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New Cargo Day !
July 30, 2010 - 7:40am
This is long overdue… I finally pulled the trigger on a Cargo RT and it just arrived yesterday. Not only I probably should have got it sooner, I was actually without a CF guitar for 2 months (gasp!). I let go of my OX Raw to acquire a sawdust guitar (albeit a very fine one). Fortunately, I came to my senses again 
The Cargo was shipped in its original box, which doesn’t look like a guitar box because it’s quite short. So when I saw the box, a thought crossed my mind, “This doesn’t look like the Cargo. Maybe this is the replacement air filters for the A/C. UPS must have messed up again.”
But sure enough it’s the Cargo. I couldn’t be more pleased. As twice-an-owner of Little Martin, the Little Martin naturally becomes my point of reference when evaluating the Cargo. The Cargo gig bag is nice, well-padded, sturdy; I like it better than Little Martin’s gig bag. I love the Cargo sound. While IMO Cargo is s not that much louder than Little Martin, it sounds fuller, much more pleasant, and more balanced (Little Martin is way too middy). The Cargo is not as boomy as what I expected; it sounds balanced with a slight emphasis on the low-end. I found the bass quite satisfying. Ergonomics, playing comfort, nut width are much better than Little Martin. With the offset soundhole, no more pick-falling-into-the-soundhole problem anymore 
It will be interesting to compare Cargo vs. Emerald X7. Can’t wait for the road trip!
July 30, 2010 - 10:55am
#2
congratulations!!!!! you will absolutely love it!
i hope to compare mine soon with a x7 and i'll tell you my impressions. i seems that it'll be the comparison of the year that everybody is waiting ;)
enjoy your new cargo!
July 31, 2010 - 12:38pm
#3
Nice buy... X7 vs Cargo... both are fine.. I play the 7 way more than any guitar...but the Cargo is hanging in there.
__________________
Life Is good.. just getting expensive.
CA: X, 5i, GXi, OX, Cargos x 5,
Emerald: Irish Racing Green X-30, and 2 Woodys: X-10, X-7,
Some Yammys and others.
August 1, 2010 - 2:54pm
#4
If I'm not mistaken, Tony has previously mentioned that Cargo is the "ultimate" guitar for him. The combination of comfort, good tone, short scale, reliability, etc. makes it a one of a kind instrument that more than adequately satisfies his personal preferences & needs. After spending a few days with my Cargo, I'm starting to understand why he said that. Cargo is very impressive!
Now the fact that Kramster really likes his X7 compared to Cargo makes the X7 roadtrip even more intriguing.
August 1, 2010 - 5:41pm
#5
Revive:
That is correct about the Cargo for me. I would guess that the Cargo turned out to be a "happy accident" in engineering because its shortcomings have been pointed out again and again in recent threads both here and over at AGF. I understand what is being said and do not disagree with the facts. But for me, these shortcomings apparently not only don't matter, but must somehow work in my favor. I don't claim to understand it all, but I know when something works for me. I am honestly glad that I own three identical Cargos because my concern would be that any "improvements" made in the future could upset the balance that created this "happy accident", making it better for nearly everybody else, but no longer for me. I play at least one of my Cargos every day and have been very consistent and satisfied with my guitar activities since getting my first Cargo. It really changed my musical life. Whatever that "thing" is that the Cargo has, I have not experienced it in the Emeralds that I have played. That "thing" is, to me, intangible, and not having "it" in no way means that another guitar is a lesser instrument - it is just something about the Cargo that seems to uniquely attract me (maybe it is made with a human version of catnip - though clearly NOT THC?).
Consider that Willie Nelson's long-time guitar, that Martin classical, is considered a "so so" guitar at best by anybody who is into classical guitars, from what I have read and discussed with those "in the know" about such things, and aside from Willie Nelson, the instrument really has never caught on (at least until he made it famous). Yet for whatever reason, it was just right for Willie. These things happen, and I am sure glad it happened for me. I guess that just maybe the "right" way to build guitars may not necessarily result in the most suitable instrument for me.
Tony
August 2, 2010 - 7:05pm
#6
Well said, Tony. Comfort and fit, are often not mentioned in discussions of guitar--but part of what we search for in a mate is comfort and fit. That's the way I feel about my Emerald X10--it fits me. Also, if you're a singer, fit and comfort move into the realms of tone and projection--the X10N projects at about the same level I project, and its tonal qualities match mine.
The Cargo is a piece of art, a lucky shot that has touched a lot of people. I was astounded when I 1st played a Cargo, and had it been a nylon string I would probably still have it today. Congratulations to all you Cargo owners.
August 3, 2010 - 8:45am
#7
Yes, comfort and fit. As a former OX owner, the Cargo is an even better instrument for me largely due to comfort and fit. As a small person with small hands, the Cargo almost feels like a guitar custom made only for me :)
August 3, 2010 - 9:31am
#8
revive wrote:
the Cargo almost feels like a guitar custom made only for me :)
I think it was made for you.
__________________
Life Is good.. just getting expensive.
CA: X, 5i, GXi, OX, Cargos x 5,
Emerald: Irish Racing Green X-30, and 2 Woodys: X-10, X-7,
Some Yammys and others.
August 3, 2010 - 5:57pm
#9
I Revive; That is so neat! Good for you.
Revive:
Congrats!!! Very nice instrument you have there. May you have many years of enjoyment from that Cargo. There is a lot of good music to be had in these instruments.
Tony
2008 CA Guitars Cargo RT wine, 2009 CA Guitars Cargo RT wine, 2010 CA Guitars Cargo RT wine