Emerald Questions

[steelvibe]

Thank you KevinH for the scale comparisons. This was actually very helpful as I was able to decide based on them side-by-side and at relative similar scale to see what I've always suspected; as much as I like the bridge placement of the X7 smack dab in the middle of the lower bout, I would likely not like it due to how I would have to contort my body to get my picking hand where I would need it.

I do have an OF660 with very similar specs as the X7, bhe bridge placement on the OF660 is actually closer in alignment to the bridge on the X20. I have long arms and large hands but on my OF660 my picking hand lands just about where it would on any traditional guitar. Judging by the X7s bridge more like 5" from the edge of the lower bout instead of 6" like my OF660, I would need to adjust my arm in a way that would be uncomfortable.

Plus who doesn't want the sound of a dreadnought that feels like an OM?

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I decided on an X20 rather than the X7 mostly because of the comments on the forum and elsewhere that say the X20 body feels smaller than an OM because of its ergonomic design.

I disagree with the above quite a bit. The X20 feels much larger than an OM. More like a Taylor GA or Guild Small Jumbo.

Much more comfortable than a traditional Dreadnought though.

[sumokids]

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

I disagree with the above quite a bit. The X20 feels much larger than an OM. More like a Taylor GA or Guild Small Jumbo.

Much more comfortable than a traditional Dreadnought though.

I'll respectfully disagree with your disagreement :o)

I'm one of those who posted that an X20 feels smaller than an OM. I played a Larrivee OM as my primary guitar for years before acquiring my X20. I still have the Larrivee and occasionally pull it out for old time's sake and the X20 definitely feels smaller (and much more comfortable).

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by sumokids

I'll respectfully disagree with your disagreement :o)

I'm one of those who posted that an X20 feels smaller than an OM. I played a Larrivee OM as my primary guitar for years before acquiring my X20. I still have the Larrivee and occasionally pull it out for old time's sake and the X20 definitely feels smaller (and much more comfortable).

My 2 cents - my X20 is definitely larger than my 0-16NY, but it’s significantly more comfortable to play.

[JackDaniel]

I almost have a hard time believing the X20 is so big in that comparison picture. I played a 000 for years before getting an X20 and the x20 always felt small to me. It really is ingenious engineering they've done on the shape of the x20. I sold my x20 when I got my x30, but to be honest, the x30 feels a tad bit big to me. I'm 5'11".

[seannx]

Here is a photo of my Emerald X20 Short Scale (24.875”) and Martin 00-18 side by side. The scale lengths of the guitars are the same. The width of the lower bout of the Emerald is 15 1/4”, and the Martin is 14 3/8”. The neck on the Emerald joins the body right at the 14th fret, while the Martin's neck meets the body 3/16” below the 14th fret. The depth of the body of the X20 is 1/2” more than the Martin, and it feels bigger when played, even with the ergonomic design. It’s also heavier.

[KevinH]

Thanks for posting that. Nice to see them side by side.

Originally Posted by seannx

Here is a photo of my Emerald X20 Short Scale (24.875”) and Martin 00-18 side by side. The scale lengths of the guitars are the same. The width of the lower bout of the Emerald is 15 1/4”, and the Martin is 14 3/8”. The neck on the Emerald joins the body right at the 14th fret, while the Martin's neck meets the body 3/16” below the 14th fret. The depth of the body of the X20 is 1/2” more than the Martin, and it feels bigger when played, even with the ergonomic design. It’s also heavier.

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by seannx

Here is a photo of my Emerald X20 Short Scale (24.875”) and Martin 00-18 side by side. The scale lengths of the guitars are the same. The width of the lower bout of the Emerald is 15 1/4”, and the Martin is 14 3/8”. The neck on the Emerald joins the body right at the 14th fret, while the Martin's neck meets the body 3/16” below the 14th fret. The depth of the body of the X20 is 1/2” more than the Martin, and it feels bigger when played, even with the ergonomic design. It’s also heavier.

The photo and the comments are just what I was hoping for. Thanks!

Do you have any other comments about owning a short scale X20?

[seannx]

Originally Posted by Corndog

The photo and the comments are just what I was hoping for. Thanks!

Do you have any other comments about owning a short scale X20?

I bought a stock X20 when the new pinless bridge model first became available, to see if I would like the sound, and the 25 1/2” scale length. The tone, ergonomics, and build quality were great, but I prefer a shorter scale. So I custom ordered an X20 with the same finish and the same scale length as my RainSong and Martin 00-18. I couldn’t discern any appreciable difference in the tone or volume between the two X20s, with the exception that it was more comfortable for me to play. I imagine there could be some slight affect on sound due to reduced string tension, or the 1/2” difference in bridge position (1/8” of the difference is where the neck joins the body), but they both sounded pretty much the same. I sold the stock one quickly here in the classifieds.
I mostly divide playing time between the 00-18, RainSong, and X20. Of the three, the X20 with the anthem pickup, cutaway, and upper fret access is the most versatile. The RainSong has the lowest action, I like the sound a little better than the X20, and it’s a 12 fret. The Martin is in a class by itself, but when the RH gets into the 60’s and it starts to get tubby, the cf guitars still sound the same. One thing I really like about the cf guitars is that their clarity and inherent tone are surprisingly similar to the Martin when the RH is 40-45%.

[Corndog]

Again Sean,
Just the kind of stuff I want to know. Cheers.

[Acousticado]

My main guitar is a Taylor 814c. I also have a 214ceDLX. To me, because of the contours in the right places, my X20 feels smaller and more comfortable than a Taylor GA body and because it “fits” so well, the standard scale even feels a bit shorter...to me. The gloss neck is not sticky at all.

[cleser]

So Corndog, I have both. Both custom builds. Both Nylon.

My X7 is 12 frets to the body, 52 mm nut - wanted the larger nut for classical and fingerstyle playing
My X20 is a short scale, 12 frets tot the body, 50mm nut (a bit narrower)

I luv both, BUT if in retrospect, I could only have one - I’d probably lean towards the X20 due to the fuller overall tone that the larger body provided.

Here’s the link for my x20 - on the Emerald web site
https://emeraldguitars.com/galleries/x20-n-royal-ebony/

The x7 is attached below

If you’re in Florida, let me know and you’re welcome to play’ em.
-cody

[StillStephen]

Why not split the difference and get an X10 - smaller body width, 25.5 scale. I believe the X20 is 1-3/4 nut, whereas the X10 is 1-11/16 nut.

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by cleser

If you’re in Florida, let me know and you’re welcome to play’ em.
-cody

Thanks for the invite Cody, I'm in California. And I'm not sure what I'd derive from nylon strung guitars as that's not my deal

Cheers

[Corndog]

Originally Posted by StillStephen

Why not split the difference and get an X10 - smaller body width, 25.5 scale. I believe the X20 is 1-3/4 nut, whereas the X10 is 1-11/16 nut.

The X10 is cool, no doubt. The X7 is closer (size wise) to my 00s which is what I "think" I want. The 1 11/16" nut isn't my preference either, along with the 25.5" scale. I also don't care about the electric options so I'd be looking at a stripped down version if I went there.

Of course this is all in the abstract and playing these guitars is the only way to form a more conclusive opinion. My inclination at this point is to order an X7 with a 24.5" scale. I'm going through a fairly major house remodel and guitars aren't foremost in my mind right now. That, and my budget is fairly well blown!
I'll pick this all up again early next year I think.