Would anyone here be keen on an Emerald ukulele?

Andy Chen

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Hi everyone,

There is this luthier in Ireland who specialises in carbon fibre guitars and really fantastical ones such as this short-scale 12-stringer that sounds like a mandolin (http://www.emeraldguitars.com/acoustic/amicus-12/#x).

I have been thinking that he would make a great ukulele along the lines of the Blackbird tenor ukulele, which I love.

But since he doesn't have one in production, a custom one would cost me a lot of money (he would need to create a new mould and experiment with bracing etc...).

But if there are enough of us who want an Emerald, the cost individually could come down.

Any interest?
 
Can't say I have any.:)

Others might, though. Thanks for introducing me to the brand.
 
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Not sure the other two carbon fiber uke makers that I know about are doing well enough for a third manufacturer to bother. Cool looking instruments though. An 8 string ukelin or mandolele (read mandolin like taropatch) may be interesting. Thanks for sharing.
 
Hi Phil, I thought there was only Blackbird making CF ukes now?
 
Having a Blackbird tenor, why do you even want one of these? (Is the tenor nice as the Clara concert?)
 
I want a Blackbird Clara, so I do express an interest in knowing more information and details.
 
I emailed emerald they said it would cost me 5500 to make me ukulele just to much for me. I have a emerald guitar I love . I just decided to get the blackbird tenor ukulele
 
Phil: I read somewhere on this forum that the Karadoo guy is ill or worse.

Steve: That's the price he quoted me too.

Other Steve: the Blackbird tenor strung with stock Pro Artes is actually warmer than the Clara and the cutaway is fabulous, giving access all the way up the neck. It is as awesome as the Clara.
 
If you are just making modifications to an existing production model, it's very affordable for a CF custom. I had one made for my wife. Alistair is a great guy to work with.
 
Hey Andy,
How many Tenor Ukuleles would Emerald need to make to get the price down into the Blackbird Tenor price. Colors looks great and I did correspond with them years back when I was playing lots of guitar and needed a travel guitar. $5500 not happening but do understand price as a one of. Curious, yes.
 
Hi everyone,

There is this luthier in Ireland who specialises in carbon fibre guitars and really fantastical ones such as this short-scale 12-stringer that sounds like a mandolin (http://www.emeraldguitars.com/acoustic/amicus-12/#x).

I have been thinking that he would make a great ukulele along the lines of the Blackbird tenor ukulele, which I love.

But since he doesn't have one in production, a custom one would cost me a lot of money (he would need to create a new mould and experiment with bracing etc...).

But if there are enough of us who want an Emerald, the cost individually could come down.

Any interest?

If you love the Blackbird, why not get what you know you love rather than taking the risk on a custom carbon fiber uke? Are you trying to save $? Or is there something about the Blackbird you wish was different?
 
Eddie: there are some features that I like about Emerald, one of them being how the bridge is part of the body mould, which makes it even more indestructible than the Blackbird.

Another feature I like is the woody veneer.

Mostly, I want to collect composite ukuleles.

Make no mistake, I am head over heels in love with my Blackbirds. For playability and tone, they are my favourite ukes. (For looks, it's the Collings.)
 
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I have just emailed Alistair of Emerald, asking how many pre-orders would he need to bring down the cost of a tenor uke to USD1,400, which is about the cost of a Blackbird tenor.

I shall post here again when he replies.

Imagine a tenor uke with a soundhole like this: http://www.emeraldguitars.com/acoustic/x20-os/
 
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Well, thanks Andy, but I'll stick with wood, until there isn't any more. I've heard bad things about the CF manufacturing process being very unfriendly to the environment (as if cutting trees isn't).
I know it will outlast wood by a long shot, but I just do NOT like the way it looks.
 
No worries, Nickie, to each their own.

Alistair replied: somewhere in the region of 10 pre orders would start an Emerald tenor the price of the Blackbird tenor.
 
I'd be curious if Emerald ever made one. I sure like the look of the Amicus, and wonder if they could maybe do a guitarlele with that existing mold?
 
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