The Emerald X30 is a brilliant carbon fiber guitar. I honestly can’t stop thinking about certain qualities this guitar has.
In today’s review, I’m sharing what I loved about the Emerald X30 jumbo acoustic guitar. From the looks to the comfortability, this guitar is definitely one to keep your eye on.
The Emerald X30 is Wicked Comfortable
Looking back, the Emerald X30 is a unique guitar in my hands. I’ve played tons of guitars in my life. Some have been classics, some have been improvements on classics, and some have been pure innovators.
But, whenever I see a jumbo guitar (besides this Emerald X30), I tend to shy away.
Typically, jumbo acoustic guitars are uncomfortable and — frankly — unwieldy.
The Emerald X30, however, is incredibly comfortable. With a beveled back and front, reaching around the jumbo-sized body is effortless. In addition, the carbon fiber body makes this guitar light.
The body of this guitar just simply fits like a glove. It was designed to be held for long periods of time without causing any discomfort.
Jumbo Sound…Jumbo Tone
The Emerald X30, like a mentioned, is a jumbo acoustic guitar. The sheer size of this guitar allows you to put some serious volume out there.
Additionally, the bass notes on the guitar are, well, intense. While the notes are loud, and the guitar is able to sustain those notes, there’s no sacrifice in clarity.
When I was doing some testing of the sonic boundaries on the Emerald X30, playing with a lighter pick seemed to help the articulation and tone. The lighter touch definitely one the day on this guitar.
If I was playing with my Blue Chip Pick, which is an 80 thickness (2.0 mm), the guitar just didn’t respond as well.
Here’s the full spec list:
Scale Length : 25 ½”, 650mm
Nut Width: 1 ¾”, 44.5mm
Bridge Spacing: 2 ¼”, 57mm
Overall Length: 39 ½”, 1000mm
Max Body Width: 17″, 430mm
Max Body Depth: 5 3⁄4, 146mm
Max Body Length: 21″, 533mm
Weight: 5.1lbs, 2.4kg
Frets: 22 medium stainless steel frets
Fretboard Radius: 16”
Tuners (Default): Gold Gotoh 510 tuners
Nut/Saddle: Graphtech low friction nut and saddle
Bridge: Black Graphtech bridge pins
Pickup (Default): LR Baggs Element Active System™ – VTC
Finish: High gloss finish on all surfaces
Case: Hiscox Custom Pro-GJ hard case
Veneer: Quilted Maple Vintage Amber
Quilted Maple on a Carbon Fiber Guitar
The last thing I want to talk about in the Emerald X30 is the brilliant quilted maple veneer on the top of this guitar.
While the entire body and neck of the guitar are carbon fiber, the top has a beautiful quilted maple veneer that is expertly painted on. As a result, the top of this guitar has this magical, water-like effect.
The sunburst quilted maple is also one of my favorite wood grain patterns, so this guitar won me over the moment I looked at it!
Final Thoughts on the Emerald X30
Overall, this guitar is one of my favorites to come from Emerald Guitars. While this jumbo acoustic has the sound and tone of a jumbo, it is way comfier than any other jumbo acoustic I have played.
In addition, the aesthetic quality of this guitar is sleek, stylish, and isn’t matched by many other guitars out there — and certainly not other carbon fiber guitars.
If you’re looking for an innovator in guitar design that has created a very special acoustic jumbo guitar, don’t miss out on the Emerald X30.
Big thanks to everyone at Emerald for letting me review the guitar and for getting this special guitar in my hands.
Finally, if you liked this review, check out my Emerald X20 review.
Be sure to check out the Acoustic Tuesday Show…because chances are, if you’re a guitar geek, you’re going to absolutely love it!
Tony,
I really appreciate your review of this guitar. I could see that the guitars are beautiful. What I could not determine was the sound quality of the guitar since what I was hearing was a combination of the mic, the L. R. Baggs pick up, the studio, and my computer speakers. I also could not tell how the guitar felt when played, the ergonomics. Since I trust your ears and evaluation of the feel of the guitar (I’ve been listening to the podcasts for a while), your positive reaction to both of these elements told me what I needed to hear. I bought one last week. Many thanks! I very much enjoy your work (and your play).