K boys, help me pick a fretboard contour

[Shaneh]

#9 is the best. Balance between useful access and looks

[byudzai]

Originally Posted by Shaneh

#o is the best. Balance between useful access and looks

#0 as in no fret contour?

[Acousticado]

Fwiw, choosing a contour that permits access to maximum upper frets is a non-issue on the X20. My 814c is 14 fret to the body with 20 frets total. My X20 is 14 fret with 24 frets total which should accommodate a #1 contour just fine, and doesn’t get in the way of my right hand play at all. Therefore, the X20 allows for both forum and function no matter what you choose to do.

[byudzai]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Fwiw, choosing a contour that permits access to maximum upper frets is a non-issue on the X20. My 814c is 14 fret to the body with 20 frets total. My X20 is 14 fret with 24 frets total which should accommodate a #1 contour just fine, and doesn’t get in the way of my right hand play at all. Therefore, the X20 allows for both forum and function no matter what you choose to do.

You, sir, are a genius!

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Fwiw, choosing a contour that permits access to maximum upper frets is a non-issue on the X20. My 814c is 14 fret to the body with 20 frets total. My X20 is 14 fret with 24 frets total which should accommodate a #1 contour just fine, and doesn’t get in the way of my right hand play at all. Therefore, the X20 allows for both forum and function no matter what you choose to do.

So, really, the only consideration is which of those contours give you access to the 24th (and, in some cases, the 23rd) fret.

Both #2 and #6 make the most sense to me from that POV; personally, I'd just leave it stock, have 24 fret access across all 6 strings, and, most importantly, not add time and expense to the project, for what is, to me, an insignificant cosmetic 'improvement'.

But, it's not for me to dictate that, and the beauty of the Emerald ethos is that just about anything is possible.

[byudzai]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

Both #2 and #6 make the most sense to me from that POV; personally, I'd just leave it stock, have 24 fret access across all 6 strings, and, most importantly, not add time and expense to the project, for what is, to me, an insignificant cosmetic 'improvement'.

I find the stark, flat break at the bottom of the fretboard ugly and jarring amidst the otherwise sensuous and flowing lines of the guitar.

Those upper frets are all insignificant and cosmetic for me on an acoustic -- I save the scale work for electric -- so I'm going with aesthetics!

[zeeway]

#10 is the clear winner.

[121]

No fret contour.
IMHO would look the best and if we are also considering Emerald's extra deep no neck heel cut away, be more functional too.