This blog is generally about our day-to-day happenings. Like the Seinfeld show from years ago, sometimes it is about nothing... just observations that strike me as funny or odd. Today, it is a throw-back to 9 years ago...
This was the Facebook Memory from 9 years ago: the arrival of my first Emerald, and X7 that would go with us to our whale watch jobs in the Pacific Northwest. Seems like I have played Emeralds for decades; they are definitely my go-to choice of guitars. This X7 started that change over.
I have been playing guitar since I was 11 years old. This Emerald wasn't my first carbon fiber guitar, but it was my first guitar that was designed with ergonomics in mind. Unlike wood guitars that are made from various pieces of wood, steamed and bent, then glued together, carbon fiber guitars are shaped in a mold. This means that the design doesn't have to have the sharp right angles where the wood guitars are put together - the carbon fiber can curves and bevels designed into the mold. When you hold an Emerald to play it, your arm doesn't lean against any sharp edges; there is no hard right angle where the guitar leans into your ribs. This makes the guitar much more comfortable to hold.
This first Emerald changed how I evaluate guitars. Well, acoustic guitars; electric guitars generally have much thinner bodies, made of solid wood. That means the wood can be shaped to be more comfortable. Unlike the hollow design of an acoustic guitar. I am surprised that other carbon fiber guitar builders haven't designed in more comfort in their guitars.
That said, acoustic guitar players tend to be traditional. Taylor, who has been making guitars for over 50 years is still considered "that young upstart" by some acoustic players. Taylor has incorporated arm bevels into some of their models... so, some nod to comfort.
Earl may weigh in here. He is also a carbon fiber convert and owns Emeralds and other carbon fiber brands. Earl is a friend and regular commenter here - I get that it isn't as simple as making a Yelp review here, since you need to register (once) to comment. Comments are welcome, as long as they aren't spam and are civil.
2 comments:
I'm a mechanical engineer, so not civil (bad joke). I am a big fan of carbon fiber. Having lived in Alaska where the winters are ultra-dry (equal or worse than AZ) got me started with a Rainsong ~24 years ago. I did a lifetime's worth of humidity care and worrying about temperatures for fine wood instruments. All but one of my nice wood guitars are gone now in favor of CF. As you so aptly put it, "Come for the durability, stay for the tone".
I remember when you got that X7, which was was before I got my X20. Actually, the first Emerald that I ever saw was at Kramster's house in FEB 2018 when we all first met. Mine was in transit and waiting for me in Idaho after that Arizona trip. So that wasn't yesterday either.
(I was in Seattle and offline WED-FRI).
Ah, yes, I remember Alice playing my X7 (and enjoying it) at that gathering. It was really a treat to try a BUNCH of different CF guitars. Alistair had hinted on a new design X10 coming, so it was a treat to try one of the old center sound hole X10s. I ordered mine right after it was announced at the end of May 2018. I have really come to appreciate the narrower neck on the X10. Each of the Emeralds fills a function in my playing.
I think some Emerald deliveries have beat that "just under 4 days" of that X7 since I got that one... but every Emerald I have ordered since that first have all taken longer in delivery. With the tariffs, I'm glad I have what I have; no outbreaks of GAS since the Virtuo found its way to me.
Hope you were having some fun in Seattle! It used to be one of my favorite big cities.
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