https://www.marketwatch.com/story/guitar...1-81035414

I guess this is not surprising given their well documented financial troubles... still difficult to see such an iconic brand have to file for bankruptcy.

Similar to giffenf's thread in the electric section, I found myself scanning eBay a couple of weeks ago.  There was a mint 2018 Eastman E20SS for auction.  I contacted the seller with some questions, signed with my username, and discovered that he owns an E40OM, based on my feedback.  He also confirmed he bought it from a trusted dealer, but just wasn't bonding with it, so I felt really good about the opportunity.  As the auction reached the last few minutes, a bidding war ensued, and I lost the deal as the buzzer sounded.

So, last weekend, I discovered a similar deal on an E10D.  It was a fast auction, closing in only two days, and there were no bids.  The photos weren't the best, but they seemed to match the description as mint/excellent, and the COA reflected that it's a 2016 guitar.  So, I made an initial bid.... and then, last Sunday, I watched the closing seconds closely.  But no other bids came in, and I won the guitar for their asking price.

I make payment immediately and contact the seller, asking how it will be shipped.  And I even offer to pay an additional rate to make sure it's protected and insured.  No response, except for eBay's shipment notification.  UPS delivered it to my workplace yesterday.  I email my mailroom manager, and he sends me this photo back:



So, wait... they shipped it from WI to CA, and they didn't even place it in a box??!!!  Nothing?  My heart sank.  We agreed to meet out front, so I could load it into my car and bring it home. I have no idea how it survived the UPS network... my best guess is that the case's odd shape actually played to its advantage, and it got loaded/unloaded last onto the truck.

I took photos of the un-boxing, preparing for the worst.   Despite the awful non-packaging, the guitar suffered no visible damage.  I also expected the finish to be damaged, due to the temp and humidity changes, as it sat unprotected in the UPS trailers all week.  I guess this is a testimony to the durability of Eastman's guitar cases and their nitro finishes (which used to incur cracks from far less adversity).

I was heading out of town last night, so I let it acclimate.  This morning, I removed the fraying Elixir strings (super slick, must be polywebs), cleaned and treated the bridge and fretboard, and put on a fresh set of strings.  I was getting some buzz on the middle frets (7-12), so I gave it a quick truss rod adjustment.  I'm taking it to my luthier on Tuesday for a full inspection and set up.  The saddle is a little low, so the string's break angle is just a little shallow.

Ok, after all this, let's play this thing!  The sound is really nice.  It's definitely more fundamental, woodier, and without the swirling tones of my Rosewood dreads.  It's not bright at all... slightly mellow, even with brand new strings.  The volume is full and loud, but not as loud as the Rosewood guitars (maybe 10-15% less).  Again, maybe it's the low saddle / break angle (had the same issue with a different used guitar).  The top seems very responsive, and it has great sustain.

The build is excellent.  The top is mostly straight grain and relatively narrow for Adi (Red) Spruce, and it has some nice color already.  The ebony bridge and board are jet black, and the previous owner installed the stock pick guard (it's ok, but may consider replacing it).  The mahogany body and neck are beautiful, and I can't find any flaws with the build.  The only thing I noticed is that I can feel the edge of the frets, as I rub my finger along the edge of the fretboard.  Maybe they'll recede, as the guitar continues to acclimate, but I'll ask my luthier for his opinion.

So, despite the horrific shipping method, I think I got a great deal on this guitar.  I can't find any marks or wear on it, so aside from maybe getting a little aggressive with the action/setup, I don't think it's had a lot of play time.  But that's gonna change b/c I'm planning to play this guitar a lot!

Here are some photos from earlier today, once I was able to get it cleaned up.   Enjoy!

has anyone bought or played an Eastman AC 630 BD. I am considering buying one.

I was browsing ebay a couple weeks ago, and found a t/58v in what looked like perfect condition, or darn close, for an opening bid of $750.  Nice, I thought, but I already have one, no need for another, but hmm, I wondered what it would be like to get a t58 and put some dogear P-90s on it..., no, really shouldn't be spending money on that, if I wanted anything, it would have been an AR372, if I could find one at a bargain price.  Wonder if this seller is selling anything else...what?  A Pisano with an opening bid of $650?  And it's gorgeous?



Nope, really shouldn't be spending money on something like that, I have enough guitars, right?  A Pisano for $650.  Somebody's gonna score.

Yet nobody did.  That auction ended with no bids.  The seller relisted.  Still no bids.  Well, how could I pay for something like that, anyway?  Looked in my PayPal balance, found $550 I'd forgotten about from an amp I'd sold.  Hmmmmm.  OK, I'll bid $650 with 30 seconds left on the auction, I can find $100 somewhere, and if I get outbid, so be it, it wasn't meant to be.  

But actually, I guess it was.  No one else bid, and now I've got myself a Pisano.  And this close to Mother's Day, I'm just askin' for trouble.

Hi folks,
Just joined the forum.
I have an OM and thinking of adding a thinline.
Was wondering if anyone has played the new Lollar pickup version t184mx, any impressions/views etc?

Thanks
Happy playing

Chris

So I have been on a Martin kick recently and I've been playing a lot of my D-28; however, I picked up my Eastman E10D-TC (thermo-cured) today and I was playing around in drop D and I was blown away. This thing has so much bass and clarity. The tone is lush and full, much fuller than some Eastman's I have played. (not that those were bad, this one is just exceptional) The ebony fret board is the best of any guitar I have ever played. It is smooth and so easy move around on. This Eastman sounds every bit as good as my standard D-28. I think the Eastman actually has more bass than my D-28, which is surprising because it's mahogany. I'm guessing the thermo-cured Adi top adds to the volume and bass.

Anyway, I took it to a jam last month, along with my D-28,  just to see what the old-timers thought. Many of the guys there have Martin standard series guitars, and one older gentleman has a nice vintage hummingbird. These guys are not guitar snobs, but they know quality when they see it (and hear it!). So after going to this old building downtown where they play, I eventually brought out both guitars. Almost instantly they were asking me what type of guitar I was playing, and if they could play it. I had brought the Martin to a jam before and they easily recognized it; however, they had never seen the E10D-TC before. So I proudly told them it was an Eastman and explained a little about the guitar, the thermo-cured series, and the company. I got many compliments that night on both the sound and look of the guitar. Needless to say, the old-timers approve! 

I haven't played my Eastman whole lot since I bought it in Nov 2017 because I've been working on breaking in my Martins a bit more, and finishing up my Masters degree in Theological Studies. But every time I pick this thing up it just keeps surprising me more and more. I can't wait to start playing this guitar more and hear her open up.

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Several years ago a member of the UBGF pointed me to Justin Guitar for tuning to harmonics.  Takes a little time to get the arms around things but I've been doing it since, huge overall improvement for me.  Unless you have perfect pitch--- not me , I use my Polytune strobe to fine tune the 1-3c off sharp / flat.

Tune the strings to the note EADGBE and then, fine tune your guitar to it's self.
 
Justin Guitar - using an elec with more extended sustain:
https://youtu.be/jFbwPZWJzmo

Allen Mathews - using classical, with good sustain:
https://youtu.be/icsFJP4dSOk

Hi,

Still getting used to playing this guitar, such a very different experience than all the dreadnaughts I've played.

Came with Retro Monel strings, not sure how long they had been on there. They were very warm, but the top E string was very dead.  Put Martin phospher bronze and even after almost a month they were still too bright.  Yesterday put on Pearse phospher bronze, much better to my ears. (all .12 guage).

I'm used to manhandling my dreadnaughts to the point of drawing my own blood...can't imagine that happening on this guitar.  It feels much more delicate, and the frequency range that I hear reflects that.  The single note passages and arpeggiated chords are very clear and clean.

What I'm struggling with is that full chords sound a bit harsh and brittle to my ears.  Picks I've used are tortex .88mm, and various dunlop Jazz III's.

Welcome recommendations for continuing to warm up this guitar are welcome.

Just noodling last night on a song I'm working on, recording on phone.

Absolutely like new!!! Pro set up and ready to rock! Yours for $1200 plus shipping.

Neck Material:One Piece Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Fingerboard Radius:12"
Nut:Bone 1 11/16"
1st Fret String Height:.022"
12th Fret String Height:Bass .078" & Treble .062"
Fretwire:Jescar FW47104
Scale Length:24 3/4"
Body Dimensions:13" x 1 7/8"
Body Top:Solid Flame Maple
Body Back/Sides:1 Piece Mahogany
Truss Rod:Single Acting
Binding:Body and Neck
Binding Material:Ivoroid
Logoearl Headstock
Inlayearl Crowns
Backplates:Black Plastic
Top Coat Finish:Nitrocellulose
Hardware Color:Nickel
Tailpiece:Gotoh GE101A-NI
Bridge:Gotoh GE-104B-NI
Tuners:Gotoh SD90
Knobs:Gold Speed Knobs
Strap Peg:Gotoh EP-A1
Neck Pickup:Seymour Duncan Classic 59
Bridge Pickup:Seymour Duncan Classic 59
Pickup Height:3/32"
Pickup Frame:Cream Plastic
3 Way Switch:Switchcraft
Switch Tip:Switchcraft Ivory
Capacitors:Sprague Orange Drop
Potentiometers:CTS 500K Audio Taper
Output Jack:Switchcraft
Strings'addario NYXL .010 - .046
Action Height:3/32" and 2/32"
Case:Hardshell Case

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UNLIKE many of my guitar playing friends - and probably many of you readers - I’m not facile enough to play just any old neck. It’s got to be just right - or nearly so - for me to get anywhere on it. So, speaking from my own experience only - not yours or the majority’s - I do not like the neck shape of Eastman’s trad series. And the feeling is mutual. Just too flat, so my fretting hand is scrunched into an uncomfortable position. And the bulge on the shoulder or cheek - where the neck meets the fretboard - adds to the discomfort. Then there’s the sharply angled fretboard edge! Any longer than 20 minutes play time and I’m icing my wrist.

It took me a long time to come to the conclusion that comfort with the (guitar’s) neck is vitally important to me. Longer still to figure out what shape I like best. Unfortunately, much too late for me to realize what a good thing I had in my E10SS several years ago (Eastman just don’t make ‘em like that anymore).

But you can’t push the river.

Of course I keep trying.

My E6OM was listed for sale for a week or so. While I was waiting for someone to pounce, I played it daily - in short intervals - and came to really like its sound. And, given that its neck is slightly deeper (more better) than the one on my E6D, I started to consider slight modifications that might lead to increased playability. For one thing it needed a setup, for another, a new nut with increased spacing. For a third, a rounding of the fretboard on the bass side.  

Picked it up yesterday and, well, so far so good. The new nut took me from slightly under 1-1/2” spacing to slightly over, so my big fingers now go where they're supposed to, so there's less strain. The rounded fretboard is a joy too; my thumb-bone is no longer connected to the wood-bone.

On day two I can definitely report improvement in playability. We’ll see how things progress in the long run.