How an old Martin guy ended up with an Eastman E40D-SB

[gmax150]

Up till December I’d owned 7 Chinese made guitars and played lots of others. IMO none of them were keepers. OK guitars for the money but that was it.
Then in December I was surfing Reverb thinking of a decent reasonably priced small guitar. I came across an Eastman E10-OOSS at a really good price. I figured if I didn’t like it I could get my money out of it.

It turned out to be a great little guitar. Lots of volume, big bass for its size and nicely put together. A quick setup and I had a keeper and a new attitude about Eastmans.

A couple weeks later I was checking Ebay and came across an E40D-SB at a ridiculous price. I was curious but really had no need for another guitar. A week later it was up again at an even lower price. I checked and the seller was a reputable dealer. I put in a minimum bid and and was the only bidder.

When I received the guitar it was absolutely brand new, not a mark on it and with all the paperwork. I registered it with Eastman and got the full warranty.

The fit & finish is extremely good. As good as I’ve seen. Very loud and responsive with factory light strings and more balanced than my Martins. The inlays are far more subtle than I expected and IMO look great against the sunburst. The neck is chunkier than any other Eastman I’ve played, which makes me think it might be hand carved.

I really like this guitar. It sounds great but not like the martins. It reminds me more of the Bourgeois guitars that i've had, not real bassy with lots of definition.
It's gonna be around a while.

I just added a Taylor Mullins pick guard and will add a add a K&K pickup soon.

here's a few quick pics. The last is with the new pick guard.

[mattwood]

Beautiful guitar! Congrats!! Did you snag that one from guitarsplususa? If so you really did get a heck of a price for it as that model is fairly new. Is the nut width a true 1 3/4? Eastman makes fine guitars.

[RP]

That's really a beauty - Eastman dreads are really nice, and I imagine that this one is all that and more....

[gmax150]

Yeah thats where it came from. Really nice people to deal with. I really haven't measured the nut I just assumed it was a full 1-3/4. I'll check it when I get a chance.

[sueinpr]

Eastman is one of my favorites, congratulations!!

[Tadpole]

I'm glad you posted this because I've been reluctant to try Eastman, Blueridge, etc...mainly because there are none anywhere around here. And I am a Martin kind of guy. You have opened my mind a little but more.
And that is a beautiful guitar! Congrats.

[docwatsonfan]

congrats, that's a beauty

I have 3, E10 OM, E10 SS, and E6D

they are all incredibly good guitars

[YamaYairi]

That's a beauty! Enjoy! Guitarsplus USA is not far from where I live. I keep meaning to check them out.

[KenL]

Eastman does a nice sunburst. I've got the E10P in SB, and it's really pretty.


Gotta get myself a Holter pickguard from Taylor Mullins for it.

[rokdog49]

Congratulations, that is a beautiful guitar!
I have an E 20 D Natural and a E 10 OO Sunburst both of which are very well-built, beautiful looking and sounding guitars. It's always great to see a new Eastman owner on the AGF.
I have received many, many compliments on both of mine from folks who never saw or played an Eastman. I always allow them to play mine a little when they ask. The look on their faces after trying mine out...priceless
The best part is when they say "what did you say you paid for this?'

[roylor4]

Nice, Eastman dreads are powerhouses!

[Pura Vida]

Bump for a beautiful guitar, gmax150.

I got the same guitar in February, but in a natural finish (http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=459342), and it's breaking in very nicely. My E40D has a nice, boomy bottom end --- and just the right amount of shimmer at the top, which I love. I'm playing straight PB Light strings (D'Addario EJ16), and it sounds great today. But if Adi tops take a few years to hit their stride, then it's going to sound even better down the road.

Hope these guitars bring both of us lots of great playing. Cheers!

[Cameleye]

One mighty fine looking guitar. Thanks for the pix! Real GAS inducing.
I've Taylor Mullins guards on several of my guitars. The man does excellent work.

[Sagebrush Tom]

Congrats gmax150 beautiful guitar. I would love to have a 40 series Eastman but I have an E20 OM SB which is a beauty in it's own right, and dred's don't feel comfortable to me. I will wait and hope that they come out with a 40 series 00 soon as i'm putting off buying a 10/20 series 00.
Enjoy your 2 great Eastman's.

Tom

[Rmz76]

Beautiful guitar... I've come to see Eastman a boutique builder who doesn't get the same respect as other popular boutique builders because of where they are located.