Our good friends at The Acoustic Shoppe hosted a live stream online over the weekend, where they had Mark Herring (Eastman's national sales manager) in the house to demo, answer questions, and get Eastman guitars into the hands of those in attendance.  Aside from some audio difficulties, the stream was fun to watch and probably even better in person.

Some interesting comments:

1.  Antique Varnish:  they send their unfinished guitars over to their violin shop, and literally one woman does ALL of the antique varnish finishes by hand.  He said that's one reason there are relatively few of them, but when you look at how they've expanded the electric varnish lineup, it's pretty amazing that they're all passing through the same individual.  Kinda reminds me of when Eastman told me that one guy did all the top voicing for their "40" guitars.

Also, Mark said something along the lines of "these are only available in Mahogany, right now" (or "at present"), implying that may change or expand in the future.  Rosewood in varnish, anyone?

2.  TC models:  these were hard to come by, but it sounds like they may become more readily available with more inventory landing before the end of the year.  The E10D-TC and E10OM-TC are getting formally added to the lineup (up until now, they've been very limited runs).  And Mark and John reminded their audience that the full cost for an Eastman TC is similar to what other companies charge for just the Adirondack and TC upgrades.

3.  Eastman & Bourgeois:  Eastman's acoustic market ranges from $300 to $3000, while Bourgeois ranges from $6000-8500.  This alliance will bring new guitars to close the gap in between ($3000-6000).  Both companies will continue to make guitars at their independent locations, but Dana will be visiting Eastman in China soon, so they will be able to leverage his knowledge all the way down the Eastman lineup.  Don't expect anything new for the next year, as this alliance is in its infancy and will take some time to develop.

4.  Eastman's owner prides himself on his wood purchases.  The company lands some of the highest quality wood in the guitar world.  Some of the best is reserved for the "40" series models.  Recently, they landed some incredible flamed maple, which enabled them to really ramp up the AC630-BD (I can personally testify it's incredible!).

5.  Eastman has acquired a few companies over recent years.  They acquired Wm. S. Haynes who makes high end ($6000) flutes (Eastman's founder is a flautist), S.E. Shires brass instruments.  With the exception of piano and drums, only Yamaha and Eastman could fully furnish an orchestra with instruments.

6.  Eastman is always looking to land the best talent.  Dana Bourgeois is an example via their strategic alliance, but the team that works in Pomona came from PRS, G&L, Taylor, and others.  So, those are the people that handle every guitar that passes through their facility in Pomona, CA.

It was a great, informative session.  Thanks to Mark and John (chapboogie) for sharing it to the internet world outside of Springfield, MO.

Hey guys...

Just checking in. Not in the market yet, but I just wanted to gauge those of you who own the new E1SS LTDs... natural or burst... Do you still like them? Thoughts?

What are they worth used? I see they are priced at an asking of under $800 new...

So I know that labor is cheaper and whatever, but I dont understand how Eastman can charge so much less and end up with a better guitar than the competition. I thought it might be the use of flat sawn wood, like Gibson's current studio L00 walnuts, so I've heard, but I asked Eastman, and they said all solid wood on acoustics, except some necks, is quarter sawn. From my economics classes, I'm left wondering how this is possible.

I'm a huge Eastman fan just based on performance.

I've been playing a Martin Custom 00-18 12-Fret with a slightly wider neck than standard. 24.75 scale length. The nut width is 1 3/4, the string spacing at the nut is 1 1/2 and 2 1/4 at the bridge.  Great for finger style.

I recently acquired my first electric guitar, an ES339 sized used Ibanez AM93, also 24.75 scale length.  The nut width is 1 11/16, the string spacing at the nut is 1 3/8 and 2 inches at the bridge.  I'm having a hard time adapting to the narrower string spacing, although barre chords are easier.  

So in doing some research I discovered the newly released Eastman T484. Small ES339 sized body, 24.75 scale length and slightly wider neck. The nut width is spec'ed at 1 3/4, but I can't find any specs on the string spacing at the nut and the bridge.  As the T386/T486 guitars appear to have the same necks as the new T484, I'm asking any owners of these guitars to share their string spacing.  Unfortunately, there are no Eastman dealers close to me.  

Thank you!

If my stable were deficient this one is tempting... It would be a GR8 addition to anyone's collection or as a daily player.

https://reverb.com/item/28165129-eastman...body-black

Hi everyone,
I had the pleasure of playing a new 2019 Martin 000-15sm. The reason I am posting is because the negatives on my other Martin post.
This is truly a fun guitar to play, both finger picking and flat pick. The neck is wider than the D15 and 000-15, which I like personally and it's 12 fret which gives it that added volume and I would say definition and clarity. Much different than most of the new Martins I have played lately. The only turn off for some would be satin finish, going up and down the neck for me was no problem.
If you are thinking of adding a 12 fret or an all mahogany to your guitars, you might want to play one.
Oh the price? New 1600. But used, I haven't checked.
Have a great rest of your weekend.
Duke

I found Eastman bywith a el-ray 3 . I did sell the el-ray because as beautiful as it was it wasn't the sound I was looking for . That's the only Eastman I have sold . Since that El Rey I have sold many Gibsons , just in less Paul's 4 because I have the sb59 and it's the perfect less Paul to me . I had a few HERITAGE guitar's gone ! The 146 and the new 484 nicely replace them in feel and sound . I was a SG guy in away , have two still a Junior and a special SG which was a bargain and guitar, keeping them . I saw someone said they were a snob for high-end American guitars the other day , I was also . Not anymore I'm a Eastman snob now lol. I've sold all my strats and all but one rosewood telly . Not looking to replace any of them because of eastman. I did pickup a American professional jazz master because every once in awhile a like a trem . Not a big acoustic player had some Martin's and Taylors gone . The two Eastman acoustic's easily cover the tonal range I like. I've said this before hand made mass-produced Eastman guitars are by far the best guitars for me I've ever experienced. I had a customer shop telly that was really something , very early hand built there first year of custom shop . I said to myself why keep it ? Let someone that can appreciate it play it . I play everyday and just keep reaching for a Eastman . Now I'm lucky to have my guitar collection 14 in total. Down from about 30 since last year. Thank you Eastman !!! Lol thinking of a gold top 56 maybe next .

Hello,
New member to the forum and my first post. Currently I own 2 Eastman guitars, a 10 year old AR805 archtop which is a phenomenal guitar in every way, and I just picked up a year old T58V that is also fantastic in almost every way.

The only issue I have (which may not even be a real problem) is some buzzing that seems to be coming from the bridge and/or Bigsby trem. This is only audible when the guitar is not plugged in and there is no noise when amplified. This may all be in my head because this guitar is just absolutely alive with vibration when being played. I can feel the top and back of the body vibrating when I play it (amplified or not) I am left to ponder if this buzzing I am experiencing is a bridge/Bigsby issue or simply the fact that this guitar seems to have far more acoustic mojo than any hollow body electric I have ever played? 

The buzzing happens playing full chords, single notes on all but the high E and B strings. Again, this is not an issue when amplified and the action is meduim with 11-48 round wound strings. The guitar arrived with flat wounds which I promptly removed. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. I am sure these 2 Eastman's I have come to own will be joined by others in the family tree!

Not bad for an open loft room, exposed to the afternoon sun.  

I have two large humidifiers, which run if RH goes below 40%.  And this summer, I added a large dehumidifier, which pulls higher RH back down to 45%.  Admittedly, I'm in a decent climate, and it is a lot of work to keep everything full (or empty), but the results have been incredibly stable.

My wife got me a new guitar , not a Eastman .
I opened the case and thought isn't this nice . I played it for a little while and everything was fine except it wasn't quite intonated. I play 11's so I restring and go to set the intonation. Not going to happen bridge isn't in the right location. I get bad for her and she was disappointed. I told her it's wonderful she got it for me and of course thanked her numerous times.
I have two sg's and a third would have been nice lol even though it's not a eastman .