I was going to add to PV's post, but more has come up about this guitar that has me going - hmmmmm. 

I originally was going to get the MR dread but switched to the OM. I received the guitar last Wednesday. I will be honest. I was underwhelmed. I was hoping for something like my E40OM but only more so.  Please do not misconstrue what I am writing - It is not a bad guitar. Its fit, finish, materials etc are top shelf. The guitar comes with D'Addarrio coated XS strings which I don't prefer.  I was going to exchange it for the dread, but I won't be able to send it back until after the first. Ted at LA Guitars agreed to let me try some string changes. That is in progress.

Now what has me confused. This guitar kind of felt different. At first I chalked it up to no armrest or strap, both of which I use. I noticed when side by side it looked smaller than my E6OM. So I did some measuring. Compared to my E6OM-TC and E40OM, the new guitar body is 3/8" shorter, about 1/4" narrower on the lower bout, 1/2" narrower on the upper bout and 1/4" narrower at the waist. The depths are all the same. All dimensions are approximates. To confirm the smaller size, I took the E6OM and put it in the case for the 20MR. It fit but is a very tight squeeze. The 20 fit comfortably in its case. I then did the reverse. The the 6 fits comfortably in its case, but the 20 is definitely loose with room around the waist, bouts and length. I can easily slide the guitar around in the case. I looked at a Martin chart and it seems to be (size wise at least) somewhere between a 00 and a 000.

The string experiment will continue. I have some nickel strings due in at the end of the week. I am not sure what to make of this one yet.

Anyone have any suggestions? Something of decent quality but doesn’t have to be professional grade. I do not need it to be tied to video.

Thanks in advance.
Tom

That's it.

Trying to use words to describe the sound of my E10SS is futile, but that's my best attempt.

Earlier this week, my new E20 MR TC guitars arrived.  About a year ago, Eastman announced that they purchased a supply of Madagascar Rosewood, which they were sharing with their partner company, Bourgeois.  Normally, MadRose carries a hefty upcharge, as does a torrified Adi top, but Eastman announced two models with all three features for about $2200 MAP.  I placed my order for the dread immediately, and after I sold a couple of other guitars, I decided to place a pre-order for the OM, as well.

Then, I waited... the original ETA was summer 2022, but like to many things, that timeline slipped into late summer, then fall, and then November.  Finally, last week, these guitars arrived and began to ship to dealers.  I heard that only 20 made it nationwide, and these are from that first batch.

LA Guitar Sales received two of each model, and all four guitars looked incredible.  I had first pick on the dread, and second pick on the OM.  Fortunately, the other OM was selected, so I actually got my preferred pick for each model.  They shipped and arrived about a week ago, but I had an eventful week at work, so I didn't get to do more than open the boxes, inspect the guitars, and eventually change the strings (replacing the coated D'Add strings with DR Rare lights on both).

(Note: I'm creating two NGD threads -- one for each model.  But in case this sounds familiar, I'm keeping the top part the same in each thread)

Beginning with the aesthetics, the top is a little darker and with a wider grain and a little more character than the dread version (see my NGD Pt.1 thread).  But similarly, it's not over-cooked or brittle... just the right amount of toasting.  The back is more of a traditional, medium brown color with some nice figuring.  The build quality is excellent with an ideal setup, smooth Gotoh tuners, and Ebony board and bridge.

This OM has more low end growl than either my E40OM or E20OM-SB (both 5yo), and the body rumbles when I play it.  It begs to be strummed, which makes me very happy.  The TC Adi top provides a clear, dry voice with excellent note separation.  It really responds when I dig in, and although I'm not a fingerstyle player, it sounds sweet, when I ditch the pick too.

I was reluctant to buy this OM b/c I prefer larger body / full scale length guitars, and I already have the two Rosewood/Adi OMs mentioned above.  But this guitar exceeds my expectations (and sonically, sits apart from either of them), so I'm glad I decided to go for it. Like the dread, this OM is going to require more time to get a feel for it, since it's really different than my other OMs (in a really good way).

Finally, thanks to Ted and Helene at LA Guitar Sales.  They've always been great to work with and kept in touch throughout the extended ordering process.

Here are the obligatory NGD photos:

Earlier this week, my new E20 MR TC guitars arrived.  About a year ago, Eastman announced that they purchased a supply of Madagascar Rosewood, which they were sharing with their partner company, Bourgeois.  Normally, MadRose carries a hefty upcharge, as does a torrified Adi top, but Eastman announced two models with all three features for about $2200 MAP.  I placed my order for the dread immediately, and after I sold a couple of other guitars, I decided to place a pre-order for the OM, as well.

Then, I waited... the original ETA was summer 2022, but like to many things, that timeline slipped into late summer, then fall, and then November.  Finally, last week, these guitars arrived and began to ship to dealers.  I heard that only 20 made it nationwide, and these are from that first batch.

LA Guitar Sales received two of each model, and all four guitars looked incredible.  I had first pick on the dread, and second pick on the OM.  Fortunately, the other OM was selected, so I actually got my preferred pick for each model.  They shipped and arrived about a week ago, but I had an eventful week at work, so I didn't get to do more than open the boxes, inspect the guitars, and eventually change the strings (replacing the coated D'Add strings with DR Rare lights on both).

(Note: I'm creating two NGD threads -- one for each model.  But in case this sounds familiar, I'm keeping the top part the same in each thread)

This dread is gorgeous and the reason I picked it, since I couldn't hear them in person, and Ted said they both were great.  The top is narrow, straight grain Red Spruce (Adi), and although it's baked, it's not as dark as my older non-TC Adi guitars (but darker than either of my Alpine TC guitars).  For me, their thermocure process is perfect b/c it doesn't look over-baked and brittle, but it has the dry, sweet tone of an aged guitar.  The Madi body is beautiful, and I love the dark colors.

And that tone is really dry and changed how I approach playing this instrument.  I can take my time, play slowly / softly, and let the notes do the work.  But it also enjoys a full strum with all the expected overhead.  This guitar has a more balanced voicing, where the low end is not overpowering, and the mid-range is really present, as well.  I would imagine this guitar is a dream to mic, plug in, or record.  The top is very responsive, but being new, the body feels tight, which I'm sure will loosen up over time.

Last night, I played this guitar alongside a couple of other Rosewood dreads.  It was balanced like my 2016 E40D, and warm and rounded like my E8D-TC (Alpine), but different from either one.  I'm going to need more time with this guitar, and really look forward to this upcoming journey.

Overall, the build quality is excellent, setup is optimal, and Gotoh tuners are smooth.  Eastman continues to make exceptional guitars, and I would highly recommend this one.  Thanks to Ted and Helene at LA Guitar Sales for excellent service and keeping informed throughout the extended ordering process.

Finally, it wasn't originally planned this way, but with the delayed arrival, these two guitars served as belated birthday (October), Christmas (December), and early retirement (January) gifts, all in one.

Obligatory NGD photos:

I’m mainly playing with bare fingers, which one would you recommend ? Did you have played both ?

Thank you !

Has anyone got one of these or tried one?
Apparently only 130 made Adi Spruce top 

One has turned up 2nd hand and was wondering if anyone had any first hand experience.
thanks !

Those were my son-in-law's first words when hearing myE10SS for the first time.

Anyone remember the days of the Camaro SS? How about E10 Super Sport?

The quality and richness of sound, clear articulation of each string, with overall deep resonance continues to impress. regardless of price.

So I pulled out my kitchen scale a couple of months ago and decided I wanted to know what all of my Eastman's weighed.  I found below that they're all in the 4-5 pound range. 

2015 E10oo-M--4 lbs 5.5 oz
2017 E6OM--4 lbs. 5.4 oz
2017 E20om--4 lbs 10.6 oz
2020 E10oo--4 lbs 7.9 oz
2021 E10SS/V--4 lbs 4.8 oz

Does anyone have an idea of what makes these heavier than something like a Martin or Collings (or something even lighter?)  I don't have solid numbers on the weights of similar instruments from other makers (maybe someone else here does?) but these guitars seem slightly heavy.  I've googled around a little and it seems like these could be 8-16 oz lighter.  Some suggestions might be thicker wood in the body, beefier necks, thicker finish, thicker bracing, or denser wood? 

My lightest Eastman is my largest, but my E10ss/V also has the slimmest neck and (probably) thinnest finish.  Those of you with E40's--do they seem lighter than the 20 series?  These aren't HEAVY, but they're not super light either.  I'm not sure how much weight matters, but hoped some of you might have an idea on the philosophy here.  Thanks!

I'll try not to delete this even tho this is not much of a jazz appreciators forum. When I first heard Clint years ago he was playing with Freddie Powers who then introduced him to Haggard and he wound up playing in Merle's band for 6or7 years. That's when I had to know more about Clint. I went on to find out he had studied with Howard Roberts when he was about 9 years old. 

Clint has some great stories of growing up around many of the multi-instrument premier players that were friends of his dad and would come to his dad's house and play and where he got to meet and learn from the true musical masters.

Here's Clint in 1982 at the old age of 17 years old playing live in a 3 piece with Fred Crane (piano) Bruce Lett (Bass). Clint has had many ups and downs in life. I was very pleased that he recently started a youtube channel.

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When Sonny Gets Blue




All The Things You Are