A New Era for Emerald Guitars

The next chapter in Emerald Guitars’ evolution has begun. Introducing the third-generation X20 family, a new generation of Emerald designs and a new approach to the future of our range.

For over 25 years, Emerald Guitars has been driven by a desire to challenge convention, explore new possibilities and create inspiring instruments for musicians around the world.

From our earliest carbon fiber guitars to the instruments we build today, innovation and evolution have always been at the heart of what we do.

October 2026 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Emerald Guitars, as we officially introduce the first of our next-generation designs and announce some important changes to the future of the Emerald range.

This launch represents the first results of the Emerald Reset, a journey that began in early 2025 to reimagine and refine not only the guitars we create, but also the way we design and build them.

Welcome to the New Era.

Introducing the Third-Generation Emerald X20

The Dreadnought, Evolved.

Leading this new chapter is the redesigned Emerald X20, the third generation of our flagship carbon fiber acoustic guitar.

The X20 has long been one of the cornerstones of the Emerald range, combining the versatility and rich tonal character of a traditional dreadnought-style acoustic with the unique advantages of our full carbon fiber construction.

For this latest generation, Alistair and the team have revisited the design, drawing on years of experience, development and feedback from Emerald players around the world.

The third-generation X20 introduces several significant refinements, including a redesigned soundhole that flows across the top and side of the guitar, a new neck profile and further developments in its design, tone and playability.

These updates represent the next stage in the evolution of an instrument that has become an integral part of the Emerald Guitars identity.

The result is a new generation of our flagship acoustic, built upon everything that has made the X20 such an important part of the Emerald story.

Meet the New Era X20 Family

The launch introduces the third-generation X20 family, offering a variety of playing experiences and musical possibilities.

The New Era range includes:

• X20 Steel String — the third generation of our flagship carbon fiber acoustic, designed for versatility, comfort and inspiring acoustic tone.
• X20 Steel String Short Scale — a new 24-inch scale-length option offering a different feel and playing experience.
• X20 Nylon — combining the classic tone and character of nylon strings with the modern design, comfort and reliability of the X20 platform.
• X20-12 — bringing the rich, shimmering sound of a 12-string acoustic to the new X20 design.
• X20 Noir — the first model from Noir by Emerald Guitars, offering a distinctive, performance-focused approach with a carefully chosen specification.

Each model brings its own character and possibilities while sharing the latest developments in Emerald design.

Introducing Noir by Emerald Guitars — A New Member of the Family

The New Era also marks the introduction of Noir by Emerald Guitars, a new and distinctive member of the Emerald family.

Created with its own design philosophy and identity, Noir represents a different approach to the Emerald experience — one focused on the essentials of great guitar design, performance and reliability.

Noir follows a carefully considered approach to design, with one specification per model and our distinctive Crystal Ice carbon finish, creating a recognisable identity of its own within the Emerald family.

Every Noir guitar is still designed and manufactured here at Emerald HQ in Donegal, Ireland, with the same commitment to craftsmanship and quality that defines our instruments.

The idea is simple: to offer players another way to experience the unique advantages of an Emerald guitar, with a distinct aesthetic, carefully chosen features and a more accessible price point.

Noir shares the same foundations that have made Emerald guitars so popular with musicians around the world, but brings its own character and direction to the family.

The new X20 Noir is the first instrument to carry this identity, combining the latest generation of Emerald X20 design with the focused philosophy behind Noir.

It’s a new direction for Emerald, and one we’re excited to develop further.

An Important Change to the Emerald Range

The arrival of the third-generation X20 family also marks a significant change in how we will approach the wider Emerald range moving forward.

As of 14 October 2026, we are no longer accepting new custom orders for the previous-generation versions of our other guitar models.

While this represents a major transition, it does not mean those Emerald models are disappearing permanently.

We will continue to offer our remaining stock from our now discontinued range while supplies last.

These guitars remain a market-leading choice, offering the craftsmanship, acoustic performance and distinctive playing experience that established Emerald’s reputation. We remain incredibly proud of these instruments, which were built to perform for generations to come.

All existing confirmed custom orders will be completed as planned, so customers who have already placed an order for a previous-generation instrument can rest assured that their guitar will still be built.

Beyond those existing orders, we will no longer manufacture additional instruments from the discontinued range.

Instead, models will be revisited, redesigned and progressively reintroduced as their next-generation versions become ready.

This approach allows us to focus our attention on bringing meaningful improvements to each instrument while creating a more streamlined and efficient production process.

Why Are We Making These Changes?

Over the years, Emerald Guitars has grown from a small specialist guitar builder in Donegal into a brand with a passionate community of musicians around the world.

With that growth has come increasing demand for our instruments, alongside the challenges of manufacturing a wide range of specialist guitars with extensive customisation possibilities.

As part of the Emerald Reset, we are introducing a new approach to both design and production.

By concentrating on a smaller selection of models at any one time, we aim to simplify and improve our manufacturing processes, increase production capacity and reduce the time customers spend waiting for their instruments.

Just as importantly, this new approach creates more space for research, design and development, allowing us to devote greater attention to the evolution of each individual instrument.

Drawing on Alistair’s 28 years of guitar-building experience, alongside the knowledge and expertise of the wider Emerald team, we have an opportunity to revisit our designs, explore new ideas and apply everything we have learned through years of manufacturing and feedback from our players.

Our ambition is simple: to continue refining our guitars and the way we build them, while delivering a more consistent customer experience.

We want to maintain the quality, individuality and attention to detail that define Emerald Guitars, while creating a more efficient and sustainable approach to production that will support our future growth.

These changes have been carefully considered, and we believe they will help create a stronger foundation for Emerald’s future.

What Comes Next for Emerald?

The third-generation X20 family is just the beginning.

Throughout 2027, we plan to progressively introduce redesigned versions of other Emerald models, gradually rebuilding and expanding the range around this next generation of instruments.

Each new model will be introduced individually as its design and development are completed, allowing us to give every instrument the attention it deserves.

While 2027 marks the beginning of this wider rollout, exact release dates will depend on the progress of each design and our production plans.

We will continue to share updates and announcements as new instruments become ready to join the New Era family.

The Next Chapter in the Emerald Story

A great deal of thought, work and development has gone into this next chapter for Emerald Guitars.

As a company, we have always believed that there is room for guitars to evolve beyond traditional expectations. Our use of carbon fiber has allowed us to explore new approaches to instrument construction, design, comfort and performance.

That same spirit of exploration continues to drive us forward.

The Emerald Reset represents more than a new generation of guitar designs. It is an opportunity to build upon everything we have learned, refine how we work and create a stronger foundation for the years ahead.

While the instruments we build and the processes behind them will continue to change and evolve, our commitment remains the same: to create inspiring guitars with exceptional tone, playability and reliability for musicians everywhere.

We want to thank our customers, artists, Ambassadors and the wider Emerald community for their continued support and enthusiasm.

We are incredibly excited to share this next chapter with you and look forward to revealing much more over the coming months.

Welcome to the New Era of Emerald Guitars.

Explore the New Era X20 family and discover the latest generation of Emerald guitar design.

Explore the family

Visit the individual product pages for full specifications, available options and current stock:

X20 : https://emeraldguitars.com/models/x20-3rd-generation/
X20 Short scale : https://emeraldguitars.com/models/x20-short-scale-3rd-generation/
X20 Nylon : https://emeraldguitars.com/models/x20-nylon-3rd-generation/
X20 – 12-string : https://emeraldguitars.com/models/x20-12-string-3rd-generation/
X20 Noir: https://emeraldguitars.com/noir/product/x20-noir/