NGD 2016 Eastman E20D

[earri]

Nice guitar. I think you're really going to like the way it sounds as that Adi top opens up. My 6 year old E10SS has really matured.

[syclonegs2003]

Nice post, gorgeous E20D.. I own a 2011 E10D and it is an absolute killer of a bluegrass dred. It is now going on 9 years old and has opened up enormously. I also own several good Martins including a 50's D18, 67 D28, 87 Custom 15, 91 D16H, 92 D18 Vintage, 2002 HD28V, 2005 D18V and have owned dozens of Martins... My E10D is the loudest most resonant dred I own or have played. It is louder and better than my 2004 D18GE and my 2006 D28 Marquis I used to own. It also happened to be the most gorgeous of all my guitars with the flamed Mahogany back,sides and neck and the wide grained red spruce top which only measures .100" thick. My Martin tops range from .119"-.121" thick in comparison. I most often play the E10D and am impressed each time I pick it up...These are like the Martins in that the older they get and the more they are played, the better sounding they become.

[jpricewood]

I’m glad you like your Eastman. I love my E8D, but I was recently considering replacing it with a 2012 HD-28. These forums tend to make you second guess the quality of your guitars if they aren’t American made. The HD-28 was nice but actually looked cheaper to me and had a lifting bridge and binding that was separating. My luthier told me yesterday that a Martin wouldn’t be an upgrade to my Eastmans. He’s been so impressed by Eastmans that he’s looking into selling them alongside the Collings and SCGC models that he currently carries. He’d never heard of Eastman before I began bringing mine in for setups. For what’s it’s worth, I assure you this isn’t hyperbole.

[hubcapsc]

I don't know anything about Eastmans and just learned
that a e20d is d-28ish and has herringbone binding... so
I searched up and read this thread to see what an owner
thinks... sounds like a great guitar and there's some on
reverb for $1,100 with "make an offer" tags...

-Mike

[Dbone]

Wow, old thread...Here we go...

On a serious note, I guess depending on what your preference/goals are one of these cheaper Eastmans could fit the bill. They will never be a Martin, but relative to budget considerations (assuming this is an issue) them not being a Martin works out pretty good.

They are making big strides. There is a very recent thread on here where a guy bought a Martin and returned it because he felt there wasn't enough of a difference to justify the price difference...At least to his ear, and at least with respect to that particular Martin. In my experience concerning the variability of Martins, he could well have picked up a stellar Martin that would have sounded a lot better than the Eastman....Who knows...Check the thread out if you haven't already...He has a link to a video comparison he did on YouTube. It may not definitively compare Martins with Eastmans, but at a minimum it will show you how respectable of a performance an Eastman can deliver.

jpricewood started the thread I believe.

[jpricewood]

Just to clarify, I think the Martin I received is a great guitar. It’s lightly built and very resonant. I just think I have a special E8D, but then again, my E10D is also good, and I bought my AC630 after comparing directly with a custom J-200. Both brands are great. It’s nice having options.

I wish I made better videos, but I seem to have no idea how to make a good recording.

If anyone lives near DFW, we can have some A/B comparisons at my house for fun!

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by hubcapsc

I don't know anything about Eastmans and just learned
that a e20d is d-28ish and has herringbone binding... so
I searched up and read this thread to see what an owner
thinks... sounds like a great guitar and there's some on
reverb for $1,100 with "make an offer" tags...

-Mike

The E8D is closest to D-28 in terms of wood (Rosewood/Sitka) vs. the E20D (Rosewood/Adi). But Eastman guitars don't sound like Martin guitars, and they're not meant to. Generally speaking, they're a little less boomy, more clarity, and a little more sparkle on top.

jpricewood's comparison between his new HD-28 and used E8D was great to show how well the Eastman guitars stand up to more expensive options. Eastman has become incredibly consistent with its voicing, and my 2016 E8D is an outstanding instrument. I highly recommend it, although if you prefer an Adi top, the E20D/E40D are great options, as well (I own those models too).