I think a simple classic design is the way to go. I could imagine keeping an instrument like that for the rest of my days and it just looking better and better all the time . I have an Eastman mandolin and its a make I trust for quality .. Great review
Ah nice to see. I purchased this over the summer after watching your previous review of the smaller model and am in love with it. After every song I caress it, flip it around caress it some more. I love how the wood grain pattern seems to move and shimmer in the light
What a lovely instrument. The only problem I'm finding with watching your reviews is that I seem to want to buy all the really good ones....like this one.
What a beauty Baz both in looks and sound...so envious that you've got one. I was looking at the Eastman or Forest Tenor but think I've made me mind up...thanks as ever..:)
@@GotAUkulele ...hey Baz...a couple of quick questions....is it light enough to hold without fitting strap buttons and what do you recommend if played on stage to amp the sound up?
@@EagleUkes Hard to say on the holding front - as something very personal. I can personally stand and hold it without a strap, but that doesn't mean that everyone can. Fitting strap buttons is a doddle though. To amp the sound up you have a few choices... 1. Fit a pickup strip under the saddle (worry free, but needs some work on EQ to get rid of artificial sound), 2. Fit a spot transducer inside (or on the outside) or small mic pickup inside - more natural sounding, but can pick up every movement you make. 3 Play into a microphone!
@@GotAUkulele ..thanks so much Baz...I have fitted strap buttons to many ukes but would hate to possibly spoil the looks of this beautiful instrument.....playing into a mic is probably the best option though I do tend to move about a bit at gigs..:) Maybe using a condenser mic would solve that problem....I'd love that uke but not got the cash yet, I'm retired now and just got my car through its MOT...ouch!!...I'll save my pennies up and probably get one next year sometime....I definitely have UAS as my collection is 5 soprano's, 2 concerts, 2 tenors, 1 Baritone and 2 banjo ukes ( a George Formby Dallas B and a 1920's Savannah with engraved Chrome resonator ). Mind..I've been thinking of selling my Savannah banjo uke so might get the cash that way.....don't hold onto it for me though...I'm sure It'll find a worthy home....:)
Another beaut! I hope there are a few less-good models coming soon - I really love your reviews when a manufacturer let's itself down with a less than exciting offering.
A very nice instrument. Looks classy and sounds great. BTW, only just came across your podcast with Alex, Barry. Congrats on a very enjoyable watch. I'd often wondered where your slightly quirky channel name came from. :)
I keep bouncing back to your review of the Eastman EU3 series. Sadly, they've discontinued it by now. Knowing how many ukuleles you've reviewed, I wonder if you know of something with a similar sound (looks don't matter as much to me, although I'm not a huge fan of "bling"). My hunch would be Millar or Ohana, but it's really hard to judge through videos :) Would be very curious to read your thoughts. Thanks!
That might be the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen. I worry that your notoriety means brands preferentially send you the prettiest specimens. Thoughts?
@@GotAUkulele cool. I think I will roll the dice! ONE store has it and it's 620 cad (361 pounds) right now. Perhaps I can justify it through Christmas magic? 🎄⛄ Thanks for the hard work, been watching/reading a lot of your reviews recently.
I ended up getting it and I must say it's even nicer looking and feeling than I dared to hope - just as good as the one you showed. I am unworthy of such an instrument! But hopefully that will change :)
Great review as always! Time to decide ....I know its been along time since you reviewed the Martin T1k but if you could have just one which would it be (Eu3T or T1k) and why??
I will venture to say that it is not genuine mahogany, but another African wood not that closely related : Sapele (even if it is part of the same generic family). The longitudinal stripes are quite characteristic of quartersawn Sapele (and you do not find them on genuine mahogany). As it is brown, some brands use it in replacement of mahogany. And Sapele is supposed to be a little denser than mahogany (which might explain might it is brighter than a real mahogany ukulele). I actually think that Sapele is a better looking wood. And in that case, it seems to be sound really nicely, so who cares if it is not mahogany.
Considering Eastman make some stunning looking mahogany guitars too and are renowned for it, I very much doubt they would claim this is something it is not. The longitudinal stripes are also characteristic of fiddleback mahogany. Widely used by guitar makers.
@@GotAUkulele It is hard to tell for sure, but nowadays a lot of well-known brands do exactly that, even Martin for some of their USA made guitars : go have a look at it on Martin's website, if you look at some guitars from the 15 series - which are historically made of real mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, or mahogany from the American continent) - in the specs that are only listed as "mahogany", then go to the page of a higher-end mahogany Martin let say a "Martin 00-17 Authentic 1931", it will be presented in the specs as "genuine mahogany". Since around the 2010s, Martin for its lower end mahogany models is alternatively using genuine mahogany, sometimes Sipo, sometimes sapele, sometimes khaya (African mahogany, sometimes considered by some as genuine mahogany, close enough but it is not the same scientific name) it is easier for them due to the scarcity of genuine mahogany to have the flexibility to switch woods on their production line without too much hassle. Martin even mixes genuine mahogany and Sipo on the same guitar sometimes, genuine mahogany for the top and Sipo for the back and side and call it "mahogany" without any differentiation. In any case I do not really care for all this marketing speak, and I think a guitar or a uke can sound good with all the woods ^^.
Hi Barry, I have one of these in concert size and I love it. Do you have any idea why Eastman stopped making ukuleles? Such a shame! They are the best sounding and playing uke at that price point that I’ve ever experienced by a pretty wide margin.
@@GotAUkulele I asked this question to Alex at the southern ukulele store. To paraphrase him: they had quality control issues with the nitrocellulose finish and weren’t selling them for enough to warrant repairs or discounted sales, were a bit underpriced, and Eastman makes more on guitars so they decided to focus on that instead. As you said, a crying shame!
@@UkeWithSmitty That's interesting and partly understandable, but equally think if true - that's people not getting Nitro finishes. Nitro is simply not as resilient, but it's a far better option for any instrument. I remember seeing newbie guitar players with much money but little experience dissing Gibson acoustic guitars for 'wearing' and therefore not being any good. Gibson fans know that this very finish is a positive thing not a negative, and an instrument staying in showroom condition is not a thing to covet. The modern uke market is much more immature and I suspect there will be many who will not get spending hundreds on an instrument with a finish that may age. Age in a good way - but they don't realise it. Short version - there are VERY few nitro finish ukes about. Personally speaking I'd buy one simply because of it
Ha h a - not really a present - for the website so need to work out what to do with it! I don't use blog funds for personal presents - so if I keep this I will need to put personal funds in for other ukes for review!
I'd like to use a strap and was thinking of adding a bottom strap button on this. I watched your tutorial and also see from your review that the EU3T has a wooden block at the center so I should be good to go with the Dremel? Wondering if you have any advice specific to this one! It's terrifying to take a drill to such a thing. Thanks so much
Yes, there is a tail block in the tenor. I'd mask it all off with tape first - go slowly with a very thin drill bit. Use two drill bits if you like - very thin one, then one a bit bigger, before going with the screw - but that's not totally necessary.
@@GotAUkulele The Eastman fellow that I texted did state his company may come out with a new line in the future. Thanks for your honest reviews. You are doing a great service for all the ukulele players and fans.
Very similar - cuatro usually bigger (more like a baritone). In Cuba - tuned the same as a uke, in Venezuela - usually tuned a bit higher. Puetro Rico tend to have 8 strings in pairs. 'Better' is totally subjective.
I never give opinions on A/B comparisons like that - too subjective. The two are not a fair comparison. Different woods, different body shapes, different finishes. Both are excellent. Choice will be personal and subjective for the player. What will probably help you decide though is that Eastman have stopped making these!!
@@GotAUkulele Understood. Yeah I knew that it probably wasn't a fair comparison and realize this video is old, but I thought I had finally picked the tenor the I wanted (the Opio) but then I stumbled on this beauty. I live in such a remote area that I don't have the luxury to go somewhere and try instruments out in order to get a better idea of what would work for me. But I have been watching a ton of your video over the last 2 weeks and I do appreciate the time you put in. Thanks for the reply.
I know - and not trying to be unhelpful - but it's really hard doing comparisons. Very subjective and i'd hate to advise on something someone then hates!
@@GotAUkulele it looks lovely and sounds really good but it's got that tone which sounds like it's playing through cotton wool. would love to hear this with some black nylon while it settles. I don't have anything against Aquilla as i use their sugar strings on almost all my Ukes but the nylgut or super nylgfut just ruin the tone on most uke tones....(I feel)
I think a simple classic design is the way to go. I could imagine keeping an instrument like that for the rest of my days and it just looking better and better all the time .
I have an Eastman mandolin and its a make I trust for quality .. Great review
Thanks - and yes, agree totally!
What a classy instrument. I can see you loved playing it and was such a lovely tone.
Loved this one!
Gorgeous! I'd keep it, it's pretty clear you love it.
Tempting!
Ah nice to see. I purchased this over the summer after watching your previous review of the smaller model and am in love with it. After every song I caress it, flip it around caress it some more. I love how the wood grain pattern seems to move and shimmer in the light
Pretty special instruments huh?
What a lovely instrument. The only problem I'm finding with watching your reviews is that I seem to want to buy all the really good ones....like this one.
Sorry!
Gibson, Martin and Eastman in the same breath! That’s definitely a keeper! Beautiful! Thanks as always Baz x
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've been wondering about the Eastman brand. That is probably the prettiest mahogany I've ever seen. Great review!
I love it!
I like this one so much I have persuaded my wife to buy me one. It really is stunning visually and sounds great, can’t wait to play it. Cheers!
Good choice!
Thank you for putting time stamps.
You’re welcome 😊
After the less than complementary comment I made on the preview...just shows what I know! I take it back. Lovely, and their Mandolins are divine.x
Thanks David!
My mouth dropped when you showed the uke! Wow! It is a beauty!
I know right?
Man you made me anxious with such a ominous prologue! But then.... that prologue was totally worth it, beautyful piece of art
Ha ha - sorry!
I have never seen such a beautiful piece of Mahogany . And sounds delicious too . Price ridiculously keen was expecting it to cost more .
Couldn't agree more!
That sound is incredibly balanced.
Indeed!
What a beauty Baz both in looks and sound...so envious that you've got one. I was looking at the Eastman or Forest Tenor but think I've made me mind up...thanks as ever..:)
My pleasure Graham!
@@GotAUkulele ...hey Baz...a couple of quick questions....is it light enough to hold without fitting strap buttons and what do you recommend if played on stage to amp the sound up?
@@EagleUkes Hard to say on the holding front - as something very personal. I can personally stand and hold it without a strap, but that doesn't mean that everyone can. Fitting strap buttons is a doddle though. To amp the sound up you have a few choices... 1. Fit a pickup strip under the saddle (worry free, but needs some work on EQ to get rid of artificial sound), 2. Fit a spot transducer inside (or on the outside) or small mic pickup inside - more natural sounding, but can pick up every movement you make. 3 Play into a microphone!
@@EagleUkes BTW - did you know this one is for sale?
@@GotAUkulele ..thanks so much Baz...I have fitted strap buttons to many ukes but would hate to possibly spoil the looks of this beautiful instrument.....playing into a mic is probably the best option though I do tend to move about a bit at gigs..:)
Maybe using a condenser mic would solve that problem....I'd love that uke but not got the cash yet, I'm retired now and just got my car through its MOT...ouch!!...I'll save my pennies up and probably get one next year sometime....I definitely have UAS as my collection is 5 soprano's, 2 concerts, 2 tenors, 1 Baritone and 2 banjo ukes ( a George Formby Dallas B and a 1920's Savannah with engraved Chrome resonator ). Mind..I've been thinking of selling my Savannah banjo uke so might get the cash that way.....don't hold onto it for me though...I'm sure It'll find a worthy home....:)
Always great reviews!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! Wonderful instrument!!
Thanks for watching!
Took me a year, I finally found one for sale in The Netherlands.
Looking forward to mine arriving next week
Good choice!
I found one in Breda last month. I can’t stop playing it!
Looks and sound....as you put it, cracking!! Gorgeous! Just USD $458.00 from dealers on eBay right now. Really good price!
Terrific price - worth every penny
Another beaut! I hope there are a few less-good models coming soon - I really love your reviews when a manufacturer let's itself down with a less than exciting offering.
Ha ha - could be!
A traditional and beautiful looking instrument. Nice clarity of tone :)
I’d keep it too :)
More I look at it and play it, the more I am thinking how wonderful it is. i might re-review it each week and ratchet the score up!!
A very nice instrument. Looks classy and sounds great.
BTW, only just came across your podcast with Alex, Barry. Congrats on a very enjoyable watch. I'd often wondered where your slightly quirky channel name came from. :)
Hey thanks! And yes, that vid with Alex was long overdue!
That’s a real beauty! Great price too👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Bargain when you look at the build quality
i might have to pull the trigger on this one...
I don't think you would be disappointed!
Very nice uke for a great price! Great review.
Agreed!
I normally don't like tenors but that's a great one!
Terrific one!
Beautiful instrument!
Agreed Mark!
I keep bouncing back to your review of the Eastman EU3 series. Sadly, they've discontinued it by now. Knowing how many ukuleles you've reviewed, I wonder if you know of something with a similar sound (looks don't matter as much to me, although I'm not a huge fan of "bling"). My hunch would be Millar or Ohana, but it's really hard to judge through videos :) Would be very curious to read your thoughts. Thanks!
Millar ukes certainly spring to mind - but also the Singer by aNueNue
@@GotAUkulele Thanks Baz, that's utterly useful!
@@MirjamFrank There's one on Reverb as of this post 121723.
That might be the most beautiful guitar I've ever seen. I worry that your notoriety means brands preferentially send you the prettiest specimens. Thoughts?
This one was bought blind by a shop who didn't know who I was.
@@GotAUkulele cool. I think I will roll the dice! ONE store has it and it's 620 cad (361 pounds) right now. Perhaps I can justify it through Christmas magic? 🎄⛄
Thanks for the hard work, been watching/reading a lot of your reviews recently.
I ended up getting it and I must say it's even nicer looking and feeling than I dared to hope - just as good as the one you showed. I am unworthy of such an instrument! But hopefully that will change :)
Great review as always! Time to decide ....I know its been along time since you reviewed the Martin T1k but if you could have just one which would it be (Eu3T or T1k) and why??
Unfair to compare them i'm afraid - different woods, different finishes, different tones. I seriously like both!
563,00 € in Germany
Discontinued now, sadly.
I will venture to say that it is not genuine mahogany, but another African wood not that closely related : Sapele (even if it is part of the same generic family). The longitudinal stripes are quite characteristic of quartersawn Sapele (and you do not find them on genuine mahogany). As it is brown, some brands use it in replacement of mahogany. And Sapele is supposed to be a little denser than mahogany (which might explain might it is brighter than a real mahogany ukulele).
I actually think that Sapele is a better looking wood. And in that case, it seems to be sound really nicely, so who cares if it is not mahogany.
Considering Eastman make some stunning looking mahogany guitars too and are renowned for it, I very much doubt they would claim this is something it is not. The longitudinal stripes are also characteristic of fiddleback mahogany. Widely used by guitar makers.
@@GotAUkulele It is hard to tell for sure, but nowadays a lot of well-known brands do exactly that, even Martin for some of their USA made guitars : go have a look at it on Martin's website, if you look at some guitars from the 15 series - which are historically made of real mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla, or mahogany from the American continent) - in the specs that are only listed as "mahogany", then go to the page of a higher-end mahogany Martin let say a "Martin 00-17 Authentic 1931", it will be presented in the specs as "genuine mahogany".
Since around the 2010s, Martin for its lower end mahogany models is alternatively using genuine mahogany, sometimes Sipo, sometimes sapele, sometimes khaya (African mahogany, sometimes considered by some as genuine mahogany, close enough but it is not the same scientific name) it is easier for them due to the scarcity of genuine mahogany to have the flexibility to switch woods on their production line without too much hassle. Martin even mixes genuine mahogany and Sipo on the same guitar sometimes, genuine mahogany for the top and Sipo for the back and side and call it "mahogany" without any differentiation.
In any case I do not really care for all this marketing speak, and I think a guitar or a uke can sound good with all the woods ^^.
@@GenghisDaniel Right.... Thankfully it does sound good..
Hi Barry, I have one of these in concert size and I love it. Do you have any idea why Eastman stopped making ukuleles? Such a shame! They are the best sounding and playing uke at that price point that I’ve ever experienced by a pretty wide margin.
I don't - i've looked into it and can't work out way - a crying shame as they are SUPERB
@@GotAUkulele I asked this question to Alex at the southern ukulele store. To paraphrase him: they had quality control issues with the nitrocellulose finish and weren’t selling them for enough to warrant repairs or discounted sales, were a bit underpriced, and Eastman makes more on guitars so they decided to focus on that instead.
As you said, a crying shame!
@@UkeWithSmitty That's interesting and partly understandable, but equally think if true - that's people not getting Nitro finishes. Nitro is simply not as resilient, but it's a far better option for any instrument. I remember seeing newbie guitar players with much money but little experience dissing Gibson acoustic guitars for 'wearing' and therefore not being any good. Gibson fans know that this very finish is a positive thing not a negative, and an instrument staying in showroom condition is not a thing to covet.
The modern uke market is much more immature and I suspect there will be many who will not get spending hundreds on an instrument with a finish that may age. Age in a good way - but they don't realise it.
Short version - there are VERY few nitro finish ukes about. Personally speaking I'd buy one simply because of it
Congratulations on your present did you suprise yourself with it? Glad its a reasonable price as well as a melodic beauty.
Ha h a - not really a present - for the website so need to work out what to do with it! I don't use blog funds for personal presents - so if I keep this I will need to put personal funds in for other ukes for review!
@@GotAUkulele My bad, Baz 😄 What about a performance song? You dont have to sing.
@@susanh695 Plan to do a few more songs -it's finding the time!
Keep it!
Wowsers!!!
Indeed!
I'd like to use a strap and was thinking of adding a bottom strap button on this. I watched your tutorial and also see from your review that the EU3T has a wooden block at the center so I should be good to go with the Dremel?
Wondering if you have any advice specific to this one! It's terrifying to take a drill to such a thing.
Thanks so much
Yes, there is a tail block in the tenor. I'd mask it all off with tape first - go slowly with a very thin drill bit. Use two drill bits if you like - very thin one, then one a bit bigger, before going with the screw - but that's not totally necessary.
I LOVE MY EASTMAN TENOR. IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING ONE TOO, DO IT TODAY. YOU SEE, EASTMAN IS NO LONGER BUILDING UKULELES.
I didn't know that - that's a real shame
@@GotAUkulele The Eastman fellow that I texted did state his company may come out with a new line in the future.
Thanks for your honest reviews. You are doing a great service for all the ukulele players and fans.
@@johnroderick9809 I hope they do. Thanks John!
Nice review. If you sell it I will buy it from you...
I'll think about it!!
Ken Timms has got a rival there I think. :)
Yep - from the moment i first opened the case I fell for this one
What is the difference between a cuatro and a ukulele ? Which is better ?
Very similar - cuatro usually bigger (more like a baritone). In Cuba - tuned the same as a uke, in Venezuela - usually tuned a bit higher. Puetro Rico tend to have 8 strings in pairs. 'Better' is totally subjective.
As far as sound quality and comfort/playability, this Eastman or the KoAloha Opio KTO-10?
I never give opinions on A/B comparisons like that - too subjective. The two are not a fair comparison. Different woods, different body shapes, different finishes. Both are excellent. Choice will be personal and subjective for the player.
What will probably help you decide though is that Eastman have stopped making these!!
@@GotAUkulele Understood. Yeah I knew that it probably wasn't a fair comparison and realize this video is old, but I thought I had finally picked the tenor the I wanted (the Opio) but then I stumbled on this beauty. I live in such a remote area that I don't have the luxury to go somewhere and try instruments out in order to get a better idea of what would work for me. But I have been watching a ton of your video over the last 2 weeks and I do appreciate the time you put in. Thanks for the reply.
I know - and not trying to be unhelpful - but it's really hard doing comparisons. Very subjective and i'd hate to advise on something someone then hates!
Wow, what a uke.
Isn't it just?
Hi Baz, do they come with Aquilla?
Yep
@@GotAUkulele it looks lovely and sounds really good but it's got that tone which sounds like it's playing through cotton wool. would love to hear this with some black nylon while it settles. I don't have anything against Aquilla as i use their sugar strings on almost all my Ukes but the nylgut or super nylgfut just ruin the tone on most uke tones....(I feel)
@@vincentmanes06 Different strings would certainly change it - I quite like it as it is to be honest, but may experiment.