Hello all - Does anyone have any info on what is happening with the new Thermocure  models (like when they will be available) ?

Another long one (decided to make it its own thread).

As I posted on another thread (some of this is repeat info), my E20OM-SB has been opening slowly, and the tone has been a bit darker and tighter (not as responsive) as a result.  I've been trying to find a good string match for this guitar, but for whatever reason, my hands also kill the strings faster on this guitar --- maybe I'm sweating more, trying to pull the sound out of it, ha!  In any case, I like to experiment with strings, so I've probably tried a dozen different sets of strings (PB, 80/20, Nickel Bronze) --- all with varying degrees of success.

I heard good things about DR strings, particularly that their Sunbeams can brighten the tone.  DR has some strange packaging: three envelopes - 1st/4th, 2nd/5th, and 3rd/6th paired up.  Four of the strings sounded fine, but the 3rd and 6th were dull and thudding, like I was palm muting them.  I reduced the tension, checked the nut, saddle, and bridge pin holes for any debris or obstructions... strung them back up... same result.  Detuned again, rearranged the bridge pins, same result.  Then, the 3rd string snapped, and the outer coil completely unraveled from the headstock end of the string.

I replaced them with a set of Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze Med/Lt, and the dull thud was gone!  Also, I noticed the guitar suddenly seemed more responsive.  Not sure if it was my imagination, something "moved" into place when the string snapped, or if the tension from the EB ABs were driving the sound board more than the other strings.  However, after I made my original post, I noticed a crazy harmonic coming from the D string, when played open.  I was concerned that something happened with the string snapping incident (and the harmonic was really annoying --- it was giving my daughter a headache!), so yesterday, I decide to swap my strings again.

I decided to try the DR Sunbeam lights again (as my son says, "because, why not?").  I take off the EB ABs, inspect the guitar inside and out (everything seems ok), and replace with the Sunbeams.  This time, the 1st through 3rd strings are fine, but 4th through 6th are all dull and thudding.  I play them open and fretted, and they sound exactly the same --- awful.  I detune, check the saddle, ball ends of the strings, bridge pins, nut... retune, same result.  Ugh!  I take the DR Sunbeams off and replace with a set of D'Addario Nickel Bronze lights.  No issues, and that one-off harmonic with the EB ABs is gone too.

Ok, so here are my questions for everyone:
(1.) Did I get some bad strings?  Or is it more likely that the bridge pin slots and / or nut slots are not fitting well with these strings?  Based on the string swapping and inspection, I ruled out the saddle placement / imbalance.
(2.) For the EB AB harmonic, has anyone else experienced that?  I've experienced some strong overtones as a guitar is opening up (I call it their "teenage" phase), but not with just one string (and only when played open).  Again, maybe a placement / fitting issue?
(3.)  Would the string snapping incident cause something to shift into place (bracing?) and cause the guitar to become more responsive?  Or is this all in my imagination with all the string changes?  I've read of similar experiences, but I think maybe this has all gotten into my head!

Anyway, I thought it would make for some good discussion.  Love to hear insight from my fellow Eastman players!

Hi

Eastman have been nominated in 2 categories for The Guitar Magazines Gear of the Year here in the UK.

It would mean a great deal to Eastman, both in the UK and around the word to win either or both of these awards and would be the icing on the cake to a fantastic year.

If you wish to cast you vote, please follow the link below and you may even win an E8D!

Many thanks

Russ (Eastman Guitars UK)

http://www.theguitarmagazine.com/goty2017/vote/

Hi

Eastman have been nominated in 2 categories for The Guitar Magazines Gear of the Year here in the UK.

It would mean a great deal to Eastman, both in the UK and around the word to win either or both of these awards and would be the icing on the cake to a fantastic year.

If you wish to cast you vote, please follow the link below and you may even win an E8D!

Many thanks

Russ (Eastman Guitars UK)

http://www.theguitarmagazine.com/goty2017/vote/

I bought this Mandolin last year new from the Mandolin Store. It is perfectly set up. It is MINT condition. No scratches. No flaws. This MD305 is incredibly highly reviews, sounds clear and loud without being shrill, and is visually stunning. The quality is fantastic - check around.

I bought it to learn Mandolin and never really followed through. I opted for the hard case upgrade, and also bought a strap, tuner, Baggs Radius pickup, and extra strings (EJ74).

Take it off my hands... I am cleaning house! New I paid $499 for the mandolin, $150 for the pickup, and probably another $40 or so for the strap, strings, and tuner. Let's call it $690.

I am asking $500 for all of this paypal and shipped. reach me at salarnuk at gmail dot com please

Howdy folks -

If any of you tried to log in today (10/31), you may have gotten a certificate error.  The SSL certificate used with this site had expired last night at midnight, which is what caused the issue this morning.  We now have a new certificate and the issue is resolved (just FYI).  In the meantime, I continue to learn the finer points of web property ownership/hosting

Howdy gang!

I wanted to share a video of me playing my Eastman AC512.  The song is called "Sandy's Painting" and the original is by Dave Beegle.  I've always loved this song and set out to learn it earlier this year.  It's a great tune with some tough parts.  This song challenged and expanded my right hand picking pattern technique.  

Wanted to pass it along to the forum - let me know what you think (and thanks for listening)

(EGF members from other countries read here and may have a similar story to tell.)

In the past 6-7yrs, Eastman has become 'main-stream' in guitar players/buyers minds in the USA.  We talked about this in my early days when I joined the UBGF (2011), the reckoning has gradually happened.  The quality/performance has overcome the pacrim xenophobia of the old guard for the most part, same as when Japanese cars first came to America... remember the Datsun?  Toyota has been running around the hallowed grounds of NASCAR for a good while now.... same thing is happening with Eastman.

About 5yrs ago a guy on the Collings forum made a scornful comment that Eastman was the head of the CNC clone market from China.  I took him head on, Eastman Music Co does not own a CNC machine and build some of the finest orchestral stringed instrument in the world... building guitars is the least of their expertise.  You could almost hear the gasp from the web page.

The last of the hallowed acoustic guitar domain is Martin.  Gradually the UMGF is beginning to recognize Eastman as a player.  (CFM Co. has known this for a long time.)  In August, I posted a pic my my son's AC630 jumbo in the Critic's Corner 'Show Me Your Jumbos thread', gasp time again, man that's a fab guitar.

I recently read on the Collings forum a guy who mentioned he was trying to decide between an E20D and D2H, no xeno, just making a rational choice.

There are people who are still offended by Toyota running around Daytona but there will always be that minority who go kicking and screaming into the future.

I believe that Eastman has reached that inflection point on the time-line chart of acceptance. 

One of my neighbors asked about starting lessons, and told me had broken the neck on his Epiphone guitar. I suggested we find him another guitar, and I found an Eastman SD 1 in the local craigslist. He bought it for $400 and it is literally brand new. All solid sitka over sapele dread, and it sounds magnificent, plays well too. He had choices in his price rangeincluding an L series Yamaha and a "prototype" asian Martin wannnabe. The Eastman was $100 more than he wanted to spend, but my persuasion prevailed. If he decides to give up trying to learn, I'll buy it from him myself.   No pics for now, maybe in a few days.

Hello, I just came here from the Acoustic Guitar cabin...just bought a nice Eastman AC 220 CE guitar...posting photos soon (not now because in Italy where I live it's past midnight). Any of you have ever tried it ? I find it very crispy in trebles but strong in basses...and plenty of volume !