Hi gang

New to the forum and glad to be here. I'd like to share how I got here. I had a 2009 LP Traditional Cherryburst. I live in Toronto and was planning on selling it to a friend in Dallas. We both had a reason to be in NYC this summer, so I said I'd meet him there. Last minute, I just couldn't part with the LP, BUT I promised him I would take him to Rudy's Soho and we'd find him the Les Paul he's always wanted. We played a bunch and if you've been to Rudy's you know they have great gear, new and vintage. One of the guys there suggested that he try an SB59. I grabbed a 59/V off the wall and we plugged it in. Before the amp warmed up I knew with one strum that this was going to be a good guitar. Then we wound it out on a 15W boutique amp. It killed. I've played a '52 conversion with PAFs and I felt like this guitar was the closest thing I'd ever played to it. He liked the glossy tobacco SB59 so we plugged it in and although I didn't like it quite as much (I knew nothing about what pups were in it etc.), it was still an incredible instrument. He bought one, as well as a Fender '68 silverface Deluxe Reissue amp (wow, by the way). I came home and didn't know I had a bad case of Eastman GAS. A few weeks later I finally found one in Toronto at The Twelfth Fret. It was an SB59/v-GB. I strummed one chord, handed them the LP Traditional and took it home without even plugging it in. I still have a Norlin era Standard that I bought used 25 years ago as well as a '72 Goldtop, but I can't put this instrument down. I've been gigging with it solidly since I bought it. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the different variants of this model (I know which ones have which pickups etc.,) as well as the 56 and 57 models, which I didn't know about. Anyway, if you're still here, thanks for reading and looking forward to being part of the forum. - TJ

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Hi all -

This is my cover of a wonderful song by the immensely talented Martin Tallstrom - one of my all time favorite fingerstyle guitar players. I have made a few mistakes here and there, but really enjoyed learning this one.  The song is called 'Bluefield'

This one is Open G tuning, played on my Eastman E6-OM:

I thought I was done with adding more guitars to the family, but after selling a gitane Gypsy guitar a couple of years back, I realized it was my lack of experience as a guitarist that really made me sell her. Now, after acquiring chops and ensemble worthy sight reading skills, I realized how much I needed a selmer style guitar. Finally, Eastman has released a much waited for guitar. My Eastman family of a D20, AR904 oval, and 822 fanned fret will now consist of the violin finished DM1. Good thing I turned a detached garage into a studio.....with a bed in it. I have a wonderful wife, but I am certainly pushing limits.

Last month, I was lucky enough to land one of these limited edition guitars.  My 13yo has been playing my travel guitar for the last year, and she's really stepped up her playing, so I wanted to get her something that she could call her own and keep for many years.  When it delivered, I gave it a quick inspection, but otherwise, I fought all temptation to play it (keeping it hidden in my MBR closet).

Aesthetically, this guitar is different than anything I've owned before.  It's a 00 size, 12-fret, slotted headstock, and has an open pore finish (actually, my 2nd).  The Adirondack (Red) Spruce top is uniformly blonde with a consistent, straight-grain.  The body is solid Sapele with the usual striped pattern that's straight along the sides with just a little character wobble on the back.  The ebony bridge, fretboard, and veneer headstock are jet-black, it has a nice tortoise binding, and the unstained mahogany neck is strikingly different than all my other Eastman guitars.

Really, the only thing I wasn't wild about was the pickguard, which was a small, teardrop shape.  Thankfully, it was not installed onto the guitar, so I was able to have a custom guard made by Taylor Mullins at Holter Pickguards.  We had a completely different guard made, modeling it after a vintage Gibson L'00 12-fret guitar.  It's perfect, and I can't wait to have it permanently installed onto this guitar.

This was a surprise present, and I didn't want to give it away by sticking a guitar-shaped package under the tree.  So, I took the Eastman cleaning cloth, the custom pickguard, and a few goodies from The Acoustic Shoppe and tucked them into a box.  Then, I placed that box into a gym bag... and placed the gym bag inside of another box, which then got wrapped and tagged.  We saved this box for the end, and she never suspected that she was getting a new guitar.  It was a perfect surprise!

Ok, now it was time to play it!  My first impression: wow, this little guitar is LOUD!  The 12-fret body style and Adi top have tremendous projection.  I expected a strong mid-range, but was completely surprised that it has a strong low end (body style) and shimmery highs (Sapele/Adi combo).  Despite being a new guitar, the top resonates well, and in the short time we were playing, I could hear little things coming to the surface.  It will sound even better with some more playing time and a string change.  Oh, and it even has Fishman Sonitone built-in electronics, in case she ever needs to plug in.

The small body is a perfect fit for her.  And the combination of a full C neck, short scale, and 1-3/4" nut width seems quite comfortable for her small hands.  She's been playing the ACTG1 and Squier Jaguar electric, which are both ~24" scale, so this is a really nice step up.

Finally, I have to give some thanks to The Acoustic Shoppe for replying to me after hours on Thanksgiving Eve to secure the sale prior to the Black Friday madness.  Many of us know John Chapman (chapboogie), but their entire store is friendly, professional, and just great to work with.  And thanks also to Taylor Mullins for creating a gorgeous pickguard that is as unique as the guitar to which it will be attached -- and making it quickly, so it arrived in time for the Christmas surprise!

Ok, picture time... Merry Christmas!

2018 Eastman E1OO-LTD (#29 of 130)























Love at first sight!

I’ve been working on Pete Huttlinger’s arrangement of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” for a few weeks now. It’s rough, but I figured I’d post it tonight anyway. We weren’t able to go home to NC to be with our families this year, so the song is quite appropriate. I hope you all had a great Christmas, and have a very happy New Year.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it in some form.  And a happy holiday season to others, as we wind down 2018.  May the next year be filled with happiness, health, and music.

Eastman just won two of guitar.com's Gear of the Year Awards

• guitar.com/features/awards/best-affordable-acoustic-guitars-2018/
  
• guitar.com/features/awards/best-mid-priced-electric-guitars-2018/ 
  

Tommy E's talent is......... you pick the word:

https://youtu.be/YcbxsG3OWfA

Hi Everyone I live on Maui and am interested in purchasing a Eastman dreadnaught online.  First question is which shops are some of the most recommended to buy online which would give a good set up before shipping. Second question is is there much of a difference between the Eastman AC520 vs E10D

Mahalo for your help

Was looking for info on setting relief for my MK Tele and found this interesting tidbit from Fender, true for acoustics also:

"Each time you play your guitar, before you do your final tuning, play for a few minutes to allow the strings to warm up. Metal expands when warm and contracts when cool. After you've played a few riffs, you can then do your final tuning. Remember—with most tuning keys, it's preferable to tune up to pitch. However, with locking tuners, go past the note and tune down to pitch."

https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/arti...r-properly