My new AC422 just arrived and I took the case out of the box but hesitated opening it because of reading about folks waiting a day to take the guitar out.  I think it's mostly about coming from cold climates and I don't think there's any frigid weather between Chicago and Seattle but thought I'd ask.  Do you wait?  Is temperature the reason that you would?   

Thanks!

I'm glad I found this forum; it's the perfect place to pose my question.

Last summer I sold my Taylor 314ce and bought an Eastman AC222ce. I've now added an AC420ce to my mini collection. I've written to Eastman to get a clue (if possible) of the age of the 420. It's said to have a Fishman pickup, but it's a different configuration than I've seen. It has volume and tone controls on one side of the sound hole and another control on the other (and two coin-shaped batteries on the control board). I don't think it's an Enhanced version because ones I've seen have a separate component added under the bridge, and this one doesn't (or I may just be confused about the whole matter).

But that isn't even my main question! I now have one guitar with ovangkol sides and back and one with rosewood. There is some difference in the sound, but not much. So I'm thinking of trading up from the AC222 to a 322 to have the mahogany (or sapele?) back/sides or getting a different dreadnought, whether Eastman or not, with a different tonewood. I brought home an E2D (cedar top), but the sound was too muted, so it went back (I have an all-mahogany AMI 000m-15 already; also in my mini stable is an A&L Roadhouse parlor). The two shops in my area that carry Eastman don't have the E6D (mahogany) in stock to try out.

I'm open to suggestions about what to look at, but my main question is this: Which of my guitars am I more likely to regret passing along? This may sound like a silly question, but it's serious. I've been playing only three years, and in my mad search for the perfect guitars (for me, which means less than $2K and preferably less than $1K) I've passed along the Taylor 314ce and a Martin DCPA4, both of which have caused some regret. It's time to settle down with a GA and a dreadnought that will last a long time.

I really like both my Eastman guitars, and I'd rather not be kicking myself for getting rid of one that really should be a keeper. So which might I find more valuable in the long run: the 322ce or the 420ce? There's no "scientific" answer to this, but I'm interested in the opinions of Eastman lovers. Thanks.

When I received my new guitar it came with a double packet of humidifiing material hanging into the sound hole.  Is this intended to be used regularly or was it for shipping purposes or both?

I posted this onto Scott Memmer's (Charmed Life Picks) Eastman thread on AGF.  I modified it slightly here, but thought it was worth sharing...  Cheers to my EGF friends, who've come to appreciate Eastman's guitars as much as I do...

...I played guitar for 20 years, but took a 10 year break, when career and family became the priority. On July 4, 2015, I was on vacation and stepped on a stingray (OUCH!) and was fairly immobile for the holiday festivities. While sitting in my friend's LR, he had an acoustic guitar sitting out. I picked it up, and the bug to play was back.

I spent the next 1.5 years buying and selling guitars, trying to find the sound and quality that were right for me (and learning a TON on the forums, along the way). I owned about 5-6 guitars and was about to buy a custom shop Martin HD-28 with Adi top, when a friend implored me to check out Eastman before I made the purchase. I checked online, and there was a dealer with surprisingly decent inventory (half dozen or so), so I made the trip and played through what they had.

When I played their E20D, it was game over. It was less boomy than the Martin, but had more clarity, which appealed to my playing style and ears. Both were excellent guitars, but for less than 1/3 the price, it was a no-brainer. I have an unofficial policy against impulse purchases, so I went home and began looking at the other Eastman models, where I discovered the newly released E40D, which was the E20D, but with premium woods and "42" style appointments. This was great b/c I'm a Neil Young fan and always wanted a D-45 like his, but could never justify the price.

I placed an order with Ted at LA Guitar Sales in what may be the first commercially sold E40D (followed by the first commercially sold E40OM to pair with it) and began a great relationship with his business. That guitar is so lush, and over the last four years, it's become a beast (sometimes it's almost too much of a good thing!). Throughout 2017, I began selling off my other guitars and replacing them with brand new Eastman guitars. The prices afforded me to expand my collection, and now we have 15 Eastman guitars in the house (dozen acoustic, one electric, and two purchased for my daughter). There's not a bad one in the bunch, and even though I have some redundancy, I can't seem to part with them b/c they each have their own voice.

I enjoy many brands of acoustic guitars and don't subscribe to any brand over another. I'd gladly own a Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Guild, Larrivee, etc. But Eastman has allowed me to build a collection of world class instruments in various tonewoods and body sizes that simply wouldn't be possible with some of those other brands. I love the Eastman voice (balanced, clear, shimmering highs) and build quality (all of mine are 2016-2019 models, so those early QC and finish issues are not my problem), and I've gotten to know a few of the Eastman peeps in Pomona on a personal level. They are super hard working and dedicated to their products and customers.

Eastman has been steadily improving for the last 5-6 years, and if you haven't tried them lately, I suggest you revisit them. And if you can't find a dealer with inventory (a common issue with Eastman, but esp. during the pandemic), then I recommend ordering online with a reputable dealer. Eastman's guitars are hand-crafted, so while they will vary from instrument to instrument, the overall voice and build quality has become very consistent.

Last night, I was playing my E40D (my first Eastman guitar) and my E6D, which arrived one year ago today.  Every day, I feel incredibly fortunate and humbled to own such wonderful instruments.

Joanna Connor is one big beautiful talented woman - what a musician!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSwoM7WIy5M

Her playing is raw, instinctive and passionate  - so much better IMO than the likes of Clapton. I know who I would prefer to see live. YMMV.

OK, I didn't record this on my Eastman guitar, it's just a quick capture with my iPhone.

https://youtu.be/kTJwbhyru-c

hello

my first post here.

i recently bought an eastman ar805 acoustic archtop. everything about the guitar is great so far aside from a problem with the bridge posts. they are leaning in the direction of the neck. i tried switching the bridge around, which helped somewhat but the bridge doesn't meet the body as well as before and therefore i switched it back to its original position.

has anyone experienced this problem with their archtop and a wooden (mine is ebony) bridge? is the bridge defective? or is there a workaround for this? i'm using a d'addario 13-56 nickle wound string set in standard tuning. the action setting is moderate, not insanely low or anything like that.

many thanks for any help on this.

I was curious if anyone has ever played one of the Takamine 12 fret dreads? I haven’t played any of the higher end Takamines. I’ve seen these used in closer to my price range and was curious.

Thanks!

Which capo is best suited for the chunky necked E20P parlour? I have lost my Kyser, and the others I own don't fit easily. So rather than just order another Kyser, I thought I would ask here first.

Hi All,  

Wanted to get some feedback. I just received an E6OM today and have mixed feelings.  Context, my first Acoustic in 15 years and have been playing Telecasters.  So, I opened the box and it looked beautiful so I was excited.  Then I picked it up to try out and was pretty disappointed. I know part of it is the transition to acoustic and heavier strings etc. but it sounded boxy and while it projected nicely with chords it sounded subdued when playing individual notes. The lower strings E,B,G sounded pretty ok but the upper strings not so much.

So, again any perspectives are welcomed.  

Thanks for listening!