This is the case of my brand new T486SB as you can see strips are separating from the case. 


I called my dealer and he said bring it in and perhaps they can fix it if not they’ll call Eastman. I have no idea how severe this is but I know it is unacceptable in a brand new guitar.

If it is a warranty claim I’ll keep y’all posted it will be interesting to see how Eastman handles this.

If you're like me you know that Eastman is making a lot of amazing guitars these days! So this is mainly for fun, but I'm wondering what is the best Eastman you've ever played? This could be a combination of tone, play ability, fit & finish. Why did you like the guitar so much? Is there another guitar model that you would compare the Eastman to as a reference point? 

If you have pictures of the guitar please post it here! I'm excited to read your responses. 

I'll start us off by showing off my Eastman E10D-TC. As far as tone the new thermo-cured series really captures the vintage sound. As far as playability the neck on this guitar is rather large but very easy to play. The fit and finish is almost perfect and the woods look amazing. I was drawn to this guitar because of how strong the bass response was. It has a loud thumping bass that I've only heard on some vintage spec'd Martin guitars.

Wow!  Looks very interesting...  Very cool to see Eastman continue to build new creations.

Not new to Eastman, but my others are lesser quality models.

This new E20D I bought this morning has a LR Baggs Anthem factory installed.. I do not know what model it is, but I assume it's the Anthem SL if that is the less expensive one. Eastman's site lists several Anthem models that might be optionally installed. I bought from a dealer here in town....and the salesman I used didn't know for sure which model it had.

Q1 - Anything you can tell me to educate me on the Anthem system? I have had a couple of A guitars I converted to AE by adding, each time, a K&K Pure Mini. I love that pickup, I love it doesn't "mess" with the sound and it doesn't need a battery so I can leave it plugged in. (I am too lazy to connect/disconnect each time I play!)

Q2 - Any idea how to determine the model? All I can say is it is Active, and has a tone and volume control. (The volume control works the opposite way as my K&Ks, so that will take some adjustment..........)

I almost passed on the E20D today because of the active pickup, but it sounded by far the best of the 5 or so guitars I tested (all unplugged) today, including a couple of Larivees D40s, a couple of Eastman E10Ds and one Eastman E10-OM. So I got it even knowing I'd rather have had it without the pickup; I would have just add a K&K latter. Having the dealer remove the Baggs and install the K&K would have made today's purchase too expensive......

I started with my most recent Eastman, an SB59. Next is my first, a T184MX. Let me just get the hyperbole out of the way; there isn’t really anything like the MX series in the Gibson line up, and if there were, Gibson would not be the measuring stick. An MX is more like a Collings than a Gibson. It is a boutique guitar in everything but price. The arches, top and back, are hand carved, not laminated and pressed, with the bridge and tailpiece anchored in a small block, no a full center block (more on this in a minute). The woods are top quality (though not all maple is flamey). The details are stunning x - gorgeous flame maple bindings on top, back, fretboard, headstock, heel cap and f holes. Everything else is high quality - Gotoh hardware, Duncan 59 pickups, silent, smooth, gradual pots. The fit and finish is flawless, and this guitar came off the rack with great fret work. 

They make the MX in 14, 15, and 16” lower bouts, and I can only speak for the 14, but the hand-carved box of air that is its body does not produce feedback problems, even at pretty loud club volumes with a full rock band. Plugged in, it responds to hands and amplification like a solid body guitar, not like an arch top. In fact, I’d say that the hollow body doesn’t contribute a lot to its amplified sound, though it does sound different than my SB 59, which has the same pickups and hardware. Unplugged, it’s perfect for noodling in the couch while watching TV. 

Anyone in the market for an ES-style guitar should play one of these before they spend a dime more. (About $1600, Street) They aren’t extraordinary guitars for the money, they’re extraordinary guitars, period. The one caveat is that like any very lightweight guitar with the strap button at the neck heel, it’s a bit head heavy. That problem is easily addressed with a suede strap.

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I've only been playing Eastman guitars for less than a year, but when I've had the opportunity to tell people about my guitar they usually ask, "What's an Eastman?" I then tell them a little about Eastman and how great their quality is, and if given the chance I let them play mine (E10D-TC). However, when they find out Eastman's are produced in China the conversation soon begins to loose some steam. 

This has led me to wonder, what do people usually associate with Eastmans?

I've been a Martin fan ever since I've played guitar and I've always associated Martin's with quality and craftmanship. These days you don't find very many companies that have as rich of history as Martin. While I have two USA Martin's, I haven't always been able to spend $2k, $5k or even $10k+ on a quality American made guitar. 

As an American, I believe it is good to support American craftsmanship, and this has always led me to be weary of cheap foreign products, especially those produced in China. Yet, I believe Eastman is one of the very few companies crafting some very fine instruments in China. However, others don't always see it this way, and sometimes boycott anything made in China. So, at times, I've struggled to find pride in my Eastman when talking to those who haven't yet converted over. 

When I think of Eastman, I think of a company that is at the crossroads of quality and affordability. Regardless of where they are produced, Eastman is making some amazing guitars. 

What stigma do you, and others, usually associate with Eastman guitars?

Hi all - 

The Eastman that was left in the cold (see this thread) also developed a top crack.  

I am curious if anyone here has experience or advice in dealing with top cracks.  This happened over three years ago, and does not seem to have 'moved' - but I don't want it to get worse.  How do I know when a top needs to be repaired, versus when it is stable?  What kind of repair would even be done?

The guitar sounds as great as ever and it seems to be just cosmetic, but wanted to get some feedback.  I am trying to keep the guitar properly humidified here in bone dry Arizona.

Pictures:

Happy New Year to all - I have been playing an E10D for about 18 months and truly love it - for this guitar I have always stuck with  light strings and been very happy with the output (please note....I am mostly a Bluegrass flatpicker) - I also have a E20D TC on order (since August) and am really looking forward to getting my hands on it - I would really like to hear any / all opinions / wisdom as far as using mediums  - all doctrine from Eastman seems specify lights, but I've heard some gossip in Gym Class (I'm 69 yrs. old) that some folks run mediums on Eastman Dreds with no ill effects. Is there a big difference in volume / tone/ playability between the two ? Any horror stories associated with using mediums? Any comments would be valued...........Thanks !!

At $750 (OBO) + $50 shipping, if I didn't have one I'd be on this yesterday :-)

https://reverb.com/item/7138794-eastman-t486-2017