Martin D-18 vs Eastman E10D in 2020

[ataylor]

I haven't played an Eastman E10D in a long time, but I do remember liking it when I played it.

I was on a slow and drawn-out hunt for a Martin-style dreadnought in mahogany for five or six years. I played at least a dozen examples of standard Martin D-18s and a number of similar guitars from other builders — Collings, Huss & Dalton, et cetera. When all was said and done I went with the standard D-18. Here's my initial review — I still really enjoy playing it.

Good luck in your search!

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by jpricewood

If....you do, my credit card is on standby.

See what I mean.

[baw3]

Don't know if your interested but Sun Valley guitar has a used D-18 Modern deluxe and a Used D-35 2018 with a K&K pure mini pick up in it. These are both really nice guitars. I should know because both of them are mine. They have been set up and they play like butter. Have you given the E20om-tc any thought. I just got one a few days ago and it is a really a fine sounding and playing guitar. It is so close to my dreads in volume and I love the resonance of it. Its seems to just hum forever.

[shockfinder]

I had an Eastman E10D from 2018 and a 2014 D18 at the same time. I bought the D18 because I liked it much better than the E6D I had. I had decided to keep the E6D for my beater when I ran across the E10D for a ridiculous price so I grabbed it. I was going to decide which Eastman I would keep. I ended up selling them both along with the D18 because I found an HD28 I really liked.

Soooo...the E10D was great. The D18 was better. I could hear a definite difference in tone and I liked the D18 most. Was it $1000 better? Probably not, but I sure didn’t feel bad about keeping the D18 over the Eastman.

[John5]

Originally Posted by shockfinder

Soooo...the E10D was great. The D18 was better. I could hear a definite difference in tone and I liked the D18 most. Was it $1000 better? Probably not, but I sure didn’t feel bad about keeping the D18 over the Eastman.

Would you say that it's because you prefer a Sitka top over an Adirondack top, or do you feel that it's because of the fact that you feel Martin is better than Eastman? How did your D-18 compare with the E6D?

[LeftyKev]

Which Eastman model is equivalent to the D-18 anyway?

[shockfinder]

Originally Posted by John5

Would you say that it's because you prefer a Sitka top over an Adirondack top, or do you feel that it's because of the fact that you feel Martin is better than Eastman? How did your D-18 compare with the E6D?

I did feel like the wood on the D18 was better, but not significantly better. The E10D was brighter, but the D18 seemed more balanced. They were both set up really well. I preferred the neck on the Martin. Probably, I was just looking for the classic Martin sound, so I chose the Martin. I had settled in on the Eastman till I had a chance to play a D18 and realized that the Eastman E6D which is what I owned at the time, didn’t replicate the sound I wanted. But that’s not to say I felt the tone was “lesser” with any of them. They were all fantastic guitars.

When I sold the E6D I specifically mentioned that it held up well compared to the D18. I would say most people that aren’t on AGF would just hear a nice guitar.

Interestingly, the local guy who bought the E10D from me also bought the Martin from me as well.

[jpricewood]

Originally Posted by LeftyKev

Which Eastman model is equivalent to the D-18 anyway?

The E6D, which has scalloped bracing and a Sitka spruce top. I have the E10D, which has an Adirondack top. I wonder if I’ll regret letting go of the addy-topped guitar. To be honest, my love for addy stems from what I’ve heard about it on this forum. Before becoming an AGF member, I just picked what sounded best.

[llew]

Eastman speak...
6=Sitka/Mahogany
8=Sitka/EIR
10=Adirondack/Mahogany
20=Adirondack/EIR
40=Blinged out "20"
TC=Themo-Cured
DT=Double Top

[brencat]

Originally Posted by Dbone

Sit back and just watch those used prices fall as this current economic disaster we’re on the brink of fully sets in.

100% agree, as much as I hope this doesn't happen. But every week the economy stays shut and people aren't working, the probability of a flood of used guitars hitting the street at bargain prices increases exponentially.

[baw3]

The magical words, "I just picked what sounded best". The rule to live by.

[DanleyJ]

I own a 2016 D-18 and a 2019 E6OM. I have played a E10D and E6D and found them to be very comparable to the D-18 but for me it is the Martin tone. I gotta have that and Eastman does not sound like Martin. I am coming around to my E6OM as it is starting to open up nicely and I love the note separation along with the different tonality it brings. The bottom end of the OM is actually not that far off from the D-18 but of course the body size difference makes the D-18 the overall winner for me. The only other difference is that the Martin has a much more open piano like blend of notes where the Eastman has a much tighter feel where individual notes stand out more when strumming chords or finger picking. They are a wonderful compliment to each other.

[Cuki79]

Originally Posted by DanleyJ

I own a 2016 D-18 and a 2019 E6OM.

I am in the very same position. I own both a 2012 D-18 and a 2018 E6OM.

Although I live the neck of the E6OM which is my couch guitar, I'd say the D-18 wins tonewise.

When I am recording, I always use the Martin D-18. (unless the song really requires an OM/000 tone)

I tested the Eastman E10D and E6D in shops and I prefer the Martin D-18.

As regards Martin-Eastman comparison a good E8D can be very close to my Martin HD-28 (old model with standard position scalloped bracing). I don't like the E20D much but the E20D Thermo cured is really good (I don't like young Adi I guess).

Anyway, against all these models, I think the standard Martin D-18 wins. (And I am an Eastman fan and proud owner!).

My favourite Eastman models are E1OM, E6OM, E8D, E20D TC, E40OM, E10OOSS/v and maybe the E10ss/v. Most of the other guitars I played from Eastman were too bright, but those models are GREAT. (and I am not adding "for the money")

[jpricewood]

This local seller just went to $1500 for a mint 2019 D-18. I’m going to buy it just to try it out. At this price, I can resell without losing money if I don’t like it.

[LeftyKev]

Originally Posted by llew

Eastman speak...
6=Sitka/Mahogany
8=Sitka/EIR
10=Adirondack/Mahogany
20=Adirondack/EIR
40=Blinged out "20"
TC=Themo-Cured
DT=Double Top

Thank you!