Thank you for your videos. Having owned about 20 different Martins over the years, plus Gibson, Yamaha, Eastman models , and others, I think the Eastman compares very favorably to MARTIN in looks, but is heavier and lacks the projection and ultimate clarify Martin gives. But… I have an OM body Eastman with a light finish and ovangkol back that does project very well and I really enjoy the sound. For the money, I prefer Eastman to Yamaha or the Gibson Inspired Epiphones, but they each fill a price point/value range. Martin is still my favorite over all others including Gibson and Taylor, but if I had unlimited resources AND room, for the money, I’d have a few Eastmans in there too. I really like their L00 style copies. Thank you , and stay warm.
One important detail that wasn’t mentioned is that the Martin d18 comes standard with medium 13-56 gauge strings while the Eastman comes setup with light 12-53 gauge strings. Not saying that would make the Eastman equal in volume or bottom end, but it would at least be closer.
Most of the difference I hear in demos of Eastman vs Martin is the difference in Martin and D’Addario strings, especially after putting each of the stock strings on my guitars. The Martin strings are much more mellow and lower midrange focused than the d’addarios, which have a much brignter attack.
I got the ed6tt with Swiss alpine spruce and after installing a better quality bone saddle with a tighter fit it became a different guitar. Louder and fuller and honestly sounds as is better than any d18 I ever played. It’s just as full sounding as a Martin but with more articulation with a more punchy alive tone. Sustain for days now as well.
The Eastman costs just a lttle more than 1/3 of what the D-18 costs. Eastmans are a great value, but hey are not the same as their Martin or Taylor counterparts. I have three accoustic guitars; a Martin, a Taylor and an Eastman. I enjoy playing all of them for different reasons.
I have always wanted to love and own Martins. I just cannot justify the price tag. Eastman has become my main players. Also I don’t have to go into debt to own them.
Had them all. Martin, Gibson, Bourgeois, Guild, Huss and Dalton, Eastman, Lowden, Larivee, Gallagher, and some I can't even remember. But the Collings D1A I owned was by far the best. Eastman was a good buy for the money. A Martin D35 from the early 90's was also a great guitar.
No Acoustics of any kind, guitar or mandolin. A few electrics, bass, and drums. After the whole covid lock down bullshit, I no longer cared to play Bluegrass with other people and walked away.
Hey I really appreciated you a to b’ing with the big dog, the D18!! The Martin did jump out to my ears with more punch and volume. I do notice the Eastmans are heavy. That Easty should open up though. But that Martin did not sound tight like a lot of new Martin’s I have played in the shops.
I was listening to this with headphones and the volume up and I was thinking that Eastman sounded pretty good but when he strummed that D18 I was shook lol
poor man's D-18, I'll take the real thing.... BTW, what's that on his shirt!? looks like my hometown of Milwaukee, but can't make out what's on the headstock 🤷🏻♂️
So you verbally compare Eastman to Yamaha but physically compare to the Martin? The difference was dramatic for sure. I bet the difference between a Yamaha and all wood Eastman would be equally dramatic. I've owned a number of each brand and believe that Eastman resides more towards the Martin end of the tonal spectrum. I love my Eastman dreadnoughts balance but congratulations, your Eastman review just convinced me my next guitar will be a Martin D-18.
Just listening to the Eastman and the Martin, there is no comparison between them. The Martin blows the Eastman out of the water. I found the Eastman unimpressive at best. I thought the purpose of curing the top was to bring out the bling and not have to wait until the instrument ages. A dealer I work with also says he was disappointed with the Eastman TC instruments. This didn't happen here. I used to own and Eastman double top OM. I was told that the double top was more expensive, but louder. Well, that didn't happen either. I wonder if it is the weight of the instrument mentioned in this review. Eastman may have to build these instruments heavier and with more finish on them to compensate to the worldwide places they sell them. I have no problem with Eastman. I've owned 4 of them. They just didn't speak to me. Having gone through 10 instruments in the last 5 years, I've finally found what I want. Even if it costs more, I know what I have now won't be sold in the future.
I have Martins and Eastman's and the Eastman's are more bang for buck all day long every week all year long! Most of them are close but not quite on Martins level except the higher end ones like the E20D and ESS20 and 22, now those can swap punches with Martin all night long! As for Martins, well what can you say about the greatest brand of guitars that ever existed, not much left to say. However, the D18's are out of control on price! As great as they may be, they can't hang with D28, D35 and on up yet they often cost more because of all the prewar crap that don't mean a hill of beans past the talking points! I've watched D18's become the most overrated guitar of my lifetime for whatever reason. Lets face facts, you used to buy a D18 because you couldn't afford a D28 or D35....as far as the 41, 42 and 45 we won't even go there because they are out of most peoples range. I don't walk away from this vid asking why is the Eastman falling short, my take on it is why is the Martin D18 falling so short? I mean clearly if you watch this video without bias where is the $3000 difference in these two guitars, its certainly not sound quality or playability! No, its Status and Recognition, Martins are the JOHN DEERE of the guitar world, whether they're worth it or not you're gonna pay out the backside for them!
I ve come to the conclusion that i don't like thermocured- baked - treated - aged or whatevere else they call them tops. You may gain a little snap buy the highs and high mids get harsh and unpleasantly aggressive. And this is present to every brand if tried, eastman tc, martins vts, bourgeois , ect. I wish they abandoned this practise and let the tops age naturally.
Good luck getting a used D18 for $1300 though. The only reason a D18 falls below $2000 is bc it had major damage repaired. Trust me I follow it closely and am salty about not having enough lol
Just got an e6d tc, love mine,
Thank you for your videos. Having owned about 20 different Martins over the years, plus Gibson, Yamaha, Eastman models , and others,
I think the Eastman compares very favorably to MARTIN in looks, but is heavier and lacks the projection and ultimate clarify Martin gives. But… I have an OM body Eastman with a light finish and ovangkol back that does project very well and I really enjoy the sound. For the money, I prefer Eastman to Yamaha or the Gibson Inspired Epiphones, but they each fill a price point/value range.
Martin is still my favorite over all others including Gibson and Taylor, but if I had unlimited resources AND room, for the money, I’d have a few Eastmans in there too. I really like their L00 style copies.
Thank you , and stay warm.
One important detail that wasn’t mentioned is that the Martin d18 comes standard with medium 13-56 gauge strings while the Eastman comes setup with light 12-53 gauge strings. Not saying that would make the Eastman equal in volume or bottom end, but it would at least be closer.
Yes, that is exactly true. Nobody seems to mention that.
Most of the difference I hear in demos of Eastman vs Martin is the difference in Martin and D’Addario strings, especially after putting each of the stock strings on my guitars. The Martin strings are much more mellow and lower midrange focused than the d’addarios, which have a much brignter attack.
Thanks for your straight forward review. Really appreciate it.
"It's there (the bottom end);it's just different". I heard it that way too.
I got the ed6tt with Swiss alpine spruce and after installing a better quality bone saddle with a tighter fit it became a different guitar. Louder and fuller and honestly sounds as is better than any d18 I ever played. It’s just as full sounding as a Martin but with more articulation with a more punchy alive tone. Sustain for days now as well.
Haha shouldn't have played it next to the d18. Damn that d18 is almost twice as loud
+3 Here up North of you guys in Saskatchewan, which is actually not too bad for us
That Eastman sounds good, but I love that d18!
The d18 cancelled the Eastman- disappeared into a puff of smoke. Nope. Not for me- I'll take the Martin.
I hear you but you can pick up that Eastman for around $850 at a shop if you ask for it.
Another great and honest review of an adequate guitar. I love my D-18GE and CEO 7.
Stay warm.
The Eastman costs just a lttle more than 1/3 of what the D-18 costs. Eastmans are a great value, but hey are not the same as their Martin or Taylor counterparts. I have three accoustic guitars; a Martin, a Taylor and an Eastman. I enjoy playing all of them for different reasons.
I have always wanted to love and own Martins. I just cannot justify the price tag. Eastman has become my main players. Also I don’t have to go into debt to own them.
I'll keep playing my E6D-TC until that big X-Mas Bonus comes in to get the D-18!
Had them all. Martin, Gibson, Bourgeois, Guild, Huss and Dalton, Eastman, Lowden, Larivee, Gallagher, and some I can't even remember. But the Collings D1A I owned was by far the best. Eastman was a good buy for the money. A Martin D35 from the early 90's was also a great guitar.
So what’s currently in your collection?
No Acoustics of any kind, guitar or mandolin. A few electrics, bass, and drums. After the whole covid lock down bullshit, I no longer cared to play Bluegrass with other people and walked away.
Who knew that Quintin was jacked!
Hey I really appreciated you a to b’ing with the big dog, the D18!! The Martin did jump out to my ears with more punch and volume. I do notice the Eastmans are heavy. That Easty should open up though. But that Martin did not sound tight like a lot of new Martin’s I have played in the shops.
74 here in alabama
I was listening to this with headphones and the volume up and I was thinking that Eastman sounded pretty good but when he strummed that D18 I was shook lol
Paul is jacked.
I don't think it sounds bad, but it does sound gutless compared to that D-18, IMO>
I so agree that, it is not this, in regard to the Eastman versus the Martin. For the money the Eastman is much better. Thank you for the review.
poor man's D-18, I'll take the real thing.... BTW, what's that on his shirt!? looks like my hometown of Milwaukee, but can't make out what's on the headstock 🤷🏻♂️
ok, saw it's MGC in another video, Milwaukee Guitar Collective ✌🏻
That doesn't apply in all cases. Many of us became wealthy by being frugal throughout life.
So you verbally compare Eastman to Yamaha but physically compare to the Martin? The difference was dramatic for sure. I bet the difference between a Yamaha and all wood Eastman would be equally dramatic. I've owned a number of each brand and believe that Eastman resides more towards the Martin end of the tonal spectrum. I love my Eastman dreadnoughts balance but congratulations, your Eastman review just convinced me my next guitar will be a Martin D-18.
I take the D18 if I did not already own one. don't like heavy guitars.
Here is the difference… 3:35
I guess I’m lucky I prefer the e6 from this
Just listening to the Eastman and the Martin, there is no comparison between them. The Martin blows the Eastman out of the water. I found the Eastman unimpressive at best. I thought the purpose of curing the top was to bring out the bling and not have to wait until the instrument ages. A dealer I work with also says he was disappointed with the Eastman TC instruments. This didn't happen here. I used to own and Eastman double top OM. I was told that the double top was more expensive, but louder. Well, that didn't happen either. I wonder if it is the weight of the instrument mentioned in this review. Eastman may have to build these instruments heavier and with more finish on them to compensate to the worldwide places they sell them. I have no problem with Eastman. I've owned 4 of them. They just didn't speak to me. Having gone through 10 instruments in the last 5 years, I've finally found what I want. Even if it costs more, I know what I have now won't be sold in the future.
d18
Keep the energy down guys !,whst what do you after this watch the chrome rust on the Buick ?🤡
Take ur meds
I have Martins and Eastman's and the Eastman's are more bang for buck all day long every week all year long! Most of them are close but not quite on Martins level except the higher end ones like the E20D and ESS20 and 22, now those can swap punches with Martin all night long! As for Martins, well what can you say about the greatest brand of guitars that ever existed, not much left to say. However, the D18's are out of control on price! As great as they may be, they can't hang with D28, D35 and on up yet they often cost more because of all the prewar crap that don't mean a hill of beans past the talking points! I've watched D18's become the most overrated guitar of my lifetime for whatever reason. Lets face facts, you used to buy a D18 because you couldn't afford a D28 or D35....as far as the 41, 42 and 45 we won't even go there because they are out of most peoples range. I don't walk away from this vid asking why is the Eastman falling short, my take on it is why is the Martin D18 falling so short? I mean clearly if you watch this video without bias where is the $3000 difference in these two guitars, its certainly not sound quality or playability! No, its Status and Recognition, Martins are the JOHN DEERE of the guitar world, whether they're worth it or not you're gonna pay out the backside for them!
I ve come to the conclusion that i don't like thermocured- baked - treated - aged or whatevere else they call them tops. You may gain a little snap buy the highs and high mids get harsh and unpleasantly aggressive. And this is present to every brand if tried, eastman tc, martins vts, bourgeois , ect. I wish they abandoned this practise and let the tops age naturally.
You get what you pay for.
I’d say it’s better to buy a used Martin than a new Eastman
Another Martin elitist.
For all the talk and hub bub on Eastman, I just don’t hear it. The dreads are very shallow sounding in my opinion.
@@truthof7382 get hearing aids
Good luck getting a used D18 for $1300 though. The only reason a D18 falls below $2000 is bc it had major damage repaired. Trust me I follow it closely and am salty about not having enough lol
@@trevor6358 saving up another grand for a better sound and a guitar you intend to keep forever is worth the extra cost.
Eastman overpriced!
TYMA > Eastman
Tyma wins!