I have owned a fair number of Eastmans over the last decade. Some have been good, others truly great. I have an E20SSV on the way and as I wait on it I thought I would play a fun game with you guys.

Out of my list of Eastmans I have owned which do you think I consider to be the "best sounding" and "my favorite"? Just looking for one guess here. My favorite Eastman happens to be the one that sounds the best to my ear.

Tone is obviously subjective, but I am basing my final results mostly on general tones I like such as resonance, warmth, and responsiveness. (Edited to add more about how I play). I play with both a flat pick and finger picking (fingers). I play a lot of rhythm, blues, folk, hymns and modern gospel/worship music.

I am not basing my choice on specific tonewoods or body shape.

Out of these Eastmans which do you think has been my overall favorite? Leave your guess in the comments below and your reasoning to your decision.

Once the E20SSV arrives on Monday I will post the results.

2014 HE122CE
2017 E10D-TC
2019 E20D-TC
2019 E1SS
2021 E2OM
2021 E8D-TC Alpine

Let the games begin!

I think I've come to realize that I'm a dread guy. I currently own the E2D and E8OM-TC. And while I really like my E8OM-TC, it's hard to beat the full and deep dread tone. So much power. I never realized that my E8OM-TC was pretty compressed in its tone until I bought my E2D. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but the E8OM-TC just doesn't have the projection and power that my E2D has.

My E8 certainly shines more in certain applications, but overall I just love the dread sound. Of course, I do wonder how much the long vs short scale makes a difference between these models. Or if the E8OM-TC was long scale, would it be such a noticeable difference still compared to the E2? (Not factoring in tonewood differences).

It's funny how different my E8OM-TC sounds to me now that I have my E2D. Has anyone else had this experience?

I've had my new Eastman E10-SS for almost 1.5 years now and it has opened up tremendously with deeper and richer sounds than I could imagine.  

So here's the question - how long will this process continue? Will it be this dramatic of a change in tone the next 1.5 years? Or has it reached a plateau? How long does it keep improving with deeper and richer tonal qualities?

So, I've come to the realization that I need a Dread - regular, not SS, to get the depth that I hear in my head and I'm missing. No convenient Eastman dealers in the Cincinnati area for me to try several. The Mandolin Store recently opened about an hour north of me, but they have one E8 and one E6, so still not going to get to try a lot, and they're also appointment only. I feel guilty making an appointment if I don't buy something, and there's no guarantee I'll get the E8 or E6.

I'm throughly down the Youtube rabbit hole. I really like what I hear from all of them, but the standouts to me are the E1D and the E8D. I need a pickup, so it'll have to be aftermarket - since finding out the E3DE is most likely undersized, it's not in the running. I'm normally a mahogany guy, but the E6 seems to me to be the dread that garners the most complaints. Not sure if I'll get enough cash this go round to go E10 or E20....

So, leaning towards the E1D at the moment to get my toes wet...I do love the open pore finish, I think it's the reason I like my AC222 better than my AC322. However, the E8 and E6 do call to me...what are y'alls thoughts on Eastman Dreads?

Anyone have one? I've come to realize that I can no longer live without a dread - I need the full-bore dread sound. I was debating between a dread and a slope shoulder, thinking I wanted the SS, but I went and played some guitars today, and while they weren't Eastmans since there's no dealers nearby, the SS shorter scale just wasn't doing it for me.

I actually prefer my AC222 to my 322, and I think a lot of that has to do with the ovangkol. So, looking at the E3DE...that said, there's a youtube reviewer with an E3DE that says it's shallower and smaller than their other dreads. Eastman website says it's full sized, so now I'm looking for secondary opinions on it. Thoughts?

Hi everyone,
Yesterday I got a SB55DC-V.
I played it at a local shop a few days ago and talked about how much I liked it to my girlfriend.
Yesterday she went to the shop, bought it and gave it to me as a gift.
I returned home from work and found it at home.
I know I'm lucky, I love her so much.

The problem is:
I noticed lots of dings and chips on it. Please check the pics enclosed.
She bought it at full price at a local authorized dealer. The guitar is new, no ex demo or whatsoever.

I asked the dealer about those chips on the phone, he said it is part of the varnish/relic process.

Can you confirm that? I'm going back to the shop on tuesday to discuss about that.

I love the way the guitar plays, its feel and the great craftsmanship, and there's a story behind it, now you know it too.
It would be sad to give it back to the shop.
Thank you

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I have a business trip to Singapore in a few weeks, do you know some stores in Singapore that have a nice bunch of Eastman guitars ?
Thank you

Well guys, it looks like I did it again. I purchased another Eastman!!!

This week I got a raise at my job ($4k spread out over the year) so I decided it was time for another guitar..I originally ordered a Martin 16 Rosewood from Musicians Friend and it was a real letdown. QC and fit and finish on the Martin was great as were the trebles, but the lows and mids were just so weak. With all my nice Martin, Gibson and Eastmans my standards are pretty high these days. The D16 just didn't do it. I will be shipping the guitar back later today and getting a refund.

Anyway, I was between the Martin and an Eastman E20SSV. I originally went with the Martin just because I thought it would be a good complimentary gigging guitar to my D18. It was not. So back to what I should have bought to begin with, the Eastman!

I have wanted one of these E20SSv models since about a year ago when they first hit the market, but I have a great J45 and I didn't think I would need another slope shoulder. The E1SS is going to a young guitar player friend of mine and my J45 is in the shop getting some extensive repair work done so I am really needed another slope shoulder. That's what I tell myself

Long story short I like everything about the E20SSV. Varnish finish and relicing is my thing and I love the vintage aesthetics. Nut width on the Eastman slope shoulders is usually around 1.70-1.72 anyway so that won't bother me. From all the tone samples I have listened to this guitar seems to be a bit dryer than other Eastman models. I am really hoping it is at least! I want that dry slope shoulder tone!!

So after much deliberating... I ordered the guitar tonight! I am hoping it should be in by the end of the week. I noticed just based on posts that not many people on the forum have tried this model so I will be thorough when I get it in hand. As usual I will let you all know when it arrives and I will give my first impressions and final review!

Here are some pics to hold us off until then!

I'm new to Eastman guitars and wandered if there is a factory 'recommended' measurement for neck relief.
I have a new E2-OM and the relief is.004"
I had a Taylor previously which was about the same but Alvarez and Crafter recommend around .008"

Any advice would be appreciated,
Thanks

Just wanted to say that everyone needs an E2D in their stable! I love this dang guitar! It's my favorite guitar that I've ever owned. No slight on my E8OM-TC which I also enjoy greatly. I just can't believe that such an incredible guitar can be had for less than $600.

This guitar just seems to get better everyday. I still can't believe how loud this guitar is with both a pick and bare fingers. And the tone is just so sweet and crisp. It's extremely resonant too. I strum one chord and I swear it rings out for 10 seconds, if not more.

I'm starting to learn bluegrass on this model, and boy it sounds great with some simple runs I've been playing. I'm just really blown away. What an instrument.

If anyone is considering this model, pull the trigger now! I love this guitar, it's stupid good.