Gotta love the black!

My replacement Eastman AC630 BD arrived and is a total delight to play - forgive the cliché but it plays like butter and is resonant right up the neck too. Ideal for flat picking with its powerful bass but with a sweet treble response when finger picked. This might be the only maple/engleman guitar I have played, but it seems like a marriage made in heaven. Last month I prevailed on an acquaintance to let me have a go of his Gibson jumbo (definitely maple b&s, not sure about top). Although far from being a satisfactory A/B test there is no doubt in my mind that my new Eastman is by far the superior musical instrument (and for less than half the price too). So, great balance and clarity of tone, and outstanding playability. As for its appearance - the finish is impeccable, absolutely flawless. And although for some the AC630 BD might be a tad too decorative, I personally love it, although at some stage I might swap the gold tuners for black ones. As for the J200 , I really can’t stand that Gibson ‘Grand Ole Opry kitsch’ aesthetic – the ridiculous moustachioed bridge and slab of a pickguard with its twee floral pattern (YMMV ha ha).

hey guys...I have a question about some of the older Eastmans and quality control...I purchased a wonderful AC822 yesterday here in Maine...very blissful experience to play it...but...I purchased it as an AC822..it's labeled as an AC822 inside the body, but it's the shape of a small jumbo, like an AJ816...did Eastman change GA body styles or did they sometimes label their guitars wrong?..it sure seems jumbo sized and shaped as compared to AC822 videos and photos I've seen...that would not change the way I feel about the guitar..I really enjoy it...just wondering ...

Hi guys...my first acoustic purchase in a long while...actually an anniversary gift from my wife...I have been so happy with my E8 OM for the past 7.5 years, but I've had the need for a second acoustic...and of course I really only look at Eastmans now...our local boutique guitar store here in Portland Maine has had a used, older AC822 for about a month..I have been playing it off and on since that time, trying it out..have to say it needed a little TLC..intonation, old strings that were fairly heavy, and grimy...but even with that it had some magic to it...the store offered it to me at quite a discount, threw some new strings on it, adjusted the neck , cleaned it up, and sent me on my way...Can't quit playing it!!  Up at 5:00 this morning just to strum it!!  These are lush guitars..and this is work of art too...it's also my first grand auditorium, and first experience with an Engleman spruce top...such a unique, lush full bodied sound...and the most playable neck and fret board...very pleasant experience to play this..and completely different than my E8 OM, which has been my favorite guitar ever, and my work horse...2 different , awesome acoustics!!....interesting too, my AC822, while listed as a Grand Auditorium, sure looks more like a small jumbo...it's an older one I'm sure, and maybe the GA size was different then.

   Anyway, I can't imagine better guitars than our Eastmans guys, certainly not for the price, or even more...I haven't found anything I like better...

Greetings,
New member, first post.
I’m considering buying an Eastman dread. My basic question is cooked top or not? I would appreciate your opinions not only on the cooked top but the guitars themselves.
They seem difficult to find here in Minnesota and I’d like to play several before picking one. Why are they difficult to find? Even big dealers like LA guitars only have one D and three TCs.
I’ve also read that although the nut on these is listed as 1 3/4 many have said there’s are 1 11/16.
Can you tell me about this.
I’m hesitant to buy one without seeing it and playing it in person.
Any other information you think is important is appreciated.
Thanks,
John

Just started playing guitar a few months ago, and learning through justinguitar. Just on open chords at the moment but enjoying the whole journey. Have been using a secondhand  Yamaha 310, which is pretty battered and the bridge is started to lift off. Decided to take the plunge and order a E1-OM from a shop in the uk. They are going to set up the guitar and sort out the action beforehand. Have I made the right choice with an OM as I will be just playing at home and don't want anything too loud.
Main worry is looking like someone who has all the gear and no idea!! If I have made a mistake let me know now and I can stop the order.

Hi guys...been an Eastman owner and player since January of 2012 and been a member here for about a week...really enjoy reading the posts... my Eastman is an E8 OM..I bought it in January 2012 here in Maine from our local boutique guitar store, and it became my main guitar and now my only guitar...it's kind of hard to improve on..

   I was playing in prisons and was looking for a lighter guitar to carry from building to building and on OM seemed like the perfect size...to be truthful, I went to the store with 1000.00 cash and was looking for a North American built guitar in that price range that I would like as far as comfort in playing, tone and looks...there were no North American guitars under 3000.00 that I really liked...then I played the E8 OM, and was hooked...I liked the E10 OM and the E20 OM as well, but the sitka top just seemed so versatile, and responsive to finger style...they had it on the rack for too long so they sold it to me for 775.00...since then, I have had a K&K Pure Mini installed, and use a K&K Pure Preamp or my Schertler acoustic amp with it, and I have given away or traded away my other acoustics...

   So..7 1/2 years later, my E8 OM is my only acoustic,  my friend, companion, and a work tool..I really only look at Eastmans when I go to the local guitar store, and I'm proud and happy to say that I'm a member of the Eastman family of guitar players!!!...and I love this site!

Geographic Location?
In the UK, near the city of Birmingham

How did you discover Eastman?
Local dealer, rguitars in Stratford Upon Avon

Favorites related to Eastman - favorite models & wood combos, and which model is next on your purchase list?
Own an AC322CE, my only Eastman experience so far. Bought 31 May 2019

Music interests & anything else?
Open mic nighter, sometimes recording tracks too.
Mostly a strummer, but working 1 to 2 hours a day to develop fingerstyle.
Old.... I remember the 70's well......

Hey Folks,

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on my post about the E1SS LTD model. I found an Eastman dealer that was within an hour's drive from my home and the wife was game to drive out there on Memorial Day.

First, I test drove the E1SS with the red varnish finish. It was ok. Neck felt good but the tone didn't jump out at me. Wanting to stick with short scale, I tried an E2OM in sunburst and that also sounded good but it didn't grab me. So, I said screw it and picked up an E8D. Now, that one had some punch and I would have been happy bringing it home. But, they were offering 20% off so I went ahead and tried the E20D. At first strum, my wife looked right up from her phone. I played it some more and it had some great gusto.

My current guitar is a Breedlove Atlas AD20SR+ from 2006 and it has really warmed over the years. It's pretty compressed in terms of dynamics. I wanted something brighter with some really great overtones. I get that from the Eastman. It's very different in the way it responds. It has 3 volumes; soft, medium, and holy moly! Since I've committed to only playing acoustic, I'm looking forward to growing with this guitar.

Quick question, how long does it take for the lacquer smell to dissipate?

Mark

Age old question...but I'm curious to see what people on this forum think. I've used both. Because it's "natural" bone can be inconsistent. But when it's good it good. From my experience I really don't notice a difference. A well shaped saddle or nut with a perfectly flat bottom is probably a more important quality then the material itself.