I finally pulled the trigger on a new E2D from TAS. Should arrive sometime next week. Can't wait, pics attached, and I'll post a NGD soon!

Attached Files

Screenshot_20230202_214758_Reverb.jpg

File size: 575.87 KB

Downloads: 33

Screenshot_20230202_214804_Reverb.jpg

File size: 542.11 KB

Downloads: 29

My first really good acoustic was a Martin 00-21, purchased new back in 1974 or so. Had that guitar as my only acoustic for a couple of decades, then I switched to playing mostly bass and sold it. After a few years picked up an OM-21 and had that for another decade or so. Fast forward to last year and getting back into some solo guitar gigs, cycled through a couple Taylors, Furchs, and Martins, finally keeping an OM-28e Modern Deluxe. Actually a very good guitar, and the built-in Fishman Aura system sounds great.

But then I discovered square neck resonator, started working up most of my book on that and acoustic moved back to the back burner again. Recently added some formal jazz guitar study (I've been gigging as a jazz bassist for almost 30 years now) so I decided to experiment with some hollow-bodies (see other forum). I don't have infinite budget and try to keep a one in-one out strategy. Plus adding hollow bodies meant something had to give. Eastmans get a lot of praise so I figured I could sell the Martin and pick up an Eastman OM to cover the acoustic base while funding a jazz box. Called up LA Guitar Sales (they are semi-local to me) and an E10OM-TC was on its way.

It landed a few days ago, and so far so good. The Martin is up for sale, so clearly the Eastman is punching above its weight. I need to shave the saddle a bit and sort out a pickup solution but that's all expected. I can say that the E10OM-TC has a very nice set of overtones and incredible sustain - perhaps better than the Martin. While I've typically been a rosewood kinda guy, the recordings I heard of the E10OM-TC indicated it was a bit richer than a typical mahogany guitar.

Pics or it didn't happen - fun so far.

I just picked up an AC422CE on Reverb.  It came today and I'm quite happy.  I've been playing for about 30 years.  I've had several electrics (a strat, a les paul, and a jaguar) over the years and I have a very nice 12-string guitar, but for a 6-string acoustic, I've always just played the 1994 Fender AG-15 I bought in high school, and the top is starting to cave in, the bridge pulling up slightly, etc. and it just isn't worth putting any time and/or money into a $249 guitar from 1994.  The guitar appears to be in perfect condition.  It plays great.  Action measures at just a hair more than 3/32" at the low E and just a hair more than 2/32" at the high E, so pretty close to spec.  Neck is straight, no dead or buzzing frets.  Overall, my first impression is pretty good.

I have three questions for the much more knowledgable than me folks here.  :-)

1.  The serial number is 1685XXXX.  I'm assuming that's the 2016-2019 serial number scheme and that it was made in Nov/Dec of 2018.  Can anyone help me confirm that?

2.  It doesn't have a pick-guard.  I'm not sure if that's an issue or not for me yet, but if I decide I want one, can I get one from Eastman or do folks recommend something else?

3.  It has the Fishman (matrix VT I assume from the reading I've done) pickup in it.  It appears Eastman used to put the Schettler Lydia in this model, switched to the Fishman, and then to the LR Baggs in the current year models.  I haven't even put a battery in it yet to listen to it, but what are people's opinions about this pickups?  Does anyone know why Eastman moved away from the others?

Thanks.  I'm glad to be here!

Attached Files

IMG_4814.jpg

File size: 3.68 MB

Downloads: 24

New to Eastman, and mostly new to hollow body/thinline. Did have (and just sold) a PRS semi-hollow but that really is a kinda-chambered solid body. Way back when had an ES330, long forgotten.

Anywho, the Romeo seemed like a good fit for what I wanted. Ordered one last week and it showed up - fantastic instrument. The Lollars sound great and setup is spot-on. I may try some balanced tension 11-50 on it as I tune a half-step flat and would like a bit more tension on the low E but otherwise can't really think of anything I'd change. 



I liked it so much I figured I'd look for an arch top. I don't care for larger bodies, and the AR603CED-15 seemed to be the closest so I rolled the dice again. That showed up this morning, so far so good. I haven't had an arch top since...well, never. Closest was an ES330 way back in the dark ages. Anywho, just living out a life slogan, "if something is worth doing its worth overdoing."



And now to continue the woodshedding on new wood!

it's worth overdoing. Long time player, primarily a bassist for the past three decades but have gigged on guitar (and recently dobro) on and off for 50+ years (started young). I have typically tried to stay with the US-based small builders for my instruments - particularly basses - but in a global economy, well...

Anywho I wanted to move into some hollow bodies, in part because I'm finally sitting down to learn jazz guitar (been gigging as a jazz bassist since I moved to bass), and also because I've always had a Martin in the house for acoustic and Strats for electric but nothing in-between. I've read enough folks raving about Eastman that I figured it was worth a look. The Romeo caught my eye and I rolled the dice and ordered one from Guitar Sanctuary. Showed up last week and I really liked it. As in really liked it. Enough that I sold my PRS CE-24 semi-hollow (that was my main/only electric for the last year or so) and ordered an E10OM-TC from LA Guitar Sales and an AR503CED-15 from Fuller.

If something is worth doing, it is worth over doing. The OM showed up yesterday, the AR this morning. I have to figure out a pickup solution for the OM, but I like it enough that my Martin OM-28e Modern Deluxe is up for sale as I really only need one acoustic. I'm getting to know the AR - it does have a bit of buzz but I think it is a wire vibrating under the top. Other than that it is a crazy comfortable guitar to play. I do solo shows that used to be acoustic guitar and singing, lately more dobro and singing with some tunes on acoustic. The goal was to get something that I could use instead of acoustic and either the Romeo or AR should fit that bill.

Pics or it didn't happen

I made an offer on a mint 2022 E2D on Reverb. Seller claims that Tonerite was applied for 300 hours and it sounds night and day better. Louder, more complex, better sustain. I realize he's probably exagerraring some, but he does have an excellent rating on Reverb..

I guess my hesitation is that I'm a tad leery of Tonerite. I've read on multiple AGF threads that it has negatively affected the tone of some guitars. Some threads even say permanently diminished the tone.

So should I be concerned with a a guitar exposed to that much time with TR or am I overthinking?

Another thing I thought was strange was this seller states the back is mahogany and not sapele. I've never heaed of the E2s being hog. Not that it matters. The back is particularly pretty IMO. Pic attached.

Appreciate it!

Attached Files

Screenshot_20230202_001744_Reverb.jpg

File size: 1.56 MB

Downloads: 30

At Martin Guitar in Memphis they have just got a shipment of over 80 Eastman guitars.
Some Madi models. ( already sold I believe)
I saw some E6ds. E20Dv and lots of models!
I hope I can find one that I can’t live without!!

Attached Files

C1AE571E-D97D-49EA-84F5-F4DEFC53D9BB.jpeg

File size: 3.72 MB

Downloads: 35

5E00F37E-2318-481B-A291-AEF3E3524A86.jpeg

File size: 4.34 MB

Downloads: 38

Looking at the current specs on Eastman's web site shows that the nut width spec has changed on at least several electric models. I've been eyeing a T58/V for a while and I know that past models have had a 1.75" width and now Eastman says its 1.68" Other models seem to have gone from 1.75 to 1.72. Does anyone have insight or insider info on this change?

My own preference is a wider nut (even with electric guitars) and this has always made me gravitate towards Eastman electrics. I'm probably in the minority and maybe Eastman made the changes due to player feedback. Anyhow, it looks like I need to shop the used market for my T58/V.

I purchased a new E8 OM at the end of last year. Now that I'm  getting a little more familiar with Eastman, I  notice people getting COA's with their guitars. So should have I gotten one?

So, Saturday was a gig at a circus themed brewery. We got moved to 6-8 time slot, which made me happier than our original 7:30-11:30. We loaded in at 5, then waited for the other band to get their stuff in. By the time they were set up, it was 6, and though we were due to start, they gave us a sound check, then gave them a sound check, so we went on at 6:20. Sound was a bit rough, since they set it for us, then reset it for them, and the sound man was nowhere near the board for the rest of the night. I could barely hear my guitar at all, which was rough when soloing, as I wasn't sure it was in FOH either. Luckily, I heard at break that it was. We took a break at 7:05, as originally scheduled, but were sent back on at 7:15 as they then told us we needed to be off by 7:45. Crap. So, we played a majorly scaled down second set and got stuff off. Surprisingly, with me not being able to hear myself and the other guitarist not being able to hear me, only one song was a bit of a train wreck, since it's one I was barely familiar with and I was kinda depending on being able to follow him, but just couldn't. Overall, we sounded good and crowd reaction was good. I think we need to adjust our setlist and add more songs that people know - we got great reactions to staples like Midnight Special and Me and Bobby McGee, not so much to Polk Salad Annie or Blame it on Waylon (the train wreck).

Anyway, have a couple videos