The Martin forum is in a tizzy over this CFM bluegrass dreadnaught killer... wait for it... it's actually a new version of a Gibson J45.

The Taylor Grand Pacific, priced around $3k, played by Taylor's master luthier Andy Powers... playing some killer bluegrass:

https://youtu.be/3vHs1V_I-80

Another:
https://youtu.be/u4COv15NAgY

The back on this guitar.

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

https://reverb.com/item/16660657-eastman...b-s-w-case

Decent price on this particular model... (no affiliation to seller)

Please post any updates or news from Eastman coming out of NAMM!  I haven't seen any yet but looking forward to seeing if Eastman is announcing any new guitars at the show.

New Member Here. wanted to introduce myself to the forum.

Geographic location:
Bakersfield CA

[b]How did you discover Eastman?[/b]
I’m new to Eastman Guitars as of 2018. It all started while I was looking for a 335 style guitar and ran across a comparison for a 335 Shootout: Eastman T386 vs Gibson ES-335 - Review & Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4jhupitoDc. That’s the first time I’d ever heard about Eastman and I’ve been playing guitars since 1989. My searches lead me to the T59v which I purchased. I was very impressed with this guitar but in all fairness it’s my first 335 style guitar I’ve owned. Ive had many many other guitars but never one like this. Actually I never thought I’d even be interested in a guitar with F holes. I must be getting old because now I think they are way cool looking . I lead worship and wanted an electric guitar that I could play for multiple styles and had great looks, this was the one.

After that Eastman, I started looking for a Parlor style guitar to play at home and maybe on stage since my 58 Martin O-18 did not have a pickup system in it. My searches lead me to the Eastman E100 LTD that they came out with last year. I actually found one by happenstance when I called a little dealer on the California coast on a work trip. He had #1/130 of the natural LTD. I went and purchased it on the spot. What a guitar. This thing is amazing. For $750 I don’t think I could find a better guitar for what I wanted it for. I’m in love with this thing. I have 10 guitars,. well now 11, more on that later. But I play this one more than any other. I started playing this on stage in place of my Taylor 714CE. It just sounds so great through my amps and into the board. I love the wider neck on it and its just a joy to play. I’ve noticed its getting louder and the Adirondack top is opening up. I can’t believe how loud this guitar is for a little parlor size guitar. This will be one I pass down to my sons.

(Then there were three) As I stated above I’ve been playing my E100 LTD on stage but one of the problems is on many of the song we play I capo on the 5[sup]th[/sup] and even the 7[sup]th[/sup] fret. (I know I could transpose and play lower on the fret board but I like the sound in our mix in the higher register as it cuts through the mix better)   So I don’t have a lot of room to play with the capo on 7[sup]th[/sup] with a 12 fret guitar.
So I started looking to replace my 714ce with another Eastman. That’s how I found this website. I started looking for a replacement and was looking at the AC622CE which I seen at the dealer when I purchased the LTD but, I could not bring home two new guitars to the wife after just getting the T59v. My wife now understands GAS. On another note “I thought this was only a man thing until we got three new grandchildren and now she has “BTAS. Baby toy accusation syndrome” Its way less expensive then GAS   

As I was searching, I found the E40 OM talked about on this site. I had been looking at the Martin 000-28 EC but never wanted to spend the money for it and was thinking I wanted a cutaway anyway. Well after watching the videos on this guitar and reading all the positive reviews, I had to play one. I went down to LA Guitar yesterday and Ted had one in stock and now it’s mine. I played the E20 OM as well and in my view it sounded just as good as the 40, but I’m hoping that the 40 will be better in the long run. Now I have to put a pickup system in it. But ill post that on another thread.

So that’s my venture into Eastman guitars. I was talking to one of my friends yesterday and told him I was going to sell my Taylor and get an Eastman and his comment was “Whats an Eastman” I told him the short version, and his next comment was “Why would you ever sell a Taylor to get a guitar made in China” He owns Taylors. I said, you need to go play one then call me.   

Music Interest
Grew up an 80s guitar fan, Eddie Van Halen, George Lynch, Steve Vai, Satch, Gilmore, etc. Then when I started playing Acoustics I started listening to lots of guys from the Wood and Steel albums and lots of worship players. Of course that’s what lead me to the Taylor, everyone in the worship seen was playing Taylors. I now notice many are moving to other brands but I have yet to see an Eastman on stage and I’ve been looking, they are missing the boat. 

Other interest are Family, Fishing, Golf. I now need to sell some golf clubs to pay for these guitars.   

Look forward to this forum and getting to know some of you.  

Have a Blessed Day.

Rick

Hello Eastman folk!

I am wanting to replace the pickguard on my new Eastman OM.

But this guitar has a build date that is only a month ago. Too early to pull the guard that is on there? I don't want to cause any finish damage...

thanks for any help.

madhat.

A few photos of my new Eastman E10OM-TC.

Great guitar!

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I don't know why it took me this long, but when I set up this forum it defaulted to using  a 'star' system under each user profile... I removed it tonight as it was a bit silly!  (In case you were wondering where it went ...  )

Hi.  I just received a used E8D via Reverb, which was listed in "excellent" condition.  During transit, there was some finish checking, but the seller also included a humidipak, which came loose and rubbed against the neck throughout the journey.

I'm attaching photos, and I'll be taking it to my luthier for an inspection, estimate on the repairs, and possible setup (if I keep it).  The scrapes are through the finish and down to the wood, so I have no idea what it may cost... or look like, when it's done.

I'm trying to decide if it's worth negotiating a repair vs. requesting a return.  In addition to the repair cost, I'd also have to factor some depreciated resale value for the neck damage and finish checking.

What do you think...?

Neck:


Finish checking example:


Faulty humidipak:

Spent some time yesterday installing a new Kent Armstrong 12-pole pick up on my Eastman AR603CE-15.  The original pickup sounded fine, but I really like the KA 12-pole handmade pickups.  I have them on 2 other guitars currently.  I find that this p/u sounds more focused and a little less boomy than the typical PAF.

Install was a little tricky.  Original p/u used the 4 color wiring.  Couldn’t find a wiring diagram for the AR603CE-15 online so I decided to pull the entire wiring harness from the guitar.  As it turns out, Eastman only uses the black wire and shield, as you might expect.

Actually, pulling the wiring harness allowed me to wire the pickup properly without splicing.  End result was very clean.  Overall very pleased with the installation and the KA pickup does not disappoint.  It sounds exactly like what I was expecting.  Now, I just need to dial in the pole pieces.

One side note.  I was a little surprised at the quality of the hole that Eastman cut for the top mounted PAF.  It is what I consider to be a very rough cut.  While it doesn’t affect the tone nor is it visible once the pickup is installed, I would have expected a little cleaner execution based on the quality of the rest of the guitar.

In the end, the guitar sounds wonderful with the new pickup and now, even more pleased with my Eastman AR603CE-15.