Inspired by Joshua's thread on his TC opening up after a year, as well as Tom C's E15SS NGD post, I thought I'd share my own redemption experience.  In 2017, I was about to order an E15SS (in fact, the exact guitar that Tom C just purchased; same S/N).  But since I played mostly dreads, I got cold feet about a smaller body guitar, and at the last minute, switched into an E20OM-SB (still a burst finish, but OM/000 body size and Ebony bridge and board).

For the first two years, the guitar was tight, dark, and brooding.  I experimented with strings, picks, and even picked up a used Tonerite.  Side note: the TR divides some people, but I've used it with varying degrees of success.  It was particularly effective on this E20OM-SB.  Along the way, I commented in an old thread, called "Adirondack Spruce: An Exercise In Patience."

For those first two years, I thought about selling it more than I thought about keeping it.  But I kept hearing small improvements from month to month, string change to string change, and TR session to TR session.  So, I kept it... but I was prepared to sell it and replace it with a Mahogany/Spruce OM.

Eventually, something broke through, and this guitar began to find its voice.  And wow, what a voice it has found!  The dark sound has been replaced with a classic scooped sound.  The tight is replaced with incredible responsiveness.  And the brooding has been replaced with a warm, wonderful tone.  It's an unbelievable transformation --- and still voiced completely different than my E40OM!

I guess my point is to share the story b/c prior to owning an Adi top guitar, I would make my mind up about a new guitar within weeks (maybe a few months), and if it didn't speak to me within a year, it was gone.  But a couple of people cautioned me to have more patience with this guitar, and I'm so glad I heeded their advice b/c it turned into a keeper.

I just returned from a short trip to the mountains (Tahoe), and I took this guitar with me.  Perhaps it was the dry mountain air or the smaller room (I played in the condo bedroom), but the guitar never sounded so good.  The low bass notes rang deep, and the clarity was off the chart.  I had to force myself to put it down before the neighbors complained, LOL.

This isn't to say that every frog will turn into a prince.  In fact, I'd say that this is an exception, not the rule.  But I'm convinced that Adi works on a different timeline than Sitka, Cedar, and other woods.  So, if you have a newer Adi top that isn't all that you'd expect, but you hear some positive improvement, then have some patience b/c that guitar may simply be working off of a longer timeline.

Pura Vida!

This is a custom model made by Eastman for LA Guitar with Ted's input modeled after a Gibson LG2/B25. This was actually shipped by Eastman to LAG in 2014.  Adirondack/rosewood. 24.75" scale.  1 23/32" nut. Rosewood bridge and finger board. The difference between this and a regular Eastman E20 00ss is a wider upper bout, slightly smaller lower bout and a wider nut. I had an E10 00ss/v and the neck on the E15SS strikes me as thicker as well as wider at the nut. The neck/nut area is very similar to my E10 & 40 OMs. Ted also had them in adirondack/mahogany as an E5SS but I believe those are long gone.

I personalized the guitar with Restoration Hardware tuners with cream buttons, unbleached bone bridge pins, Schatten passive pick-up and John Pearse Slimline Jr ebony armrest. The guitar was a little on the sleepy side when I received, so it was subjected to a 8 day ToneRite treatment. I restrung it with Daddario NB 12-53. 
First two week impressions - very comfortable to hold due to the small body, much slinkyer for fretting due to the short scale, surprisingly great projection from the small body but definitely lacking the bass of the E40OM. The NB strings also give it a nice bite especially with a thin pick. It strikes me as very balanced. There doesn't seem to be as much of the rosewood scoop as you would expect. Maybe it's just the strings. 

Conclusion - fun little guitar that is comfortable and easy to play. Nice overtones and sustain. BUT it definitely (IMHO) does not sound like a small body Gibson.

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In July of 2019, one of my Eastman guitar dreams came true. But it wasn’t until a year later that the investment finally paid off. This is that story.

I was one of the lucky ones who got one of the first batches of Thermo-Cured Eastmans’s to hit the US. I was also one the the lucky ones to get one of the second batches as well. Here is what happened.

From the announcement at Summer NAMM in 2017 I had my eye set on these models. When they arrived in the Fall of 2017, I went down to my local guitar shop (Sunrise Guitars, Fayetteville AR) and hand selected what I thought was the best of the New TC models. They had 3 in stock. An E10D-TC, E20D-TC, and a E20OM-TC. All were amazing guitars, but something about the E10D-TC really spoke to me. It was warm, clear, loud, and dry, like it had been played for 30 years or so. Needless to say that’s the one I took home.

Yet, after a few months I felt like something was missing. Like the 10 needed a companion, a counterpart. I kept thinking back to that E20D-TC I played. It was the most beautiful Eastman I had ever seen, and it sounded great too.

So I knew what I had to do. I had to get me one. For the next year or so I had my eye set on that guitar. The only problem was at that time there were only a few released in the US. Then they were gone. You couldn’t find them online or in the store.

I read on this forum that something happened in production that stopped Eastman from being able to produce more TC Tops for nearly two more years. It was somewhat devastating, as I wondered if Eastman was going to drop the TC line altogether.

Then in July of 2019 I saw this E20D-TC for sale on Reverb. I knew I wanted it, but I didn’t have the money at that moment. However, I rather reluctantly mentioned it somewhat off handedly to my wife, and to my surprise, she decided to up and buy it for our anniversary! We talked it over both agreed it would be a great purchase, so we went ahead and placed the order. My excitement was growing. The only issue was that I had do buy it online, unplayed and unseen.

I was trusting, based on the previous guitar of the same mod that I played, and my E10D-TC at home; that this thing would be a cannon. In fact, I had never had such high expectations for a guitar in my life. I waited for what felt like another year, but what was in reality only a week. Then the day came, it finally arrive dg!

I was so excited that morning that I nearly ripped opened up the box. I check everything over, tuned her up...and to my devastating surprise, I was somewhat disappointed....

The guitar looked well built. There was nothing wrong with it structurally, but after a bit of playing I realized just didn’t really meet my high exceptions. It also had pretty high action and there were small finish issues. The nut slot was also high, and the overall tone was a bit wet and green sounding. I was sad, but wanted to believe the best, that this could one day be an amazing guitar.

I had the option to return it based on some undisclosed cosmetic issues that were not mentioned by the seller, but instead of returning it, I decided to keep it and just hope for the best. (I don’t always recommend that approach but it sometimes works out)

Over the next few months I held onto the guitar and tried to give it some good ole fashioned DIY TLC. I filed the nut down, got the action set-up where I wanted it, and even played around with different types of strings. The guitar didn’t sound bad at this point; just not amazing. It was still loud, balanced, and had lots of high-end treble tones.

It also had a great playing neck and wonderful fret job! But it still just wasn’t doing it for me. The tone that I thought would blow me away, always seemed to underwhelm.

So In the spring of 2020, after thinking I bought a lemon, I decided to sell it.
So it was next on the chopping block.

A day or two went by, then a couple weeks, before I knew it, the guitar was coming up on it’s one year birthday. (June 2019)

So I decided to do something radical. I decided to give it one last shot. I decided to take another chance, make a few mods and maybe keep it.

First, I very carefully lightly sanded down a few back braces. Then I changed out the stock pickguard, and adjusted the relief. Finally I slapped on a new set of strings. I knew the changes wouldn’t take place right away. I knew I needed to give it some time.

Then again, the guitar sat for another month, mostly unplayed. I’d pick it up about once a week and strum a few chords and then put it back.

Tonight I picked up the guitar and played it for the first time in awhile, and I’ve got to say I’m pleasantly surprised. It now sounds full and much dryer. It’s taking on some more of those vintage Martin tones that I know and love. It seems louder, snappier, and more like the guitar I originally expected. What happened? Did the guitar open up? Did the mods set in? I’m not sure. Maybe all of the above.

All I can say is that with a little time, and a few fun mods, the guitar is a different beast. It is now full and punchy. I think the bass is a even a bit better than before. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still bright and a bit chimey, but now in a good way!

Needless to say, the guitar is no longer on the chopping block. And I have no plans of selling it. I hope it lasts.

So all that being said, in a little over a year the guitar went from meh to Amazing!

Tonight I even played it against my other E10D-TC, and my D18 and D28; and I’ve got to say the E20D-TC is every bit as good as the others.

I would give the initial score a 7/10 overall and I would now rate it a 9/10. Hopefully with a bit more time it will continue to get ever better.

A little patience and a little TLC can go a long way. Glad I decided to hang onto it and give it two second chances!

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Hey! I've been a lurker here for quite a while, and I finally decided to make a post since I recorded a video with my newest guitar (the AC222CE). I've been an Eastman player / artist for a while (https://www.eastmanguitars.com/the_vaudevillains) -- I own an 810CE archtop, a T58, an E20OM and now the AC222CE. Can't say enough good things about them. Anyway, I look forward to posting here more and hope you enjoy the video! 

After much research of this and another forum, I have ordered a 40 OM natural from Ted at LA Guitars. Him and his wife are very pleasant to talk with and easy to do business with.

I did tell him that because of EGF members, he was the first contact in my quest for a new Eastman. His price for the guitar was very reasonable and I saw no reason to pursue other dealers.

Payment was sent via certified check with expected delivery to LA Guitars on Thursday, 08-06-2020, so I hope for delivery next week some time.

I was undecided between the 20 OM-TC and the 40. I will be 72 on my next birthday and my skills are limited along with an uneducated ear and probably couldn’t tell the difference between TC and non TC! With that said, I wanted a nice looking, great sounding, quality built guitar and decided on the 40! Maybe my ears will “open up” along with the guitar!

I would like to thank EGF members for sharing their knowledge and experience with those of us new to Eastman.

It does have some finish issues but some may overlook that. No affiliation.

Eastman E10OOss/v Varnish Burst

https://reverb.com/item/35002706-eastman...nish-burst

I enjoyed this as much as Tommy and Billy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q04ufkj6...Y&index=24

Am I right in seeing that Eastman changed their cases recently?  At least for the E10D. 

I have a 2018 E20SS and 2019 E10OOSS/v, and I am very happy with the hardshell case they shipped with.  It's all black, silver hardware, nice and understated look.  The inside has thick plush grey cushioning.  I really like those cases!  They feel solid, seem to offer good padding, and don't look outrageous. 

I just picked up a new E10D, and it came with a different case.  The hardware is "gold" and there's bright yellow/gold stitching across the top and bottom.  The interior has this pseudo fancy harder foam based padding, which is thinner.  There's not much travel, maybe half an inch, before the padding compresses and the hard structure of the case is hit.  Seems like a major downgrade to me, and it looks like crap.  To me it screams fake fancy.  
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vjiA94E...sp=sharing

Maybe my opinions are off, and others like it?   Does anyone have this new case?  The E10D is from 9/2019.  From looking on Reverb, most the E10Ds have the old case.  I found one from 2020 with the new case, so thinking they switched recently.  Or is the case type an option the dealer orders?

Thanks

A week or two ago, I decided to sell my Blueridge BR-240A.  It was a fine guitar and was opening up nicely, but the forward shifted bracing and BR's Martin-esque voice weren't a good match for my playing style.  Also, given the current state of guitar inventory, I knew that I could get my money back and maybe turn a decent profit.

My goal was to replace the BR-240A with a Mahogany/Spruce OM, which is a missing puzzle piece of my acoustic guitar collection (perhaps the last missing piece).  I nearly purchased a 10yo BR-163A (w/ LR Baggs M-1), but the seller was totally shady.  I inquired about several used Eastman E10OM-TC models, but the used asking prices were close to new from an online dealer (see my separate thread).  So, I decided to go with a new guitar again.

I reached out to Ted at LA Guitar Sales about availability.  Recently, I referred two other forum members, who purchased new E6OM and E10OM-TC models, so I wanted to see when backfill inventory might arrive, as well as the new E6OM-TC (announced at Winter NAMM 2020).  Like most guitar makers, Eastman's inventory is constrained, so all three models are currently backordered, especially the TC models.

I asked Ted to check out the E10OM that was still in stock.  We were both surprised and delighted to discover that this guitar had a stunning bearclaw top, which wasn't visible in the online photos (and missed from the intake notes, when the guitar arrived).  Ted sent me some photos from his phone, and I knew that this guitar was something special.  And when Ted confirmed it sounded as good as it looked, we quickly closed on the sale.

The guitar arrived yesterday (one day late; typical for COVID life), but not without incident.  The outer box was heavily damaged, including two large punctures on each side of the box.  The UPS driver tried to "dump and run" this guitar on my front patio (signature required?  guess not!).  I took photos of the box and unpacking, and thankfully, LA Guitar Sales did a stellar job with packaging, so there was no internal damage (the case has a small ding, and LA Guitar Sales offered to replace it, if I want).  Shame on UPS for treating my guitar box like a football!

Aesthetically, the guitar is beautiful.  The Adi (Red Spruce) top is uniform in color and grain, but laid over it is a faint bearclaw throughout (slightly more prevalent on the treble side).  The overall build quality is excellent with a nice Mahogany back, sides, and neck.  Similar to my newly acquired E6D, the stain color leans more towards orange and gold than red, which gives it a more traditional, vintage vibe.  The ebony is black with possibly some faint streaks on the board, and the edges are completed with tortoise style binding.  The inside build is clean and consistent with my other Eastman guitars.

The build is light overall, and when strummed, it vibrates throughout the body.  Single notes ring out clearly (bell-like), and chords are "focused" (probably an effect of it being a new Adi top).  Mids are expectedly strong for a Mahogany OM/000 guitar.  I'm sure the sound will evolve over time, just like my other Eastman Adi top guitars.  I played it against my 2017 E20OM-SB (Rosewood/Adi), and the volume is comparable (the E20 is way more open after 3+ years).

This is an exceptional guitar, especially with the unique bearclaw Adi top.  Although I would have liked to have tried a TC model, I have absolutely no regrets with selecting this amazing instrument and enjoying its tonal journey over the weeks, months, and years.  This closes a sonic gap I've had in my acoustic guitar collection, so even though I have some redundancy, all of my bases are now covered.  I'm mostly a dread player, but these Eastman OM guitars are wonderful alternatives to the bulky dreads, and they're as versatile as they are comfortable.  This may prove useful for me in later years, and my 15yo daughter refers to these guitars as "the perfect size."

Finally, I highly recommend LA Guitar Sales for their continued partnership and outstanding customer service.  Ted was great on the front end, helping me select this guitar, and Helene was incredibly responsive with the delivery issue.  I've purchased several guitars from them, and they go the extra mile for me every time.

Obligatory NGD photos.



































Some inside photos:












Fragile - handle with care:

I was wondering whether anyone has played one of Martin's slope shouldered dreads - DSS-17 WS or BS. Any experience to share?