Eastman Acoustics - A quick try out

Fuengi · February 2019

This very nice thing arrived this afternoon.

Eastman E10ss https://imgur.com/gallery/P53POuC

Unfortunately, the low E keeps sliding off the fretboard. It's been cut probably half a width too close I reckon. See below and let me know what you think.

E string cut https://imgur.com/gallery/phJsllx

Don't know how easy it is to resolve, or if I should just send it back?

Fuengi · February 2019

Been playing this all week having decided I'm going to keep it.

Huge thanks again to Peach who could not have done more to assist, and my apologies if I was a bit ranty on Tuesday but I was disappointed it wasn't perfect.

I've adjusted my playing to cope with the low E problem, trying to make sure I don't push up on it when I fret.

The guitar is superb. It's got all the deep boom of a dreadnought when playing open G and Em, lovely woody mids and lots of clarity.

The top is really response, especially around the bridge where little taps ring out. It has a sort of natural tremolo as the note decays and i can feel the air being pushed out.

The nut aside, it's faultless to my eye. Simple binding and rosette looks great and the mahogany is truly gorgeous, I'll upload some detailed photos tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments regarding the nut, really useful and very glad I didn't decide to send back what is a very nice guitar which should give me years of pleasure.

Edit: the only other problem is that my Ovation now sounds like dogshit.

earwighoney · March 2019

Fuengi said:

Been playing this all week having decided I'm going to keep it.

Huge thanks again to Peach who could not have done more to assist, and my apologies if I was a bit ranty on Tuesday but I was disappointed it wasn't perfect.

I've adjusted my playing to cope with the low E problem, trying to make sure I don't push up on it when I fret.

The guitar is superb. It's got all the deep boom of a dreadnought when playing open G and Em, lovely woody mids and lots of clarity.

The top is really response, especially around the bridge where little taps ring out. It has a sort of natural tremolo as the note decays and i can feel the air being pushed out.

The nut aside, it's faultless to my eye. Simple binding and rosette looks great and the mahogany is truly gorgeous, I'll upload some detailed photos tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments regarding the nut, really useful and very glad I didn't decide to send back what is a very nice guitar which should give me years of pleasure.

Edit: the only other problem is that my Ovation now sounds like dogshit.

Pleased to hear you like it. I have a E-10-00 and it is a truly superb guitar.

One thing I'd say regarding it's sound it will improve, mine took a few years of playing. From my experience new acoustic guitars with spruce soundboards take a bit of playing before sounding their best, and as Red Spruce is stiffer than Sitka etc it takes a bit more time.

Give it that time and you will be greatly rewarded!

Fuengi · March 2019

earwighoney said:
Pleased to hear you like it. I have a E-10-00 and it is a truly superb guitar.

One thing I'd say regarding it's sound it will improve, mine took a few years of playing. From my experience new acoustic guitars with spruce soundboards take a bit of playing before sounding their best, and as Red Spruce is stiffer than Sitka etc it takes a bit more time.

Give it that time and you will be greatly rewarded!

Good to hear. What other acoustics do you have and how does Eastman compare?

earwighoney · March 2019

Fuengi said:

earwighoney said:
Pleased to hear you like it. I have a E-10-00 and it is a truly superb guitar.

One thing I'd say regarding it's sound it will improve, mine took a few years of playing. From my experience new acoustic guitars with spruce soundboards take a bit of playing before sounding their best, and as Red Spruce is stiffer than Sitka etc it takes a bit more time.

Give it that time and you will be greatly rewarded!

Good to hear. What other acoustics do you have and how does Eastman compare?

I own a Stanford OM (Furch designed but with a different name on the headstock) and some single luthier built guitars, 2 of which are nylon string guitars (flamenco guitars) and the other one is a steel string acoustic made by a chap by the name of Per Marklund; a repro of a 1938 Martin 00-21S. There are a few good videos of his guitars on Youtube if you have a spare moment.

As for comparing the Eastman to my other guitars, it's not something I really like doing. I like all my guitars and irrespective of the price I paid for Eastman it is a fantastic guitar and one I would be very reluctant to sell.

Fuengi · March 2019

Update after a week of playing.

The low E string seems to have settled in and it's far easier to play without buzzing or slipping off the board now.

I think half the problem was the nut, and half the new strings Peach put on it before sending it out. The low E was stiff and would not intonate. It took a few days to settle in.

Gotta say the reputation Eastman have gained isn't for nothing. Very impressive.

I'm probably going to leave the nut for now, it's really not causing a problem since the string has settled and I've become accustomed to it.

brojangles · March 2019

Let me know if you change your mind, I very much want one of these!

Fuengi · March 2019

brojangles said:

Let me know if you change your mind, I very much want one of these!

We think Ivor Mairants have the only other one that is the old spec. New ones are held by Richards Guitars.

Deadman · March 2019

earwighoney said:

Andy79 said:

Natural finish and laminate maybe?

Nope, they are all solid. I think they are cheaper as they have Sapele back and sides opposed to Mahogany, which is generally a more expensive wood (not better, Sapele also makes excellent guitars)

***

They now have a Double Top acoustic guitar, very interesting, few production models around.

£1299 as opposed to £499? I can't get my head around it. That mahogany doesn't seem worth it!

I can't find any good info on the ins and outs but that limited edition seems like a right bargain.

Andy79 · March 2019

Sure does! Look at the D15. Nobody can tell sapele from mahogany and Martin didn’t mind charging the same for either
these guitars will be a steal

Fuengi · March 2019

And they have electronics!

I have to say the mahogany on the E10ss is quite stunning, I'm not so keen on the look of sapele but it's a lot extra to pay. I also really wanted the nitro sunburst finish, not mad keen on their rubbed finish.

I'm tempted to pick up a ltd edition as well though.

tralfamadan · March 2019

Eastman guitars are fantastic. I just wish more stores stocked them so I could try out their whole line. I think i'll pick up an E20OM when I have the cash to spare.

kreggs · March 2019

I fancy buying an E6 Om just not sure where in scotland they stock em

brojangles · March 2019

Public information announcement for Eastman-curious readers in the northeast: a bloke in Whitley Bay is selling an E20SS (the rosewood slope dread model) on Gumtree. If I didn't live at the other end of the country I'd be taking a look at it myself.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/eastman-e20ss-acoustic-guitar/1333182894

Andy79 · March 2019

Blimey that’s the cheapest I’ve see second hand. Not that I’ve seen loads. Bet that rosewood model is sweet
Forsyths have an E10ss at a grand.

Fuengi · March 2019

Andy79 said:

Blimey that’s the cheapest I’ve see second hand. Not that I’ve seen loads. Bet that rosewood model is sweet
Forsyths have an E10ss at a grand.

Nice. I paid £1100 for mine which I don't want back!

£800 for a used E20ss is an awful lot of guitar.

Fuengi · March 2019

Another Eastman up north on Gumtree, also looks a bargain.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/eastman-e10-00ss-acoustic-guitar/1333291229

Fuengi · March 2019

Went back in to Guitar Village today, cash in pocket fully intending to buy another Eastman to replace my Ovation which I just sold. I need an electro for Water Rats!

Tried all the new Eastman guitars they had in around the £500 - £600 mark, nice enough but nothing was screaming "buy me".

Tried a couple of Faith and Guild's which were so-so. The Guild OM-140ce was lovely, but I didn't like the colour of the fingerboard - too light and mottled - and I'm now in the £800+ range so what else can I find?

Never tried a Faith guitar that I really liked, so before setting off out of the sub £1k section I grabbed the worst looking one I hadn't so far tried just to confirm my bias and.... oh! This sounds good!! Unfortunately it looked disgusting (a Naked Neptune Cognac Mahogany apparently) and the other two finishes in the range looked like it's ugly sisters, so off up to the upper floor.

More Eastman, Taylor, Martin... Hmmm, what's this dark beauty? A 00L-17 Black Smoke, almost the exact opposite of my remit (electronics / GA shape + Cutaway / £500 - £900) so why not try it?

Oh shit. It's alive! Sweet popping singe notes, smooth easy dreamy chords, light as a feather. £1150.

Took some serious self GAS negotiation not to buy it there and then!

brucegill · March 2019

Haha. Some great deals on those at the moment! Look smart too. Love the black with white scratch plate ones. Not tried one as didn’t fit the bill of what i was looking for, but I assume they still sound like Martins? They look like martin doing a Gibson look alike like the CEO-7 (had one and was lovely), so just not picked one up.

Fuengi · March 2019

brucegill said:

Haha. Some great deals on those at the moment! Look smart too. Love the black with white scratch plate ones. Not tried one as didn’t fit the bill of what i was looking for, but I assume they still sound like Martins? They look like martin doing a Gibson look alike like the CEO-7 (had one and was lovely), so just not picked one up.

They looked very Martin to me, probably something in the shape? I've never really tried an excellent Martin,maybe I'm expecting too much. I'd say this was exactly what a Martin should sound like though. Very, very nice and a good alternative to my J45.

Id just need to install a pickup in one of them!

brucegill · March 2019

Well I wish you luck. They look great. Must try one. Super price at the moment too.

Andy79 · March 2019

Did you manage to compare the Martin to the Eastman 00 ?

brucegill · March 2019

The neck sounds interesting in those. 1 3/4 but not to thick at the 12th

Fuengi · March 2019

Andy79 said:

Did you manage to compare the Martin to the Eastman 00 ?

I tried the Eastman E10 00v last time I was in there, really nice, lovely sweet middy tone with lively top. Quite a distinct small body sound in a nice way.

The Martin I would never have guessed blind was a small-ish body. The bass side was rich and the treble beautifully rounded. Responded to finger style incredibly well.

I preferred the Martin but both are excellent.

kreggs · March 2019

Just picked up a new Eastman E6 OM. Bought it to replace my ibanez mahogany top. It came set up superbly. Action nice and low and well cut nut. No high frets. Well levelled. Its got a chunkier fuller neck than the soft v on my ibanez. It does not play as easy as my ibanez but im going to try new 11 gague on the Eastman as it came with 12s. The ibanez AVC9 truly sounds cracking for the money. Its very close in volume. Think I will keep em both. Cant hurt to have 2 OM guitars. One in mahogany and one in spruce.

munckee · March 2019

Have you managed to play the mexican Martin dreadnought jr yet? Would fit the bill of smaller, with pickup, £700 bracket?

Fuengi · March 2019

munckee said:

Have you managed to play the mexican Martin dreadnought jr yet? Would fit the bill of smaller, with pickup, £700 bracket?

Not yet, where did you try it?

munckee · March 2019

Anderton's, worth a try before you shell out double, not sure if PMT have them?

Snags · March 2019

@Fuengi Have you tried any of the Sire models? I'm intrigued by those, but have trust issues given that there's only one source for them, and that's where the reviews come from too.

Fuengi · March 2019

Back to Guitar Village today with Jr. Remit was to try everything we fancied in the £400 - £800 range, short list a few each and then compare.

Ended up with a few Faith's, a couple of Guild and a PRS. I tried the PRS first and was really surprised how lovely it was as I'm really not a fan of the bird inlays or the headstock.

However, after the 2nd run through of the shortlist and direct comparison the PRS was the clear winner. It was £300 more than the Faith, but the same price as the Gulid.

More details in the tone, super comfortable and a decent electronic system won the day.

Edit with correct link!

http://imgur.com/gallery/G2wOnRQ

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Eastman Acoustics - A quick try out

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