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I've been wanting to post on this comparison, but as there are so many Gibson J-45 versions, I will limit my observations to the 2 versions I have, a J-45 Rosewood from the early 2000s and a J-45 Standard from 2018. The Eastman slopes for comparison are also ones I currently own, an E6SS-TC, E10SS, E20SS/v, and a E22SS/v. I also recently sold a E10SS/v so will include some thoughts related also.
First off, everyone of the above mentioned guitars are phenomenal and could rightly be my only guitar if I had to just have one. Indeed if I had to only keep 1 guitar, it would undoubtedly be a slope dread. Its my favorite. The good ones can each carry me through every song I have ever played or written, all genres and styles- a hallmark of a one guitar situation. Fortunately I do not have to make a call as to which one I will keep in that situation, but everyone of them would be a contender.
The Eastmans are ever so slightly smaller in each dimension, upper and lower bout and body depth, by 1/4 " each way. It is a noticeable difference in playing comfort, but also accounts for slightly less volume than the Gibby's. Since the finishes vary (relicing, nitro, etc) I will not comment on that except to say Eastman attention to detail is much better than on my Gibsons (i.e. glue runs, inlays, fret edges, etc). Eastman hand crafting excellence wins here. When it comes down to it, these aspects are less important to me when a guitar has great tone.
Tone- Soul. Thats what I look for in a slope and these all have it. The E6SS-TC sounds surprisingly similar to the J-45 Rosewood despite the wood differences. The E6SS is quieter, but not by much. They both have a nice bass, not boomy but very present, full and compressed mids, and round trebles. I can almost not tell the difference between these 2 on some of my recordings. I think of the Eastman E6SS as a more grab-and-go version of the J-45 Rosewood. It has an easier playing neck and is very comfy to hold, while the J-45 Rosewood is slightly grander in tone and the one I grab for just a bit more thunder. They are both excellent for singing.
The J-45 Standard is similar in tone to the Eastman E22SS/v. They are both very mid-forward but with a present bass and ringing trebles. They are both somewhat brighter than the previous pair, but also warm and full. These 2 are similar in volume, with the E22 really projecting well with its lightweight build and shellac,.making up nicely for its somewhat smaller (and more comfortable) size. I find both to also be outstanding with vocals. To my ear, the E22 has a little something extra in the mids that adds a little nuance to my songs and is the one I grab for a little interest in an arrangement. I sold my E10SS/v as the E22 kinda handled the same material with a bit more pizzaz.
The E10SS and E20SS/v are in a zone all their own. Neither sounds like a J-45 to me. The E10SS is so refined and rich sounding, you can feel like the greatest singer ever when it accompanies your voice. Its just so smooth and has such soul. The E20SS/v is dry and vintage sounding, with an immediacy that stirs me. I can linger with it for hours, noodling, strumming, writing songs. Its tone is less rounded than all the others, and more articulate so probably the best of all these for fingerstyle. Although it is also an excellent strummer too. And its the lightest and most comfy to play.
So there you have it, my personal observations of a few slope dreads from these 2 great guitar builders.
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Got my first eastman (used) does it look okay?