Sound and Vision

EMERALD VIRTUO

- Chris Gill

IRISH LUTHIER ALISTAIR Hay, founder of Emerald Guitars, is one of the most fascinating and visionary guitar designers of the last two decades. Readers may remember his dazzling Bahamut dragon guitar featured in the “It Might Get Weird” column in Guitar World’s June 2013 issue or his incredible Ultra “alien” guitar played by Steve Vai on tour. While those guitars were radical visually, Emerald’s carbon fiber production models are notable for their progressive features and highly ergonomic designs. Emerald’s new Virtuo model, which combines acoustic, electric and synth controller features in a single instrument, is a great example of the company’s visionary outlook that redefines the potential of our beloved instrument.

FEATURES The Emerald Virtuo is a true hybrid design built around a slim acoustic guitar base but featuring the fast, slim neck with 22 medium stainless steel frets and full fret access of an electric. The body and neck are crafted from rock-solid carbon fiber, but buyers can choose a wide selection of gorgeous veneer overlays like cocobolo, Macassar ebony, quilted tamo ash or many other woods for the body and headstock should they prefer the natural look of wood.