Hi - has anyone used the Martin Retro monel strings on an Eastman acoustic? I am soon to be getting an Eastman OM and wondered about trying these strings on it? Your thoughts all welcome!

Some, if not most, of you probably have seen this guitar on Reverb:

https://reverb.com/item/38464802-eastman-ac420-bearclaw

I passed on it a few times and finally weakened and pulled the trigger. It's quite beautiful and in excellent condition. Since these are no longer made and with the heavy bearclaw top, I'm sure there's no other guitar exactly like this one. The AC420 (Sitka top) is the guitar that became the E8D. There was also the AC420B (B stands for Bluegrass) with an Adirondack top that became the E20D. There is one for sale on Reverb:

https://reverb.com/item/37649608-eastman-ac420b

I added the Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, a nicer pick guard, new strings (Martin Lifespan), and lowered the action. It looks great, plays great, and sounds great. The bearclaw is difficult to photograph and yes, I am aware of the finish cracks radiating from the bass side of the sound hole. Here is an interesting review of the AC420 from an old bluegrass devotee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av44S89bp6Q

I hope you like the photos and enjoy the review!
Clint

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... I just found this place and was wondering if you could help me.
I purchased my Eastman T386 last year in august (and I am still falling in love with her every morning again). I`m still learning to play but somehow I believe that finding a guitar which is perfect for me helped me a lot on the way 
Now I come to the point that I have to change the strings, but I don`t have a clue which strings the guitar came with. I`ve got a tag in the case which says that she came with D´addario strings, but I still don`t know wich exactly. I really like the strings I`m playing right now, they are not as hard as the strings I`ve played before and I would really love to keep that feeling while playing ...

Have a nice evening everyone
(and sorry for my english, it`s not my native language and I believe I forgot a lot of it since leaving shool and not speaking it everday)

I contacted Bourgeois with a question about their planned specs for OMs on the upcoming Bourgeois/Eastman line. Got an answer today:
"Thank you for your email and for your interest in Bourgeois Guitars.
The upcoming collaboration guitars with Eastman will feature 25.5" scale length and 1 23/32" nut widths."

The longer scale is a definite step in the right direction (IMO). A lot will depend on the neck carve, but 1 23/32" - eh, I wish it was 1 24/32".

Jonesing for an OM lately and instead of rushing into something, maybe I'll hold out for one of these.

Unfortunately I didn't ask when the first ones will become available...

Edit: "We anticipate late quarter 2, early quarter 3 of this year."

Hey!

Still waiting to pull the trigger on an Eastman GA. Browsing for compatitors somehow i've discovered a Korean vendor named Cort. These cmpany seems to produce cheaper instruments. But they have a very interesting line-up of all-solid-wood guitars for the money.

You could get a GA solid body guitar with torrefied sitka top for about 900eur  (compared to AC322C for 1000-1100eur).
Went for some deeper research and found what looks to be a gem among the Cort's finest - Gold Edge LE - its very much looks like a competitor to AC522CE  in my eyes, but is cheaper (1400eur for the Cort VC 1700 for AC522CE and Cort has a torrefied top). Back and sides look beautyfull on this also.

They also produce similar model with laminate back and sides (Cort GA-MY BV) for 3x cheaper money. This is also very tempting, since the very-very low price.

Please share your oppinions on this. What do you think about the Gold Edge LE? 
Anyone had any experience with Cort Gold series?

P.S prices are for Europe.

Anyone have any opinions or insights as to the double top auditorium vs the ac722ce (the new version)?

Anyone here own or owned a guild d55?

I heard one being strummed away live not so long ago and it sounded absolutely beautiful, now I'm getting serious gas.

Way, way back pre-covid, January 2020, I was moving into playing Jazz and the blues, it would be a good idea to have a jazz guitar. My only requirements when deciding on a new guitar were: 1 ¾” nut, semi hollow and not too expensive. That alone reduced the market choice by 80%. I was lucky enough to be able to play one at a local jam in February. After procrastinating for a few months, I ordered the  Eastman T486 at the end of May, because it checked all the boxes for me. After a nine month wait, the guitar arrived on Saturday and it is just gorgeous. Flame maple body and neck, ebony fretboard, bone nut, beautiful bindings and a gleaming Nitrocellulose finish.(Note: the photo appears to show some blemishes but they are reflections. The finish is perfect). Once home, I lowered the action a bit and slight adjustment to the intonation. The sounds are amazing with sustain just seems to go on and on. The Semour Duncan pickups are great. The jazz pickup on the neck gives the bluesy tones while the ’59 at the bridge will allow you to crank out some rock. The wider neck is a pleasure to play and gives me that tiny bit of extra room.This guitar is very difficult to put down, even as it hangs in the stand, my eyes are drawn to its beauty. I am very pleased with this guitar and I’m sure that it will be around for a while. At our house we have a one-in-one-out rule, so The PRS Santana goes to my Grandson. This leaves me with one electric, one acoustic six string and one acoustic 12 string. My Granddaughter has the classical.

Henk 

Wanted - Used E10 or 20 00 slot head- not SS
Been looking for months used but nothing about I can find on eBay etc, no shops have used stock that I can see, if any one is looking to sell in the UK for a realistic price I would be interested.

Thanks

Sean

I love drinking coffee on weekend mornings and watching guitar videos that just lead me who knows where.  I stumbled onto Eoin Butler.  He only has a few videos but man can he play.  If someone granted me the wish to play like anyone, this actually might be it.  His playing inspires me.