Are Eastmans really THAT good?

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Buddy1

Matt Keefer? THE MATT KEEFER ?

Maybe he works with Bruce Dickinson. Yes, *the* Bruce Dickinson

[aschroeder]

I own an Eastman E40 OM and love it. It has the Adirondack top and '42 Martin style abalone inlay wrapped around the fretboard. https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e40om

The Eastman build quality, playability, and tone goes toe to toe with the comparable OM 42 Martin that costs more than twice as much. And the Martin has a Sitka spruce top which is a less expensive option than Adirondack.

The only thing the Martin OM 42 has over my Eastman is the envy you get from the logo on the headstock. If you're good with the headstock saying Eastman, you'll be very happy with it.

[RP]

Originally Posted by jdinco

...I'm sure they have improved...

They've improved markedly over the past ten years...

[acousticchiq]

In my opinion no

[Myopic Squirrel]

A nebulous question. As compared to….? Blue Ridge, Recording King, Yamaha, etc.? Are we comparing “value”? What are we comparing “apples to apples”?
Having owned an E20D-TC and an OM6-TC, and friends far more experienced than me complimenting their fit, finish, sound, etc, - in their opinion “bang for the buck” was excellent. These were mainly Martin owners. That doesn’t mean their perception was that the Eastmans were as good - just that in their opinion the Eastmans were really undervalued. YMMV

[scotchnspeed]

Not at all. Built on the backs of unregulated labor compared to the likes of comparable guitars built in western countries. And still lacking in quality by comparison. Considering that, save your money and support your art and true artisans with a real investment.

[Keith Lee]

I briefly had the Eastman version of the HD-28

Wanted to like it, but it was between "meh" and "tonally bland"

Just because The Oracle Mighty Matt Keefer says it, that don't make it so

[Gordon Currie]

Who are any of us to dispute the judgement of the incomparable Matt Keefer?

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by scotchnspeed

Not at all. Built on the backs of unregulated labor compared to the likes of comparable guitars built in western countries. And still lacking in quality by comparison. Considering that, save your money and support your art and true artisans with a real investment.

Whole heartedly agree. Though, my thoughts on the sounds of the instruments themselves are honestly unaffected by that.

[Silly Moustache]

Hi, I am primarily a Collings player.
In 2019, I bought a new Eastman E20-P (Size "0") in a closing down sale.

I half expected to return it but as a small noodler at home I hoped it might pass muster.

I was very surprised at the presentation

This was my review back then :



In 2020, I saw a 00 with a 42 style trim online again, but in a shop in the Nederlands.
Again, I ordered it kinda "on spec"




In October last year I saw a Collings 002h on ebay and went for it. It is a '98/'99 build in very good condition.

Now I had two 00 guitars, This is my comparison. See what you think :



I would say that Martin and Gibson and even higher quality US based makers should be VERY concerned !

[blakey]

I prefer my Adi topped Eastman E1ss ltd. to the Road Series Martin that I previously owned. Better fit and finish, action and intonation.
Mines a 24.9 scale, which is less of a fight than your typical 25.4 scale.
Not many options around for 24.9 scale acoustic guitars at a reasonable price with these types of specs.
I will say for the Eastman's. To get a fair idea of their sound, you should change the strings, like immediately. They've been on a very long journey with the factory strings.

[neomastino]

Originally Posted by soups

I don’t know who Matt Keefer is.

I’ve never played one that I wanted to own. I know a lot of people love them, but I have never been all that interested in any of the ones I’ve had in my hands.

Ditto 100%

[Glennwillow]

I have no idea who Matt Keefer might be. I think he could be that guy that was busking...

It has been at least 10 years since I have played an acoustic Eastman guitar, so my information and experience is somewhat dated. The versions I played lacked bass response compared to a comparably built Martin, but their pricing was aggressive in comparison.

I do own an Eastman AR910CE archtop, which I like a lot. Once I got this guitar in my hands, I stopped looking for an improved archtop jazz guitar. It is very nice.

- Glenn

[Bluenose]

Originally Posted by scotchnspeed

Not at all. Built on the backs of unregulated labor compared to the likes of comparable guitars built in western countries. And still lacking in quality by comparison. Considering that, save your money and support your art and true artisans with a real investment.

I find your vitriolic prejudice towards Chinese master craftspeople ill informed. I own both Eastman and North American brands and the only thing lacking from the Eastman Strings brand is the sticker shock.

[davenumber2]

I have two Eastman slope shoulders, an E1SS-LTD and an E10SS/v. They are both professional quality and just as good as my J-45. Both were under $1000. I’ve also had an E1D and E2OM. Both excellent guitars at their price points.