with the guitar in performance, you must be satisfied with it. My new Chimaera will have the latest Baggs electronics Alistair has designed for the Chimaera where he has created a dual Element system. I don't plug in much, but I'm hoping it works well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcouStickistNS

One thing I've had to remind people I know is that this is not an electric guitar. They are amazed as to how loud it is unplugged. I'm thinking the inside volume is the same as a normal acoustic, thus allowing a thinner body. The thin body fools some people into thinking it's a hollowbody electric.

Yes, the Chimaera body is shallow which certainly contributes to its comfort and relatively low profile, and it is loud enough to compete with other regular size acoustics. I think the larger than normal vibrating soundboard area is a major reason.

Leonardwest · #9 08-01-2017, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcouStickistNS

One thing I've had to remind people I know is that this is not an electric guitar. They are amazed as to how loud it is unplugged. I'm thinking the inside volume is the same as a normal acoustic, thus allowing a thinner body. The thin body fools some people into thinking it's a hollowbody electric.

LOL - I've run into that, as well.

Leonardwest · #10 08-01-2017, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Thanks Leonard. The Chimaera looks great in red. I see that you have the Baggs iMix. Based on your satisfaction with the guitar in performance, you must be satisfied with it. My new Chimaera will have the latest Baggs electronics Alistair has designed for the Chimaera where he has created a dual Element system. I don't plug in much, but I'm hoping it works well.

Yes, the Chimaera body is shallow which certainly contributes to its comfort and relatively low profile, and it is loud enough to compete with other regular size acoustics. I think the larger than normal vibrating soundboard area is a major reason.

I look forward to your report on once you recevied your instrument!

I am very satisfied with it. I was very happy with the sound of our ensemble this weekend and I thought the Emerald sounded great. FWIW I rolled off the bass and boosted the mids on my pre-amp. That seemed to work best in the room and with the vibes and bass.