Nice review. I doubt it is real abalone inlay ... plastic tap copy is OK for this price, but not likely real. Also, I rather doubt your theory (WAG) they are made by students in a school. Research indicates they are made in modern factories on CNC machines, with low cost labor, cheap parts (like fake Grover tuning gears) and other low cost parts. Still, it plays well and sounds OK for the cost. - NOT a Martin, but not all bad either. I appreciate the nice review ... I just doubt your theory about students making them. But you ARE entitled to your take, so as my favorite Drill Sgt used to say, "Drive on soldier!" Be happy, healthy and save old man. TT

I have the same no name guitar with all the abalone and tree of life inlays I kept going back to Temu and looking at it. My husband noticed how much I Kept Looking at it, so he bought it for me for my birthday. he paid $378.00. I was expecting it to be cheaply made and poor quality. But it's amazingly well built and sounds great, and plays great also. Glad my husband took the gamble I will not be selling mine, I love it. if you want one try looking on Temu for acoustic guitar then sort the list by most expensive on top you'll find it there are a couple different sellers, selling them. however mine was sold as no name brand, and when I got mine it had Martin D-45 stamped on the inside. but IT was not even listed as a martin knockoff. That's as much as i know about mine. it is real abalone inlays and it is built really well. I can tell someone had to have done some handwork on it.

That thing sounds like a damn grand piano ! Gorgeous.

I’d say all prices have gone up, I just ordered an iris DF model and was quoted less than 3k with rosewood, Adirondack and painted top upgrades which is in line with when the first came out. I’d say what JP saw was upgraded further. What I’ve seen is Robins guitars have gone way up since JP started supporting them. I’d rather not see Iris get on his channel for fear of the same effect.

I don't know what you played in the beginning of the video. But I guarantee DM. T. It would sound incredible on a 12 string version of that Emerald. But it really sounded great. Even with a six

Beautiful and very articulated sounding Guitar with its own footprint! Love it....

Hello JP Been watching since your channel since the beginning , don't think I have missed a single episode ! First, about the Emerald, what model is that & what model do you suppose has the best tonal quality ? Tomorrow my Boucher Beauty arrives, that would be the JP signature model, the actual one you played at The Acoustic Shoppe review aired a few days ago !!!

At times I feel like it has a piano sound to it

Speaking of "a proper D45 clone" built by Hsienmo, I own one, bought directly from their custom shop. Top grade Adirondack spruce top "aged yellow" ( NOT "torreified" ) with solid Honduran rosewood back/sides, and ALL of the D45 abalone & ivoroid bells & whistles including a gorgeous abalone "vine" that covers the entire face plate on the head stock. Gold Grover open gear tuners. The guitar is not only gorgeous, it's a monster. Price: ONLY $2500 US. ( I own 4 Hsienmo acoustic's. ) Martin would have to build the same instrument out of their own custom shop, and that guitar would cost at least $12K US. Believe it.

Well . . . my 100 year old martin mandolin sounds just fine to me . . . Fshape mandolins are very high pitched for a reason, never liked them without being paired with another instrument, not stand alone to my taste. Cheers.

When it comes to the certain type of people who insist on buying & playing grossly over-priced guitars, I believe that is nothing more than a combination of being stubborn, developing an obsession, and ( I hate to say this: ) allowing themselves to be transformed into a "brand loyal snob". And this "condition" is not unique to only guitarists, the same holds true for markets such as outboard motor brands and even automobiles, just to name a couple. These types of people also suffer from being in total denial. They deny the fact that other guitar companies are building guitars that are as good or even better, yet costs much less than the brand they have become obsessed with. It only gets worse if they start dissing or smearing other brands publicly, and/or the people who buy & love the other brands. It's a sad condition to be in.

I can definitely hear a difference between the response of wood and this carbon Emerald model. I was a fan of Ovation back in the day and have returned to them for the even predictable response and playability. Less boom, is what I call hi-fi sound. This one should be awesome for traveling and stage use. You may end up loosing your mind over this one. Big Love and Merry Christmas.

What makes them so much better ? Gears , and levers . Bearings and shafts . Why do the strings look like they hitting the posts ?

I play a Sire S3 with a satin neck. I love it. I don't want to play another glossy neck.

I played bluegrass for over ten years in the 70s. I was a banjo player. As a matter of fact I played the Grand Ole Opry in 75. Pretty much all guitar players played Martins. A lot of those Martins were over 50 years old. They all sounded fantastic. Thing is to buy one like that now would be up to $10K or more. I have to say This Yamaha acoustic blows me away how they sound just as great only $1230. IMPRESSIVE !! P.S. Yamaha provides a nice hardshell case.

Thanks for sharing this J.P. Did you read the story about Bill Rickard in the 'About' section of his website... if you haven't you'll be in awe. Also, not only does he make the tuners and all the other accessories for banjos, but he also builds banjos and guitars. One day maybe I'll try this.

That guitar can do about every acoustic job a person could ever want to do. It sounds soooo good. I like nice machine heads, but how well do they set in the case?

Jp how do they fit in cases?

Maybe they had it right the first time.

Thnx Jp for all your videos from Arizona

So many viewers complaining about "how they look on the guitar". I think they look VERY classy. And I can already see how they make re-stringing and tuning much faster & easier. And because the gears are in-line with the tuning shaft, ( on the same axis ), they must be better in every way, in design, function, and durability.

I desperately wish they'd release a 12 fret DREADNOUGHT Laureate 😮

If you like them, that is all that matters. I prefer Waverly the action is great.

Hey JP. This is the first itme I have seen a video of yours this old. We all age don't we... Haha. Anyway, loved the simplicy of this video with you just mainly palying a song. Really enjoyed it.

These look wild. I am not sure the look is for me, but the functionality looks great. Hummmmm??

Nice video man, just bought the Blackstar Sonnet 120 and want another acoustic amp in the same league wich could actually be this one since I like the flat good sound you describe and enjoy ;-)

I'd get em if i was anywhere as good as you but I'm barely as good as me so amazon crap it is..😅

Are these a grind finish gear? , or spline milled gear cutt?

Not for me, don’t like the look

No ears

I just don't know. They stick out to long on back

The visuals aren't to my taste, but I'm curious to know if tuners can truly enhance the overall guitar sound beyond maintaining pitch. Please let us know your impressions after installing them on the other guitars. Cheers.

Absolutely horrible....Ill stick with grovers thanks

JP! Thank you for comparing these two stellar Dreds. It may be just as difficult to for You to hear my thoughts as it is for Me to hear your personal assessments you just made! To my point: the microphone/recording/my speakers/the room I'm in - all contribute to the overall experience of sound - and they both were rich and resonant and surprisingly similar to my ears. Not the same mind you, but both great sounding. What bothers me is for you to be as bowled over by one - over the other ... and has to mean it's all "live dynamics". Tough to make me feel relevant to make any choice! Another thing that draws them both together in their sweet tone ... is you. As a listener I'm mostly hearing your unique "coaxing" out, of the two guitar's "voice" - which blends them fairly even-sounding, I'm thinking. My son bought a BG52 in the last year and I have owned an early 70's D-41 (though now sold) but now play a custom 000-28 VS 1928 spec 12-fret slot-head. I have owned many fantastic vintage Dreds, and hear in my son's BG52 a more "modern" tone/volume/resonance than a typical Martin build. From 1964 to fairly recent I've felt Martin built too heavy, but you can now run into a custom that is very lively and open - and that is how the BG52 sounds (torrified helps). Anyway; thanks again - If you ever have a chance - play a Martin Woody Mann Sig. It will leave a mark! Love your effort and love your heart (and your playing) - and applaud your appreciation for Alvarez (of all makers!!). God bless us all!!

Those are cool. Much more ergonomic than traditional tuners, but the visual from the front is a little hard to get used to.

So John what is your favorite playing Parlor Guitar ?

Does it still fit your case?

I was watching your solo and realised I was literally dribbling on the front of my shirt

something about the difference in weight seems to sometime improve and/or weaken the way instruments sound. Bela Fleck knows about this too. man that guitar does sound righteous!

Looks like it will require a new guitar case🙁

Over $300. I’ll stick with my Grovers.

I'm going to put those on my Yamaha fgx3. It'll be like my RK76 Elite. I put an ebony armrest on it. Looks sweet. Cheers man! I am #36 on the drawing this month. Quite exciting.

Check out Adrian Legg "The Wizard of Strings"..he is using those kind of tuners for quick change of tunnings 👍

Yup they fit fine

Fancy

Very nice! They look rather deep. Will there be acceptable clearance when cased? Semper Fi

Just bought a FGX5 based off this review and some others. He ain't wrong. Thanks J.P!