About buying an all-Koa guitar
Posted by: Jacinto - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (9)

I'm seriously thinking about getting an all-Koa guitar. I'm searching for another sound beyond the classic spruce top with rosewood or mahogany back and sides. I previously had 2 Martin all-mahogany guitars that I liked but ended selling both of them. First a Martin 000-15 mostly because I didn't like the 1 and 11/16 nut. Latter a fine Martin Parlor custom shop with a nice sound but it was a little quiet to me and I ended up preferring my Eastman E20P. I like all-Hog guitars but nowadays Eastman doesn't make any and probably doesn't plan to make it in the near future. I know that TomC is selling an E10 00-M 12 fret but I'm in Spain and the shipping and taxes most probably would ruin the price. 
On the other hand, recently Eastman has launched a new all-KOA guitar on the Luthier series, the L-00SS KOA-LTD. Another option in Eastman catalog is the AC622CE Koa, also a limited run, 300 in this case. They both have soundports, which I quite like and the AC622CE Koa even has an armrest. I asked Begnis Music (Italy) for 2 demos and they make 2 short iphone videos. The L-00SS sounds good but not a very different sound to my ears. The AC622CE Koa sounded somewhat more special to me, somewhat mellower. I read a thread about this guitar, and I also don't like the maple leaves inlay (lol) but it's not a deal breaker to me. On the other hand, the flamed maple neck looks nice. I have read in the forum that TomC had an AC822CE Koa that liked very much but had to sell. I would love to find a used one but I know this would be absolutely impossible, it was a very limited run of only 10 guitars. Any thoughts about these guitars, similar guitars, all-Koa or all-Mahogany guitars will be very welcome. Thanks and regards. A couple of pics of the guitars in question:

[Image: NjsaYf4.jpeg][Image: LtPGuSV.jpeg]

03-07-2025, 07:26 AM

  Brace Material
Posted by: masondhutchinson@gmail.com - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (3)

Hey everyone! First post on the forum.

Up until a few months ago I played entirely electric, but then I got an E1-D as my first real acoustic. It’s a tremendous improvement over the old laminate Sigma I had and it showed me what an acoustic should sound like.

Looking at the braces inside the guitar however they don’t look like spruce to me; the grain is much wider. Maybe it is and I don’t know what I’m looking at but I figured this forum had to know. The website simply says that it’s scalloped x-bracing but doesn’t say what it’s made of.

Thank you!

03-07-2025, 05:45 AM

  Varnish topcoat on Eastman guitars
Posted by: Jackthebassist - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (7)

There are many Eastman guitars that have a model designation ending in "/v". I'm old enough to be a traditionalist so I have some interest in the varnish finish option. But the photos I've seen here of varnish-finished examples are not selling me on this option.

Maybe it's a weakness of amateur photography. Maybe it's just a matter of individual taste. Maybe it's because the modern varnish topcoat is delicate and mars easily. But the pictures I've seen here of Eastmans with varnish are not appealing to me. They look, frankly, kind of beat up.

It's an individual thing, for sure and I'm not trying to recruit converts. But (call me a traditionalist) I like a new guitar to look like a new guitar. And mine does; no varnish on mine, thanks. I guess we'll see how long I can keep mine looking spiffy. It sure sounds wonderful.

03-05-2025, 11:41 AM

  Hard shell case for E1D special.
Posted by: Tom Strum - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - No Replies

Looking for a case. It won't be traveling much. As you know,  these are slightly smaller than a typical dread. I don't need to break the bank either. Any ideas would be great. Thanks

03-04-2025, 08:34 AM

  Got my new Eastman R10ss
Posted by: Jackthebassist - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (2)

It's a very nice guitar. I traded my 5-yr old Blueridge BG-160 and a whole big whack of cash for the Eastman. Not sorry.

My motivation was improved sound. The Blueridge began to sound muffled to me, with suppressed mid-range frequencies though I enjoyed playing it daily for 5 or 6 years. I blame its heavy build for the sluggish sonic performance. I believe that construction was an intentional design element; the heavy build means Blueridge hears less claims and beefing about breakage or other construction failures.

My Eastman is only marginally more lightly built. It weighs 4 lbs. 12 ozs. compared to the Blueridge at 5 lbs. 6 ozs. The sonic difference, however, is overwhelming. And I'm happy about the sonic difference because it's the sound that causes me to love playing the guitar.

The from-the-factory set-up is OK, I guess. Though I will take it to my local luthier for some fine tuning. For years, I've been playing a guitar he set up for me, to meet my standards of playability. The Eastman's factory set-up meets the factory's standards but I'd prefer my own. So after a week or so of shakedown, I'll take it to my guy to pay for a few tweaks that will make it easier for me to play. No big deal, and I'm going to be happy to pay for his work. He's an ace and I'm lucky to know him.

I'll ask him to lower the action a couple thousandths and install a strap button on the heel of the neck, along with anything else that strikes him or me in the shakedown cruise. Then, it's back to practice and sheet music and lessons.

Finally, the Eastman is a glorious instrument. The best I've ever had. The sound is loud and beautiful even with me at the controls! And the factory set-up is better than any factory set-up I've ever received with a new guitar. Just not dialed in perfectly for old picky Jack.

In conclusion, if you're not happy with your present guitar, sell it and buy an Eastman!


The guitar model is mis-stated in my initial post. It's NOT an "R10ss." Rather, its an E10ss-TC.

03-02-2025, 10:41 AM

  Introduction
Posted by: Roaddawg - Forum: Introductions and EGF Annoucements - Replies (8)

Hello fellow Eastman Bros. I am from Salt Lake City and just acquired my first Eastman, a beautiful (looking and sounding) 2015 E20OO.  It is a great little parlor guitar, and will find a home in my acoustic stable.  

I have been playing awhile and look forward to learning more about The Eastman Acoustic "scene".  

My E20OO has seen some use over the past 10 years and I suspect I will need some advice on how to get it fully optimized.  I look forward to contributing on this forum.  

Thanks for letting me join.


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03-01-2025, 09:09 AM

  Martin Taylor and Tommy Emmanuel - Again
Posted by: AlanSam - Forum: Guitar Videos - Replies (1)

love these two bouncing off each other:- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCBgBXZe...rnal.com%2

Martin must be the technical equal of anyone out there, but Tommy writes his own material and in that is arguably the more complete artist.

03-01-2025, 04:06 AM

  Truss Rod wrench & gig bag question
Posted by: jricc - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (3)

New member and new Eastman owner here. I just got a used E2-OM Deluxe SB. Being used, I didn't get the truss rod allen wrench or gig bag. Is the wrench anything special? Anyone know where to get these? I did check the Eastman site.
Thanks!

02-27-2025, 08:54 PM

  Eastman AC510 (sames as AC512) $400ish w/shipping
Posted by: Southern Daddy - Forum: For Sale / Trade and Online Deals - Replies (2)

Not my guitar, in fact was going to buy it, but had some home appliance issues that ate up my cash.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/ite...ger_banner

Looks like with shipping and taxes, total to buyer is about $406 and change.

These should be solid hog, back and sides, and an  Engelmann top.  According to the 2008 Eastman catalog.

02-26-2025, 08:47 AM

  2006 Eastman AR810CE in Blue
Posted by: Butch McQueen - Forum: Eastman Acoustic Guitars - Replies (6)

Hello All,

New guy here with recently purchased AC630 (which I'm really loving!) and a 2006 AR810CE that I bought used about 10 years ago.  My AR810CE is finished in blue and I'm finding very few references to blue AR810CEs online, which leads me to suspect they might not have made many of them. Does anyone out there have any idea of how many were made in this color and if the seeming rarity of them adds to, or subtracts from, the resale value? Thinking of selling it to turn around and buy an Eastman E20P.

thanks, Butch

02-24-2025, 06:58 PM