I totally get where you're coming from regarding mahogany vs rosewood on a slope shouldered dreadnought. I love the detailed sound of rosewood and all the lush overtones it yields, it's piano-like bell quality as notes ring out etc, but a slope shouldered dreadnought with mahogany gives an equally lush (but different) woody tone instead, and I love the noticeably present midrange tonality that mahogany yields in this instance. Each to their own, but for me this is exactly why you need more than one guitar. In fact, more than three or four! My general (personal) mantra is rosewood for an OM/GA body, mahogany for a dread and maple for a jumbo. Love these Eastman guitars though, and am a big fan of Faith guitars too. I own a Faith (slope shouldered Mars) and it stands up very well, quality-wise, to Larrivee and PJE too, that I also own.
I own this model and it was a bit tight and didn't project much when I bought it new, especially after I lowered the saddle. Now two years later, I take it out of the case and just marvel at the tone! More than a longer scale dreadnought, it pushes out a very sweet, present top end and overall a tone that is rounded like it is running through a high end valve compresser and eq. RE. your comments about 'woody vintage' I would say this Eastman is a bit more full and overtone rich than a Gibson. There is a reason why these American guitars cost so much. But the E20ss is magnificent in its own right.
The only reason is because they are made in America and get priced based on that gimmick. The wood quality in the Eastman is far superior to any American made guitar upto a good £2000 more. And you think just because someone is American they are a better quality luithier than a Chinese person. I went out looking for a j45 and played lots and every one sounded dull and dead compared to the Eastman.
@@buildingmaintenance5076 true but u have to consider resell value especially if your trading every few months. Eastman are fantastic guitars but I still own a stable of tried and true Martins
Thnx for sharing. We all have something to carry with us through our life's. As for me; I'm a recovered alcoholic. But I love guitars and have just disc Eastman guitars. I'm thinking of buying an Eastman E 10 00 SS antique styled.
Richard absolutely love your content! So good! It makes me want to buy an Eastman through you every time I see your content. One thing I say is I wish you Audio quality was better. But even as is you can hear the quality.
I have one of these and love it! However it’s been at Sam Ash in Phoenix for 5 freaken weeks just to have a K&K mini p/up installed. OMG I could have made a guitar from scratch in 5 weeks! Second time this has happened, last time it was with my 000 Blueridge but in the end it sounds amazing plugged and unplugged. The Eastman is a cannon!
Great review / demo Richard , thank you. Thanks for the no nonsense playing . A real world demo of how most people would play such a guitar. Thank you! 🌌🌠🌅👍
Great video and yet another peach of a guitar from Eastman. Prefer the rosewood myself but I have a few mahogany guitars which I do enjoy playing. I also prefer a satin neck. For me personally I find it an easier play than full gloss.
What does the neck profile feel like? Been trying to get my hands on one but nothing at the shops near me. I am used to the chunkiness of a 50s J45, would it be similar to that? Just as reference, Taylor necks are too slim for me so if it’s like a Taylor neck then I guess not for me.
Neck is very comfortable full C shape, but not as thick as a 50s neck. I prefer a chunkier neck myself, but this neck plays exceptionally well. The satin finish is nice as well.
I ordered an AC422CE without having played one (classic mistake). I feel the same way about the overtones. Wish I had ordered a mahogany model. Miss the woody midrange.
Amazing guitar, I am not sure on whether I would prefer rosewood or mahogany. The only thing about the Eastman E10SS or E20SS (the vintage versión is a stunner) is the nut width, 1 11/16 is a bit too narrow for finger picking, it would be great, and more "vintage-ish", to have a choice for a 1 3/4. And now we are wishing, imagine it with a slotted headstock... Christmas anyone? Thanks for the video as always
HAHA!!!! You know - I have absolutely no idea!!! It is however an authentic design shall we say!!! You are right - there must be a story behind it and its a characteristic of this design of guitar through history. Personally I don't believe there is any technical benefits - just a design asthetic. I have never considered as being upside down ever before! I will now! ha ha
According to Frank Ford (all credit to Frets.com - the guitar site par excellence by Frank Ford): In about 1930, shortly after steel strings had become standard, Martin designed a new bridge to handle the high tension. The belly bridge is about 1-1/2 inches wide at the center, while the older rectangular "pyramid" bridges were only one inch wide. We now call this modern bridge the "belly bridge" because of the bulging area behind the bridge pins: Notice the large gluing surface behind the bridge pins. This gives a lot of extra strength to hold the bridge in place, and adds to the stability of the guitar top in general. Not to be left out, Gibson redesigned their bridges on several models, and came up with this variant: The "reverse belly" bridge has the entire row of bridge pins right at the back edge, allowing almost no gluing surface where it is needed most! So they use a couple of small bolts, hidden under the pearl inlay dots directly in line with the bridge pins. Even with the bolts, these bridges are not nearly as stable as the Martin design.
@@peterfan9054 it was a guitar from 2016, looked like someone spilled coffee in it {glue stains) The 12-string from 2018, nutwidth actually wider than the specs on the website. Both had no pickguard....maybe those without pickguard are B-models ?
It’s a nice guitar style, great finger picker too (eg Ralph McTell) and I agree, mahogany back & sides suits that style. Also look out for the 12 fret to the body type (don’t know if Eastman do one) which has some real bass wallop. I think the Martin style body is ugly but these are more elegant to my eye. Nice to have options.
In my opinion the J45/50 is the greatest guitar body shape ever.....these Eastmans are very nice from what I've seen on video....unfortunately there is nowhere within hundreds of miles from me to even try one.....they look and sound amazing.......I do own aJ35 Gibson which I will never sell.....
In my experience Eastman QC needs serious improvement. Reading reviews and watching video reviews, I believed that I could order online and expect to receive a good quality guitar. When my E20SS arrived, on initial inspection, I found a 75mm x 35mm area on the lower bout where the buffing mop had obviously cut through the top layer of lacquer, leaving an orange peel surface and an oval edge. The rosewood on the back and sides also had large black knots in it and the grain colouring was broad and unevenly patterned. Luckily I bought from a reputable store, who very quickly exchanged the guitar. The replacement was very different. The finish was near perfect and the rosewood had lovely straight grain and no knots. The first one looked like a low end quality, the second looked much better and more the quality I expected. If you are expecting a Gibson or Martin at half price, think again. If you want to buy an Eastman go to a store to see and play the guitar you are buying.
Just let me correct you there. Your experience sounds (and trust me - based on thousands of guitars sold - and being the largest UK dealer of Eastman I have a great sense of perspective on this) very much an unfortunate and isolated issue. Its really important to remember that your experience is very much yours - and unique to yourself. It isnt in any way an indicator that Eastman have terrible quality control and quality is massively variable. So - just to reassure you and anyone reading - your experience is incredibly rare which I can prove based on a tiny returns rate in our quality control.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Yes, just my experience, but thats all I have to go on. The second guitar wasn't perfect either, with minor defects in the pickguard and a small lacquer run on the neck, but much better than the first. I have many other guitars, mostly all solid wood, and some were not as costly as the Eastman but better quality. I also build my own acoustics. so I know what I am looking at. For the price, in my experience, they need to improve.
@@tokairic3925 To suggest you have cheaper guitars that are better quality is frankly a joke. Sorry. 25 years selling guitars with well over 50,000 sold in that time. There are no better quality guitars at a cheaper price than Eastman. Will you find quality issues with all guitars ? Of course. If you build your own guitars then you should be #1 in the queue to understand the relevance of Eastman in the market. They are frankly astonishing - beyond belief. This doesnt in any way undermine your observations and I believe them to be true - but your conclusions are incorrect - and I dont believe that your cheaper guitars are better quality. Sorry to sound defensive but I have to defend what I know as fact.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Faith Venus Hi Gloss, Faith Neptune Blood Moon, Faith Jupiter Hi Gloss. All delivered in faultless condition, all solid wood, all play beautifully - no joke.
@@tokairic3925 As possibly the largest independent supplier of Faith guitars in the UK I am really quite well versed on Faith guitars. Indeed they play beautifully and very well finished. Eastman is a genuine major step up
I totally get where you're coming from regarding mahogany vs rosewood on a slope shouldered dreadnought.
I love the detailed sound of rosewood and all the lush overtones it yields, it's piano-like bell quality as notes ring out etc, but a slope shouldered dreadnought with mahogany gives an equally lush (but different) woody tone instead, and I love the noticeably present midrange tonality that mahogany yields in this instance.
Each to their own, but for me this is exactly why you need more than one guitar. In fact, more than three or four!
My general (personal) mantra is rosewood for an OM/GA body, mahogany for a dread and maple for a jumbo. Love these Eastman guitars though, and am a big fan of Faith guitars too. I own a Faith (slope shouldered Mars) and it stands up very well, quality-wise, to Larrivee and PJE too, that I also own.
I own this model and it was a bit tight and didn't project much when I bought it new, especially after I lowered the saddle. Now two years later, I take it out of the case and just marvel at the tone! More than a longer scale dreadnought, it pushes out a very sweet, present top end and overall a tone that is rounded like it is running through a high end valve compresser and eq. RE. your comments about 'woody vintage' I would say this Eastman is a bit more full and overtone rich than a Gibson. There is a reason why these American guitars cost so much. But the E20ss is magnificent in its own right.
The only reason is because they are made in America and get priced based on that gimmick. The wood quality in the Eastman is far superior to any American made guitar upto a good £2000 more. And you think just because someone is American they are a better quality luithier than a Chinese person. I went out looking for a j45 and played lots and every one sounded dull and dead compared to the Eastman.
@@buildingmaintenance5076 true but u have to consider resell value especially if your trading every few months. Eastman are fantastic guitars but I still own a stable of tried and true Martins
Thnx for sharing. We all have something to carry with us through our life's. As for me; I'm a recovered alcoholic. But I love guitars and have just disc Eastman guitars. I'm thinking of buying an Eastman E 10 00 SS antique styled.
Richard absolutely love your content! So good! It makes me want to buy an Eastman through you every time I see your content. One thing I say is I wish you Audio quality was better. But even as is you can hear the quality.
I have one of these and love it! However it’s been at Sam Ash in Phoenix for 5 freaken weeks just to have a K&K mini p/up installed. OMG I could have made a guitar from scratch in 5 weeks! Second time this has happened, last time it was with my 000 Blueridge but in the end it sounds amazing plugged and unplugged. The Eastman is a cannon!
Great review / demo Richard , thank you. Thanks for the no nonsense playing . A real world demo of how most people would play such a guitar. Thank you! 🌌🌠🌅👍
Very bell-like tone, and very balanced.
The way they worked the pick guard into the finish is wonderful.
Agree. Nice style and design. Subtle.
Very similar model, the Guild DS-240, first shown at NAMM 2019.
@Philip Deppen They both have six strings.
Great video and yet another peach of a guitar from Eastman. Prefer the rosewood myself but I have a few mahogany guitars which I do enjoy playing. I also prefer a satin neck. For me personally I find it an easier play than full gloss.
What does the neck profile feel like? Been trying to get my hands on one but nothing at the shops near me. I am used to the chunkiness of a 50s J45, would it be similar to that? Just as reference, Taylor necks are too slim for me so if it’s like a Taylor neck then I guess not for me.
Neck is very comfortable full C shape, but not as thick as a 50s neck. I prefer a chunkier neck myself, but this neck plays exceptionally well. The satin finish is nice as well.
I ordered an AC422CE without having played one (classic mistake). I feel the same way about the overtones. Wish I had ordered a mahogany model. Miss the woody midrange.
Give it time. The mid range kicks in and then you have the best of the best.
Richard . D28 .E20D .Im Looking at one or another . is the E20D
everything that a D28 is or damn Close ?
Very different guitars due to different scale length and body shape. E20 is like a cross between a J45 and a D28, with the emphasis on J45.
Amazing guitar, I am not sure on whether I would prefer rosewood or mahogany. The only thing about the Eastman E10SS or E20SS (the vintage versión is a stunner) is the nut width, 1 11/16 is a bit too narrow for finger picking, it would be great, and more "vintage-ish", to have a choice for a 1 3/4. And now we are wishing, imagine it with a slotted headstock... Christmas anyone? Thanks for the video as always
It's a shame Eastman doesn't make the slopes with a little wider nut.
That is a beautiful cannon of a guitar
Great video!
All hail The Slope Shoulder Dreadnought masterrace, the most graceful guitar body shape to ever exist!
A weird question but why is the bridge upside down ? I'm assuming,in my ignorance, there must be a reason ?
HAHA!!!! You know - I have absolutely no idea!!! It is however an authentic design shall we say!!! You are right - there must be a story behind it and its a characteristic of this design of guitar through history. Personally I don't believe there is any technical benefits - just a design asthetic. I have never considered as being upside down ever before! I will now! ha ha
I was just about to ask the same question.
It’s the way Gibson did it.
According to Frank Ford (all credit to Frets.com - the guitar site par excellence by Frank Ford):
In about 1930, shortly after steel strings had become standard, Martin designed a new bridge to handle the high tension. The belly bridge is about 1-1/2 inches wide at the center, while the older rectangular "pyramid" bridges were only one inch wide. We now call this modern bridge the "belly bridge" because of the bulging area behind the bridge pins:
Notice the large gluing surface behind the bridge pins. This gives a lot of extra strength to hold the bridge in place, and adds to the stability of the guitar top in general.
Not to be left out, Gibson redesigned their bridges on several models, and came up with this variant:
The "reverse belly" bridge has the entire row of bridge pins right at the back edge, allowing almost no gluing surface where it is needed most! So they use a couple of small bolts, hidden under the pearl inlay dots directly in line with the bridge pins. Even with the bolts, these bridges are not nearly as stable as the Martin design.
It's a"reverse belly bridge". The reason for it is that it allows more area of the lower bout to vibrate.
Eastwood or Furch. What should I pick?
I own both and they are just as good. Price-wise, Eastwood is slightly cheaper. Go for either; you'll like them both
Ok, I'll start the process 😃
@@skjelstad777 Sorry. Did you mean Eastwood or Eastman? I have the latter (E10SS and E6OM) . Not sure about Eastwood but I meant Eastman.
That's a beautiful guitar! As you say, it really chimes. Your customer is in for a treat.
Has anyone got there hands on a E1SS-ltd? Richard what do you think of the Sapele back and sides on the E1SS-ltd?
the E20SS doesnt have a fretboard support under the soundboard. In 2 years time it ll have a hump at the 14th fret
Its that true?I am gonna get one myself,if ture then no.
@@peterfan9054 im not sure anymore, looks the same as j45. Is different than Martin. Check it out very well, their quality control is not that good.
@@Charlie-hp2oh I heard something about the quality control,the factory in Beijing did that no good at beginning,but how about now?
@@peterfan9054 it was a guitar from 2016, looked like someone spilled coffee in it {glue stains) The 12-string from 2018, nutwidth actually wider than the specs on the website. Both had no pickguard....maybe those without pickguard are B-models ?
@@Charlie-hp2oh e20ss from 2016 without sound picker,maybe the 2020 new e20ss maybe better.
Sounds nice, is the sound only being recorded via your phone too?
❤
Are you sure the tight jaw wasn’t caused by Gibson or G&L?
I do like the look of that!! 😍😜.... can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
Congratulations...sounds like it’s yours 😀
It’s now with me. Plays every bit as sweet as it looks.
It’s a nice guitar style, great finger picker too (eg Ralph McTell) and I agree, mahogany back & sides suits that style. Also look out for the 12 fret to the body type (don’t know if Eastman do one) which has some real bass wallop. I think the Martin style body is ugly but these are more elegant to my eye. Nice to have options.
its bryan calen
CHEESE AND RICE THIS GUY IS SCATTER BRAINED..I bet he is fun to hang out at the pub with.lol
In my opinion the J45/50 is the greatest guitar body shape ever.....these Eastmans are very nice from what I've seen on video....unfortunately there is nowhere within hundreds of miles from me to even try one.....they look and sound amazing.......I do own aJ35 Gibson which I will never sell.....
In my experience Eastman QC needs serious improvement. Reading reviews and watching video reviews, I believed that I could order online and expect to receive a good quality guitar. When my E20SS arrived, on initial inspection, I found a 75mm x 35mm area on the lower bout where the buffing mop had obviously cut through the top layer of lacquer, leaving an orange peel surface and an oval edge. The rosewood on the back and sides also had large black knots in it and the grain colouring was broad and unevenly patterned. Luckily I bought from a reputable store, who very quickly exchanged the guitar. The replacement was very different. The finish was near perfect and the rosewood had lovely straight grain and no knots.
The first one looked like a low end quality, the second looked much better and more the quality I expected. If you are expecting a Gibson or Martin at half price, think again.
If you want to buy an Eastman go to a store to see and play the guitar you are buying.
Just let me correct you there. Your experience sounds (and trust me - based on thousands of guitars sold - and being the largest UK dealer of Eastman I have a great sense of perspective on this) very much an unfortunate and isolated issue. Its really important to remember that your experience is very much yours - and unique to yourself. It isnt in any way an indicator that Eastman have terrible quality control and quality is massively variable. So - just to reassure you and anyone reading - your experience is incredibly rare which I can prove based on a tiny returns rate in our quality control.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Yes, just my experience, but thats all I have to go on. The second guitar wasn't perfect either, with minor defects in the pickguard and a small lacquer run on the neck, but much better than the first. I have many other guitars, mostly all solid wood, and some were not as costly as the Eastman but better quality. I also build my own acoustics. so I know what I am looking at. For the price, in my experience, they need to improve.
@@tokairic3925 To suggest you have cheaper guitars that are better quality is frankly a joke. Sorry. 25 years selling guitars with well over 50,000 sold in that time. There are no better quality guitars at a cheaper price than Eastman. Will you find quality issues with all guitars ? Of course. If you build your own guitars then you should be #1 in the queue to understand the relevance of Eastman in the market. They are frankly astonishing - beyond belief. This doesnt in any way undermine your observations and I believe them to be true - but your conclusions are incorrect - and I dont believe that your cheaper guitars are better quality. Sorry to sound defensive but I have to defend what I know as fact.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Faith Venus Hi Gloss, Faith Neptune Blood Moon, Faith Jupiter Hi Gloss. All delivered in faultless condition, all solid wood, all play beautifully - no joke.
@@tokairic3925 As possibly the largest independent supplier of Faith guitars in the UK I am really quite well versed on Faith guitars. Indeed they play beautifully and very well finished. Eastman is a genuine major step up
firestripe
Firestripe!
Ding ding ding ! You win a laurel and hardy hand-shake.
First!
Talk less.
a doozy - why do people even consider buying overpriced, shoddily banged together crap made in Nashville
I wouldn't go that far ...
@@nickszentkuti5552 I wouldn't go that far either - but overpriced is right.
@@tokairic3925 Overpriced I agree, but I guess American Labor isn't cheap either.
So pall mall
😊
Too many Grand auditorium cut aways on the market place in my opinion.