Examples of Eastmans are hard to come by in MN. We have a new shop that is just getting off of the ground. They originally were oriented towards orchestral instruments and now have a fretted area. They are slowly building inventory, but it seems the models in which I am most interested are not yet in stock. This is the same place I had the issue with a delay in the E40OM. They did finally get it in stock last week. I would like to add a sprue/mahogany larger bodied guitar. I currently have the E8D and E40OM rosewoods and a Martin 000-18 sitka/mahogany. I hope to add a different sound to the pallet. My question(s) is does anyone have direct experience between these models? I get the impression these models would be comparable but not identical nor copies of:
E6/10D - Martin D-18 in some permutation
E10SS - Gibson slope shoulder (J15 or 45??) - is the narrower nut that noticeable (1 11/16 vs 1 3/4)
AC522ce - Taylor 3 or 5 series. I previously owned a 514ce which was an excellent guitar but a little too much of the Taylor brightness for my taste even with the cedar top.

My other consideration is a Larrivee SD-40M. This is a sitka/mahogany 12 fret, slope shoulder dreadnaught. I was able to try the RW version and it had a great sound and playability. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate the mahogany model. Any comments/suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated. I would prefer to locate a good used example. I saw the listing on AGF for the E10SS, but decided to sleep on it and missed it. 
TomC

Eastman, Kent Armstrong floating pickups are attached/glued to the pickguard which is attached to the neck with two screws.  Don't know if this was done at the factory on my 2006 AR805ce or at a guitar shop, the solder connections on the pup were way too thick.  Net was the pickguard was sitting too high, it's fixed.
 
I took the pup/pickguard assembly off and proceeded to undo the thick solder to bring the pickguard down to normal.  While at it I decided the 'Tone Control' pod was not needed since I plug into the LRBaggs Para for EQ, etc, and on to to the amp.  Then, I re-soldered the +/- wires directly to the out jack.

My Fishman Artist acous amp was set from before the re-wire, way louder with the new wiring and much better tone overall... it makes sense to me because I like it.

Question is, does the tone control pod drain from the signal flow or am I inhaling too much solder smoke?

I was just wondering whether Eastman guitar fans would be unhappy if Eastman started using bolt-on necks. Not so much focusing on the relative merits or otherwise of using such a build (although I would be interested in your views), but rather whether employing this type of build would run too much against the ethos of 'tradition' which seems to be a significant selling point with Eastman guitars. To be honest I would personally be disappointed if they moved away from what I take to be a pure woodworking approach. Not because of my experience of the sound produced by each method - I have no informed opinion about this. Maybe sometimes it is satisfying buying into myth at the expense of science.

On another forum I saw that a shop called The Fretted Frog is closing and discounting stock. They have some Eastman guitars and at least one mandolin.

They have an Eastman PCH1-OM - With HSC for $199 + shipping and tax. To my location that totalled $260. I would buy it if I did not have my E6OM.

Fretted Frog

(07-23-2018, 09:05 AM)robhanesworth Wrote: On another forum I saw that a shop called The Fretted Frog is closing and discounting stock. They have some Eastman guitars and at least one mandolin.

They have an Eastman PCH1-OM - With HSC for $199 + shipping and tax. To my location that totalled $260. I would buy it if I did not have my E6OM.

Fretted Frog

2nd Eastman off of craigslist in the last 6 months....I don't mind putting up with some dings for the discount!!

Love the balance on this...nice bass and good high frequency response.

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Guys at Blues Angel Music got me again. This beauty was just hanging there waiting for ME!

After much discussion and almost as much research, I purchased my first semi-hollow guitar this week.  My T185MX arrived this afternoon, and I am extremely pleased with this instrument.

The build quality is excellent, and I mean this in the most positive way possible... it's clear that it's a fully hand-carved body made entirely by human hands.  It has an elegant maple top with a classic brown-red finish.  The body and neck are solid mahogany and rival anything I've seen in their acoustic lines.  The fretboard is jet black ebony with pearl dots that match the headstock, and everything is beautifully encased with flame maple wood binding.  It's rounded out with Gotoh hardware (tuners, bridge, and tailpiece) and a pair of Duncan 59s.

Between reading the warnings of feedback on a solid wood semi-hollow and barely playing any electric guitar in the last 15 years, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I started things off soft and clean, playing directly into my amp with no effects.  But I wanted to take this baby for a ride, so I dug out my old Digitech GNX2 guitar pedal, which offers lots of different voices.  So, I cranked it up (a little bit), and ran it through dozens of sounds.  Great tone, ridiculous sustain, and no feedback issues.  Absolutely fantastic and completely exceeded my expectations!

Incidentally, the seller is an Eastman fan and sold this guitar because he/she just got a T186MX.  And after my last online encounter, I'm happy to report that this seller did a fantastic job with shipping:  string tension loosened, neck and headstock encased in bubble wrap, paper separating the strings from the fretboard, packed in an over-box, plenty of peanuts inside, box marked fragile, etc.  Since everything worked out, I'll be sure to invite him/her to join us on the EGF!

Finally, there's no NGD without photos, right?  I took these earlier today and posted them on my FB page.  But when I uploaded them onto my IMGUR page, they don't look very clear.  So, I'm going to upload them here, but I may take some new ones tomorrow and see if they're any better.

Selling SOLD my E6D (again).

I started a thread about it a few months back.

There are the slightest hints of fretwear on the e and b strings in the first position. The string holes have been slotted, and the original pins replaced with unslotted Antique Acoustics bridge pins. There is also a strap button on the underside of the neck. In all other ways the guitar is in like new condition. I can't find a mark on it.

The main reason I'm selling is that it's built for medium guage strings. I considered setting it up for lights - which are my preference - but the force in this one is strong; it really needs to be driven. I'd say its ideal new owner would be a flatpicker with a strong right hand.

I'd love to sell it locally (SF Bay Area) but will ship if needed. The only "downside" to the deal is that I no longer have the case it shipped in. It lives in one of these.
$500 + half of shipping costs.

I've got one on the way and was wondering what other users that own one think and what kind of tweaks have you made to bring out the absolute best of the guitar?

Hi folks,

I just found this board. Some great stuff here!

I had the opportunity to play a couple Eastman’s today. E10Ss and ACDR1. Loved them both would also like to try an E10 and perhaps an AC model. The two I played were all they had in stock.

Any thoughts, experience etc would be helpful. I’m not a great player ( or even good), but this would be my first “grown up” guitar. I’d like to make a good decision, with your help.

I’ve given thought to some other makes, but keep coming back to Eastman. I’ve been looking for a bit.

Thanks for your help

UPDATE:

You all asked some great questions! Many of which I can't believe I didn't address in my original post. (Sorry about that!) Let me provide some better detail.

I have been playing for a couple years, off and on. The off periods have been a result of real life, not loss of interest. On the rare occasion where I have time, and no competing obligations, I can get lost either practicing or just playing around... for hours. (I even like cleaning and caring for the guitars.) It may not be great, but it's fun! My friends don't come over and ask me to play, but the neighbors don't come over and ask me to stop either!

Style: I'd have to say mainly flat picking. Although, strumming might be more accurate. I often use my thumb, rather than a pick, for volume control.
Flavor: I like lots of stuff, from singer/songwriters to classic rock. So, Gordon Lightfoot to The Who.
Budget: Roughly $1000 (USD) or less
Other stuff: I like the sound of Martin, but don't like the price tag. For comparable money, I can get a "lesser" Martin, or a "fuller" Eastman. And, I'm pretty partial to the Eastman name
I guess I'm most drawn to Dreadnoughts, but I'm not convinced it's the best guitar for me.

My current guitars are a Jasmine S-35 and a Squier strat. Both are barely more than toys. But it's what I have. I bought the Jasmine on a semi-considered whim, from a drum shop. It is... okay, but it is a bit difficult to play and has an unpleasing pingy-plucky quality. Of late, I have been gravitating to the Squier more, simply because it is a bit easier to play. I often play it without an amp, just to play and not disturb anyone. That guitar was my daughter's. She took lessons for a while, but lost interest, and it had kicked around for some time. Now I play it fairly regularly.

My guess is this description will resonate with other guitar players, particularly ones who are more established than I am. I have no friends who play musical instruments, or have any interest, so I really don't have anyone to compare notes with. I really have no intentions of ever performing, but at some point--eventually--I'd like to be comfortable enough to play in front of someone other than my dogs!

That is a little about me and where I am, and my modest aspirations. I hope this helps clarify some of the questions.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my post, especially those who responded. Everyone has been very supportive and welcoming. I wasn't sure of the response I'd get, but I appreciate the honest advice. If anyone has other thoughts or advice after my clarification, please let me know. I appreciate the advice.

The three guitars I tried the other day:

Eastman, ACDR1, $500
Eastman, E10ss, $1100
Martin, DRSG, $1200 (Made in Mexico)

Thanks,

B