Emerald Guitars X20 & X30 Carbon Fibre Acoustic Guitars Overview - Which is right for you?

[@eatswodo]

I currently own two acoustic guitars - a 61-year-old Martin, and a fan-fret Emerald X20 (my 4th Emerald). They are both terrific instruments with their own personality. The X20 can sit out on a stand all year in Minnesota, whereas my lovely old Martin needs pampering and humidification. I’ll never part with the Martin, but the Emerald is the one that gets all the playing time.

[@enigmabletchley6936]

Thanks for a very cool exposition of the X20 and X30 guitars. The idea of a 12 fret 'super' jumbo but one with access to the higher frets thanks to the cutaway, is very intriguing.

[@MichaelWatts]

It really works!

[@garywhitt98]

Get one. You’ll love it forever.

[@stickman55100]

I purchased an X30 based on watching one of your videos. It sounds amazing and feels fantastic. It feels very comfortable and not nearly as large as the Gibsons (J200 and Super 400) that I’ve owned.

[@MichaelWatts]

Congratulations! Happy NGD!

[@robertnewell5057]

Scintillating performances from these unusual guitars. I'm a fan. I have an X20 and would probably think about getting another model, but strangely, with the almost unlimited selection of options, there are only 3 models available left-handed. I think you are playing the tradional acoustic configuration which sounds great. Once you add in Ghost piezo and K&K tranducers, the versatility is amazing. Finally, you see a lot of comments on the cost of these, but if you want a no frills X20, that'll set you back just £1850, which is less than many premium US brands made of traditional materials, the fit and finish is the equal of high end US and UK guitars, and it includes a Hiscox Liteflite case!

[@MichaelWatts]

Some very good points there Robert!

[@ellenrik]

I really appreciate the way you play the "instrument" as apposed to playing guitar, your touch on the X20 is noticeably different than the X30, just as it should be. Wonderful playing as always.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much - I try my best to listen to what the guitar is telling me!

[@paulboden7850]

Always a joyous occasion when MDW uploads a video. Funny, just this morning, I was thinking how much I appreciate a short scale. Perhaps I'm getting lazy.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Paul! Short scales are wonderful!

[@roscoe2311]

3:56 you weren't kidding! That strumming sounds incredible. Thanks for the video!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@davidthebiker2955]

Oh my goodness those sound amazing

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it David!

[@89digits59]

Beautiful and well-made guitars 👍

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@67er_matze97]

amazing instruments and presentation of these. Especially I have loved the fact that besides some amazing soloing lines you have also played some strummed chords. For me one very important criterium for a folk style guitar is there must be some nice growling going on when strumming open chords. I think both instruments did very well on that. So for me it turns out I need one of these. I'm still in the process of figuring out some details but I think I will go with the X20. For me mostly because I think just from the look and feel a 14 fret to the body guitar might feel more like what I am used to from my wooden instruments. But that's a very individual thing and for me a very close decision. Both are amazing I think.

[@MichaelWatts]

Have fun on the 3D builder!

[@ScottRandall31]

Tough, but as an all-round guitar I think I’d have to go for the X20. For fingerstyle, maybe the X30. Great sounds!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ScottRandall31 thank you Scott! It is a tough choice but the 12 fret neck on the X30 clinches it for me

[@donaldholman9070]

Great playing…thank you😊

[@MichaelWatts]

Thanks for listening!

[@rodhier2516]

Thank you for this very fine review of these two popular Emerald guitars. Any thoughts on the smaller body X7?

[@MichaelWatts]

You’re welcome Rod! I haven’t played an X7 yet but I’m looking forward to trying one

[@phillipbancroft7945]

The thing is, acoustic guitars handmade from tone woods possess a distinctive personality all of their own. That’s the joy which leads to different instruments feeling right for certain pieces of music and why guitars often provide inspiration to the player. No two instruments sound the same. Each set of timbers is entirely unique due to it being an organic and natural material. No doubt each carbon fibre model built will sound exactly the same as another identical model. Nothing to distinguish one from another, each one a lifeless robotic clone of the next. Yes, there is a place in the market fοr Emerald but it’s not for me.

[@MichaelWatts]

Well… the traditional mass production guitar market has been on a quest for consistent quality since the 1800s - Emerald have nailed that while creating an engaging (to my ears) house sound. They’re not for everyone but you could say that of a D28 too

[@PcBguitarLibrary]

While I don't own an emerald specificly, I do own about 3 holygrail/BR instruments, the oldest being 120yo and also a few modern plastic guitars. (I call them "plastic"), As far as metal strings go, they sound as good if not better than any other guitar I own. . The superior tone of synthetic materials(attack, sustain, evenness in volume and hammer on, sympathetic harmonics) has something to do with thinness and the even density of materials, also the construction, weight, less materials used for reinforment, less joint and glues. Plastic guitars are the closest I can find that attacks like a flamenco guitar, which are purposely made as lightwieght and fragile as possible like a drum for proper spanish note attack. Ill never buy another steel string wood guitar. Flamenco guitars/nylons on the other hand, just can't find that proper flamenco note attack on anything other than traditional 40+year old A1s

[@garywhitt98]

I think you’ve romanticized your evaluation. I’ve been playing for 50 years on Martins, Taylor’s, Gibsons, etc. and while you are correct, they ALL sound different, some good, some not, NONE sound as good as an Emerald X30. Another reality. ALL those “unique sounding” wood guitars will warp, bow, twist, crack, break, split, and generally go to sh-t. Be honest, all yours will and all mine. Knock one over, boom. Done. Leave one out in the car on a cold night…same. Every Emerald X30 will sound unbelievably good. Every Emerald X30 will last beyond you and me put together. Wood…nature in sonic and visual art. How beautiful. But just like wooden tennis rackets, wooden surf boards, wooden skis, wooden cars, wooden etc. superior materials have rendered them obsolete. When you buy your X30 it will be your last guitar. It looks better, feels better, plays better, sounds better, lasts longer, and is more durable than any other guitar. My sensibilities want wood to be superior. It’s just not.

[@phillipbancroft7945]

@ to me, the whole point is that it is a ‘romantic’ notion. I’m not talking about mass produced instruments such as Martins, Taylors, Gibsons (I’ve had some of those too) but rather for handmade luthier models such that MW usually reviews. Each of these are individual ‘characters’ with their own voice which can never be replicated by resin. Yes they will try to tear themselves apart in the ensuing years but in my experience (since the 70’s) if you treat them with respect and care they will generally hold up. I own several Fyldes, a couple of which are around 20 years old and they are like new. I understand the benefits of carbon fibre for the rough and tumble of a gigging musician and sound is not critical if it’s being digitised through a mic or pickup, but as a ‘hobby musician’ CF to me would never be on my shopping list.

[@chrispile3878]

Personally, I'm a sucker for 12 fretters.

[@MichaelWatts]

Me too Chris 😊

[@martinsundland7614]

Are you becoming all things to all people?

[@MichaelWatts]

I hope not! 😂

[@stevej061069]

I have no doubt that these are excellent quality instruments, but I struggle to understand how NOT having a sound-hole beneath the strings, like almost ALL guitars have, can be a good thing acoustically? Would they not sound better with a sound hole in the usual place?

[@robertnewell5057]

There are plenty of wood guitars which have the soundhole other than beneath the strings. The hole is just a place for the sound (or most of it) to come out. In fact, placing the soundhole where it has traditionally placed is actually the weakest place for it, structurally.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s a very good point Steve - this is an unconventional design but offset sound holes have become increasingly popular in the past 20 years. It’s a different sound and response - I suggest you find out for yourself if it works for you!😊

[@EddieCostelloMusic]

They will always have a most horrible brittle sound and always look like a fisher price toy

[@JoshuaC923]

That's just your opinion though

[@stanby2712]

I hold the diametrically opposed opinion. I have three Emerald guitars and their tone holds up against my several other high end guitars ( branded and luthier built). Cosmetically they have a huge range of design options available . They certainly don’t look (or play) like a toy. I find your comment extraordinary; have you ever played one?

[@robertnewell5057]

Nope. There are duff carbon guitars our there, but not Emeralds. My X20 sounds pretty much like a traditionally made guitar. I have a Martin HD35, a Martin J40, A Fylde Orsino and a Collings 45 (I'm old, not rich, by the way - I just traded up over the years!) and the X20 gets as much play as the others, and I love the sound. Still, it's your penny - if you don't like the sound and the look, fair enough.

[@MichaelWatts]

Don’t hold back Eddie - tell us what you really think 😂

[@EddieCostelloMusic]

That includes all carbon guitars so it’s not a maker thing . No more individuality. Again that’s just my opinion.