Glenn F

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.

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.

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.

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.

Seems the spambots don't work on weekends.

I was just playing my D-28, and I think I can hear the phenomenon called 'opening up.' Sounds louder and more lush that it was, seemingly. I was thinking of trying out an Eastman E20D and selling this, but....ehhhh.....no.

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. 😜

Well, to be fair, I still own one of their models: a 2015-- 320, hog/sapele. I made a mistake of selling my D-15, and then they pretty much doubled in price, here. I tried this out and found that I pretty much preferred it to the D-15. That was a weird guitar, really. Sometimes it sounded fantastic, like a Martin should sound, and other times it sounded muffled. The 320 is consistent in tone, has a really nice bass, and I tend to use it for drop D or DADGAD. I am thinking of selling it for another Eastman, but I doubt I will. It's the sitka topped Taylors that I find uninspiring.

Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. everyone is different. Some people view instruments from a strictly utilitarian perspective, some see them as works of art. Personally, I really love nice acoustic guitars. I don't have the money for a Collings or a Lowden, but what I do have makes me smile everytime I play them. Having a bunch of nice guitars, I'd have a hard time really enjoying an inexpensive to mid.-priced guitar like a Yamaha: unless I was in the position where that was all that was available.

A trip to Nazareth would come for me only after a lotto win. Then, I'd be a kid in a candy store.

I have no idea how many guitars they make in Nazareth per year, but I guess they had to automate to keep up with demand (and cut costs, of course. What would capitalism be without cutting costs and increasing profits via automation)... Nevertheless, I've had a couple of bad ones and mediocre ones come my way. In contrast, Taylors all seem pretty much the same. I find something sterile about their sound, and the feel also seems, I dunno, exactly the same across instruments, but not in my favourite way. It is what it is, I guess.

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.

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.

I still buy CDs when I need to fill gaps in my collection. I am now my parents, insofar that I really don't find any modern music appealing or as 'good' as it was when I was growing up. So, that is a limiting factor. Next CD that is already pre-ordered is the Abbey Road remix. I very rarely buy mp3s, generally only when there's only one or two songs I want from an artist. Now, get off my lawn.

Well, it lasted me 4 years, almost exactly, though I don't how long brother owned it. I don't remember there being anything wrong with it, per se, in terms of playability. I was pretty damned determined to learn, though, and by the time I gave it to someone when I was 18, I was capable of not making a complete fool of myself on the guitar. I don't know how I would've progressed had the guitar been utterly unplayable, though. These days, you can get a decent guitar in the 300-350 range, and if set up properly, will carry a determined beginner a long way.