I recently saw a E20OM FS and wonder how it would compare vs. my 412.  The only knock I have on the 412 is it feels really heavy in my lap - it's an older model.  I know the sitka vs adi makes some difference in sound, and I could stand a tad more brightness.  Would this be an upgrade or more of a lateral?

Hey everyone,

Forgive any typing mistakes - I’m writing this on my phone. I was just curious if anyone has shared this experience...

Five years ago I purchased a used T386 from a shop in Minnesota. I’m a professional jazz guitarist and music teacher in Nashville, TN, so I bought it sight unseen and had it shipped. I fell in love with the thing and eventually bought a new T486 from a local dealer three years later, thinking that I needed a backup and that the 486 should be even cooler.

Present day, two years later still, I still gig (and practice, and teach) with the 386 constantly. The 486, while prettier, is not nearly as acoustically vibrant, or warm through an amp - once again, I’m coming from a pretty “jazz” esthetic.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with these two models. Of course, the 386 has been played much more than the 486, and they are at least five years apart in production date, but it still continues to amaze me that the new, more expensive one is just ok to me, while the older, less expensive one is amazing (outside of the cheap tuners?.) I know the Pu’s are different, but is there another design difference that I may be missing?

Thanks in advance,
Adam

What builders do you think offer a similar sound to Eastman flattop acoustics?

I have 3 USA Martins and one Eastman, and while they all are different I would classify the Martin’s in their own family of sound.

My Eastman E10D-TC, on the other hand, while specd like a Custom D-18, seems to have a sound of its own. It has some of the warmth and resonance of the Martins, but with a brighter, slightly more Modern sound. It’s great, just voiced different than a Martin.

What do you think is the main factor here? Individual builders? Wood supplies?

What family of tones would you describe your Eastman flattop as falling under?

What major builder do you think influenced Eastman’s traditional series the most?

I’ve heard others compare theirs to Collings guitars. I’ve never played a Collings so the connection there is limited.

I would love your thoughts on this topic.

My son has been leaning more to keyboards recently and thought I might like to be the caretaker of the 2014 AC630 for a while.  So he wouldn't go home empty handed he has the 2019 Furch OM as his couch guitar for a while.  We have done this kind of thing many times.

Best pics I could get with the bright sunshine today but I think the pics tell the size story.  Five years old and the AC630 is better than ever, put on a new set of EJ24 True Meds this morning; 

back

front

Judging by comments from the Trump administration it seems possible that all Chinese imports to the US will face tariff charges - although this threat could I suppose be a negotiating ploy. But the quality of Eastman guitars will shine through even if prices rise.

Hey everyone,

I'm new to the world of Eastman guitars.  I'm actually selling a Suhr Std Pro to knock out some debt and wanted a great guitar that's more budget friendly.  I was completely blown away by the workmanship of Eastman.  A friend of mine works at a guitar shop and sent me a pic of a T486 used for $896.  He's not sure how old it is..but it looks new.  I'm not a fan of the pickups...would want to change them to Lollar Imperial Low Winds.  Anyone have experience with this in this guitar?  Should I put a std wind in the bridge?

Also...is that a good deal for this model considering I'm putting more money into to upgrade the pickups..or should I go a different route.  Open to your thoughts!

Thanks!!!

Attached Files

Eastman.PNG

File size: 312.48 KB

Downloads: 209

Howdy, y'all - I am thinking about buying a "premium" case but can't bring myself to shell out a grand for a Calton - any suggestions / advice ? Are there any Calton knockoffs out there ?? Thanks in advance - I have always gotten great advice on this site......

It's been an unpredictable playoff season.  The Sharks are in the Western Conference final against St. Louis (Game 1 is today; 5pm PT / 8pm ET).  And Boston has taken an early lead in the Eastern Conference final, but Carolina has a chance to even things up tomorrow (Game 2 is 3pm PT / 6pm ET).

Are there any other hockey fans here?  Zissou Intern already mentioned he's a Chicago and Colorado fan, but both of those teams are golfing with my Penguins.

I'm a hands on guy. I've built a lot of things in my life (airplane, motorcycles, houses, guitars...you get the idea) and I've always do my own set-ups on my electric guitars. But one item that for one reason or another I have never taken on is the set-up of an acoustic (other than adjusting the neck relief or installing USP's).

My new AC422ce requires some nut work. The low E is sitting high in the nut and as a result the string goes sharp when I put a capo on the neck. Only about 1/3 of the string sits in the nut, where the desired position is to have 2/3 of the string sitting in the nut (or 0.025 above 1st fret / 0.075 above fret board).

Is this as simple as it looks? Do I just need to order a file kit (link below) and deepen the nut, allowing some tapper towards the tuner? Or is there more to this than meets the eye?

For $85 I can own the tools and be able to do this type of work in the future (maybe once every 5-10 years I may need some type of nut work). Or, I could spend about the same money and send it off to my local trusted luthier and know that it will be done to my satisfaction. To be honest, my luthier has reworked all of my acoustics and they all come back playing fantastic. But I think his magic is that he gets the strings nice and low in the nut (flush with the top). He's taken guitars that were practically unplayable and made them enjoyable. That's not from a relief adjustment. He rarely touches the saddle. So it must be the way he dresses the nut.

Here's the file kit I was looking at. I use custom-light (0.011-0.052) strings but I think this kit should work (within a couple thou). Is there a better kit (meaning less expensive)?

https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/To...uitar.html

Hi,

I am Tom from Berlin, Germany. Here in Germany Eastman is still very overlooked and not many discussions can be found about these guitars online. Hopefully you nice guys from this forum can help me.

Is anyone aware of the introduction of the smaller headstock to any other model than the TX184 and T59/v-RD?

I have seen a photo on a local shop's website that is showing a T486 with the smaller headstock design. While the shop itself is a 4,5 hour drive away I just wanted to check I am not hunting for a Chinese fake of a Chinese guitar ;-)

The photos are not very detailed as I just took screenshots to compare it with a T386 from the same shop. I inserted some lines to get a better idea of the dimensions.

The only other hint I was able to found is from a guitar store in California that seems to sell a T486-BK with that smaller headstock design (https://www.laguitarsales.com/index.php/...50087.html).

I have to admit I like the smaller headstock design much more. What are your thoughts?

Attached Files

front.jpg

File size: 337.57 KB

Downloads: 151

back.jpg

File size: 349.69 KB

Downloads: 151