Emerald X20 Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar: Deep-Dive Review and Sound Comparison
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
- Why Carbon Fiber? - 1:04
Body Design - 2:46
Sound Hole - 6:13
Capo Mod - 9:45
Neck - 10:26
Veneer - 12:47
Science! - 15:17
Sound: Caveat/Details - 17:04
Sound: Samples - 18:23
Bonus: Front vs Ear Mics - 24:07
Pinless Bridge String Change - 26:21
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This is one of the most useful, practical reviews I have ever seen: in particular, the three-way comparison provided a great picture of where the Emerald fits in with sounds we all know. Thank you Sir, and please pass my thanks on to your brothers as well.
hahahah i shared your kind words with them and they both said i should have a beer in their honor tonight ;-D
I close my eyes and hear beauty. I love that my brothers can have guitars on ship, in far off foreign lands. Semper Fi
Wow. As beautiful as each of your guitars sound, I’m just overwhelmed with the time you put into this seamless audio/video experience. No click bleed. Awesome. 👏
My favorite comment so far -- thank you for seeing and appreciating the work. It's easy to assume that if something looks smooth, it must have been easy to make.
@@alextryan I’m watching years later while shopping and also greatly appreciate the quality, time, and effort that went into making this. Fantastic video, thanks for making it!
Absolutely brilliant review. I’m sure it was an incredible amount of work, so thank you so much for taking the time to make it.
So kind of you Mark, thank you! I admit it was -- I mean a total labor of love and I had a great time, but yeah, I took over 20 hours of footage repeating these sections over and over (and over and over) till I could perform them cleanly, and another 20 hours of editing. I really appreciate your reflections and kind words! They make my day.
Bravo, Alex !!
This comparison, ‘deep dive’ review structure sets a new Gold Standard for future You Tube guitar reviews.
Fine work!
thank you so much rick! really makes my day when i read something as kind as this.
Man, this may be the best gear review I have ever watched. Chock-a-bloc full of useful information, all killer and no filler. Great presentation, calm and knowledgeable, fantastic edit! A deep bow!
That was the most informative and extremely well thought out and presented guitar review I've ever watched and enjoyed! Thank you!!
Alex, I loved watching this review. It's so detailed, well thought out, and amazingly produced. Kudos! You must have put so much hard work into bringing us this awesome content.
Thank you Vijay! Very kind of you.
Amazing work Alex. I've come back to this video for a second time and I know I'll probably be back again, it's the best demonstration on TH-cam of this guitar that I have found. So much work involved, it's appreciated very much.
All I can add to the comments below about this review is that I agree it is excellent and the best pre-purchase review of an instrument that I have ever seen. Well done!
Thanks for your thorough review. Based, in large part, on your reviews, I ordered a custom X30 in November 2021 and received it last friday. It really exceeded my expectations. I gigged with it on Saturday and on Sunday, and I am extremely pleased with it. Besides playing like butter and sounding gorgeous, it is a head-turner. I received tons of comments from people in attendence as well as the other musicians. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for this very well thought out and useful video. Truly one of the best videos I've ever watched reviewing guitars. I have been curious about Emerald guitars and this addressed most everything I could think of. Cheers!
YES!! I made it specifically for good people like you, so I'm glad it filled the niche! Really appreciate the kind words.
WOW! What a wonderfully thought out and executed review and video! Rarely have I been able to so easily hear the differences between the guitars the way you shot/edited it and it was visually interesting simultaneously... Great job!
Awesome edits for the size comparison bit. I didn't expect that type of thing from a review viddy. It was a cool surprise and a really good way to show the point you are making.
Great video! This is the most useful way to assess the sound of a guitar that I have ever seen. Thank you.
Excellent video. Probably the best format of a guitar review I've ever seen. Thank you
Absolutely brilliant review - thank you very much🙏 Loved your comparison techniques and that fact that you let the watcher/listener decide for themselves what the differences in this sound are! I have just ordered a X20 with the HyVibe system factory installed, and your review was an important part of the decision making for me.
thank you so much! warm words like this really make my day.
Dear Every Guitar/Gear Reviewer in the Interwebverse: This, put simply, is how it's done.
Holy Schneikies, Alex, this is some incredibly professional work here in all facets of your review. The info presented, the appropriate amount of well-thought-out caveats and disclosures, the super-high quality video and audio production, your playing...dang, everything. I can barely make a somewhat watchable iPhone video, so I know this took an enormous amount of time and effort to create. Thank you!
I was impressed with the Emerald X 20 and bought
how much do you charge to comment? i know some channels that really use sm knob-slobbering praise like this, lmk!
Fantastic review, thanks for all the time you put into this. I'm now saving up for an X20.
The amount of hardwork it took to make this kind of review video ...damn ! Appreciate the hard work ! Thankyou ❤️
It was a lot, 40 honest hours or so; thank you very much for seeing that. A fun labor of love for sure! Happy reviews always make my day.
Great review. The trio of guitars made comparisons easy. While the carbon fiber guitar is the one I would buy for my level of skill, I did hear a pleasant difference between the vintage guitar and the other two. If I were a professional session or performing player the vintage would win. But as a casual player the carbon fiber just has too many pros to opt for a natural wood model. Thanks for making this comparison so easy.
GREAT review. With that said, I felt like the Emerald guitar got absolutely destroyed by the Martin and Taylor when it came to tone and sound projection. I don’t know how that sound hole being at the top is supposed to capture the vibrations of the strings and resonate throughout the body
Totally agree! Emerald sound thin, too bright lacking uhhmp compared to Martin and Taylor. You can tell the difference not even looking played while I’m driving. Taylor sounds great 😊
That's not the function of a sound hole. I agree that the Martin and Taylor have a better sound but that's due to the tone wood, not the sound hole.
That is a beautiful guitar , as you explain the practical aspects of the build , (sound hole, straight strings ) it makes perfect sense .Great job
Thanks for putting a huge amount of work into an awesome review!
That was a really well done review! Your attention to detail is amazing.
Thank you Andy!!
Great review! For string changes on my pinless X-30, I simply seat the string in the pinless slot, then pull the string taut and capo it anywhere on the neck. This leaves both hands free to wind the string without the need for double jointed circus maneuvers. 😉
Brilliant review , pro level quality and very informative , great job Alex 👏🏼
What a great review! I have a CA Legacy carbon fiber guitar from 2004 (before Peavy bought them out). There are so many great improvements on this Emerald, it's hard to believe. Thanks for this thoughtful review.
Great review, insanely informative on things I have never even considered. Absolutely bad ass editing too
you made my day, thank you! glad you enjoyed it!
Wow. This is the best guitar review I have ever watched. So completely thorough, well thought out, and well executed. Now I finally have an idea of how the X20 might compare to my wood guitars.
Thank you so much Todd! I’m glad it was of value!
… one with a Cocobolo veneer in 2018. I really enjoy this guitar. I own several carbon fiber guitars and a Blackbird “Ekoa” El Capitan, the X20 is the most comfortable to play. I enjoyed seeing the changes Emerald has made on the X20 and your modifications. Thank you for putting so much time,thought & energy into the new Gold Standard Guitar Review.
Been looking at these guitars. Really appreciate all your efforts on the comparisons. Feeling even more confident.
Your reviews are the best! Just ordered my custom X-20 with the Hy-Vibe system. Thank you!
Really useful, practical and to the point. As a new Emerald x20 owner who also has a Taylor and Martin, I plan on doing a similar personal comparison. But I don't have the ability or skills to do the sound comparison for others. Many thanks for the painstaking work on this!
The X20 is nice but doesn't compare to your Taylor. The Martin sounded great as well, but for me, that Taylor sounds exquisite.
Definitely... Taylor. Crisp and clean, rings out really nice.
LOL good luck finding the 24th fried of your Martin or Taylor...
@@bosatsu76 actually the wooden guitars have a warmer sound... Emerald guitars are more crystalline and clearer and more consistent up and down the neck... you're going to get more Headroom with the volume before the tone breaks up... And when you play those things through the effects it really lights them up... And you're not going to get the Wow feedback that you got with a big wooden top
That was the most incredible review of a guitar I have ever seen very thorough and very educational job well done I watch these things all the time the best one I've ever seen I just subscribed to your channel for that reason
aww thank you so much!!
This is the best guitar review I've ever seen! Love the styling and sound of this Emerald. I could never afford one but then my lack of accomplishment on the instrument means I can't justify owning one. It would only collect dust and go to waste sat in the corner. But I really appreciate this review all the same.
Absolutely wonderful review (ditto for your X20/Sable video). I know this must have been VERY time consuming, so thank you for your efforts. I'm looking into CF guitars because my poor Martin D-15M has now cracked 3 times (back, front below the bridge, and top shoulder) due to seasonal humidity. While I don't abuse it and I am sure I could have avoided those issues if I was much more careful, obviously that level of care is not my strong point. At any rate, there is a lot of research for me to do on CF guitars before I am willing to go out and spend $ on them, so your videos have helped me. Thank you.
Excellent review! Thanks so much. I have the same concerns with the Martin/Taylor etc and comparison. You've made my decision much easier. Thanks again 😊🍁☘️🎶
Amazing review and also awesome editing, thank you.
Your video editing skills are on another level!
What an awesome and helpful review! One of the best I've ever seen and very well presented as well. You've earned my support buddy! Keep doing what you do because you're very good at it! Cheers from The Netherlands!
that makes my day, thank you! was just in amsterdam last week!
@@alextryan you certainly inspired me to make video's about my guitars as well. I have 18 guitars at the moment and most of them are very rare and hard to find anything about them on TH-cam. They watly you present your guitar and really go in deep with all the details is truly amazing and very entertaining to watch! So really, a huge thank you for this video, and what an awesome guitar this Emerald is btw!
Well-executed, helpful, generous presentation-thank you!
I'm so glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words!
Really great review, probably the best guitar review I have seen and I have seen a lot😂
Nicely done my friend, thank you for the excellent job on this review, best I've seen and incredibly helpful.
thank you so much! always makes my day when someone says they enjoyed one of my vids!
What a surprise! I have seen a lot of reviews about Emerald Guitars, but this one is the finest. Congrats on an insightful and thorough evaluation. Alistair should be proud and grateful. Thank you!
Everything about this review is great, so much work! thanks
What an absolute professional review. Five stars. Thanks...
Great review, mate. Thank you for all the work you've put in for us. I clicked for a carbon fiber review, but the second I saw you holding the Taylor and the 28 it was like the Holy Grail and his brother...
Really appreciate the tremendous review, what a ton of high-quality work went into this very valuable resource for a deciding buyer like me. Thank you!
Music to my ears! I tried to make the review I would have wanted when I was shopping, so it really warms my heart to hear it was valuable. Hope you get an X20! It's my One Guitar for sure.
Thank you. I tend to be rough on my guitar, so I am looking at getting a carbon fiber and am very intrigued by Emerald. The 3 way sound comparison gave about as good an idea of sound as you tube will capture. hopefully the cloning process did not hurt....
hear me out, this is going to sound weird. but your calm voice talking about cool guitars has been really healing to some anxiety i've been dealing with. great work man!
my favorite comment so far. 🥰💕🥰
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a guitar review of this detail and quality. Seriously impressive.
thank you so much kevin! i tried to make the review i would have wanted... really glad it connected.
simply the best comparison of the x20 out there. Thank you for putting the effort to make such a great review
It was fun! Thanks for watching!
Loved the video Alex.. 💜🎸😊💭
Very informative, Thank-you so much for uploading 📹😎👍👍
This is called a brilliant review! 🤙 kudos to you bro👌
Amazing job !!!! Wonderful video.
This video was a big part of me buying my X20-7. I'm absolutely happy with the purchase. Thanks for the Taylor/Martin/Emerald shootout.
Love your reviews and videos!
Great comparisons and great review.
Excellent comparisons. Well done.
Lovely review. How could someone not sub after seeing this.... That old guitar is just so amazing it makes my soul weep!
This was the best and most honest review I've seen.
You set a new standard for new guitar reviews.
This old guy still likes wood better.
I'll always have a place in my heart for wood instruments! Thank you so much for the kind words. They made my day!
Great review. In the 3 way comparison I felt the Emerald was left wanting a bit compared to the others but still a nice sounding guitar, and maybe the comfort and stability factors make up for it
Sound Quality differences Might be the projection of the Emerald - i would like to Mic it at 45deg to the Sound Hole. Not as jangly or ringing as Martin and Taylor - not as Full Spectrum - the Mids and Bass sound a bit muffled. Going through the onboard Amp with EQ could fix it. Gorgeous Guitar. Best Review Ever!
Great video. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you very much.
Great and very thorough review - thanks!
Great indepth review. Thank you!
You play better than you think you do. Thank you for demoing the Emerald X20. I travel in my van in all kinds of weather and I am looking for a guitar that can stand up to all the temperature changes. You have given me another guitar to consider. Thank you.
Fantastic review. Thanks!
Well done review. I did notice the differences in preceived tone caused by soundwave transmission.
this is amazing for me... I have owned a Taylor for 21 years and love the sound. I never realized how unique the Taylor sound was until I heard you playing them side by side. I'm not saying better, because, like you said, 'sound is subjective.'.. but definitely unique. I do love my Taylor's sound, though.
Wow.. brilliant review. Never seen a review like this before
thank you so much! it was a labor of love for sure. really fun to try out some new tricks. your comment made my day!
I love my X20. Thanks for the tips!
Absolutely brilliant review and demonstration - one of the best I have ever seen. Agree with other comments that tone wise the Emerald doesn't match the others, but it certainly offers some real world gigging benefits. As an aside our synth player is also an Alex Ryan!
Give him my regards! And thank you!
Excellent review!’
Such a wonderful video, thanks for posting- new X30 owner here - I only recently heard about your stringing video on the AGF - I did what you had done by feeling in the sound hole. Emerald did a video where they latched in the strings by putting in a bend in each string. It took some fiddling and that works also. I use the bridge pin trick, and a D’Addario plastic pin seems to fit fine. However, when I add tension the ball end comes out nearly half the time. I don’t think I have the dexterity like you to do it without the pin - the pin allows you to take tension off the string and take your time in trimming and winding as you would do on a conventional guitar.
Thanks again for this wonderful video! I love my X30
Thank you for the kind words, and I enjoy your thoughts on restringing -- certainly my approach could still use some tweaks, to say the least. I'm so glad you're enjoying your X30, it's such a rich, sumptuous instrument.
Perfect Review. I really like the comparison between the guitars. As mentioned elsewhere. This is Gold standard!
warms my heart so much to hear people getting value out of these reviews. thank you henry!
Excellent review 👍
Even changed outfits for each guitar in the comparison! Nice job!
Incredibly well done! Thank you!!
This is ingenious thank you so much
Good review thanks!
Very informative, I am impressed with quality of sound during the comparison. I am rethinking whether I will continue to build. Maybe as a hobby.
That’s a pretty standout review. Thank you sir!
Great review
Brilliant review, smart, clear and useful.!!!
thank you so much. always makes my day when someone finds the vid valuable.
Fantastic review. They all sound great. I didn’t like the x20 at first but I’ll but I’ll bet it sounds great in a mix.
This review is astoundingly well made. The time, effort, and skill involved just with editing is enough to earn my like. Audio quality, lighting, and cinematography was also miles ahead of literally any other guitar channel I've come across. Well done. You deserve far more subscribers than you have currently.
i screenshotted this, circled it, and posted it to my instagram. thanks for cheering me up today.
great review, thank-you.
Extremely well done 👍🏼. I have an incredible sounding HD28 3 tone SB that melts me every time l play it. I have 2 CA carbon fiber guitars that l also like/love struggle at times bit, irreplaceable at the same time. The CA guitars have traveled on so many music events and mission church trips. The CA was the only way l could have made it. An Emerald instrument is a gear goal for sure. I do think the quality wood guitars have an xtra something something. I can’t live without a carbon instrument though. Blessings to you.
Damn…best guitar review I think I’ve ever seen!
amazing ppl like you make my day 🥰 thank you!
What a great review! I think this is about as perfect a review as could possibly be made. I do like the sound of the wooden guitars better, but it certainly sounds great, and in my opinion all the other benefits of carbon fiber (and Emerad's amazing quality) far outweigh the slight difference in sound.
An intelligent, in depth review...thank you
Thank you, most kindly!
Great Job!!!
This is truly a huge gift to all of us, presented with loving care and artistry (also musically). Thank you so much. Made an instant sub out of me, no matter what your other content may be. As for the guitar, itself, I‘m loving the X10, instead, and maybe even as a Slimline. Now assessing my financial ability to Go Carbon. ;-) P.S.: I sure hope you are more mindful of your pets and kiddies left in the car than of that precious guitar of yours (haha)! 5 days in the trunk, at 100 degrees?!? Wow. Actually I‘m curious how the battery in the preamp survived that without leaking or exploding…
From a pure tone standpoint it’s hard to beat the organic and beautiful sounds produced by a solid wood instrument. However… I would definitely like to add an Emerald to my arsenal at some point! It has its own unique sound and the durability is a game changer for use as a traveling or campfire instrument. Fantastic job producing this video!
Emerald is not far behind for being made out of a man made material. Obviously solid wood will come out superior in tone but the X20 packs a punch and is definitely my next guitar!
It sounded very weak compared to the Martin and especially the Taylor. Didn't even come close. As great as all the features are, the tone is the most important thing in a steel string acoustic, so I think I'll pass.
CLASSY AND Well Done
This is the best comparison review I have seen! I wonder if you could comment on the dynamic response of the X20 as compared to the wooden guitars. For example, my wife owns a Journey Overhead carbon fiber guitar which is also very comfortable to play and quite responsive to a light to medium touch, but doesn't get very loud when you dig into it. Your comparisons appear to be very carefully done with a measured touch and that's great, but how does the X20 respond when you really whack it? Does it get as loud as the Taylor or Martin? Thanks!
Great review Alex, fantastic editing and FX with your triplet bros !
I am a big fan of Emerald guitars and look for any opportunity to plug them on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum ! (I know you hang out on the AGF, unfortunately I have been reduced to “guest” status so cannot comment there)
I have an X30 and an older model X20, the X30 definitely compares very favourably with my excellent Adirondack-topped Martin dread. I had an earlier model X7 for a while but disliked the short scale and also found it wanted to neck dive when played standing up.
The X20 is my Goldilocks guitar, my favourite daily player and is within easy reach as I write this. The only GAS I am experiencing now is for a veneer topped X20, , , so thanks for that !
Great review. I travel with an Emerald X7 and love it. At home I have a Taylor and prefer that and have wondered if it was mainly due to size. I do find that the X7 stays out at home and I end up playing it more, while the Taylor gets more babied.
Thank you! And yes... I get it. I'd rather have my whole collection of amazing wood guitars but they all stayed home for my latest move. The X20 is a champ though, I'm still loving it.