Eastman E40 MR Series - Wow!

[Masmo]

Good morning folks! Many of us here have come to respect Eastman for what they bring to the table in the guitar world.

I came across this video on YouTube earlier today and was excited to share it with everyone. It happens to be in Mandarin Chinese, but it showcases some very unique features that I've never seen before in Eastmans. It certainly shows how the company continues to step up and impress.




Most notably, the guitar has:

• A thermo-cured Adirondack spruce top,
• Madagascar Rosewood back and sides,
• A bolt-on neck design (see 3:34 of video) - Is a result of the recent Bourgeois-Eastman collaboration? I was under the impression that the guitars released were to be co-branded Bourgeois and Eastman so I'm wondering where this guitar falls into the spectrum of things. Typical Eastmans in the Traditional series have a dovetail neck design.

Either way, this guitar packs some serious specs and looks. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the price but I look forward to seeing what else the company will come to offer!

What do you all think about this? It seems like Eastman wants to start competing with more than just the mainstream guitar market by offering these features. It certainly makes me think twice when looking at some boutique builders. If you covered the headstock of this guitar, I would be hard pressed to tell this guitar apart from some of them.

[llew]

Not sure what the price point will be but it's for sure these will be more than the regular Eastman guitars currently offered. Still...I believe they will be a great value unless way overpriced? Beautiful both sonically and visually.

[Cameleye]

Very impressive!

[emtsteve]

Those are stunning, both visually and sonically. The tops are gorgeous! Even though it was in Chinese I think I got more from this demonstration than most on YouTube. I REALLY like the tonal balance in that OM.

[jklotz]

Those look very interesting. I like that the bling is a little more subtle on that OM over the regular e40-om. I'm also interested to see what difference that bolt on neck will make to the tone. Might be cool if they could do a video playing it back to back with the regular e40-om.

[Pura Vida]

Jim, FYI, the bling is identical to the current "40" models.

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by Pura Vida

Jim, FYI, the bling is identical to the current "40" models.

I don’t quite think so Pura. I think maybe it’s missing the abalone on the top on either side of the fretboard? Kind of hard to tell.

[CarolD]

And here’s a starburst E40OM-MR from 2019, so I don’t think they’re the bourgeois collaboration guitars.

I’d love to find out what they are.

https://youtu.be/bLRKtJNZn8A

[Cal_Native]

Originally Posted by CarolD

I don’t quite think so Pura. I think maybe it’s missing the abalone on the top on either side of the fretboard? Kind of hard to tell.

Sure looks like neither of the guitars have the abalone trim around the fretboard. I was never a big fan of that look.

[Cal_Native]

Originally Posted by CarolD

And here’s a starburst E40OM-MR from 2019, so I don’t think they’re the bourgeois collaboration guitars.

I’d love to find out what they are.

https://youtu.be/bLRKtJNZn8A

Is it possible that they are China only models???

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by Cal_Native

Is it possible that they are China only models???

Could be. Is Madagascar rosewood restricted from shipping? Maybe they don’t have a lot of it so these are limited editions? But why change to a bolt on neck? Hmmmmm...it sure is a mystery. We need an Eastman dealer to chime in!

[Cal_Native]

Originally Posted by CarolD

Could be. Is Madagascar rosewood restricted from shipping? Maybe they don’t have a lot of it so these are limited editions? But why change to a bolt on neck? Hmmmmm...it sure is a mystery. We need an Eastman dealer to chime in!

Or someone who can translate the video. Perhaps the answer is already in front of us.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by CarolD

I don’t quite think so Pura. I think maybe it’s missing the abalone on the top on either side of the fretboard? Kind of hard to tell.

You're right. Apologies to jklotz! I wasn't looking at the trim around the fretboard; just around the guitar. Perhaps I was blinded by the thermocured top and bolt-on neck!

[jpricewood]

[Scolaguitar]

Originally Posted by jpricewood

I guessed right!