NGD - Eastman AC620CE

[lancejt]

Just showed up yesterday. Feels great and sounds good too. I'm amazed at the value in this guitar. Still trying to decide if the dreadnought is the way to go. Guess I have a few more days to decide.

[FenderNashville]

I'll start...

Eastman guitars sound pretty good for being Chinese-built instruments. They're the only company that I would ever give a slight consideration for.

But I must post the rationale: If you're paying over $1,000 for that instrument (guessing), shouldn't you search around a bit for a used or even a new American instrument? I played on a new $1,100 Martin and Taylor in Guitar Center, and it was pretty dang nice sounding and sounded better than its price, and I'm pretty sure that it would best all of the Eastmans that I've played on...

Not to bag Eastman. They are quality instruments. But why not go for US at the same price?

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by FenderNashville

I'll start...

Eastman guitars sound pretty good for being Chinese-built instruments. They're the only company that I would ever give a slight consideration for.

But I must post the rationale: If you're paying over $1,000 for that instrument (guessing), shouldn't you search around a bit for a used or even a new American instrument? I played on a new $1,100 Martin and Taylor in Guitar Center, and it was pretty dang nice sounding and sounded better than its price, and I'm pretty sure that it would best all of the Eastmans that I've played on...

Not to bag Eastman. They are quality instruments. But why not go for US at the same price?

First, I don't own nor have in over fifty years of playing ever owned any offshore-made guitars but then again my "youngest" acoustic was made in 1960. And I agree about buying used when possible.

But Eastman guitars ain't made in a sweat shop or some factory that churns out birdhouses and 100 different products in addition to instruments. They are made in a real guitar factory by skilled craftsmen. Eastmans, in fact, are more built by hand than certainly Taylors. About the only complaint I have ever heard voiced about Eastman had to do with the fairly thick poly finish that they are covered in. Yet, those guys I know who own then don't have anything but praise for how their guitars play and sound.

Also if you run across a sadly discontinued Korean-made Epiphone Bluesmaster give it a whirl. It might change your whole way of thinking about the wisdom of choosing a bottom of the food chain US-made guitar over an import. This sucker will give something ike a Gibson Blues King a heck of a run for its money.

[FenderNashville]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

First, I don't own nor have in over fifty years of playing ever owned any offshore-made guitars but then again my "youngest" acoustic was made in 1960. And I agree about buying used when possible.

But Eastman guitars ain't made in a sweat shop or some factory that churns out birdhouses and 100 different products in addition to instruments. They are made in a real guitar factory by skilled craftsmen. Eastmans, in fact, are more built by hand than certainly Taylors. About the only complaint I have ever heard voiced about Eastman had to do with the fairly thick poly finish that they are covered in. Yet, those guys I know who own then don't have anything but praise for how their guitars play and sound.

Also if you run across a sadly discontinued Korean-made Epiphone Bluesmaster give it a whirl. It might change your whole way of thinking about the wisdom of choosing a bottom of the food chain US-made guitar over an import. This sucker will give something ike a Gibson Blues King a heck of a run for its money.

I don't disagree with you, nor do I think you are disagreeing with me. I agree with everything you just said.

The bottom of the barrel US acoustics can be inferior to a quality off-shore instrument, indeed. Then again, I've played on some $600 Taylors that I've been very impressed with, and I'd say they would be more than a "beginner's instrument."

The OP's guitar is a $1,500 guitar. To the OP: if you think the guitar is bliss to your ears, than congratulations--be happy. But in my honest opinion, you can spend that $1500 on a quality Guild, Martin, or Taylor that in my ears, would be better all around than the Eastman. If you take the $1,500 you spent to the used market, you would probably end up with a legendary instrument with some considerable looking.

Again, not to say Eastman is a bad company. They have quality luthiers as zombywoof states. But I've never played on an Eastman that I thought could beat a high-range, or even a high-mid range Taylor, Martin, or Guild. They have a great sound, but they also sound very light to my ears, almost like they are lacking a bit in depth. The problem with Eastman is that they demand as much as a Martin or a Taylor. If they nixed their prices, they would be a serious alternative.

[Sean65]

Interesting points, but I was under the impression that for every $1000 you spend on an Eastman you'd have to spend double that on a USA made guitar of similar quality.

I'm trying to get my hands on the Eastman E10OM but there are none in London so I'll just have to buy one online and decide if I keep it or not. That guitar would cost me £870 new. There won't be many Martins, Guilds or Taylors in that price range new or second hand.

[lancejt]

Originally Posted by Sean65

Interesting points, but I was under the impression that for every $1000 you spend on an Eastman you'd have to spend double that on a USA made guitar of similar quality.

I'm trying to get my hands on the Eastman E10OM but there are none in London so I'll just have to buy one online and decide if I keep it or not. That guitar would cost me £870 new. There won't be many Martins, Guilds or Taylors in that price range new or second hand.

This is the truth. Also, I got this one for under 1k.

It is great and while I do like a good Taylor, I can not get near this quality for the price with them.

Also, I forgot this was the internet. Post picture of a new guitar that I'm excited about. First response is, "should have bought something more expensive".

[Sean65]

Originally Posted by lancejt

Also, I forgot this was the internet. Post picture of a new guitar that I'm excited about. First response is, "should have bought something more expensive".

Yes, talk about pi55ing on your strawberries. Never mind.

I think we always feel more comfortable buying what we know but to buy in to the unknown often takes a leap of faith.

I'd prefer to have Martin & Co written on the headstock but I'd rather buy something like an Eastman than a low end Martin or Taylor.

Every now and then Chinese manufacturers have to push the boundaries with certain products in order to raise expectation. It all happened in Japan before.

Have you decided to keep the guitar?

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by FenderNashville

But in my honest opinion, you can spend that $1500 on a quality Guild, Martin, or Taylor that in my ears, would be better all around than the Eastman. If you take the $1,500 you spent to the used market, you would probably end up with a legendary instrument with some considerable looking.

We are in total agreement Bro. And if I was running around with $1500 loose change in my pocket I would be heading straight for the little local store that has an early Westerly-made Guild hanging on the wall and walk out with not only the guitar but quite a bit of leftover money.

But that is me.

There are only two kinda guitars out there - those that make you smile and those that don't. I can pretty much guarantee that you and others after playing some of my guitars would be thinking that boy must be on puppy chow. I know that an old Oscar Schmidt-made Stella concert or 1940s script logo Gibson ain't everybody's cup of tea. But they work real well for me. I love 'em all. On the other hand, I have never played a Taylor that I would take home.

[lancejt]

Yeah I am keeping it. I took it over to a friends house to a/b the feel and sound against his collection (various Taylors, guilds, martins and gibsons)

After going through an 814,614,d-55 and plenty of others I feel even better about my purchase. The comfort of playing this guitar rivaled any of the guitars I picked up. The sound varied as I went through different wood/body style comparisons. But at the end of the day I was happy with the sound of mine. Not necessarily better/worse than the others I tried out. Just different.

If I had put more cash into it I would be worried about taking it out of the house to play but as it is I just don't have that concern.

[rjes]

Originally Posted by lancejt

Yeah I am keeping it. I took it over to a friends house to a/b the feel and sound against his collection (various Taylors, guilds, martins and gibsons)

After going through an 814,614,d-55 and plenty of others I feel even better about my purchase. The comfort of playing this guitar rivaled any of the guitars I picked up. The sound varied as I went through different wood/body style comparisons. But at the end of the day I was happy with the sound of mine. Not necessarily better/worse than the others I tried out. Just different.

If I had put more cash into it I would be worried about taking it out of the house to play but as it is I just don't have that concern.

Congrats on your lovely guitar....... it s beautiful....some of the people I know keep saying buy Canadian or American guitars...etc.... and some of them are driving around in foreign cars....go figure

[Sean65]

Originally Posted by lancejt

Yeah I am keeping it. I took it over to a friends house to a/b the feel and sound against his collection (various Taylors, guilds, martins and gibsons)

After going through an 814,614,d-55 and plenty of others I feel even better about my purchase. The comfort of playing this guitar rivaled any of the guitars I picked up. The sound varied as I went through different wood/body style comparisons. But at the end of the day I was happy with the sound of mine. Not necessarily better/worse than the others I tried out. Just different.

If I had put more cash into it I would be worried about taking it out of the house to play but as it is I just don't have that concern.

Good news, glad to hear it. At the end of the day it's all about YOUR eyes, ears and wallet.

I've eventually found a dealer with the E10OM so I'll go along tomorrow and have a play. Looking forward to it.

[Reverbely]

Great looking guitar. Love the back. If your happy with it that's what matters. If the dread is to big maybe more of a concert size. I like it

[Sean65]

I had the chance to try out the E10OM and E20OM today and I really enjoyed them. I was was expecting to prefer the E10 because of the mahogany but having played the rosewood E20 I'm not so sure which one I prefer. The E20 seemed to have a bit more going on and just felt a little tidier.

I'll mull over it but I may well pick up the E20 next week. It sounded great and the playability was just great. The 25" scale helped.

I even got to try the E20P parlour guitar which had a surprising amount of punch.

Nice guitars. I bet that dread you bought has some power to it!

[straightface]

Congrats on the new guitar man! I've heard lots of good things about them.

[teleamp]

Nice guitar, I've been wanting to try an Eastman OM model.