Martin or Eastman?

[koko61]

If you can try them, I would buy the one you like the most in sound and the one that seems most comfortable to you.
In my experience, of the guitars I've had that you can see below, the Martin OM-18e was the only one that gave me problems and that I sold quickly, so for me, the fact that it is built in the USA does not It is no guarantee.
My best guitars right now are European, but that's just my opinion.

[Ares]

I ve had 3 Martins and still have 1 and 3 Eastmans and still have 2. And I have played dozens of each.
While Martins usually have more punch in the low midrange and Eastmans more chime and bell like highs, both can really vary, guitars of the same model can vary.
I ve played Martins with airy highs ( i actually own one) and Eastmans with big low end ( I own one as well).

Btw the original poster is not from the States, suggestions based on economic patriotism are funny. It ll be an import for him (or me), either way.

[RomanS]

Same here - Beijing and Nazareth, PA are almost the same distance from where I live. Couldn't care less whether a guitar was made in the US or not...

[RLetson]

What kind of music do you play? What style? What/who do you listen to? Do you have any ergonomic preferences or limitations?

The Martin/Eastman question in a vacuum is way too abstract to have an answer beyond "I have X and like it." The obvious objective response is that an Eastman is going to cost less than its Martin equvalent. Everything else is a matter of the player's ears, hands, and budget. (And this is before we get to the fact that individual instruments from the same builder can vary in "quality.")

And FWIW, two of my former playing partners got terrific results from mid-budget Seagull dreads. Go figure.

[Earl49]

I have often said that an Eastman is a very good option if you don't need to have "that" name on the headstock. I have been duly impressed by all of them that I have tried, especially considering the price. I'd be happy to own one.

Full disclosure, I am two-for-four on needing neck resets on new or newish Martin guitars, each requiring a fight to get warranty coverage. And I have never heard about the binding coming unglued on an Eastman.

[67goat]

I have 5 Martins and 13 Eastmans. I like both. I haven't had a single fit or finish issue with any of the Eastmans. Same is true for the Martins (and I even have one from the binding separation era, but so far no issues for me).

If you are looking at buying new, your price point pretty much limits you to the Streetmaster series and the all mahogany series for American made Martins. There are, of course, less expensive Indonesian Martin guitars. If you are considering used, there are some other Martins that could pop up in your price range.

Personally, for the price range you are looking at, I would probably go Eastman out of those two options. Larrivee, as mentioned, also makes great guitars. However, for your price range, you can get pretty far into the Eastman lineup. For Larrivee it basically gets you into the lowest model tier (new pricing). However, their most inexpensive models are still really good players (if a little plain in appearance).

[Glennwillow]

In my experience over the years, bass response from a guitar costs more money. Martin guitars have more depth of tone, more bass, while Eastman guitars tend to sound thinner. There are exceptions, of course, always.

Your best bet is to get out to a bunch of good guitar stores and try out different models to see what you like. A lot of people don't like bass. I do. You need to find out what you like.

- Glenn

[Bluenose]

Martin or Eastman? Why not both? I currently own 2 Martin guitars and 1 Eastman. Which brand I would choose if I had to would depend on what I was looking for in terms whether I wanted a fingerpicking or flat picking guitar but if I was on a constrained budget my choice is obviously Eastman.

[ChrisE]

Get a Martin. Even if you get a great Eastman that you really like, you’ll still wish you had a Martin.

[CaffeinatedOne]

You're in a sweet budget range for a fine guitar. Unless you've decided you don't like the sound, consider trying a Taylor. You'll be getting the best quality of mass construction available - fully equal to Martin. Taylors are not handmade in this price range, but nothing else is either. Larrivees are also exceptional instruments in this price range. Eastman is impressive, but it's not Taylor and it's not Martin.

I'll echo some of the other advice on this thread: try lots of different guitars. One will speak to you sooner or later.

[67goat]

Originally Posted by CaffeinatedOne

You're in a sweet budget range for a fine guitar. Unless you've decided you don't like the sound, consider trying a Taylor. You'll be getting the best quality of mass construction available - fully equal to Martin. Taylors are not handmade in this price range, but nothing else is either. Larrivees are also exceptional instruments in this price range. Eastman is impressive, but it's not Taylor and it's not Martin.

I'll echo some of the other advice on this thread: try lots of different guitars. One will speak to you sooner or later.

I would disagree, to an extent. Yes, the best Taylor and Martin have to offer are better than the best Eastman has to offer. However, OP said upper limit was 2200 CAD. That's $1600 USD. Maybe prices are cheaper in Canada (doubt it), but at that price range, I don't think Taylor or Martin compare in quality and features to Eastman.

You can't get a Streetmaster new for that price without a discount. And for Taylor, it's a 214. Eastman that gets you at least through the 10 series of any Martin style guitar or the AC522 in the Taylor style. For Larrivee, it's basically just the Simple 6 line. They are very well built, but nothing fancy.

Used opens up some possibilities. But new, in the specified price range, I don't think the other three really compare.

[Picker1]

Martin is the way to go. It will make you a believer. There are other fine guitars, but they're not Martins.

[mawmow]

Originally Posted by mcvc

Hello,

Considering buying an acoustic guitar priced within 1,800-2,200 CAD. Looking for good quality, tone, and value for price.

Which of the 2 brands, Martin or Eastman, would be recommended? Any models in particular worth looking into?

Thanks!

Not an easy one since you do not say how you wish to play it : Stumming vs fingerpicking ?

Did you think about buying used ?

I love my entry level Eastman AC122ce as well as my Martin OOO-18.

[new strings]

I was in a well stocked store last week with the hopeful intention of finding an exceptional D-18. Thought I had found the one until I played an Eastman OM size they had hanging on the wall. It was almost as loud as the Martins I tried and sounded quite a bit nicer. I left the store confused and no new D-18.

[Br1ck]

Order a Halcyon and be patient or find a used one. I think you'd be happier than with either the Martin you could afford or an Eastman.