To continue our look at a few of the, slightly more unusual, travel guitars available, we’re now considering the Emerald Guitars X5-Life.

As you can probably see, the X5, in common with the Blackbird Rider mentioned previously,  is another carbon fibre guitar. Why, it’s like the wonder material of the future.

Clocking in at 3 lbs, the X5 looks a little more ‘guitar-like’ although it certainly has some Emerald eccentricity about it.  It has a scale length of 25.5 (longer than the Blackbird) which is the same as most Fender-type guitars and so should feel pretty comfortable if that’s what you’re used to playing.

The body, neck and fingerboard are carbon fibre.  Tuners are from Sprezel and are locking units.

There is an option to have a pickup (a B-Band A3t) built in – this includes a preamp and tuner.

The X5 is available in ‘Natural Carbon’ (i.e. black), red and green.  All colours have the carbon fibre weave visible through their translucent finish.

There is also an X5 ‘Woody’ option.  This involves having a thin veneer of wood applied over the carbon fibre top to give a more traditional, wood effect.  Personally, I’d rather stick with the regular carbon fibre than pretend otherwise but the option is there if that’s your bag.

Dimensions for the X5 are 33.5″ x 12″ x 2.75″.

Prices for the Emerald are €595 for the regular version and €695 for the pickup-installed version.  Note that these are Euro prices.

More at Emerald.