After 2 years I've been on quite a ride with guitars. I've owned 3 Martins - OOO-18 standard, a '94 J40, and a OOO15-M. They all had things about them that didn't work for me - chiefly the fretboard radius. I prefer a smaller radius. I'm back to owning 3 Eastmans! Just picked up this E20OM-TC today. I compared to it the Martin OM28 hanging next to it and the Eastman was more comfortable to me and had a lot more life to it all around. I also have an E6D-TC. It's just a killer guitar! Those cooked tops definitely improve the sound a LOT. If you're in the market you owe it to yourself to check Eastmans out. The higher end models are quite spectacular for any money. I'm very over what's printed on a headstock.
I own a Martin 00015 and Takamine Ef340 stt and love them both, but in this match up clarity on all strings with full lower end, Eastman takes it no contest -sustain is just cherry on top. Both are awesome guitars; if you own/getting either brand just be thankful as many people aren’t blessed to own this caliber of guitars. Peace to all who appreciate a good guitar and joy it brings to your life.
I appreciate all of your guitar comparisons! I own the Eastman E20OM TC, but actually liked the mellower tone of the Martin. The Eastman is definitely brighter and more articulate. Yet, I think that some simple EQ adjustments in the mix (if recording) could make either guitar sound just like the other.
Martin OM 28 sounds fuller bass yet clearer top end as well. Eastman E20OM-TC puts up a good competition though especially with arguably better top end. At least thats what I'm hearing on MAudio BX8 studio monitors
Thanks for the great comparison! To my ear the Eastman sounds much better. I think that to get a similar sound in a Martin, you have to go custom shop (authentic series) and spend double the price of the standard OM-28 (or 000-28, which has the same scale length as the Eastman E20OM).
Amazing video, i think the Eastman sounds fuller, compare the part in 4:35 with the Martin, the Eastman has more overtones and sounds less stringy. It must be due to the torrefied top, i doubt eastman uses better wood than Martin or Martin lacks expertish, they invented all, but costs are different.
Love them both - I have an Eastman budget and I'm really happy they exist!! Currently own the E10OM SB and the E10Oss ltd - both killer guitars with very different voices.
@@RazvanFilipCipca Not really. Both Eastmans totalled 1800.00. Real Martins start at around 2300.00 and the Eastmans give them a serious run for the money. I do love Martins when you can find a good one. I'm sure I'll pounce some day when all the right factors line up. For now I'm a content player with two wonderful acoustic guitars. Be well.
To my ears, Martin's typically have a muddy tone and lack clarity. I play a Larrivee dreadnought but I'm seriously considering an Eastman OM after watching this video! Thanks for sharing!
Nuances in tone are hard to categorize and harder to verbalize. But the Martin won on sustain and overtones within that sustain. I was hoping for the Eastman.
Great!! Is Eastman shape bigger isn't it? Eastman tone is louder and more resonant. I wanna try Eastman guitars but only a few stocks in my area. My OM-28 is quite resonant. It's important which strings are used.
What about the strings, do they have same set of strings, gauge, model and brand? In this video Martin sounds mature and sophisticated comparing to Eastman, I'd go for the Martin if had that much money to spend on a guitar.
Prefer the Eastman, at least on strumming. The Martin's bass is a bit muddy on the C chord. The Martin's top isn't Adi, though, is it? I have a 2013 OM-21. Other than the herringbone, are there any other differences? The torrified Eastmans aren't exactly cheap, either.
@@ianmeadows6351 herringbone vs faux turtle binding. Snowflake inlays vs dots. Maybe a couple of other cosmetic differences, but it's the same guitar, more or less. I enjoy your vids. I'm trying to keep my GAS down to the E10-OM I just bought. Eastman makes it difficult.
@@ianmeadows6351 Plus the OM is long scale vs the short scale eastman. I'm still waiting for a 000-28 vs E20omTC showdown ;) Better yet a custom 000-28 adirondack vs e20om-tc
Amazing that even with it’s shorter scale length the Eastman seems punchier. Not to mention half the price. If someone offered me either one for free, I’d probably take the Martin, but if I were paying, I’m not sure.
I would agree w Angel. Eastman owns it. If I had any question about Eastman it might be the Martin Bass seems a bit bigger or more rounded. But in all my side to sides with the TCs of both Eastman and Recording king compared to new Martin Sitka top mid range models: the Martins don’t fare well if you close your eyes and ignore the logo. These tops blow regular Sitka off the wall. And if someone compare a 25 year old Martin to the brand new Eastman it’s not fair either. These TC models only get better with age and they do it much faster than a normal top guitar. Martin is putting torrified tops on their top of the line Authentics now for a reason..... look up VTS system.
After 2 years I've been on quite a ride with guitars. I've owned 3 Martins - OOO-18 standard, a '94 J40, and a OOO15-M. They all had things about them that didn't work for me - chiefly the fretboard radius. I prefer a smaller radius. I'm back to owning 3 Eastmans! Just picked up this E20OM-TC today. I compared to it the Martin OM28 hanging next to it and the Eastman was more comfortable to me and had a lot more life to it all around. I also have an E6D-TC. It's just a killer guitar! Those cooked tops definitely improve the sound a LOT. If you're in the market you owe it to yourself to check Eastmans out. The higher end models are quite spectacular for any money. I'm very over what's printed on a headstock.
Amen. 12” radius for the win!
I own a Martin 00015 and Takamine Ef340 stt and love them both, but in this match up clarity on all strings with full lower end, Eastman takes it no contest -sustain is just cherry on top. Both are awesome guitars; if you own/getting either brand just be thankful as many people aren’t blessed to own this caliber of guitars. Peace to all who appreciate a good guitar and joy it brings to your life.
0:01 Martin chords
3:19 Eastman chords
fingerpicking
2:34
6:25
I appreciate all of your guitar comparisons! I own the Eastman E20OM TC, but actually liked the mellower tone of the Martin. The Eastman is definitely brighter and more articulate. Yet, I think that some simple EQ adjustments in the mix (if recording) could make either guitar sound just like the other.
Martin OM 28 sounds fuller bass yet clearer top end as well.
Eastman E20OM-TC puts up a good competition though especially with arguably better top end. At least thats what I'm hearing on MAudio BX8 studio monitors
Thanks for the great comparison! To my ear the Eastman sounds much better. I think that to get a similar sound in a Martin, you have to go custom shop (authentic series) and spend double the price of the standard OM-28 (or 000-28, which has the same scale length as the Eastman E20OM).
Great comparison. Tonal differences are subtle but clear. I would be happy with either of them!
ABsolutely Frederik!
I've been a Martin guy for years. but in this comparison video, I'd go with the Eastman. more clarity, deep lows and crispy highs.
Excellent work , you bring out the best sounds in all your playing/reviews. Please do not stop.
Thanks for the kind words Jim.
Amazing video, i think the Eastman sounds fuller, compare the part in 4:35 with the Martin, the Eastman has more overtones and sounds less stringy. It must be due to the torrefied top, i doubt eastman uses better wood than Martin or Martin lacks expertish, they invented all, but costs are different.
Love them both - I have an Eastman budget and I'm really happy they exist!! Currently own the E10OM SB and the E10Oss ltd - both killer guitars with very different voices.
well if you didn't buy two eastmans you would've had a martin budget
@@RazvanFilipCipca Not really. Both Eastmans totalled 1800.00. Real Martins start at around 2300.00 and the Eastmans give them a serious run for the money. I do love Martins when you can find a good one. I'm sure I'll pounce some day when all the right factors line up. For now I'm a content player with two wonderful acoustic guitars. Be well.
To my ears, Martin's typically have a muddy tone and lack clarity. I play a Larrivee dreadnought but I'm seriously considering an Eastman OM after watching this video! Thanks for sharing!
Eastman Guitars are extremely high value.
Nuances in tone are hard to categorize and harder to verbalize. But the Martin won on sustain and overtones within that sustain. I was hoping for the Eastman.
For the difference in the price, I'd take the Eastman
Great!! Is Eastman shape bigger isn't it? Eastman tone is louder and more resonant. I wanna try Eastman guitars but only a few stocks in my area. My OM-28 is quite resonant. It's important which strings are used.
Actually prefer the Eastman. Wow. It sounds wonderful.
What about the strings, do they have same set of strings, gauge, model and brand? In this video Martin sounds mature and sophisticated comparing to Eastman, I'd go for the Martin if had that much money to spend on a guitar.
Martin very balanced/pleasant tone. Eastman too punchy (mid forward) - maybe but it seems much louder which may be the impression I’m getting.
Prefer the Eastman, at least on strumming. The Martin's bass is a bit muddy on the C chord. The Martin's top isn't Adi, though, is it? I have a 2013 OM-21. Other than the herringbone, are there any other differences? The torrified Eastmans aren't exactly cheap, either.
The Martin actually has a Sitka top! Other then that, they're pretty close.
@@ianmeadows6351 herringbone vs faux turtle binding. Snowflake inlays vs dots. Maybe a couple of other cosmetic differences, but it's the same guitar, more or less. I enjoy your vids. I'm trying to keep my GAS down to the E10-OM I just bought. Eastman makes it difficult.
@@ianmeadows6351 Plus the OM is long scale vs the short scale eastman. I'm still waiting for a 000-28 vs E20omTC showdown ;) Better yet a custom 000-28 adirondack vs e20om-tc
@@jmdbb Sitka vs Adirondack tops
Amazing that even with it’s shorter scale length the Eastman seems punchier. Not to mention half the price. If someone offered me either one for free, I’d probably take the Martin, but if I were paying, I’m not sure.
Gotta say those two guitars are about even.
Wow, the Eastman!
Martin for me but the eastman is not bad at all. Just shows how eastman can compete with the best without breaking the bank.
thanks for the video! Could you share your thoughts on the Eastman neck compared to the Martin PT MLO?
OM-28 has a bit more bass, Eastman has more clarity overall and brighter in the treble
The Martin sounds great across all strings,the eastman sounds good in the trebles but not good in the bass.
Martin all day long and by a mile. I suspect that the Martin OM sound is as good as it gets. The Eastman is tinny in comparison.
actually the eastman sounds more balance and crisp.
I would agree w Angel. Eastman owns it. If I had any question about Eastman it might be the Martin Bass seems a bit bigger or more rounded. But in all my side to sides with the TCs of both Eastman and Recording king compared to new Martin Sitka top mid range models: the Martins don’t fare well if you close your eyes and ignore the logo. These tops blow regular Sitka off the wall. And if someone compare a 25 year old Martin to the brand new Eastman it’s not fair either. These TC models only get better with age and they do it much faster than a normal top guitar. Martin is putting torrified tops on their top of the line Authentics now for a reason..... look up VTS system.
eastman is bright and more foward
People who have the Martin I’ve herd say it’s too loud and gets muddy if you strum too hard. I guess it depends on your style and why you want it for.