Emerald X20 Carbon Fiber Acoustic Guitar: Deep-Dive Review and Sound Comparison

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  • Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
  • Why Carbon Fiber? - 1:04
    Body Design - 2:46
    Sound Hole - 6:13
    Capo Mod - 9:45
    Neck - 10:26
    Veneer - 12:47
    Science! - 15:17
    Sound: Caveat/Details - 17:04
    Sound: Samples - 18:23
    Bonus: Front vs Ear Mics - 24:07
    Pinless Bridge String Change - 26:21

Комментарии • 450

  • @juneabbey9538
    @juneabbey9538 3 года назад +100

    This is one of the most useful, practical reviews I have ever seen: in particular, the three-way comparison provided a great picture of where the Emerald fits in with sounds we all know. Thank you Sir, and please pass my thanks on to your brothers as well.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +8

      hahahah i shared your kind words with them and they both said i should have a beer in their honor tonight ;-D

    • @Fog640
      @Fog640 Год назад +2

      I close my eyes and hear beauty. I love that my brothers can have guitars on ship, in far off foreign lands. Semper Fi

  • @rickthomas393
    @rickthomas393 3 года назад +35

    Bravo, Alex !!
    This comparison, ‘deep dive’ review structure sets a new Gold Standard for future You Tube guitar reviews.
    Fine work!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      thank you so much rick! really makes my day when i read something as kind as this.

  • @remy333
    @remy333 3 года назад +39

    Wow. As beautiful as each of your guitars sound, I’m just overwhelmed with the time you put into this seamless audio/video experience. No click bleed. Awesome. 👏

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад +5

      My favorite comment so far -- thank you for seeing and appreciating the work. It's easy to assume that if something looks smooth, it must have been easy to make.

    • @JakeBarger
      @JakeBarger Год назад

      @@alextryan I’m watching years later while shopping and also greatly appreciate the quality, time, and effort that went into making this. Fantastic video, thanks for making it!

  • @boomerdell
    @boomerdell 2 года назад +11

    Dear Every Guitar/Gear Reviewer in the Interwebverse: This, put simply, is how it's done.
    Holy Schneikies, Alex, this is some incredibly professional work here in all facets of your review. The info presented, the appropriate amount of well-thought-out caveats and disclosures, the super-high quality video and audio production, your playing...dang, everything. I can barely make a somewhat watchable iPhone video, so I know this took an enormous amount of time and effort to create. Thank you!

    • @taulpaul5112
      @taulpaul5112 2 года назад +1

      I was impressed with the Emerald X 20 and bought

    • @rickdeckard1075
      @rickdeckard1075 Год назад

      how much do you charge to comment? i know some channels that really use sm knob-slobbering praise like this, lmk!

  • @worldsigh1788
    @worldsigh1788 Год назад +3

    Great review! For string changes on my pinless X-30, I simply seat the string in the pinless slot, then pull the string taut and capo it anywhere on the neck. This leaves both hands free to wind the string without the need for double jointed circus maneuvers. 😉

  • @markolwick2223
    @markolwick2223 3 года назад +41

    Absolutely brilliant review. I’m sure it was an incredible amount of work, so thank you so much for taking the time to make it.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +4

      So kind of you Mark, thank you! I admit it was -- I mean a total labor of love and I had a great time, but yeah, I took over 20 hours of footage repeating these sections over and over (and over and over) till I could perform them cleanly, and another 20 hours of editing. I really appreciate your reflections and kind words! They make my day.

  • @ozuidema
    @ozuidema Год назад +6

    Man, this may be the best gear review I have ever watched. Chock-a-bloc full of useful information, all killer and no filler. Great presentation, calm and knowledgeable, fantastic edit! A deep bow!

  • @Piemanrudy
    @Piemanrudy Год назад +6

    All I can add to the comments below about this review is that I agree it is excellent and the best pre-purchase review of an instrument that I have ever seen. Well done!

  • @woodstoney
    @woodstoney Год назад +4

    That was the most informative and extremely well thought out and presented guitar review I've ever watched and enjoyed! Thank you!!

  • @markcole4736
    @markcole4736 2 года назад +9

    Great review. The trio of guitars made comparisons easy. While the carbon fiber guitar is the one I would buy for my level of skill, I did hear a pleasant difference between the vintage guitar and the other two. If I were a professional session or performing player the vintage would win. But as a casual player the carbon fiber just has too many pros to opt for a natural wood model. Thanks for making this comparison so easy.

  • @human6.045
    @human6.045 Год назад +1

    Amazing work Alex. I've come back to this video for a second time and I know I'll probably be back again, it's the best demonstration on RUclips of this guitar that I have found. So much work involved, it's appreciated very much.

  • @rogergreene2272
    @rogergreene2272 Год назад +30

    GREAT review. With that said, I felt like the Emerald guitar got absolutely destroyed by the Martin and Taylor when it came to tone and sound projection. I don’t know how that sound hole being at the top is supposed to capture the vibrations of the strings and resonate throughout the body

    • @mcranzsprings1085
      @mcranzsprings1085 Год назад +3

      Totally agree! Emerald sound thin, too bright lacking uhhmp compared to Martin and Taylor. You can tell the difference not even looking played while I’m driving. Taylor sounds great 😊

    • @boops1834
      @boops1834 10 месяцев назад +2

      That's not the function of a sound hole. I agree that the Martin and Taylor have a better sound but that's due to the tone wood, not the sound hole.

  • @zpacleb
    @zpacleb 2 года назад +1

    Excellent video. Probably the best format of a guitar review I've ever seen. Thank you

  • @manasdas9461
    @manasdas9461 2 года назад +4

    The amount of hardwork it took to make this kind of review video ...damn ! Appreciate the hard work ! Thankyou ❤️

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      It was a lot, 40 honest hours or so; thank you very much for seeing that. A fun labor of love for sure! Happy reviews always make my day.

  • @vijaypendakur6891
    @vijaypendakur6891 3 года назад +7

    Alex, I loved watching this review. It's so detailed, well thought out, and amazingly produced. Kudos! You must have put so much hard work into bringing us this awesome content.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад +2

      Thank you Vijay! Very kind of you.

  • @mmv8416
    @mmv8416 Год назад +2

    Great video! This is the most useful way to assess the sound of a guitar that I have ever seen. Thank you.

  • @hbofbyu1
    @hbofbyu1 Год назад +1

    Thanks for putting a huge amount of work into an awesome review!

  • @tdrake59
    @tdrake59 2 года назад +4

    Thanks for your thorough review. Based, in large part, on your reviews, I ordered a custom X30 in November 2021 and received it last friday. It really exceeded my expectations. I gigged with it on Saturday and on Sunday, and I am extremely pleased with it. Besides playing like butter and sounding gorgeous, it is a head-turner. I received tons of comments from people in attendence as well as the other musicians. Thanks again.

  • @kevinconville9258
    @kevinconville9258 3 года назад +5

    Thank you so much for this very well thought out and useful video. Truly one of the best videos I've ever watched reviewing guitars. I have been curious about Emerald guitars and this addressed most everything I could think of. Cheers!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      YES!! I made it specifically for good people like you, so I'm glad it filled the niche! Really appreciate the kind words.

  • @rawkeeto6508
    @rawkeeto6508 2 года назад

    Awesome edits for the size comparison bit. I didn't expect that type of thing from a review viddy. It was a cool surprise and a really good way to show the point you are making.

  • @stevemoore2876
    @stevemoore2876 2 месяца назад

    Been looking at these guitars. Really appreciate all your efforts on the comparisons. Feeling even more confident.

  • @ForrestBillman
    @ForrestBillman 2 года назад +4

    hear me out, this is going to sound weird. but your calm voice talking about cool guitars has been really healing to some anxiety i've been dealing with. great work man!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +2

      my favorite comment so far. 🥰💕🥰

  • @Whitehawkvisionfilms
    @Whitehawkvisionfilms 2 года назад

    WOW! What a wonderfully thought out and executed review and video! Rarely have I been able to so easily hear the differences between the guitars the way you shot/edited it and it was visually interesting simultaneously... Great job!

  • @robbolandsvids
    @robbolandsvids Год назад +1

    Fantastic review, thanks for all the time you put into this. I'm now saving up for an X20.

  • @eivindeikli9758
    @eivindeikli9758 2 года назад +4

    Absolutely brilliant review - thank you very much🙏 Loved your comparison techniques and that fact that you let the watcher/listener decide for themselves what the differences in this sound are! I have just ordered a X20 with the HyVibe system factory installed, and your review was an important part of the decision making for me.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      thank you so much! warm words like this really make my day.

  • @Magicalfluidprocess
    @Magicalfluidprocess 2 года назад +2

    That is a beautiful guitar , as you explain the practical aspects of the build , (sound hole, straight strings ) it makes perfect sense .Great job

  • @cormacmurphy3823
    @cormacmurphy3823 Год назад +1

    Brilliant review , pro level quality and very informative , great job Alex 👏🏼

  • @gspistole976
    @gspistole976 Год назад +2

    What an absolute professional review. Five stars. Thanks...

  • @andyashla
    @andyashla 2 года назад +2

    That was a really well done review! Your attention to detail is amazing.

  • @RavdeepSandhu
    @RavdeepSandhu Месяц назад

    simply the best comparison of the x20 out there. Thank you for putting the effort to make such a great review

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  Месяц назад +1

      It was fun! Thanks for watching!

  • @g.h.meixner3395
    @g.h.meixner3395 4 месяца назад

    This video was a big part of me buying my X20-7. I'm absolutely happy with the purchase. Thanks for the Taylor/Martin/Emerald shootout.

  • @reedburke7762
    @reedburke7762 3 месяца назад

    What a surprise! I have seen a lot of reviews about Emerald Guitars, but this one is the finest. Congrats on an insightful and thorough evaluation. Alistair should be proud and grateful. Thank you!

  • @timcole421
    @timcole421 2 года назад +1

    Great review, insanely informative on things I have never even considered. Absolutely bad ass editing too

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      you made my day, thank you! glad you enjoyed it!

  • @vinnyjr7029
    @vinnyjr7029 3 месяца назад

    Loved the video Alex.. 💜🎸😊💭
    Very informative, Thank-you so much for uploading 📹😎👍👍

  • @edcurtis246
    @edcurtis246 Год назад +1

    What a great review! I have a CA Legacy carbon fiber guitar from 2004 (before Peavy bought them out). There are so many great improvements on this Emerald, it's hard to believe. Thanks for this thoughtful review.

  • @385markcollier
    @385markcollier Год назад

    Great and very thorough review - thanks!

  • @JonathanBrooker
    @JonathanBrooker 2 года назад

    Amazing review and also awesome editing, thank you.

  • @humblegeorge
    @humblegeorge Год назад +1

    Amazing job !!!! Wonderful video.

  • @ToddDennison
    @ToddDennison 3 года назад +1

    Wow. This is the best guitar review I have ever watched. So completely thorough, well thought out, and well executed. Now I finally have an idea of how the X20 might compare to my wood guitars.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад

      Thank you so much Todd! I’m glad it was of value!

  • @thumpitypop
    @thumpitypop 3 года назад +2

    Well-executed, helpful, generous presentation-thank you!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      I'm so glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words!

  • @kevinh4042
    @kevinh4042 2 года назад +5

    Wow, I don't think I've ever seen a guitar review of this detail and quality. Seriously impressive.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      thank you so much kevin! i tried to make the review i would have wanted... really glad it connected.

  • @cs3090
    @cs3090 2 года назад

    Your reviews are the best! Just ordered my custom X-20 with the Hy-Vibe system. Thank you!

  • @simona7517
    @simona7517 2 года назад

    Really appreciate the tremendous review, what a ton of high-quality work went into this very valuable resource for a deciding buyer like me. Thank you!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      Music to my ears! I tried to make the review I would have wanted when I was shopping, so it really warms my heart to hear it was valuable. Hope you get an X20! It's my One Guitar for sure.

  • @FTF96
    @FTF96 Год назад

    Your video editing skills are on another level!

  • @byrnejjoseph1
    @byrnejjoseph1 Год назад

    Really great review, probably the best guitar review I have seen and I have seen a lot😂

  • @guitar_robin
    @guitar_robin 2 года назад +1

    What an awesome and helpful review! One of the best I've ever seen and very well presented as well. You've earned my support buddy! Keep doing what you do because you're very good at it! Cheers from The Netherlands!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      that makes my day, thank you! was just in amsterdam last week!

    • @guitar_robin
      @guitar_robin 2 года назад +1

      @@alextryan you certainly inspired me to make video's about my guitars as well. I have 18 guitars at the moment and most of them are very rare and hard to find anything about them on RUclips. They watly you present your guitar and really go in deep with all the details is truly amazing and very entertaining to watch! So really, a huge thank you for this video, and what an awesome guitar this Emerald is btw!

  • @torustalk
    @torustalk 2 года назад

    Everything about this review is great, so much work! thanks

  • @taulpaul5112
    @taulpaul5112 2 года назад +2

    … one with a Cocobolo veneer in 2018. I really enjoy this guitar. I own several carbon fiber guitars and a Blackbird “Ekoa” El Capitan, the X20 is the most comfortable to play. I enjoyed seeing the changes Emerald has made on the X20 and your modifications. Thank you for putting so much time,thought & energy into the new Gold Standard Guitar Review.

  • @petercalnan230
    @petercalnan230 2 года назад

    Nicely done my friend, thank you for the excellent job on this review, best I've seen and incredibly helpful.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад +1

      thank you so much! always makes my day when someone says they enjoyed one of my vids!

  • @gwandsh
    @gwandsh 2 года назад +2

    Really useful, practical and to the point. As a new Emerald x20 owner who also has a Taylor and Martin, I plan on doing a similar personal comparison. But I don't have the ability or skills to do the sound comparison for others. Many thanks for the painstaking work on this!

  • @daedalusjones4228
    @daedalusjones4228 9 месяцев назад

    Fantastic review. Thanks!

  • @jemikloumigs
    @jemikloumigs 2 года назад

    This is called a brilliant review! 🤙 kudos to you bro👌

  • @bobbyfarrish2477
    @bobbyfarrish2477 3 года назад +1

    That was the most incredible review of a guitar I have ever seen very thorough and very educational job well done I watch these things all the time the best one I've ever seen I just subscribed to your channel for that reason

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад

      aww thank you so much!!

  • @henrymetzger9951
    @henrymetzger9951 Год назад

    Lovely review. How could someone not sub after seeing this.... That old guitar is just so amazing it makes my soul weep!

  • @pm04sss
    @pm04sss Год назад

    Excellent comparisons. Well done.

  • @glhelinski
    @glhelinski 2 года назад

    Love your reviews and videos!

  • @Shteve84
    @Shteve84 2 года назад +3

    This is the best guitar review I've ever seen! Love the styling and sound of this Emerald. I could never afford one but then my lack of accomplishment on the instrument means I can't justify owning one. It would only collect dust and go to waste sat in the corner. But I really appreciate this review all the same.

  • @mikeb3557
    @mikeb3557 Год назад +2

    Absolutely wonderful review (ditto for your X20/Sable video). I know this must have been VERY time consuming, so thank you for your efforts. I'm looking into CF guitars because my poor Martin D-15M has now cracked 3 times (back, front below the bridge, and top shoulder) due to seasonal humidity. While I don't abuse it and I am sure I could have avoided those issues if I was much more careful, obviously that level of care is not my strong point. At any rate, there is a lot of research for me to do on CF guitars before I am willing to go out and spend $ on them, so your videos have helped me. Thank you.

  • @kenthake4606
    @kenthake4606 Год назад

    Incredibly well done! Thank you!!

  • @eddieman42
    @eddieman42 3 года назад

    Excellent review! Thanks so much. I have the same concerns with the Martin/Taylor etc and comparison. You've made my decision much easier. Thanks again 😊🍁☘️🎶

  • @4everskiing
    @4everskiing Год назад +1

    You play better than you think you do. Thank you for demoing the Emerald X20. I travel in my van in all kinds of weather and I am looking for a guitar that can stand up to all the temperature changes. You have given me another guitar to consider. Thank you.

  • @cpr2450
    @cpr2450 2 года назад

    Excellent review!’

  • @mikebachelor7582
    @mikebachelor7582 2 года назад +3

    Thank you. I tend to be rough on my guitar, so I am looking at getting a carbon fiber and am very intrigued by Emerald. The 3 way sound comparison gave about as good an idea of sound as you tube will capture. hopefully the cloning process did not hurt....

  • @thewanderer7630
    @thewanderer7630 Год назад +1

    Great review, mate. Thank you for all the work you've put in for us. I clicked for a carbon fiber review, but the second I saw you holding the Taylor and the 28 it was like the Holy Grail and his brother...

  • @got2kittys
    @got2kittys 3 года назад +2

    This was the best and most honest review I've seen.
    You set a new standard for new guitar reviews.
    This old guy still likes wood better.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      I'll always have a place in my heart for wood instruments! Thank you so much for the kind words. They made my day!

  • @guidothevegan7712
    @guidothevegan7712 Год назад

    Great video. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you very much.

  • @Celticsaint777
    @Celticsaint777 3 года назад

    Great comparisons and great review.

  • @memal25
    @memal25 3 года назад

    Great indepth review. Thank you!

  • @markcorliss3059
    @markcorliss3059 Год назад

    The x20 sounds good better then I expected. I at 67 yrs old can hear the difference in all three. I'm impressed but I gotta tell ya. Being from San Diego and knowing where Mr. Taylor started and where he is now. My ❤ says Taylor and that one is a beauty. Great job guys great job.

  • @ajbrown
    @ajbrown 2 года назад

    I love my X20. Thanks for the tips!

  • @user-lb9bv6wv5w
    @user-lb9bv6wv5w Год назад

    Good review thanks!

  • @MaximumPasta
    @MaximumPasta Год назад

    4:25 - that was really trippy LOL. Nice effect and demonstration.

  • @HankSolon
    @HankSolon 2 года назад +1

    Perfect Review. I really like the comparison between the guitars. As mentioned elsewhere. This is Gold standard!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      warms my heart so much to hear people getting value out of these reviews. thank you henry!

  • @tonyzuccaro2764
    @tonyzuccaro2764 Год назад

    Great review

  • @koifish9645
    @koifish9645 7 месяцев назад +1

    Absolutely brilliant review and demonstration - one of the best I have ever seen. Agree with other comments that tone wise the Emerald doesn't match the others, but it certainly offers some real world gigging benefits. As an aside our synth player is also an Alex Ryan!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  7 месяцев назад +1

      Give him my regards! And thank you!

  • @nathan6298
    @nathan6298 3 года назад +3

    This review is astoundingly well made. The time, effort, and skill involved just with editing is enough to earn my like. Audio quality, lighting, and cinematography was also miles ahead of literally any other guitar channel I've come across. Well done. You deserve far more subscribers than you have currently.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад +1

      i screenshotted this, circled it, and posted it to my instagram. thanks for cheering me up today.

  • @chuknorth
    @chuknorth Год назад

    great review, thank-you.

  • @forgetandy9
    @forgetandy9 2 года назад

    The most comprehensive guitar comparison demo I've seen.

  • @gilles4997
    @gilles4997 3 года назад

    Excellent review 👍

  • @chefrustic
    @chefrustic Год назад

    Great Job!!!

  • @jalrox123
    @jalrox123 2 года назад

    Wow.. brilliant review. Never seen a review like this before

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      thank you so much! it was a labor of love for sure. really fun to try out some new tricks. your comment made my day!

  • @samty54
    @samty54 Год назад

    Damn…best guitar review I think I’ve ever seen!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  Год назад +1

      amazing ppl like you make my day 🥰 thank you!

  • @immigrationbureau
    @immigrationbureau Год назад

    This is ingenious thank you so much

  • @jed1166
    @jed1166 3 года назад

    Even changed outfits for each guitar in the comparison! Nice job!

  • @rtracy01
    @rtracy01 2 года назад +2

    this is amazing for me... I have owned a Taylor for 21 years and love the sound. I never realized how unique the Taylor sound was until I heard you playing them side by side. I'm not saying better, because, like you said, 'sound is subjective.'.. but definitely unique. I do love my Taylor's sound, though.

  • @ruybal34
    @ruybal34 11 месяцев назад +2

    From a pure tone standpoint it’s hard to beat the organic and beautiful sounds produced by a solid wood instrument. However… I would definitely like to add an Emerald to my arsenal at some point! It has its own unique sound and the durability is a game changer for use as a traveling or campfire instrument. Fantastic job producing this video!

  • @Anthonyjedwards
    @Anthonyjedwards Год назад

    Brilliant review, smart, clear and useful.!!!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  Год назад

      thank you so much. always makes my day when someone finds the vid valuable.

  • @scottbecker3485
    @scottbecker3485 Год назад +1

    This is truly a huge gift to all of us, presented with loving care and artistry (also musically). Thank you so much. Made an instant sub out of me, no matter what your other content may be. As for the guitar, itself, I‘m loving the X10, instead, and maybe even as a Slimline. Now assessing my financial ability to Go Carbon. ;-) P.S.: I sure hope you are more mindful of your pets and kiddies left in the car than of that precious guitar of yours (haha)! 5 days in the trunk, at 100 degrees?!? Wow. Actually I‘m curious how the battery in the preamp survived that without leaking or exploding…

  • @shawnallenvicker7729
    @shawnallenvicker7729 Год назад

    CLASSY AND Well Done

  • @DanDjurdjevicplus
    @DanDjurdjevicplus 2 года назад

    That’s a pretty standout review. Thank you sir!

  • @magicdaveable
    @magicdaveable 2 года назад

    Well done review. I did notice the differences in preceived tone caused by soundwave transmission.

  • @jazzlehazzle
    @jazzlehazzle 2 года назад

    Wow! Best review of a thing ever!

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      you made my day! thank you!

  • @philiplyons8285
    @philiplyons8285 3 года назад

    An intelligent, in depth review...thank you

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  3 года назад

      Thank you, most kindly!

  • @heymrguitarman7637
    @heymrguitarman7637 2 года назад +10

    Great review. In the 3 way comparison I felt the Emerald was left wanting a bit compared to the others but still a nice sounding guitar, and maybe the comfort and stability factors make up for it

    • @shawnwilliams6924
      @shawnwilliams6924 2 года назад +2

      Sound Quality differences Might be the projection of the Emerald - i would like to Mic it at 45deg to the Sound Hole. Not as jangly or ringing as Martin and Taylor - not as Full Spectrum - the Mids and Bass sound a bit muffled. Going through the onboard Amp with EQ could fix it. Gorgeous Guitar. Best Review Ever!

  • @kit22brady
    @kit22brady Год назад

    I have watched thousands of guitar videos - you are the best reviewer Ive ever seen.

  • @darrylday30
    @darrylday30 Год назад +1

    Fantastic review. They all sound great. I didn’t like the x20 at first but I’ll but I’ll bet it sounds great in a mix.

  • @muktamao
    @muktamao Год назад

    Amazing! Thank you

  • @csheltn
    @csheltn 2 года назад +1

    Man that Taylor! Stellar sounding guitar.

  • @rigorhead01
    @rigorhead01 Год назад +3

    What a great review! I think this is about as perfect a review as could possibly be made. I do like the sound of the wooden guitars better, but it certainly sounds great, and in my opinion all the other benefits of carbon fiber (and Emerad's amazing quality) far outweigh the slight difference in sound.

  • @WirebenderAudio
    @WirebenderAudio 2 года назад

    Terrific job. Possibly the best music equipment review I have ever seen and heard.

    • @alextryan
      @alextryan  2 года назад

      THANK YOU!! Means the world to me.