Members Glenn F Posted September 10, 2019 Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) Lovely guitar. Received a fair deal (for Europe, anyways). It's with my luthier friend getting set up. I'll have more to say about it when I get it back. All solid wood; Adi spruce top, Adi scalloped braces, solid mahogany back and sides, ebony fretboard. Goes from 0-11 in one strum. Edited October 24, 2019 by Glenn F 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted September 10, 2019 Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 Congratulations. That mahogany looks pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted September 10, 2019 Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 Lovely guitar. Congratulations and Happy New Guitar Day. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nabisco Posted September 10, 2019 Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 Eastman's are great sounding guitars. they really project and have a very sweet tone. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 10, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 10, 2019 Thanks! It is a mini-cannon. I had the dread version a few years ago, but it was bigger than my D-28, just enough to make it uncomfortable to play sitting down, so I sold it. This is a perfect size for me, and the bass is quite surprising. Heavier than I thought it would be, though. I wonder how much of the cannon will be left after the action is lowered to my specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted September 14, 2019 Members Share Posted September 14, 2019 Nice! I was always envious of Eastman's stash of mahogany. Great looking, great sounding, great playing, great value. What's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 14, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 14, 2019 From what I've read, I don't know how reliable it is, Eastman sources a lot of their wood from the same supplier as Collings. Have to wait until Tuesday. Feels like waiting for Christmas. Hate to admit it, but looking at other Eastmans is making me salivate. This will be my 7th six string acoustic. I think I've got enough. They do make a nice LP copy, though. 😜 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 16, 2019 Members Share Posted September 16, 2019 Glenn, I have been storing an Eastman OM for a friend who is on an extended trip, I don't remember the model but it is one of the best mass produced guitars that I have played in a long time. He worked at a local music store and brought a few Eastman models to them, unfortunately I don't think they sold all that well. I was particularly impressed with some of their hollow body jazz guitars. Looks like you scored! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 16, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 16, 2019 When you get a good'un, they're hard to beat. I get mine back tomorrow. Based upon how the setup worked out, there's a high probability that I may trade in my Taylor 320 for an Eastman T-386. Thing is, Freeman, they may be mass produced, but there is a fair bit of variance between units, as they are hand-made by a dedicated team of luthiers. I've played a couple that were bad and worse, the former having bad frets, the latter, bad frets, low neck angle, and a completely dead tone. Good units are definitely in the Martin, Taylor, Gibson class. I am really curious what the new one will be like after a proper setup. One thing I'll say, is that I was a bit surprised at its weight. It is noticeably heavier than my OM-21, 000-M, Walden Supranatura 2070, and my Lakewood M-18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 17, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 17, 2019 Ok, got it back. My thoughts, post-setup: My friend did a stellar job. This guitar is a keeper (haha), and worth every Pfennig I paid for it. The action is nice and low, no buzz even when digging in. He did a fret dress, lowered the saddle and filed the nut to my version of perfection. The ebony fretboard is as flawless as I can determine. The dynamic range of the combined solid Adi top/Adi scalloped braces with the solid Mahogany back and sides is something to behold. The bass is also very surprising. When I strum with a bit of 'oomph,' I can feel it in my ribcage. The OM size is very comfortable, but the scale length is more in keeping with a 000. There are Elixir PB-nano lights on it. I thought of going down to the custom lights (.011-.052) but it plays like buttah as is, and is a powerhouse. Minor quibbles: the tip of the pickguard was a bit sharp. It was filed. Now fine. There are a couple of slight imperfections with the lacquer, one on top of the headstock, the other on the heel of the neck. No biggie. This guitar can sit comfortably with my Martins and Lakewoods. It is a really damn good guitar. I can highly recommend checking these out, if you are in the market for an Adi/Mahogany OM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 18, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2019 My 'ha ha' was prophetic. After the setup afterglow, I am finding out what many Eastman owners have--the string spacing is awkward. Trying to do runs up the neck, especially double-stops and jazz chords, my fingers keep missing the notes, something that doesn't happen on any of my other guitars. So, I am returning it, and possibly getting a Martin D-17M instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members garthman Posted September 18, 2019 Members Share Posted September 18, 2019 27 minutes ago, Glenn F said: My 'ha ha' was prophetic. After the setup afterglow, I am finding out what many Eastman owners have--the string spacing is awkward. Trying to do runs up the neck, especially double-stops and jazz chords, my fingers keep missing the notes, something that doesn't happen on any of my other guitars. So, I am returning it, and possibly getting a Martin D-17M instead. Oh dear. That's bad news. In what way is the string spacing "awkward"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 18, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 18, 2019 I can only describe it as difficult to both fret notes when doing runs and to fingerpick. Both hands miss their mark. I've read of this throughout my 'research phase' on Eastman guitars. There was an Eastman rep on AGF forum for a while, and he was repeatedly asked to alter the string spacing at the saddle. He said their way was one of the the features of their brand. Another thing I noted: many of the threads were a few years old, with people gushing about their Eastmans. When I'd see their current signatures, the Eastmans are no longer there. Further, a few had said 'this is my 3rd 'fill in the model# here.' Obviously, something is not right, and it isn't the tone or the woods. They're just chasing the perfect exemplar. At the shop where I bought mine, I was offered a different model that had been bought there and then sold back to them 3 months later. It is a damn shame. The sound of this guitar is stunning. It is beautiful aesthetically. But if I can't play it properly, and will always be second guessing myself, then it's time to send it back, especially since I am still in the 30 day return window. I am getting a 2nd hand, nearly mint Martin D17M in exchange. Not as pretty, but I am familiar with the modified low oval neck, and it's probably one of the easiest necks on acoustics for me to play. My 000-M has one and it very easy on the hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted September 18, 2019 Members Share Posted September 18, 2019 Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. Better luck with the Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 19, 2019 Members Share Posted September 19, 2019 You've got me curious. I need to go measure the one I was storing. Most OM's are fairly wide necks - the ones that I have built are 1-3/4 at the nut and 2-5/16 at the bridge. I'll report back when I've measured the Eastman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 19, 2019 Members Share Posted September 19, 2019 For what it is worth, the Eastman OM that I am storing is a 2003 model AC610. I has a 25.4 scale, is 1-3/4 at the nut and 2-3/16 at the saddle. That is slightly narrow by Martin's standards and I can see how some players would not like it (including me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 19, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 19, 2019 (edited) There was another aspect: I compared running my fingers fairly gently over the strings up an down the neck, and the Eastman, after a perfect setup, felt like my fingers were going over speedbumps. Not the worst in my experience (that was a 2010 AC412), but definitely a thing, especially in comparison to my other guitars. Coupled with the string spacing, anything complex turned to mush. They are beautiful guitars (as witnessed by your pics) , and the tone is amazing, and I am sure many people are over the moon to have such an instrument at such a price. I am just not one of them, unfortunately, because the tone is killer. I wonder what a similarly spec'ed Martin would cost? Adi top, scalloped Adi braces, beautiful solid Mahogany back and sides, Ebony fretboard, nitro-cellulose lacquer? A lot more than what I paid for this. So I'm bummed it doesn't suit me, but my experience tells me that I'm not 'going to adapt to it.' Edited September 19, 2019 by Glenn F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted September 20, 2019 Members Share Posted September 20, 2019 That AC610 is an old model. It was made before they started offering Martin clones, and the specs (and design elements) are closer to Taylor's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 20, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 20, 2019 If the Martin D-17M doesn't give me any 'WOW!' I'll send that back and drop the whole idea. I'm too old for this doodoo, and I have a great little collection as is. The guitar I really want, and have wanted since they were redesigned, is a D-18. That is out of range right now, unless I sell two guitars to put toward it, and I'm really not into dealing with the hassles of this. The Eastman...I've never heard such a lively OM. The only thing close was a custom OM made for my brother by an independent luthier, and it was a bit sweeter, but not as powerful. Really, if you get one and you have no issues with the string spacing or the frets (or political objections), you'll get a guitar that will blow your socks off. I don't usually gush about a guitar I've sent back, but mannnnn... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted September 21, 2019 Members Share Posted September 21, 2019 Embrace the process. Covet. Buy. Sell. Hoard. And hopefully you still have a little time for playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 21, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 21, 2019 I have my fallow periods. I like performing, and since I am mostly playing for myself, I get a bit bored with no external reinforcement. As of this moment, I've more or less canceled the Martin D-17. I will go one of two ways: save for the D-18, which would require a few c- notes and my Taylor thrown in, or get a nice Furch GA. I think the former would be in my own best interest, but I'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 23, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 23, 2019 2nd hand D-18 will be shipped tomorrow, I think! My last 'bucket-list' guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitnoob Posted September 23, 2019 Members Share Posted September 23, 2019 Sounds like your expectations are high. That D-18 is feeling the pressure. Hopefully it doesn't suffer from performance anxiety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 23, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 23, 2019 Stay tuned! Same Batty Channel, Same Batty Time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted September 30, 2019 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2019 The D-18 was a huge disapointment. It must've been a bad unit, but it's killed my desire for one as a final B-L guitar. I've asked the the E10OM back. Should have it back by the end of the week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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