I agree so much! I've got 3 Emeralds. X5, X7, and X20. I play all 3 regularly. My first one was the X7, and it has been set up without any adjustments since 2014 with a very low action. I play it hard too! 10 years for a set up? Wow!
I've played a Ransong jumbo for about 5 years. No issues. I was able to order a Rainsong dreadnaught before they shut down due to the owners retirement. They suit me just fine. Still love my Martin's and Guilds, but the Rainsong jumbo has been my main guitar for over 4 years.
I remember mentioning Emerald guitars on one of your posts a while back so this post brought a smile this morning ! ,.. Nice job on da post and all the best to Emerald guitars
I picked up an Emerald X20 recently used, and am also blown away by the sound and sustain! Love that I can leave it out and not worry about humidity/temperature. Great review : )
I have to agree with you John, that guitar has the sound of every great quality guitar I've ever heard. I can hear Gbson, Bedell, Eastman, Martin and many other great tones , what the hell!
J.P., You are one of the only people I've seen give the X20 the Doc Watson treatment! This is a style that I've been wondering if it would work on an instrument like this and you just answered that question. Great review!
I'm with JP this guitar sounds awsome in any weather conditions not to be affected. I have a few high end guitars that I will not take outside pretty cool.
A high end guitar in every aspect. My X20 holds up against my Martins (3), Collings (1) and luthier built custom guitars (3). The sound is fantastic and the “playability “ is way beyond anything a wood guitar can be ( the stability of the material means they can be set to tighter parameters). Until you’ve held and played one it’s hard to believe just how good they are so don’t knock them till you’ve tried one .
You're right about buying multiples. I bought an X30, then a year later I bought an X7. Amazing creations. On my X30, I ordered it with the LR Baggs Piezo. Then a few months ago, I added a Krivo humbucker that wired directly into the Baggs unit. Makes it very versatile.
I too always felt something wanting/missing from the carbon fiber guitar sound. From the first moment you started playing this one it gave me chills and that’s through TH-cam on my iPad with earbuds on!
I've become wildly intrigued with the idea of carbon fiber having seen several of my martin's suffer damage due to sudden temperature changes. I think I'll have to pull the trigger on one of these Emerald's. Visually, every one of these guitars I've seen in pictures and videos have been stunning.
JP, you've got to be from the East Coast with humour like that! 😁 It took me a few days after seeing this video to get around to seeing it because like you, I have a bit of a carbon fiber block when it comes to guitars. Canoes, not so much. To say the least, I was very surprised at how good it sounded. The problem is there are too many great guitars and not enough time and money to go around.
It certainly sounds good. I guess it will never acquire the 'played in' sound that guitars do get over time, but at the same time it shouldn't deteriorate either, unless there is something about carbon fibre that we need to know. It's a looker, that's for sure, and I love the bridge.
The "Rainsong" guitars started this, not Emerald. I was a dealer and so played them often and they sound GREAT! Will check these out and may buy one instead of spending 50k on a pre war Martin??
With the extreme humidity and heat here in Barbados plus air-conditioned rehearsal rooms etc..and all live venues being outdoors and normally by/on the sea and no serious luthiers/service personnel on island, this approach to instrument construction and design is perfectly suited to this environment.
Dog gone it JP.........you've done gone and converted me, lol. This thing sounds amazing. I didn't know ya had to do "a neck adjustment" on a carbon fiber guitar via a conventional truss rod, I assumed they would always remain stable. But of course neck adjustments also enable different players the ability to have a different action from the neck end. Looks like it has rounded fret ends like my 2 Hsienmo acoustic guitars.
I'm from Donegal where these guitars are made. I had the privilage many years ago, while they were starting up, of playing a prototype in the traditional dreadnought style. It was not the greatest acoustically but plugged in did very much provide something different. It has been delightful to see them progress to where they are and the instruments they are producing. I highly recommend everyone to research this company and look at the wide array of instruments they have produced. Check out the violin they designed for Dennis Lau!!!
Looks absolutely awesome! Living just a little north of Houston it could be an option… yep, who would of thought we get a lot of humidity in Houston. lol. Thanks for all your informative videos
My friend got one of those. They sound fantastic. Those Gotoh 510 tuners are 18:1 gear ratio so make it easier to sneak up on a note without going past it. I have a CA Cargo that is the size of a GS Mini, in fact it currently resides in a GS Mini gig bag. It sounds as big as a full-sized Grand Symphony, so totally impressed with carbon fiber guitars. You can take one canoeing and if you lose your paddle, you can use the guitar and when you get where you need to go, still play the guitar.
I am lucky enough to have the X30. It is a stock model, but it is still beautiful. I am in Halifax NS, if anyone would like to meet to try one before you order one. Amazing piece of technology.
I am knocked over with the sound of this Emerald Carbon Fiber guitar. Can you tell me what model it is and roughly the list price. I am a guitar tech and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Does anyone know of a place in Halifax where I could tryout one of these? Thank you JP. I was the backline tech for a festival that you played at in NS about 20 years ago. I remember you took the time to have a chat with me. You are a very easy going person and quite friendly. We were in an arena and I think The Oak Ridge Boys were on the bill as well. Seems to me that you actually did a few numbers with them. Love your channel. It is refreshing to listen to a staightshooter Maritmer. ;-)
Sounds wonderful, but then again John you could play a ice-cream bucket with with elastic bands as stings and broom stick for the neck and still get a tune out of it.
Beautiful guitar JP, I’ve been following them for years, never got to try one. Thanks for the great review. Great pickup system. The angled bevel where it sits on your leg is different then a traditional guitar also. Enjoy it. Tks again- cheers, Eddie 😎🎶
I like the sound of the guitar plugged in better than by itself. It's a lively guitar for sure, but it has that certain sound I always associate with non-wood instruments. Not my thing. But the stage tone is fantastic!
Sounds great. The one’s I’ve tried had no volume, weak tone, mainly sounded ok plugged in. I’ve too many guitars right now. Still like to test drive one..👍🏽
I have an Amicus and it's just different enough tonally from a mando and guitar that it's has it's own special place in my collection. It's a killer travel guitar to boot.
I like the idea of them, especially for heat/cold/humidity variables…but I am not a fan of this body shape. These do sound very good - better than any other cf guitars I’ve heard. But I need a little more traditional look, which will also translate into how it feels. This does have that “brand new set of strings” tone.
yes. I’m with you. Somehow I can’t get used to a guitar that looks like a spaceship. Narrow minded? Maybe. At least as a bluegrass fan dreadnaught is my go to shape and always has been.
Good review. I never expected that you would even give the guitar a chance. I've played with a couple of guys that had carbon fiber guitars and didn't like them. This is a different animal. I could see myself owning one but not at $3000.
I live in Tacoma. And I have a Tacoma guitar, lol! A couple others too, but man, humidity is weird the last couple years. I live to sit outside and play, so I have to use a Yamaha or little Taylor Academy. With my Tacoma or Martin, this time of year, shit goes egg-shaped pretty fast if I go outside. I could carry that one in my G-D canoe! And it sounds better than my Yamaha or Taylor (both cheap models.)
A well made laminate sounds better to me. I always liked Sigma. They are very stable, and use solid tops and bone. An all solid mahogany Martin D 15 costs half what the Emerald costs, and they sound amazing. I agree about the knk mini. No battery, no extra holes cut in the guitar.
I was ready not to like the guitar to be honest but I agree it sounds pretty darn good imo if you blind folded me I would have a hard time picking it out between a good tone wood guitar maybe the future for guitars.
Love your channel J.P. and your music is really top shelf. I appreciate your knowledge and insights concerning guitars and their sounds and builds. You are truly a musicians musician. Thank you for all you do brother. Please never stop.
The last 2 guitars I’ve bought have bevels; a parlor and an OM. I’m telling you people, once you play something with a bevel you get really spoiled against anything else. For me comfort is about as important as tone.
I was just thinking the same thing. ( By the way, it's spelled: "McPherson".......there's no "a" in the name. I originally thought it was spelled that way too, but it's not. ) The carbon Sable seems to sound pretty good, but I suspect it's not quite as good as this Emerald X20..........and definitely doesn't look as good as the Emerald, plus the Emerald has that awesome blend control. This is the first time in my life that I've been convinced that I could love & appreciate a carbon fiber guitar. JP has converted me here, lol. Actually, I'm quite shocked. And no more worries about extremely dry or humid conditions either. Would I get rid of my 2 acoustics that I love dearly? Absolutely not. But I just may consider buying one of these if it's not overly expensive. Obviously, I haven't checked pricing yet, but I suspect this Emerald X20 ain't cheap!!! ...........Damn.......I wish I didn't watch & listen to this video, LOL!!!
@@charliewelch328 Your doing good😊 I have 2 Bouchers, 2 Epiphone IBGs, 1 Recording King, 1 Yamaha and a vintage Gallagher Doc Watson, due to J.P. 's reviews😲, looked at a Yari and funds were low so passed. I will have to do the same on the Emerald, impulse income just not what it was a couple years ago. I don't regret a single purchase😁
I’ve watched so many of your reviews, JP, that I can tell when a guitar transports you. You play with a certain type of care and reverence. One review that comes to mind was for the Yamaha LL56. And the same is true for a number of Boucher models, especially one that inspired you to sell a few guitars so that you could purchase it. While I could see that you appreciated this Emerald, I just didn’t see that special glint in your eye. Maybe it’s just me, but if there isn’t some guy sweating over hot glue to make an instrument, it doesn’t have the same soul.
very harsh and metallic wich can be good in certain type of situation. it lack mids. and sound to me like what you hear is mostly the strings, im pretty sure that changing strings on that type of instrument will drasticly change the color and sound. On a wood instrument you have lots of character coming from the different wood... and their position.. maple gives a very clear punch. but on this there is only one type of material uniformly. so its interresting, especially if you wanna play outside without much worry. thanks for the upload.
I don’t feel like this translated all that well to a mic out front. Maybe an overhead would have helped but on my playback system this guitar kinda just sounds like a cheap Taylor. It’s probably good in the room but I guess it doesn’t record in the conventional way.
Very good sound but the ugly hole seem like a melted carbone mistake ......very bad idea imo. Why Emerald got not inspired by Ovation Adamas designs???
I agree so much! I've got 3 Emeralds. X5, X7, and X20. I play all 3 regularly. My first one was the X7, and it has been set up without any adjustments since 2014 with a very low action. I play it hard too! 10 years for a set up? Wow!
It’s got its own sound, a very clear and precise voice. No one is saying it’s greater than wood.
I've played a Ransong jumbo for about 5 years. No issues. I was able to order a Rainsong dreadnaught before they shut down due to the owners retirement. They suit me just fine. Still love my Martin's and Guilds, but the Rainsong jumbo has been my main guitar for over 4 years.
I remember mentioning Emerald guitars on one of your posts a while back so this post brought a smile this morning ! ,.. Nice job on da post and all the best to Emerald guitars
I picked up an Emerald X20 recently used, and am also blown away by the sound and sustain! Love that I can leave it out and not worry about humidity/temperature. Great review : )
I have to agree with you John, that guitar has the sound of every great quality guitar I've ever heard. I can hear Gbson, Bedell, Eastman, Martin and many other great tones , what the hell!
I love my old rainsongs and wanted a 12 string so I ordered a X30 12 string . Looking forward to getting it .
J.P., You are one of the only people I've seen give the X20 the Doc Watson treatment! This is a style that I've been wondering if it would work on an instrument like this and you just answered that question. Great review!
I'm with JP this guitar sounds awsome in any weather conditions not to be affected. I have a few high end guitars that I will not take outside pretty cool.
The K&K pure mini is passive. It can be combined with almost any active system. You can even get active K&K systems.
A high end guitar in every aspect.
My X20 holds up against my Martins (3), Collings (1) and luthier built custom guitars (3).
The sound is fantastic and the “playability “ is way beyond anything a wood guitar can be ( the stability of the material means they can be set to tighter parameters).
Until you’ve held and played one it’s hard to believe just how good they are so don’t knock them till you’ve tried one .
Thanks! Happy holidays! 🤶🎅🏻🙂😎
You're right about buying multiples. I bought an X30, then a year later I bought an X7. Amazing creations. On my X30, I ordered it with the LR Baggs Piezo. Then a few months ago, I added a Krivo humbucker that wired directly into the Baggs unit. Makes it very versatile.
I too always felt something wanting/missing from the carbon fiber guitar sound. From the first moment you started playing this one it gave me chills and that’s through TH-cam on my iPad with earbuds on!
Apologies 1 and 3/4 >inch nut. Duly noted. Thank you for a fabulous review.👍👏👏👏
amazing instrument !!
..and wonderful demo and playing 👍
It’s a beauty and sounds awesome.
I CANT WAIT FOR MINE!!!!!!!!!❤ 🎸
I've become wildly intrigued with the idea of carbon fiber having seen several of my martin's suffer damage due to sudden temperature changes. I think I'll have to pull the trigger on one of these Emerald's. Visually, every one of these guitars I've seen in pictures and videos have been stunning.
JP, you've got to be from the East Coast with humour like that! 😁
It took me a few days after seeing this video to get around to seeing it because like you, I have a bit of a carbon fiber block when it comes to guitars. Canoes, not so much. To say the least, I was very surprised at how good it sounded. The problem is there are too many great guitars and not enough time and money to go around.
The sound IS amazing....
Man , i just checked the website, really want that harp guitar. you did it again JP!
Honestly, it sounds great !
It certainly sounds good. I guess it will never acquire the 'played in' sound that guitars do get over time, but at the same time it shouldn't deteriorate either, unless there is something about carbon fibre that we need to know. It's a looker, that's for sure, and I love the bridge.
You forgot to mention it has stainless steel frets. 🎉.
The "Rainsong" guitars started this, not Emerald. I was a dealer and so played them often and they sound GREAT! Will check these out and may buy one instead of spending 50k on a pre war Martin??
With the extreme humidity and heat here in Barbados plus air-conditioned rehearsal rooms etc..and all live venues being outdoors and normally by/on the sea and no serious luthiers/service personnel on island, this approach to instrument construction and design is perfectly suited to this environment.
What a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. Amazing! Indeed, I want one. Maybe a parlor size. Saving up the bucks for sure. You’ve sold me ❤
Dog gone it JP.........you've done gone and converted me, lol. This thing sounds amazing. I didn't know ya had to do "a neck adjustment" on a carbon fiber guitar via a conventional truss rod, I assumed they would always remain stable. But of course neck adjustments also enable different players the ability to have a different action from the neck end. Looks like it has rounded fret ends like my 2 Hsienmo acoustic guitars.
I'm from Donegal where these guitars are made. I had the privilage many years ago, while they were starting up, of playing a prototype in the traditional dreadnought style. It was not the greatest acoustically but plugged in did very much provide something different. It has been delightful to see them progress to where they are and the instruments they are producing. I highly recommend everyone to research this company and look at the wide array of instruments they have produced. Check out the violin they designed for Dennis Lau!!!
Love it! I've had carbon for 3 years and it's my go to guitar.
Looks absolutely awesome! Living just a little north of Houston it could be an option… yep, who would of thought we get a lot of humidity in Houston. lol. Thanks for all your informative videos
I'm learning so much. Wow brilliant.
My friend got one of those. They sound fantastic. Those Gotoh 510 tuners are 18:1 gear ratio so make it easier to sneak up on a note without going past it. I have a CA Cargo that is the size of a GS Mini, in fact it currently resides in a GS Mini gig bag. It sounds as big as a full-sized Grand Symphony, so totally impressed with carbon fiber guitars. You can take one canoeing and if you lose your paddle, you can use the guitar and when you get where you need to go, still play the guitar.
I'm in love again
I am lucky enough to have the X30. It is a stock model, but it is still beautiful. I am in Halifax NS, if anyone would like to meet to try one before you order one. Amazing piece of technology.
I am knocked over with the sound of this Emerald Carbon Fiber guitar. Can you tell me what model it is and roughly the list price. I am a guitar tech and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Does anyone know of a place in Halifax where I could tryout one of these? Thank you JP. I was the backline tech for a festival that you played at in NS about 20 years ago. I remember you took the time to have a chat with me. You are a very easy going person and quite friendly. We were in an arena and I think The Oak Ridge Boys were on the bill as well. Seems to me that you actually did a few numbers with them. Love your channel. It is refreshing to listen to a staightshooter Maritmer. ;-)
pickups look like they still have the clear plastic wrap still on them. A good friend of mine has an Emerald guitar and he is very pleased with it.
not so sure initially, but when you plugged it in....
Sounds wonderful, but then again John you could play a ice-cream bucket with with elastic bands as stings and broom stick for the neck and still get a tune out of it.
Beautiful guitar JP, I’ve been following them for years, never got to try one. Thanks for the great review. Great pickup system. The angled bevel where it sits on your leg is different then a traditional guitar also. Enjoy it. Tks again- cheers, Eddie 😎🎶
I like the sound of the guitar plugged in better than by itself. It's a lively guitar for sure, but it has that certain sound I always associate with non-wood instruments. Not my thing. But the stage tone is fantastic!
Sounds great. The one’s I’ve tried had no volume, weak tone, mainly sounded ok plugged in. I’ve too many guitars right now. Still like to test drive one..👍🏽
yup, I hear the buzzing as well, but its ounds good.
I bought a KLOS full carbon travel because of you!
My wife is going to be pretty angry with you as you helped me decide I need an Emerald guitar!!
🙂
I have an Amicus and it's just different enough tonally from a mando and guitar that it's has it's own special place in my collection. It's a killer travel guitar to boot.
I like the idea of them, especially for heat/cold/humidity variables…but I am not a fan of this body shape. These do sound very good - better than any other cf guitars I’ve heard. But I need a little more traditional look, which will also translate into how it feels. This does have that “brand new set of strings” tone.
yes. I’m with you. Somehow I can’t get used to a guitar that looks like a spaceship. Narrow minded? Maybe. At least as a bluegrass fan dreadnaught is my go to shape and always has been.
So wait? You like it then.
Good review. I never expected that you would even give the guitar a chance. I've played with a couple of guys that had carbon fiber guitars and didn't like them. This is a different animal. I could see myself owning one but not at $3000.
See my other comment. I would love to see the interior of this CF guitar!!!
Keep in mind Alister use to design and build the Formula 1 Racing boats
Could you please tell us more about kk pick ups.
those things look sick, i bet they are solid as a rock
Both Mark Knopfler & Al Dimeola played Ovations very famously, Glen Campbell & Heart also v famous Ovation players during the 1980s & 90s.
yea unbelievable unique sound I love it.
Sounds unique... in a good way. Looks interesting too.
Has the volume and projection but not smooth like wood. Harsh overtones are what I hear. Love your TH-cam videos!
Thanks for yer review. Im saving up for a weisesenborn from em.. (yer a tony rice fan) who isnt lol sorry for being windy
7:06 There it is folks
Outstanding
Where did you get that t-shirt, I need one.😂
I live in Tacoma. And I have a Tacoma guitar, lol! A couple others too, but man, humidity is weird the last couple years. I live to sit outside and play, so I have to use a Yamaha or little Taylor Academy. With my Tacoma or Martin, this time of year, shit goes egg-shaped pretty fast if I go outside. I could carry that one in my G-D canoe! And it sounds better than my Yamaha or Taylor (both cheap models.)
You could make a cereal box with strings sound like a Strataverias. You are that good. Emerald is in a class all its own.
You need to try a McPherson Sable. You won’t b disappointed!
Yup Sable is incredible
I have to have!
Sorry JP can’t get my head around CF guitars no matter how good they sound but that’s just me. Love all your Bouchers etc
I've read on other reviews that it is not nearly as loud acoustically as wood guitars. Is this true or false? I do like the tone.
Can you tell me your thoughts about the Guild D55? Would you buy one and do you like the sound and playability
A well made laminate sounds better to me. I always liked Sigma. They are very stable, and use solid tops and bone. An all solid mahogany Martin D 15 costs half what the Emerald costs, and they sound amazing. I agree about the knk mini. No battery, no extra holes cut in the guitar.
I was ready not to like the guitar to be honest but I agree it sounds pretty darn good imo if you blind folded me I would have a hard time picking it out between a good tone wood guitar maybe the future for guitars.
What width nut did you choose? I find most electro acoustics too narrow for my fingers. Yours looks absolutely right for me?❤
Standard on Emerald is 1 3/4 inch or 44mm same as Taylor
Love your channel J.P. and your music is really top shelf. I appreciate your knowledge and insights concerning guitars and their sounds and builds. You are truly a musicians musician. Thank you for all you do brother. Please never stop.
The last 2 guitars I’ve bought have bevels; a parlor and an OM. I’m telling you people, once you play something with a bevel you get really spoiled against anything else. For me comfort is about as important as tone.
Sounds loud and clear . . . I was more impressed by the adventurous playing . . . cheers.
So how much is it??? Hello!
What is the specific model number and price?
Mcphearson guitars needs to send you A Sable model carbon fiber.
I was just thinking the same thing. ( By the way, it's spelled: "McPherson".......there's no "a" in the name. I originally thought it was spelled that way too, but it's not. ) The carbon Sable seems to sound pretty good, but I suspect it's not quite as good as this Emerald X20..........and definitely doesn't look as good as the Emerald, plus the Emerald has that awesome blend control. This is the first time in my life that I've been convinced that I could love & appreciate a carbon fiber guitar. JP has converted me here, lol. Actually, I'm quite shocked. And no more worries about extremely dry or humid conditions either. Would I get rid of my 2 acoustics that I love dearly? Absolutely not. But I just may consider buying one of these if it's not overly expensive. Obviously, I haven't checked pricing yet, but I suspect this Emerald X20 ain't cheap!!! ...........Damn.......I wish I didn't watch & listen to this video, LOL!!!
@@howabouthetruth2157 Built one on the Emerald website, even with discounts of 25% on options, it would come to $5,000+ Canadian😲
I bought two Yairi guitars because of his videos.
@@charliewelch328 Your doing good😊 I have 2 Bouchers, 2 Epiphone IBGs, 1 Recording King, 1 Yamaha and a vintage Gallagher Doc Watson, due to J.P. 's reviews😲, looked at a Yari and funds were low so passed. I will have to do the same on the Emerald, impulse income just not what it was a couple years ago. I don't regret a single purchase😁
Lovely guitar, but I've got my heart set on a (similarly configured) X30 - I'm more of a Jumbo kinda guy than Dreadnoughts. Just me. :D
Very good
How do you re-fret it?
Bet ‘Foxglove’ sounds great on that guitar??😂👍
I will go with klos , more affordabke and sound a bit better
I’ve watched so many of your reviews, JP, that I can tell when a guitar transports you. You play with a certain type of care and reverence. One review that comes to mind was for the Yamaha LL56. And the same is true for a number of Boucher models, especially one that inspired you to sell a few guitars so that you could purchase it. While I could see that you appreciated this Emerald, I just didn’t see that special glint in your eye. Maybe it’s just me, but if there isn’t some guy sweating over hot glue to make an instrument, it doesn’t have the same soul.
very harsh and metallic wich can be good in certain type of situation. it lack mids. and sound to me like what you hear is mostly the strings, im pretty sure that changing strings on that type of instrument will drasticly change the color and sound. On a wood instrument you have lots of character coming from the different wood... and their position.. maple gives a very clear punch.
but on this there is only one type of material uniformly. so its interresting, especially if you wanna play outside without much worry. thanks for the upload.
👍👍👍
Carbon tone wood! Physics.
i think ovation sounds a little better.but nothing beat's wood. i.m.o.
Nope, Tonewood for me..However, they sound better than, I would have expected.
McPherson is nice
You throw your fingers on it and it plays automatically.
Love the USA hat...
Wow. It makes you play long notes
What a fine looking instrument!! The sound is unique but not close to the quality sound of a Boucher. Why would you buy one????
I don’t feel like this translated all that well to a mic out front. Maybe an overhead would have helped but on my playback system this guitar kinda just sounds like a cheap Taylor. It’s probably good in the room but I guess it doesn’t record in the conventional way.
What a beautiful guitar!. Congratulations man, and your playing is also worthy of such an instrument :)
Not for me....but for those that like it, I'm sure it serves its purpose.
Very good sound but the ugly hole seem like a melted carbone mistake ......very bad idea imo. Why Emerald got not inspired by Ovation Adamas designs???
You need to turn the truss to the left.
I wonder what kind of abuse it it can take before it breaks? That would make one heck of a video. See if they will give you a reject to test.
Get the carbon fiber one made by Mcphearson #1