Guitarist magazine's Gear of the Year choices includes two Eastman guitars, one each in the Solid Body Electric and Semi Solid Electric categories
Eastman SB55/v:- ‘’Closest thing you’ll get to the real thing [vintage Les Paul Junior] at a fraction of the price.’’ And ‘’more proof that China can build superb guitars.''
Eastman Romeo:- ''The Romeo is a thoroughly modern take on the electric archtop, built exceptionally well and with its custom Lollar Imperials being the icing on the perfectly baked cake.'’ 

I would note that Guitarist magazine features little coverage of out and out acoustics.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Eastma...-Guitar.gc

I came across this story on the FB Eastman page. It lead me to a longer read that I am slowly plodding through about the experiences and data Finnish luthiers have collected over the last 20 years on thermocuring. I don't profess to understand a fraction of it, but I found it interesting.

Attached Files

Thermally-Aged-Tonewood-2020.pdf

File size: 2.7 MB

Downloads: 206

Hi folks, just wondering how many of you have had the bridge slotted on your guitars? As I tend to have the "keeper" mentality and change strings fairly regularly part of me says it would make sense in the long term to have the job done. The bridge on my E20D is nicely ramped from new so the appearance wouldn't be affected. I'll probably ask a local (USA trained) luthier to have a look at it in the new year (I'd read somewhere that many UK luthiers are reluctant to do the job). I'd also appreciate any comments for or against. Thanks.

I'm late to the game on these limited gems, but I ran across an E1SS-LTD-CLA in a local shop right before Thanskgiving.  It was my first trip to a guitar store in well over a year...maybe 2...and I was just kicking some tires.  When I saw the slope with the burst-ish finish, I had to play it.  I've been dread-less for two years and while I love my Larrivee OM, like so many before me, I miss the depth of tone you get with a dread.  

Everything about that E1SS blew my mind...tone for days, power, clarity, and a very comfortable neck.  Gosh, it was great.  We've had a boatload of medical bills this year, and while I was super tempted to buy it on the spot, I knew better.  I couldn't get it out of my head though, and today I reached out to the store to check on it...only to find it had sold.  

The proverbial one that got away.  

There are still a few of the standard finish in the wild, but that classic finish really captured my eye.  Also, the fear of buying online makes me apprehensive as I know full well that there are less-than-stellar examples of every guitar out there, and the one I get may not be close to the one I played in store. 

Moral of the story?  Don't play when you can't pay, I guess!

What are your thoughts on which process is better?
I've watched tons of guitar factory videos lately, and the whole process intrigues me.

Eastman does every step in person...hands on approach...and we know what kind of guitars we get becasue of it.

However, companies like Taylor use robotics and machinery to ensure everything is 100% the smae between every guitar build.
They have amazing quality, but prices are skyrocketing.

Which process is better and why, in your opinion?

A lot of boutique biulders do it all by hand without machinery...the old fashoined way.

so if you take boutique builder A, their guitars cost about $5 k.
Taylors and others, being mass manufacturered, cost usually $2k and up.
Eastman, however, start in the mid hundreds and go up to about $2.

Is the simple economics due to cost of labor, or what else is involved?
Which do you prefer and why?

Greetings all,

Many of you chimed in (much appreciated, by the way) on my earlier thread regarding the TC and "regular" versions of the E8D.

Well, I'm excited to report that I ended up picking up a new TC from Douglas and Co. over at Midwood Guitar Studio in Charlotte, NC. I'd never heard of them prior to finding their ad for this TC, but working with them was amazing and Sage did a set-up on this beauty to my spec that came out wonderfully.

It arrived Friday, but with the 24 hour acclimation period (it was cooooooold) combined with a busy Saturday, I didn't even crack the box open until 11pm or so Saturday evening. But, it was gorgeous when I finally did!

I understand the descriptions now of the TC. The strings are brand new, the guitar is brand new, you can tell it's brand new, and yet, there is a quality to the tone that isn't typical of a new guitar. It's difficult to describe - I know it will continue to open up, get better with age, but it feels like we've skipped a step, if you will.

Life is extremely busy, so play time has been limited to roughly 15 minutes a day since Sunday. So far though, it has not disappointed!

Here she is... I'll write more as I am able. Thanks again to everyone for the help!

Maybe a newbie question, but whatever.  

I just got my new T386 and do love the look of the sunburst and the feel of the guitar.  I actually find myself playing it unplugged on the couch pretty often because this thing is so resonant! I like the kent armstrong pickups but I know a pickup swap is definitely imminent, which leads me to my question:

When I'm switching out the pickups, can I pop out just the two volume pots, or do I need to take the whole wiring harness out due to internal wire lengths etc. Also, what replacement pickups do you find sound good in the t386?  I'm leaning towards something underwound to get a more clean and clear sound.

Looking for something different for Christmas? Hows about a Stradivarius guitar? Only a handful of original Stradivarius Guitars remain, and only one of those is playable - the Sabionari, 1679 guitar. The instrument has four double-sets of catgut strings (tuned A-D-G-B) and one single high string (tuned to E). No low E string - Antonio S. was obviously influenced by Keef (Richards) - I believe they used hang out together back in the day (I wonder what ever ever became of Tony?):-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmJ3W2UULpc

https://vimeo.com/487657534

here is a great Guy Clark tune titled The Cape.  A song about growing up...or not, depending on your perspective.  Guy was a wonderful storyteller.  Guitar is an E8OM, recently purchased.
I hope you enjoy the tune.