Eastman acoustic guitar all solid wood construction sapele back and sides Sitka spruce top. E1D model made in Beijing China 🇨🇳 #acousticguitar #acoustic #eastmanguitars #guitar #guitarist
Hey Josh I am watching this video because I saw Chris Effort playing an E1D. I think he could make an Estaban guitar sound good! You are the first reviewer that mentioned the heavy neck issue. I purchased an AC222 from an on line shop and the first thing I noticed was the neck dive. A pretty decent Eastman but I returned it. Good review. A guitar must be personally played to determine if it's going to be a keeper, but demos like yours and Chris's can help narrow down the choices. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply! Yes, Chris is very good and he is also playing his Eastman guitar tuned down a half step I believe, so that gives the guitar a fuller sound as well. A buddy of mine has an AC 122 which sounds really good for the money. I did not notice to have a heavy neck on that one. He also has an E 8D with spruce top and rosewood back and sides and that one sounds really nice as well. I play this guitar at church, And I do the traditional strap around the headstock to the pickup jack pin because of the heavy neck. This guitar has a lot of power and I like that. It’s a great strummer!
Nice review! I have the e1om and they are great value for the quality you get. My Taylor 310 from 2001 has solid Sapele back and sides and sounds glorious! The song was "Sister Golden Hair! by America. Just subbed you brother!
Cheers for the review. I am looking into bying an Eastman and this is on the list, so very helpful. The smaller body size probably accounts for the imbalance with the neck.
I have an E1D from a few years ago and it’s a fantastic guitar. Never an issue of it feeling neck heavy. Mine has a nitrocellulose gloss top and I consider it a fantastic alternative to a Martin D-16GT. If I was still playing out I would definitely put an Anthem in it and gig it.
As far as the size goes you have one of the newer E1D's which switched to Bourgeois Touchstone dimensions and Truetone finish...my 2020 and all older before the switch have the bigger original dimensions. 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" x 20" and lacquer finish. Sapele is a great hardwood which is loud, defined and balanced.
Thanks for the info! It’s crazy you said that because now that you mentioned it, I do remember seeing E1D’s with gloss finish. Didn’t really pay attention to the size difference but I didn’t have one to compare . A buddy had an E8D and I took measurements and realized it was a bit bigger.
Thanks for the review. Don't know what the song was, but the chords did remind me of Dylan's Idiot Wind. For me the Martin strings sounded much better than the John Pearse strings. Maybe they were better tuned idk?
Yes, the martins sound a bit sharper and more defined on this guitar . I do like John Pearse strings as well. The song was “Sister Golden Hair” by America.
Yeah the John Pearse sounded better but they were every so slightly thicker than the Martin Tommy Emanuel series strings. The sets were both 12’s but a few strings varied in diameter between sets. I actually took the Pearse off and put the martins back on. I will try Pearse 11’s.
Good value guitar but I think the finish on it is too thick on that soundboard. If it was open pore and much thinner it would have way better tone. Would be interesting if you did the same refinish on it and tested the difference. Can you try the Cort Earth Dreadknought guitars? They are decent sounding (for the price) D45 clones.
Cort isn't even in the same league as an Eastman. And the top finish is thin bro, not sure what you're even talking about. I have this model only cedar top. Same open pore thin finish.
@@sasquatchlife8836 Yes definitely. Cort is a budget guitar. But their Earth Solid Top Dreadknoughts are great value for money. The reason why I mentioned it, is to ask Josh to do a video on redoing the top finish on one, because I think they too have a thick finish like the L.Bonito did. The finish isn't thin enough on the Eastman however. It will still be at least 1mm. most guitars that aren't ultra high end don't have an open pore top, because a more durable finish is usually preferred and I get that, but I remove the top finish and do an open pore on all my guitars like Josh did on his L. Bonito. not knocking the Eastman. its a great sounding guitar. But hiding behind the top finish is an even greater guitar when it is open pore. I bet if Eastman made the same E1D in open pore and you A/B'd it, you will agree with me. And I get that open pore makes the guitar more susceptible to moisture damage longterm so you have to take extra care to humidify/dehumidify, but the increase in movement on the top is worth it for me even if I have to be more careful with it. Acoustic guitars are like a bellows, the wood especially on the top needs to breathe and move, not be rigid with paint.
Regarding the playability of this guitar, is it a comfortable guitar? comparing it to a Martin D-10, or a Taylor, how would you rate this guitar's neck? I ask this because I've seen some reviews where they say the arm is a little fat or too wide. I have medium sized hands, and playing comfort is a very important factor for me, besides the sound, of course! I thank the attention
I think it’s a relatively comfortable guitar for a dred. More comfortable than a Martin cause martins have very flat fretboards like theres no radius or curvature to the fretboard. This guitar is not as comfortable as a Taylor. This guitar has a smaller body than a standard dred that makes it easier to get the strumming arm around. 1.75 “ nut width makes it easy too. The neck isn’t too fat. I find all dreds high strung they all are generally harder to play cause string tension feels tighter. I have 12’s on this one.
@@TheJoshSchneider Tks very much! In general, what do you think about this Eastman E1D? Comparing to Martin D10, and Taylor 110, does it this guitar worth the money?
@@RafaelAlves-kf5xh I think it blows the Taylor 114 out the water in volume and sound quality. I would definitely buy the Eastman over the 114 because it costs less and it’s all solid wood. The sapele has a nice sound to it, not as bass heavy as Martin but very defined with good volume and sustain. I have played the Martin road series guitars at guitar center and they do sound pretty good. Your going get a plastic fretboard with those and probably an African Mahogany back which really isn’t mahogany. But neither is sapele. I just like the Eastman all around for the materials, all solid, top, back, sided fretboard and bone nut and saddle. The Eastman has a very heavy neck and it doesn’t come with a hard case or any electronics. Gig bag is what you get. The tuners hold tuning rather well. All for $580.00 it’s a great value .
I bought the E1D about three weeks ago after seeing the Chris Effort video. Very nice guitar. I have medium hands with short-ish fingers. The nut is on the wide side. I set up the guitar using Music Nomad nut files (and watching the video very closely) and now it plays very nicely. Before I was concerned the was too wide for me. (The setup made it seem less wide even though that didn’t affect the width).
Nice review ! I like how you mentioned Chris Effort. He's amazing and thats how i discovered these Eastman guitars! Happy playing!
Definitely great value! Thanks for sharing about the neck heaviness and all! Great job!
Eastman make amazing guitars and not just for the price.
Speak for yourself I never played one that impressed me
@@AdamAtwood-ik7xe Pay attention, that's what I just did...duh!
Hey Josh I am watching this video because I saw Chris Effort playing an E1D. I think he could make an Estaban guitar sound good! You are the first reviewer that mentioned the heavy neck issue. I purchased an AC222 from an on line shop and the first thing I noticed was the neck dive. A pretty decent Eastman but I returned it. Good review. A guitar must be personally played to determine if it's going to be a keeper, but demos like yours and Chris's can help narrow down the choices. Thanks.
Thanks for the reply! Yes, Chris is very good and he is also playing his Eastman guitar tuned down a half step I believe, so that gives the guitar a fuller sound as well. A buddy of mine has an AC 122 which sounds really good for the money. I did not notice to have a heavy neck on that one. He also has an E 8D with spruce top and rosewood back and sides and that one sounds really nice as well. I play this guitar at church, And I do the traditional strap around the headstock to the pickup jack pin because of the heavy neck. This guitar has a lot of power and I like that. It’s a great strummer!
Nice review! I have the e1om and they are great value for the quality you get. My Taylor 310 from 2001 has solid Sapele back and sides and sounds glorious! The song was "Sister Golden Hair! by America. Just subbed you brother!
Thanks so much! Yes you win 🥇! That is the name of the song ! Sapele is some good stuff!
Cheers for the review. I am looking into bying an Eastman and this is on the list, so very helpful. The smaller body size probably accounts for the imbalance with the neck.
I have an E1D from a few years ago and it’s a fantastic guitar. Never an issue of it feeling neck heavy. Mine has a nitrocellulose gloss top and I consider it a fantastic alternative to a Martin D-16GT. If I was still playing out I would definitely put an Anthem in it and gig it.
It’s an amazing value even at full price. I have an E3DE. I like it much better than a Martin Road Series I had.
Really nice sounding guitar!
As far as the size goes you have one of the newer E1D's which switched to Bourgeois Touchstone dimensions and Truetone finish...my 2020 and all older before the switch have the bigger original dimensions. 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" x 20" and lacquer finish. Sapele is a great hardwood which is loud, defined and balanced.
Thanks for the info! It’s crazy you said that because now that you mentioned it, I do remember seeing E1D’s with gloss finish. Didn’t really pay attention to the size difference but I didn’t have one to compare . A buddy had an E8D and I took measurements and realized it was a bit bigger.
Eastman has an excellent sound plus the price
That’s a really good deal!
Oh, by the way, nice playing.
Thank you!
Sister Golden Hair👍
Thanks for the review.
Don't know what the song was, but the chords did remind me of Dylan's Idiot Wind.
For me the Martin strings sounded much better than the John Pearse strings. Maybe they were better tuned idk?
Yes, the martins sound a bit sharper and more defined on this guitar . I do like John Pearse strings as well. The song was “Sister Golden Hair” by America.
Oh, the John Phearse strings are wonderful Sounding... I have them on my Baritones...Too bad they don't last long like other strings do
Yeah the John Pearse sounded better but they were every so slightly thicker than the Martin Tommy Emanuel series strings. The sets were both 12’s but a few strings varied in diameter between sets. I actually took the Pearse off and put the martins back on. I will try Pearse 11’s.
the bonus 👌
Good value guitar but I think the finish on it is too thick on that soundboard. If it was open pore and much thinner it would have way better tone. Would be interesting if you did the same refinish on it and tested the difference.
Can you try the Cort Earth Dreadknought guitars? They are decent sounding (for the price) D45 clones.
Cort isn't even in the same league as an Eastman. And the top finish is thin bro, not sure what you're even talking about. I have this model only cedar top. Same open pore thin finish.
@@sasquatchlife8836 Yes definitely. Cort is a budget guitar. But their Earth Solid Top Dreadknoughts are great value for money. The reason why I mentioned it, is to ask Josh to do a video on redoing the top finish on one, because I think they too have a thick finish like the L.Bonito did. The finish isn't thin enough on the Eastman however. It will still be at least 1mm. most guitars that aren't ultra high end don't have an open pore top, because a more durable finish is usually preferred and I get that, but I remove the top finish and do an open pore on all my guitars like Josh did on his L. Bonito. not knocking the Eastman. its a great sounding guitar. But hiding behind the top finish is an even greater guitar when it is open pore. I bet if Eastman made the same E1D in open pore and you A/B'd it, you will agree with me. And I get that open pore makes the guitar more susceptible to moisture damage longterm so you have to take extra care to humidify/dehumidify, but the increase in movement on the top is worth it for me even if I have to be more careful with it. Acoustic guitars are like a bellows, the wood especially on the top needs to breathe and move, not be rigid with paint.
Regarding the playability of this guitar, is it a comfortable guitar? comparing it to a Martin D-10, or a Taylor, how would you rate this guitar's neck? I ask this because I've seen some reviews where they say the arm is a little fat or too wide. I have medium sized hands, and playing comfort is a very important factor for me, besides the sound, of course! I thank the attention
I think it’s a relatively comfortable guitar for a dred. More comfortable than a Martin cause martins have very flat fretboards like theres no radius or curvature to the fretboard. This guitar is not as comfortable as a Taylor. This guitar has a smaller body than a standard dred that makes it easier to get the strumming arm around. 1.75 “ nut width makes it easy too. The neck isn’t too fat. I find all dreds high strung they all are generally harder to play cause string tension feels tighter. I have 12’s on this one.
@@TheJoshSchneider Tks very much! In general, what do you think about this Eastman E1D? Comparing to Martin D10, and Taylor 110, does it this guitar worth the money?
@@RafaelAlves-kf5xh I think it blows the Taylor 114 out the water in volume and sound quality. I would definitely buy the Eastman over the 114 because it costs less and it’s all solid wood. The sapele has a nice sound to it, not as bass heavy as Martin but very defined with good volume and sustain. I have played the Martin road series guitars at guitar center and they do sound pretty good. Your going get a plastic fretboard with those and probably an African Mahogany back which really isn’t mahogany. But neither is sapele. I just like the Eastman all around for the materials, all solid, top, back, sided fretboard and bone nut and saddle. The Eastman has a very heavy neck and it doesn’t come with a hard case or any electronics. Gig bag is what you get. The tuners hold tuning rather well. All for $580.00 it’s a great value .
@@TheJoshSchneider tks very much!
I bought the E1D about three weeks ago after seeing the Chris Effort video. Very nice guitar. I have medium hands with short-ish fingers. The nut is on the wide side. I set up the guitar using Music Nomad nut files (and watching the video very closely) and now it plays very nicely. Before I was concerned the was too wide for me. (The setup made it seem less wide even though that didn’t affect the width).
Looks like a dreadnought… feels like one?
It is just wee bit smaller than the standard specs
@@TheJoshSchneiderbought the E1D SP! Have the D18. Fits perfectly in the Martin case. It’s a dreadnought I think??
@@jasper_north I saw those! Those are nice, they have the thermo cured tops and the quilted sapele back and sides?
@@TheJoshSchneider correct. Just like you mentioned. They do miss a bit the low end… but it’s not a D18