If I hadn't watched Phil before I'd have thought this was a commercial. Wild to see him absolutely fanboy over a product. Happy for him. Hope to find a guitar that makes me feel that way.

Now we can start the tonecarbon debate! 😂 In all seriousness, this looks like a great guitar. Once again, you did a great review.

Perfect for Northern Canada- no worries about low humidity cracking the wood!

A few years back, I bought two x20s-one for my son and one for me. They both arrived from Ireland perfectly in tune and are still ready to play every time it is picked up.Both electronically and acoustically, they perform and sound amazing. What awesome guitars these are!

For newcomers to Know Your Gear, Phil almost never glows this much over a guitar. When I saw him holding back a smile I knew this guitar has to be legit.

The manufacturer must be so happy right now.

Awesome seeing Phil with an Emerald. I have 2 & love them both. My CSP topped X20 with it's HyVibe is the most comfortable, tuning stable acoustic guitar I've ever held. & my Virtuo has so many tone combos, my PRS 24-08 blushes & hides in it's gearbag.

I played one of these a few months ago, it sounded WAY better than I thought it would.

I own an X30 and love it! Awesome customer service too. One of my Ghost bridge saddles snapped in two, and they quickly sent a replacement across the pond.

I own one (X20), and a McPherson Sable. I take the Emerald to the tropics and pretty much everywhere I travel, hot, cold, no problem. Don’t need to get anything fancy as their standard is beautiful and it plays great. Super sturdy case too for when I take it on a jet. Yes, wow! My home is not great for wood acoustics, although I own many, and I just leave my carbon fiber out on the couch so it’s right there to grab. All my wood guitars reside in their cases along with some humid pacs. Not trying to brag, but the carbon fiber Emerald is fn awesome, the Sable as well. Doesn’t sound as good as the Martin or Guild but dudes, it is nice ,no great, to have without the worry of what the wood guitars would go through in various climates. Piece of advice, get a pickup installed from the factory. Cheers!

OK just wow....I have been looking at getting a Ovation Adamas......I think that may have just changed! Just Wow! I grew up around Ovations from my brother well those and Taylor were his choice for acoustics outside of his dabbling with Takemine in the late 90's. Phil thanks for shining a little light on these guitars!

I own an older X20 and it's just amazing. These newer ones are even better.

Phil, so glad you finally got one on the bench and doing a video on it! I own an X30 and an X7. Wonderful!

About 25 years ago I visited Composite Acoustics in Lafayette Louisiana. Fantastic instruments but what blew my mind is when the rep pulled a guitar off of the wall and laid it on the floor, beat it with a hammer then handed it to me. Not a scratch, dent, ding, and it was still in tune!

Looks and sounds amazing

Amazing sound and looks!

That's a Beautiful Guitar 🎸 Thanks for Sharing 🎸🎶🎶🎶

Sounds great acoustically or plugged in. SWEET!

I just love the looks of that, and I really like the tones also. They are a bit different, but a good different IMO. Emerald guitars let a friend, Sean Daniels who also has a YT channel, design one and pick it up on a trip to Ireland. He did an acoustic/electric w/2 humbuckers and a green tint carbon fiber w/gold hardware. That guitar is stunning, and sounds amazing! I'd love to have a 00 size w/shorter 24 inch-ish scale, if they would make that? I also like a thicker neck. I haven't even played a carbon fiber yet, but very much looking forward to it. I love the high quality of Emerald!! Great review!! Thanks, --gary

I know KDH isn't everyone's cup of tea but he did an excellent tour of their manufacturing facility which is well worth a look. They make amazing guitars.

That carbon fiber looks amazing!

Especially at the cabin. (In Northern Canada)

Very cool acoustic!

Great review, as always, thanks for the time and detail

Nice sounds

Would love to see your new Heritage

Thanks Phil well done

Sounds Great!

Just very impressive. I still have my '79 Ovation custom Balladeer which l love although it does have that distinctive Ovation sound. Back in the '80's it was the only game in town for acoustics with electrics and did a good job. The sound of the Emerald although subtler still reminded me of the Ovation. Great lookin instrument and looks like it's beautifully concieved and constructed. I'll be interested to see how it takes off with pro guitarists.

I tabbed out your beautiful guitar playing at 6:00 and 8:01 and clipped them as they are about 1 min each. Thanks, Phil. Melodic and precise. ❤

sounds and looks gorgeous

Beautiful and sounds good too!

I have been an Ovation junkie for decades. I bought an Adamas 12 string in '87 and played it out for years. It was considered the top of the mark for gigging solos. I even had the double neck I hauled to Sloppy Joes and Captain Tony's a la "Dead or Alive" fame. This might be the next level. Great review!

I am a subscriber to their website. I love their products.

Sounds about the the best I've heard a CF acoustic sound... it is definitely very beautiful. I hope you are going to keep it so you can do a one year update and maybe a stress test taking it outdoors or on a cross country trip ....

I like it!

Bought my first Emerald over a year ago now and now have 3: Virtuo, X20, and X20 Baritone. Love these guitars. I'm sure being in the harsh environment of Arizona that this guitar will be perfect for you.

Amazing Guitar!

I appreciate the review. It’s a looker for sure and the fact that it’s indestructible, as far as humidity is concerned is really impressive but not for me right now. Maybe someday?

I'll never own one of these, but I've been waiting for this video. Incredible guitar!

I’d love to see a head to head to head between three similar bidirectional carbon fiber guitar designs from KLOS, Emerald, and McPherson. Personally, I think KLOS gets you best bang for the buck as far as giving the best quality CF and features for bidirectional for up to half the cost of the other two brands. They offer lots of customization options - not quite full custom shop, but close to it. Would love to see you compare guitars from all three to see what you get or don’t get from each of these three brands making bidirectional CF guitars.

Awe…I really want one! Nice demo Phil ! ❤

Phil.....I've been begging you for YEARS to try one of these.....so glad you finally did and so glad you love it. Quite frankly, and this is going to sound like hyperbole, they are perfect. I have two Emeralds (an X20 12 string with a Ziricote top, and an X30 with a flamed maple top). Make no mistake, these are NOT inexpensive options, but as you have discovered, the price for perfection. I've had my 12 string for many years now, and it plays the same as the day I got it. And Alistair is such a nice person and loves his customers.

Gorgeous guitar and I think with the veneer tops and the advantages of the carbon fiber it might sway some traditionalists. Of course it won't replace a traditional acoustic but is definitely a step in the direction of more usable.

Very unique and nice looking guitar. The acoustic tone seems a little muffled in the upper midrange... to my ears. I guess the pickup & amp could fill that, if wanted?

Pretty damn impressive - especially the tone. Thank you, as always.

One of the best reviews that I’ve seen on the Emerald X-20. Thank you.

Sounds and looks fantastic. Really top quality for sure.

I've owned a couple Journey Instruments carbon fiber guitars, and they were both really good. I owned one of the Enya carbon fiber guitars, and it was just okay. I've played a bunch of KLOS carbon fiber guitars, and never found one that I was inclined to put my money down. On somewhat of a lark, I bought a used 2021 Emerald X7 (parlor/travel size) from GC and had it shipped to my local store. I only buy used kit from GC and my thought was if I don't like it, their returns are quick and easy. I love it. Amazing build quality, sounds great, plays great, and a definite keeper. It's been my EDC guitar ever since. Emerald truly does set the bar on carbon fiber instruments, and their almost endless configuration options are second to none.

Nice sounds amazing

I've had an X20 for a few years now. I got the HighVibe system which for playing around the house eliminates the need to plug in to punch up the sound. I did discover that if you use the HighVibe the system the (my?) X20 does not perform reliably with coated strings and my personal preference is for phosphor bronze strings whereas on all my wood acoustics I can't stand the phosphor bronze sound. I also strung it up with baritone 16-70s for about 6 months no adjustments at all and it worked perfectly as a baritone (with a bit of buzz on the fat E string that probably could have been shimmed out at the bridge saddle, and I needed pliers to drag the fat E string through the machine peg hole as it barely (arguably didn't) fit. The one issue I encountered was that some screws on the machine heads and on the HighVibe unit mounting plate don't snug well and when changing strings there is very distinct play in the machine heads where they are fastened to the neck, after a few dozen more string changes I may have to poly fill the holes and or replace the screws. All comments on sound comparison vs same price point in traditional guitars are undeniable but the sound is no slouch and the comfort factor holding and playing it is special. I chose green without a veneer as a shout out to it's origin and a tribute to it's construction. The team at Emerald were attentive, prompt and a delight to deal with too.

A good choice for busking or on the road ...

Guitar looks and sounds great

Sounds and looks amazing, love your channel - you always have so much information and enthusiasm, and no ego - "If you can shred on this . . . " This is the first acoustic other than my Martin and the newer Taylor 914CE models I've really liked the look and tone of, until you plugged it in - I wonder if they have an option other than a piezo. Acoutstic guitars are so hard to amplify, but I'd rather have a multi-source pickup system like an LR Baggs Anthem. Definitely will be checking them out though!

Emerald sets the bar! My x20 is a dream! I pray they make a straight electric guitar some day.

Great vid, great guitar. I love my Rainsong. Have you got any thoughts on the company out there that's making carbon fibre necks for Strats and Teles. 👍

Really like the Virtuo model.

Sound's Great either Way...

Was gassing after the 12 String after seeing KDH's factory tour. Definitely will get one for the collection. Would definitely put either the HiVibe or LR Baggs Anthem instead of the passive system.

Nice 1 Phil

Definitely agree that it sounds better plugged in than not. I wonder if the location of the sound hole has anything to do with that? Beautiful craftsmanship.

Their website is fantastic. Saving for an Emerald now.

I think this would make a great travel guitar. Quality built, it sounds big and has reasonably good acoustic tone. Barring a change of strings or being plugged-in, the tone will always stay the same. It can't open up with age or playing as a woody does. Depending on the usage, that can be a plus.

Sounds killer

I imagine the CF top of this guitar will never suffer typical long term effects of wood? Like bulging at the saddle and caving in at the neck heel? It sounds great - little different but great.

Emerald guitars are superb. I love all of mine

I have an X20. As Phil says amazing guitar.

I've got 2 Emerald guitars. A Green X20 and their demo lefty Amicus. Both have been amazing. If you can try the hyvibe system, it's quite good.

Looks beautiful. I'd love to try one out. They sure are pricey though!

I purchased an X 10 a couple years ago. The main reason I picked it up was because I live in Tucson Arizona , a very dry climate. I travel on a regular basis to Hawaii, which is a higher humidity climate. These guitars are easy to travel with , always stay in tune and you don’t have to worry about them being damaged on a flight .This week I received my second Emerald Guitar, the X 20, which is the full body acoustic . Yes they don’t sound like a Taylor but I would never take my Taylor to the beach. Mahalo

When i saw the guitar and listened to the description I thought it was amazing, then heard it being played and I actually got goosebumps

Emerald is an awesome company.

Yeah ... for $4K+ 😮

I am going to look ALOTE into this Co. I AM VEARY INTERESTED IN THIS CO.!!!

Very cool. beautiful too; it looks to be really deep, but maybe it's just the way it looks on camera. This is the future, the materials are easier to work with, easier to standardize production, and like you said they're bulletproof. You don't have to worry about the rain forests or anything else. As electronics are added, the sound can be enhanced any way a processor is set to do it. Wood guitars will become specialty boutique items.

Looking at the bridge, how do you restring this guitar? I ask because it looks like the strings are coming up out of the body.

I've had my eyes and ears on Emerald Guitars for a while now. They may well be the best sounding of the Composite/Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitars. The Maximum Body Depth of the X10 is 4.75 inches, the same as my Lowden, which I find uncomfortably deep - It puts my right picking arm into an awkward position. I'm taller than average, including a Classical background, etc., so I know about ergonomic positions. Do the "comfort cuts" on the X10 make the guitar feel less deep? I also see that the Model X7 is 3.75 inches deep. Thanks

Cool

Sounds lively enough. I like the offering of nut-width choice. Why do more guitar manufacturers not offer this? Be brave, go to 48 or even 50mm. I play a 52mm nut and love it.

I love my x30.

KDH did an awesome video tour of the factory with the CEO. I’m currently saving and waiting for them to do a full on electric (T-style, P90s, Bigsby please 😹).

Nice👍👍👍

That guitar is special.

I have an X30 (their big jumbo). It's a gorgeous guitar and sounds great. I wanted it because I live in crazy Florida weather, and like you, barely even have to tune it. The only thing that I don't like is the pinless bridge. The guitar is a complete pain in the butt to string. Also, since there are no pins, I find myself sometimes unintentionally muting the strings.

Cool guitar, I hate the way it sounds

Phil can u review their hybrid guitar as well?

I think it sounds amazing. It’s not as warm as it would Guitar, but it sounds great.

The argument you make for this guitar makes sense🎸Great job🏅

Phil, did you say "Acoustic Image" guitar? I've never heard of them. I've tried searching for "Acoustic Image Composite guitar" and "Acoustic Image Carbon Fiber guitar" and I can't find anything about them at all. Got a link or any hints on better search terms?

the perfect guitar for Asia. But can you play rock with effect on it? :) I bet Tommy Emmanuel has one, but I'd love to see Nuno Bettencort play one electric. What's to stop them from making solid bodies THAT STABLE?

Technically it seems perfect, but the sound cannot seduce me. As you said, it cannot match by far the sound of for instance a Taylor. And that is what music finally is about.

I think we R looking @ the future!! I agree it sounds better pluged in. But it sounds better than any budget acoustic out their. I want a Gibson Dove single cut Ebobony!!👍👍👍👍 Martin's, Guild's, Taylor's R Sweet! But the Dove has me!

What LR baggs pick up is that? I don't see one that looks like that one. I hate my pick up in my Taylor 114, it's so bad. Picks up the stratching of the strings more than the tone of the guitar.

Wonderfull, until you mention price!

I hope you try out the emerald harp guitar that would be sweet Peace ✌️ n serenity

KDH Channel does a factory tour.

I don't even play acoustics but for a moment watching this video I considered it. Sweet guitar!

I thought they were already popular, I see them everywhere for a few years.

I own one, super solid, never goes out of tune and doesn't need humidity. Sounds worse than my Taylor in my opinion.

I'm more interested in this brand after watching this review!!! I prefer the sound of my D-28, but the temptation to own a guitar that doesn't need much TLC is almost too great for me to resist. Fun personal fact: I used to wish for more high-end sparkle from my guitars and strings until I had my hearing checked. Premium hearing aids have given me what I've been missing.