Emerald Guitars Virtuo - Can This Guitar Do Everything?

[@johnhajewski1343]

1. This is the best audio i have heard of the actual sound of the acoustic. 2. It is weird to see you shred electric on this 3. I want the overdrive reverb behind the guitar 4. Emerald is cool

[@MuseumsBloke]

What an absolutely beautiful instrument, and what a phenomenal tone palette? Tyler from the Music Is Win YT channel played a 12 string recently - holy crap, what a sound!!! So refreshing amongst the multiple rehashes of all of the tried and tested designs. Nice demo too, Paul .

[@jackprice7828]

I’ve now listened to a number of videos on this guitar. Your audio is excellent so it really gives you a clear glimpse of the tones this guitar is capable of.

[@sc0repio662]

I've had my Virtuo for coming onto to 2 years now & it's easily the King the my collection, followed closely by my X20. Those dual Fishmen give the Virtuo have plenty of growl & it easily surpasses my PRS 24-08 as far as tones & combos goes (and that's *before* I hook up the GK cable to the SY-1000 synth pedal) Overall, the design is magnificent. The deep cutaway give access all the way to last fret & those wonderful beveled edges make it extremely comfortable to play for extended periods. The ace in the hole - is it's more than 2.5 lbs lighter than any other ax on my wall.

[@markcarleton6647]

I’m happy to see you reviewing the Virtuo! I’ve had a Virtuo for around 6 months and love it! The build quality is top notch. The guitar is so light and the ergonomics are excellent. The Virtuo is the first guitar I’ve played with the Fishman Fluence pickups. Paul, I’d love to see you compare the Fluence pickups with other pickup types (PAF, single coil, etc…).

[@emeraldguitars]

Hi from Emerald mark! Glad you're loving your virtuo 😁

[@markcarleton6647]

It’s a fantastic guitar. The quality / tone / playability is at the same level as my PRS guitars. On top of that, its low maintenance because of the carbon fiber construction. My introduction to Emerald guitars was with the X20 acoustics. I’ve got two X20s which are amazing. Paul should review an X20! I have some high end Collings and Martin wood acoustics. The Emerald X20 acoustics sound at least as good but I don’t have to baby them like my wood guitars.

[@jackvai2681]

HERE GOES ANOTHER THREE GRAND... THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME... SO BEAUTIFULLY VERSATILE.

[@professordeb]

Nearly 4 with customizations! But I know what you mean!!

[@VinnyTheAxe]

What a great sound that thing has to it. Well done on the demo.

[@LarryMitchellmusic]

Very nice review. great playing

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Larry!

[@ey870]

Lovely playing as always Paul, very cool guitar too

[@TheStudioRats]

Many thanks!!

[@whatsupeh1]

What a lovely and beautiful sounding guitar. Emerald was smart to send you one to review. You obviously know your way around the instrument and play so beautifully. I’m not a guitarist. I bought my first guitar, coming up on 5 years ago… an Emerald X10 to learn on. I love it! I don’t think I could have chosen anything better as my first. When the Virtuo was first introduced, I commented on the Emerald post that I thought this would be a very sought after guitar. Pretty sure I’m not wrong. Thanks for doing this.

[@jwn741]

good looking finishes. i like the knob placements too. i would have to play one and compare it to a solid body. The price is going to keep it out of most stores, in the states, for demo purposes.

[@k8923]

Wow!! Within the first couple of seconds I was saying out loud "What the hell is this thing?" Incredible acoustic/electric sound. I've never heard anything that approaches this rich, guitar string oriented sound while also have beautiful electric capability. Great demo.

[@emeraldguitars]

Glad you enjoyed the Virtuo! We designed it to cover all the bases and be the ultimate stage and studio tool 😁 thanks from Emerald HQ!

[@DavidEidelberg]

Bought one. Sold it. I just couldn’t get a good enough plugged in acoustic sound. Felt weird as an electric but sounded great.

[@robertclinger7351]

Absolutely, Absolutely, Absolutely!

[@Celticsaint777]

I want a Virtuo 12 string.

[@michaelholmes9874]

I bought one of the Virtuos and I hardly play anything else now. Very happy with the plugged in acoustic sound, very easy to play, the electric sounds brilliant through a Helix stomp into a PA. Everyone comments on how good it sounds. Seriously looking at an X20 or X30 for my next guitar purchase.

[@RWDcossiewil]

I can only encourage you to get an X30, they are stunning!! I want a Virtuo to keep it company! 😂

[@MrSteney]

I think it's really cool. Surprised the humbuckers work without tone wood😊 I'm with you on the Tele style electric. I'd be all over that.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Such a stunning guitar, both sonically and aesthetically. I've never been one for the carbon fiber look, but it's just an issue for me here. Versatility for days. Thanks for the demo!

[@BumblebeeElectron]

Emerald has an option to add a very thin veneer of exotic wood to the top. You can choose from a whole range of gorgeous woods, and pick your own piece. The thin veneer is fused to the carbon fiber as it is molded, so it doesn't reduce the insane structural integrity of the carbon.

[@ransombaggins9301]

@@BumblebeeElectron Awesome! Good to know. Thanks.

[@bryanfarless9579]

You are an awesome guitar player, sounds great!

[@TheStudioRats]

Thank you kindly!

[@kmichaelp4508]

That’s very interesting to say the least. I’m not all that as far as the lack of brightness on acoustic, especially on the top end. But still doable. Love the Fishman.

[@DBroce]

I wasn’t into it, until you plugged it in. Very cool.

[@jwright8838]

Nicely done and a great instrument. I could envision a hollow carbon fiber super strat with piezo and HSS.

[@isitreallyisitreally1756]

Would it not be more useful to have separate out puts , so one to guitar amp one to PA / acoustic amp ?

[@garycoates4987]

I think this is just great , Im going to have to find the way to get one ,,, I think it's expensive but seems totally worth it, I think the the people saying it's overpriced wouldn't say it's overpriced if it was wood. I think the hesitation for guitarist is they think it's "plastic" or not as "real" as a wood guitar which is just not the case .

[@adisolar]

Thank you very much, this is really informative.

[@tankdarla637]

wow, and it looks great too!

[@MasterControlKnob]

Nice guitar. Great sweater! ;-)

[@johngudgeon7454]

4K AUD for the cheapest model before shipping, import duty and gst. Not forgetting the mandatory impertinence charges for waking up a customs officer. I think I'll invest $30 for new batteries for my 98 parker fly deluxe and my prs artist hollow body ii instead.

[@professordeb]

What you’re paying for is the hand craftsmanship and knowhow that goes into it. Totally on par with makers like Taylor, Martin, PRS. These are definitely high end instruments!

[@chrisloud1976]

Great guitar playing, I like your demo 🎶

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for listening

[@voodoogcarlos4393]

Honest question...Do these guitars have a "soul" without the wood? Just seems as though I'm hearing frequencies that aren't resonating with me (acoustically). The electric humbucker mode is beastly, but that side doesn't necessarily need a "soul".

[@KimKesler-po4xp]

This is the one of the best Virtuo by Emerald Guitars video I have ever seen. Are you relay playing through the Dumble Amps in this demo?

[@professordeb]

Great review…Thanks! I’d love to hear it completely unplugged. How does it sound as a pure acoustic instrument? I wonder if it’s missing some bass being so thin. (Andf great playing, too, BTW!)

[@DaringDan]

I like all of it except the carbon fiber look. I'd love one with a veneer on the front or solid color. Great sounding guitar and fantastic demo. Cheers. EDIT: After checking their stock, they have exactly that. Wonderful.

[@sc0repio662]

Getting to choose the top is the chef's Kiss using the 3D builder. I chose a Redwood Burl top for my Virtuo & their craftsman expertly lined it up so it looks like the grain pattern are flames coming out of the humbuckers. My X20 has a Candy Striped Padauk top that has a grain pattern with what looks like the figure of an Angel.

[@sandrews7760]

I was really interested in one of there weissenborn instruments great website, really good communication. But there is no way of trying there instruments at least as it stood, a couple of years ago. It was suggested I take a trip to Ireland which would have added some cost to an instrument I would already struggle to pay for. This again really interests me in principle …. I doubt I will ever get to try one, fall for it and make the purchase.. in the end I resorted to entering competitions to try and win one. Not a perfect solution for the manufacturer or myself. Great demo, interesting instrument. What did I it sound like unplugged in the room purely acoustic?

[@smithfield06]

Great review and playing Paul as always, how would you compare the emerald guitar to the fender acoustasonic?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Smithfield, I’ve never tried an acoustasonic I’m afraid, I’ll see if I can get a lend.

[@Biffinnbridge]

Looks like one of Jivey’s tops! Were you going to the bingo? 😂

[@Chrislayeruk1]

I bought one in the Emerald sale. Had a great deal, I never need to buy an electric guitar again. That makes it as cheap as chips… Good things ain’t cheap and cheap things ain’t good.

[@Celticsaint777]

The Virtuo is the best electric guitar available.

[@Utube-s8m]

Some Brian Moore guitars have piezo’s in the bridge and if you want a synth and a usb which I don’t want any of that. They’re super strats that went direct so nobody knows about them anymore. They had their ideas stolen yrs ago and it took ty yrs to get their idea back and patent. Not sure what happened but have a few and they come with Seymour Duncan pick ups and pull out the volume knob and u get about 14 options. They’re like a thinner, curved for comfort Suhr type super strat.

[@nigelwilliams3311]

I bought a Virtuo in September 2021 after seeing Justin Johnson's demo on KZbin. It sounds fantastic and, as you say, very versatile. I was very impressed with how resistant to feedback it is, given the hollow body. The carbon fibre is very stable, and it stays in tune for months. I don't think you mentioned that the humbuckers also have split to single coil via pull/push on the tone control. I should point out that it is not MIDI, but Roland's GK system, and they are not the same thing. It can be used with Roland synths, but not general MIDI equipment.

[@emeraldguitars]

Glad you're enjoying your virtuo 😁 Hi from Emerald!

[@stevedalzell9258]

Parker and Godin and many others did this in the 90s, the more that things change, the more they stay the same.

[@Celticsaint777]

What strings are you using? What brand and gauge?

[@kennethr.vanamerongen1386]

Thanks for the great review . Are you using any post processing for the acoustic pickup ?

[@gnormmusic3172]

Paul, what about the balance? Is the guitar perceptibly neck-heavy at all? I’ve been looking at that model for quite a while, but there’s nowhere near me to check one out in person. Thanks.

[@TheDanielGuy23]

Impressive tones for sure, puts stuff like the Acoustasonics to shame. Seems like the ultimate do-it-all for gigs. I can't say I'm sold on the looks though...

[@sorenahlback]

They look really cool, sounds good but still I get mixed feelings.

[@57ebartley]

How heavy is it? Im at that age where I only buy Lighter guitars.

[@bluepencil99]

How well does it sound as an acoustic unplugged?

[@kmichaelp4508]

My sentiments exactly!

[@TheStudioRats]

Sounds good, not like a full body acoustic, but very usable

[@2Plus2isChicken2013]

It’s a very nice sounding guitar for sure. What material are the frets? Stainless steel?

[@TheStudioRats]

Correct!

[@onealmark1]

Nice playing as always Paul. What amp were you using for the acoustic sound? Was it the same amp for the electric guitar sound? Thanks.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers, the acoustic sound was di straight into an interface.

[@healtheworldprogram]

Which strings are on that Virtuo. Electric or Acoustic?

[@TheStudioRats]

Electric

[@ramilrodriguez8340]

Nice, great but, for me, it’s all about wood. Only carbon fiber the guitars I build have is neck reinforcement bars.😂😂. I love wood with all it’s beauty from looks to sound. It’s just special.

[@joejohnson8966]

0:04 very musical thirds etude

[@brianporter5385]

What is the neck profile like?, is it thick , thin etc?

[@seanmcmorris]

What kind of strings did you use? I'm surprised there was no mention of it, or maybe I missed it. Cheers!

[@TheStudioRats]

They were 11-52 electric strings

[@MrPhotonjockey]

How does it relic?

[@aramancam]

Just got one today. I get nowhere near the quality of sounds this musician does. What is in the chain between guitar and amp? And what amp is being used?

[@TheStudioRats]

It was a amplified nation ODR, nothing in between the guitar and amp.

[@aramancam]

@@TheStudioRats thanks for the info. I’m going through a Spark 40 amp now and it’s sounding much better!

[@Guitars-Gear-Music]

It might have some problems with whammy bar stuff 😉

[@martoneill]

Cool

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Does sound nice to be fair. But the price is a bit salty.

[@Dan-po1ge]

My Acoustisonic is a lot easier for the average player but the versatility of this is amazing.

[@pz1792]

like the look, but sounds too cold to me like other non-wood guitars

[@RaxFx]

How heavy is it?

[@aramancam]

5 pounds

[@RaxFx]

@@aramancamThanks!

[@hootowl6354]

I looked at these a few years ago. I watched one video comparing these to a wood guitar. The wood sounded better acoustically. But a wood acoustic is not versatile or durable like this. A fiber guitar would be perfect for a long boat trip, for example.

[@ptalley316]

Taylor T3 eat your heart out:)

[@rikardlundgren7779]

Sounds like a modern variax

[@SeriousTipStudio]

Lol, are you crazy? Their guitar is over 3,000, and it's not made out of wood, too. PRS all day long for something like this. 😅😂😊 great demo 👍

[@jeremyversusjazz]

Judt cuz it can do everything doesnt mean it should. 😉

[@enigmanemo9352]

For $4K, Steve Vai better come with the guitar.

[@rroades]

Just will never have that much to spend…

[@raydowley1038]

might be a great all-round tonally guitar but aesthetically leaves me cold imho

[@garywhitt98]

This guitar is expensive. This guitar will save you money in the long run as it will be the last guitar you buy. Emerald is quality.

[@emeraldguitars]

Hi from Emerald, thanks for the comment 😁

[@circlemover]

Not my bag really. A 'modern' guitar for sure, that will have its admirers. 'Electric' acoustic guitar has never sounded convincing to me either live or recording. Best to mic it up for a more natural sound. Electric guitars sounds? plenty to choose from . Why invent a hybrid instrument as a jack-of-all trades? boarders on a gimmick.

[@Check-it-out]

Sounds like strings on an empty vat of pickles !

[@sadman11able]

Sorry Paul but just like the Relish guitars, this is fugly

[@mofateam1]

thatś what i call a ugly piece of gear 😂

[@bikerider4326]

Better be a big time drug dealer in order to BUY ONE! 😢 Definitely out of reach for almost all people except for the most wealthy. Maybe you should just be HONEST about THAT?

[@carsgunsandguitars]

Very cool