|
This is long, so here’s a TLDR summary. This is an incredible guitar that is an instant #1 for me. Time will tell, but I think this is the best kind of gear purchase because it will encourage me to be a better player and nudge me offload some other stuff.
The antique varnish finish is not for everybody, so I highly recommend that prospective buyers see it in person before committing. Also, Safe Haven Music deserves a shout out for providing great support and service. I’m very glad I bought from an authorized dealer.
For background, I’m a home hobby player. I’ve owned 2 Larrivees (D-02 and OM-40R), 2 Emeralds (X20 and X10), a Korean made Breedlove (Atlas Stage D25/SRe) and a Seagull S6+ Spruce.
Eastman came to my attention as I searched for fuller neck profiles with rounder radius. The search led me to Gibson, and I gravitated towards slope shoulders reading about J-45s. I played a few J-45s at Guitar Center and started combing the used market. Eastman kept popping up, and I decided I needed to try one, but I don’t have well stocked dealers within driving distance.
I was looking for an E1SS because I like the satin finish and lower price point. I kept reading great things about the E10SS/v and found a demo E10SS/v at Safe Haven Music. The shop owner said this particular E10SS/v was a standout, so I bought it with a 30 day return.
My first reactions to playing this guitar were a new experience for me. I’ve bought and sold a lot of guitars over the years - many more electric than acoustic. This is the first time I’ve been this excited about how a guitar plays and sounds.
What went through my head was:
- I really don’t like any of my other guitars
- I’m going to sell X, Y, Z and just play the heck out of this
- I’m going to play this thing so much I’m going to have to refret it
The neck is super comfortable. I measured 1.7” nut width and 0.87” front to back thickness. There’s a good bit of shoulder to the neck, so it feels a little more full than it measures.
The fretwork is great, and I’m picky. I believe the action was lowered at the shop, and it’s set up just perfectly in my opinion. I was immediately comfortable playing it and trying new things.
The guitar sounds amazing. It reminds me of guitars I’ve had over the years that dried out - only this is absolutely humidified properly. For example, the Larrivee OM-40R that I mentioned sounded amazing until I realized it was dried out (it arrived from a Reverb seller with a loose end pin). Once that OM-40R was re-hydrated, it never sounded the same.
If you hit the E10SS/v hard, it just explodes with rich, musical tone. The bass is strong and very tight. Midrange is warm and there’s no harshness to the top end. This is my first shorter scale acoustic guitar. I always assumed that I preferred the extra ‘snap’ associated with longer scales, but I don’t miss that extra 3/4” at all. This is what I wanted an acoustic guitar to sound like.
As mentioned on another thread, I had second thoughts about the finish. The gloss is not consistent, especially on the top next to the end of the fretboard. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is normal for Eastman antique varnish finishes.
There was some damage where the finish took on impressions from the case on the top and back. The shop told me this happens with hot weather shipments of the varnish finished Eastmans. I had the ‘case rash’ fixed by my luthier, and Safe Haven credited me for most of the charge (my luthier is expensive).
Having my luthier work on this guitar gave me the chance to discuss it with him. He has a lot of experience with high end and vintage instruments. He loved it, and his notes were:
- agreed that it sounds and plays fantastic (this is the first time I’ve seen him play a guitar and not adjust anything)
- it sounds more like an old Martin than a Gibson
- the top is a very thick ‘G top’
- the flame mahogany on the back is really choice and rare (he said it must have grown near salt water)
- the guitar sounds great because of the bracing, it’s not the varnish
- get a new case, the material inside the case is too rough for varnish. Or, line it with a t shirt.
I’ve also noticed that the low E and A string bridge pins don’t fit quite right. I was able to restring with extra attention to holding these pins in place, but they don’t sit flush at the same depth as the other pins. I’ll get this addressed one day.
Overall, I’m very happy with the purchase. The tone and playability greatly outweigh the fit and finish issues.
Questions:
Are all E10SS/v guitars this amazing?
Why isn’t the top thermo-cured? Or is it?
What’s my next Eastman?
I’m curious to try an OM or maybe an OO SS. I wouldn’t mind a little fuller neck, better couch comfort, and maybe some rosewood.
|
![[Image: n4PcPE3.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/n4PcPE3.jpeg)
![[Image: WfUQnve.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/WfUQnve.jpeg)
![[Image: K8Z7m00.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/K8Z7m00.jpeg)