Emerald X30 12 string?

[Fixedgear60]

Hi Everyone,

With all this talk about the Emerald X30 I was wondering if anyone has seen a 12 string version in the wild or own one. One of the things I look for in a 12 string is no "jangling" that you hear sometimes with smaller bodied 12 strings because of the two octives. I would imagine with the large body on the X30 it would make a GREAT 12 string guitar with wonderful ergonomics and access. I know my prior Rainsong JM3000 sounded wonderful.

Any thoughts...comments out there????

[RP]

Sounds like a neat idea....

[mot]

I think it would be wonderful too. I've only played an X20-12 and an X20-14. Both were great though that extra two strings on the bottom of the 14 gave me a pause. The variable scale didn't bother me at all.


I'd take any of them. If I were ordering today, it'd be an X30-12 in black carbon fiber. No veneer needed.

[ac]

A bit surprised that there are NO videos of a current X30-12 out there I could find.

I wonder if anyone has ever ordered one from Emerald since the X30 was redesigned?

Here's a video of the very old X30, center holed version 12 string. It's played almost entirely only with finger and thumb picks. No real strumming, old design, and most people don't use fingerpicks exclusively.

So it is what it is--but the video was posted recently.
The quality of the video looks like it may have been a video done near 2005-2006, but just uploaded recently.
A current video, even with a cheap phone, would have a better quality look to it, I think.

[Fixedgear60]

I was surprised too. I wonder given the size of the guitar would a fan frett be of value in a 12 string format? Hummmmm

[Fixedgear60]

Originally Posted by mot

I think it would be wonderful too. If I were ordering today, it'd be an X30-12 in black carbon fiber. No veneer needed.

You read my mind.... wondering of a fan frett would be of value in this format?

[ac]

Found one more video and it looks newer, but it still isn't the current model--maybe a few years old...... again, it was posted just recently.

[ac]

They have made it in the new version--but didn't find a video.

https://emeraldguitars.com/product/x...ge-amber-6-19/

[ac]

Alistair talks about 12 strings in general . . . .

[benderman57]

I've owned 2 different X20 12 Stings that were spectacular. I also have owned an X30 6 string. More robust bass on the X30 compared to my X20 6 strings. Knowing this if I was to have another Emerald 12 String built based on this I would order an X30 12 string. I just don't see how you could go wrong. It would surely have a touch more Bass response & a little less jangle.

[mountainmaster]

There is a short fragment of a X30-12 in this video at 3:19.

[ac]

Great find!

And the sound, to my ears, is super.

[mot]

Originally Posted by Fixedgear60

You read my mind.... wondering of a fan frett would be of value in this format?

Not sure it's needed. If I did go with a variable scale or it is needed with a 12 string, I think I'd try for something in the 24 to 24.5 inch scale on the high notes and around 25.5-26 on the low.

The two videos are phenomenal--thank you AC, great history, great music.

[Earl49]

I cannot speak to the fan fret aspect, but my 24.6" scale custom X20 twelve string is sure a joy to play. That is why I have a matching custom six string in the works.