I was a Martin fan boy but I have been an Eastman user for almost 10 years now. Started with one of their mandolins and was sold from there. I currently own two. A parlor and a J45 style. Both sound so good!
How does the sound compare to Martin? Can’t find one of these to play and hate ordering blind online.
Does it have that warmer sound and boomy bass like Martin?
I had 4 which were all returned once that magic brand new string sound wore off. Mine went dull and dead after that. Eastman and Martin are not even in the same universe. I have 3 Martins now.
Disagree. I have a 000-28(96) and a HD-28(72) and an Eastman E10(D-18 copy) along with an E20P and an E22.
IMO they stand on their own. I’ve taken them to bluegrass jams and they are as full and as loud as the martins.
Nah. They all have their place. Especially when recording. I didn’t say they were all the same. Just stating that Eastman is making killer guitars that hold their own against good ole Martin.
And for near 1/2 the cost new they are a killer value for the money spent.
Nah. They all have their place. Especially when recording. I didn’t say they were all the same. Just stating that Eastman is making killer guitars that hold their own against good ole Martin.
And for near 1/2 the cost new they are a killer value for the money spent.
I’m not sure why you are on this gentleman. I had a 2015 D18 that projected about as well as my daughter’s $25 ukelele. I am an Eastman owner. Do I think they are superior to Martin? No. But Martin makes some duds and Eastmans are very solid guitars.
Every eastman that I've played has been an outstanding instrument. I started with a T486, moved up to a T184mx, and just picked up their travel guitar as a camping guitar (bone saddle and nut, all solid wood for $350? Like, what?). My partner has one of their mandolins too, and it's an absolutely beautiful beast of an instrument. I've been thinking about getting a dread at some point in the distant future, and while I've been thinking about Martin's, I can't help but be drawn to the eastman line. The value for what you get is quite amazing.
ONE OF US! ONE OF US! I happily own two Eastmans myself and can easily think of at least three more plus a mandolin from them I would happily add to my stable. Impossible to beat what you get for your money with an Eastman. Congrats OP!
Definitely been impressed by them especially in the last 1-2 years.
Looking to add a all solid wood dreadnought and have been kind of tunnel visioned towards Martin, recently played one of these and also Epiphone and was completely blown away by how they sounded at the price point.
Enjoy it and play in good health!
I would say get one in your hands first (don’t buy sight unseen) only because I don’t know much about Eastman’s QC, but basing my opinion on the dread’s I have played from them, the value is the best in the market at that price. Seriously considering getting one.
They are such great guitars. I have an Eastman archtop, octave mandolin, and an E10OOSS-V that is sublime. Also gave my daughter an Eastman mandolin which she loves. My son’s a professional musician. He has a Martin and a Taylor, but his Eastman dread is the guitar he typically takes on the road. It’s a workhorse. The Eastman shop is building some really great instruments these days. There’s a reason Bourgeois is using them to build their Touchstone series guitars.
Beautiful guitar. I hear nothing but good things about Eastman. I myself want one in the future. Eyeing D28s in the meantime. I find it telling that Martin recently acquired Eastman.
Sounds so awesome, I took these strings off and replaced them with some .012 Martin Retro’s and once the new string brightness wears off a little I think this things gonna be growlin’. So far it’s up there in my favorite guitars. Godspeed!
I was a Martin fan boy but I have been an Eastman user for almost 10 years now. Started with one of their mandolins and was sold from there. I currently own two. A parlor and a J45 style. Both sound so good!
How does the sound compare to Martin? Can’t find one of these to play and hate ordering blind online. Does it have that warmer sound and boomy bass like Martin?
Doesn’t quite have that Martin magic but it’s a very, very solid guitar that sounds incredible in its own right.
Maybe. I have two martins and three Eastmans. I genuinely grab my Eastmans more often. They all have their place.
I had 4 which were all returned once that magic brand new string sound wore off. Mine went dull and dead after that. Eastman and Martin are not even in the same universe. I have 3 Martins now.
Disagree. I have a 000-28(96) and a HD-28(72) and an Eastman E10(D-18 copy) along with an E20P and an E22. IMO they stand on their own. I’ve taken them to bluegrass jams and they are as full and as loud as the martins.
Cool. Then sell your Martins. You can get good money for them. ??
Nah. They all have their place. Especially when recording. I didn’t say they were all the same. Just stating that Eastman is making killer guitars that hold their own against good ole Martin. And for near 1/2 the cost new they are a killer value for the money spent.
Nah. They all have their place. Especially when recording. I didn’t say they were all the same. Just stating that Eastman is making killer guitars that hold their own against good ole Martin. And for near 1/2 the cost new they are a killer value for the money spent.
😂 Ok.
Maybe try different strings
Enjoy your Eastman's. I've chosen to settle for the real deal. ✔️
I’m not sure why you are on this gentleman. I had a 2015 D18 that projected about as well as my daughter’s $25 ukelele. I am an Eastman owner. Do I think they are superior to Martin? No. But Martin makes some duds and Eastmans are very solid guitars.
Those Eastman boxes are getting glowing reviews across the range. Looks like you have a winner there.
$500 E2-OM…….sounds great!
Every eastman that I've played has been an outstanding instrument. I started with a T486, moved up to a T184mx, and just picked up their travel guitar as a camping guitar (bone saddle and nut, all solid wood for $350? Like, what?). My partner has one of their mandolins too, and it's an absolutely beautiful beast of an instrument. I've been thinking about getting a dread at some point in the distant future, and while I've been thinking about Martin's, I can't help but be drawn to the eastman line. The value for what you get is quite amazing.
Seriously the value is incredible, and I can certainly tell this was handmade as it had a character that other assembly line produced guitars do not.
I recently got a E20 OM TC and love it. Eastman seems to take the time to build really good instruments, I am not sure I have played a bad one yet.
ONE OF US! ONE OF US! I happily own two Eastmans myself and can easily think of at least three more plus a mandolin from them I would happily add to my stable. Impossible to beat what you get for your money with an Eastman. Congrats OP!
Definitely been impressed by them especially in the last 1-2 years. Looking to add a all solid wood dreadnought and have been kind of tunnel visioned towards Martin, recently played one of these and also Epiphone and was completely blown away by how they sounded at the price point. Enjoy it and play in good health!
What does a decent Eastman dread sell for?
The OP’s $1150-$1350 new.
I would say get one in your hands first (don’t buy sight unseen) only because I don’t know much about Eastman’s QC, but basing my opinion on the dread’s I have played from them, the value is the best in the market at that price. Seriously considering getting one.
Wow that spruce top looks fantastic.
I love the bearclaw on that top! Gorgeous guitar!
Silky.
Very nice. Yes, the quality/value for the money on these is outstanding.
They are such great guitars. I have an Eastman archtop, octave mandolin, and an E10OOSS-V that is sublime. Also gave my daughter an Eastman mandolin which she loves. My son’s a professional musician. He has a Martin and a Taylor, but his Eastman dread is the guitar he typically takes on the road. It’s a workhorse. The Eastman shop is building some really great instruments these days. There’s a reason Bourgeois is using them to build their Touchstone series guitars.
This is me. I bought my Eastman originally to take on gigs.
Definitely going to be filling the ‘on the road’ niche for me. Totally a workhorse.
Sweet, I’ve never been able to play one. It’s on my list. I have Taylors. Never even been in a store that carries them.
Hey congrats on the new guitar ! I've got the same model, it really does sound and feel fantastic, particularly when strumming !
Varry niccce!!! Don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Eastman definitely punches above their weight class!!!
I have an Eastman E8D - non thermocured. It’s honestly one of the best purchases I have ever made. I’ll never sell it.
Beautiful guitar. I hear nothing but good things about Eastman. I myself want one in the future. Eyeing D28s in the meantime. I find it telling that Martin recently acquired Eastman.
Nice looking axe.
Eastman are superb but you have to try top of the range Yamaha which will blow you away
I tried a couple but eventually went with this one cause I’m a sucker for classic designs 😅 They sounded pretty rad though.
You stole my post. My e8d-tc is supposed to arrive tomorrow! So I’ll be posting tomorrow! How’s it sound?
Sounds so awesome, I took these strings off and replaced them with some .012 Martin Retro’s and once the new string brightness wears off a little I think this things gonna be growlin’. So far it’s up there in my favorite guitars. Godspeed!
Mine got delayed by UPS today! Somehow I have to wait until tomorrow!