Eastman nut and string spacing consistency

[tomcstokes59]

I have read several posts about the variability of Eastman neck carves, nut width and string spacing. The traditional "E" series specs are 1.75" nut and 1.50" string spacing at the nut with the exception of slope shoulders or models with a 1 11/16" nut.
I am blessed with 4 Eastmans - 2012 AH6OME, 2018 E40OM (COA dated 2/27/18) , 2018 E10OM-TC (COA dated 12/19/18) and 2019 E10D-TC (COA dated 3/27/19). I do not have the COA for the AH6. All nuts measured 1.75" with the E40 actually having a skosh more. Photographic proof of string spacing below. They are shown AH6, E40, E10OM and then E10D. There is some variance from the top of the nut to back of the neck, but it is very minor .92-.95". I did not measure from the top of the fret board to the back of the neck because all guitars are strung.

From my example of these 4 guitars there is a lot of consistency. Not bad for a hand made product.
TomC

[Silly Moustache]

I was talking to an Eastman player on Thursday at my club. He now has at least three - probably more, and he remarked that nut width tended to vary.

I ordered a sweet "limited edition" 12 fret parlor with that creosote type finish and it really sounded lovely but despite the website clearly stating the nut width was 1 & 13/16" - it arrived with a 1 & 11/16" nut which, of course is completely useless for finger picking. It had to go back.

I've since been told that anything called "ltd" will have a thin neck.

I guess the ltds with the funny dark brown finish are bitsers, or using up odds and ends ?

I've seen and heard so many really splendid Eastmans, that I keep a secret hope that one day I'll find a nice little parlour model that I'd like to keep as my lounge guitar.

[musicman1951]

I'm not surprised the nut width is consistent. You'd have to be crazy not to have a jig that produced a pile of equal length pieces if they were required.

[guitar12]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I ordered a sweet "limited edition" 12 fret parlor with that creosote type finish and it really sounded lovely but despite the website clearly stating the nut width was 1 & 13/16" - it arrived with a 1 & 11/16" nut which, of course is completely useless for finger picking. It had to go back.

Wow, that's not even close.

Rob

[johbren]

My two eastmans ac322ce and ac622ce nut widths are 1.75 and string spacing on both are 1.50 for both.

[musicman1951]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I ordered a sweet "limited edition" 12 fret parlor with that creosote type finish and it really sounded lovely but despite the website clearly stating the nut width was 1 & 13/16" - it arrived with a 1 & 11/16" nut which, of course is completely useless for finger picking. It had to go back.

This is so mind-numbingly ridiculous. I don't build guitars, but I've been doing cabinetmaking as a hobby for about 50 years. I can build a jig that cuts repeatable exact lengths in about 10 minutes.

Tell Eastman I'll build them one for $400!

[ljguitar]

Hi all

We do realize it's the string spacing and nut slot depth (not the outside nut dimension) that is critical? The nut could vary by several ⅟₁₆"s of an inch (or mm if you prefer) as long as the strings are spaced properly, right?

I think yours are well within spec. My three handbuilts are out by about that much from each other.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by guitar12

Wow, that's not even close.

Rob

Originally Posted by musicman1951

This is so mind-numbingly ridiculous. I don't build guitars, but I've been doing cabinetmaking as a hobby for about 50 years. I can build a jig that cuts repeatable exact lengths in about 10 minutes.

Tell Eastman I'll build them one for $400!

With all respect to Andy, he and I discussed this publicly and privately. The model he purchased never had a 1-13/16" spec. I even sent him a screen shot from Eastman's website, as I was shopping for the same guitar for my daughter (and thought the smaller body size and nut width would be a good match for her hands). It seems more like someone assumed it would be spec'd the same as their normal 00 models (which are 1-13/16").

Links for reference:
https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e1oo_ltd (2018 LTD; 1-11/16")
https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e10oo (Standard 00; 1-13/16")

I own several Eastman guitars (all 2016 or newer), and similar to Tom C, all of their nut widths and other specs match spot-on. Eastman's quality has gotten extremely consistent over the last few years, IMHO.

[jpricewood]

4 Eastmans and they all have correct specs.

[upsidedown]

it's the string spacing and nut slot depth (not the outside nut dimension) that is critical? The nut could vary by several ⅟₁₆"s of an inch (or mm if you prefer) as long as the strings are spaced properly, right?

Exactly. I consider myself an Eastman early adopter, but would be all over an OM (or OOO) with legit 1 1/2" string spacing (E slot to e slot) at the nut.

[jklotz]

I measured my recent e20-om and got the same as you. 1.74" outside dementions, 1.50" outside to outside string spacing. Can't say why, but for some reason it feels way more cramped than my other 1.75" guitars. Maybe it's the way they cut the string slots into the nut?

[tomcstokes59]

Originally Posted by upsidedown

Exactly. I consider myself an Eastman early adopter, but would be all over an OM (or OOO) with legit 1 1/2" string spacing (E slot to e slot) at the nut.

USD
Couldn't you get a nut cut to your specs to fit the 1.75" space in the neck? I have read several posts on Kolosi custom nuts or get a local tech to make you a new nut. Maybe you have tried this. I would be interested to know how it turned out?

[upsidedown]

Originally Posted by tomcstokes59

USD
Couldn't you get a nut cut to your specs to fit the 1.75" space in the neck? I have read several posts on Kolosi custom nuts or get a local tech to make you a new nut. Maybe you have tried this. I would be interested to know how it turned out?

I would do that in a heartbeat if there was sufficient room at the edges. Still, Eastman could save me the trouble and offer 1 1/2" spacing standard .