Eastman E20P vs Martin 00-28vs
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- Comparing the Eastman E20P with a Martin 00-28vs. Do you really need to buy a Martin for Martin quality? Although the Eastman will never be a Martin, the E20P comes very close to the quality offered by Martin. The differences are in the cost of material, such as 3-piece mahogany neck vs 1-piece, nickel plated Waverly tuners vs chrome plated - yet still good - knockoffs, and some very minor setup refinements that still need to be done to the Eastman - notably the poor nut cut and some minor fret buzz. The only reason why I'm so picky about the details on the Eastman is because I can compare it side by side with the Martin, which has zero flaws.
I bought the Eastman to see if it could replace the Martin for 1/3 the cost and keep the difference. After having played both for several months, I can say that the Eastman comes close, but I don't think I will ever give up the Martin - and it may be that this particular Martin is exceptionally good - it's hard to say. But while the Eastman is an excellent guitar, the Martin is closer to perfection.
If you're wondering whether or not you'd be just as happy with the Martin as with the Eastman, the answer is no - if you were to play both, side by side, you'd pick the Martin too. But if you ask if you'd be satisfied with an Eastman, the answer is yes - it's a great guitar, worth double its street value.
Skip the first 1.5 mins if you don't care about the case. The reason why I mention the case is to provide an overall experience between the two guitars.
I own Martins and Eastman guitars, Eastmans win hands down, simply because of the sheer value for money. I think those who give Martin the edge are heavily drawn by the name. Never had a bad Eastman nut, most have come to me generally better set up than the Martins I own.
I think they're just different. I have an E10D-TC and a Martin D-18. They don't sound alike, within the dreadnaught category. Generally I prefer the Martin; it's a little richer, a little deeper sounding, and the notes blend together more (for better or worse). The bass is stronger and wider. Bass notes cover the sonic palette and fill everything out, like a backdrop. The guitar has an almost piano like quality, in that the attack on individual notes is strong and present. I like to play bluegrass, and it sounds like classic bluegrass.
The Eastman is brighter, a little thinner, a little more balanced, a little sweeter maybe (more shimmer?), and has more note separation. Probably a more "modern" sound. The sound projects more, although I think the Martin is actually louder. The mids are somewhat stronger, which probably makes it a slightly better finger picker. I really like the neck on the Eastman. It's fuller and just feels great. I don't notice the neck on the Martin much, for good or bad, but the Eastman always feels noticeably nice.
I love both guitars and would have a very, very hard time letting either of them go, but if I had to choose I'd keep the Martin. The Eastman didn't have a lot of play time on it when I purchased it, though, and it keeps getting better, so I may feel differently in 10 years lol. I'll add too that I think my particular D-18 is a special one. I've played others, including D-28s and D-35s, that didn't do it for me. I'd probably put my Eastman ahead of some of the other Martins I've played.
Exactly. I couldn’t care less about brand or name recognition, ie. status. I own two Eastman E-20P’s, Sun Burst & Natural. For an intermediate player like me, you can’t beat the Eastmans
I was a main dealer for Martin guitars for a decade and I can tell you they are the most variable guitars out there. My best advice for buying a Martin is to try 20 and find the best one - because there will be plenty that disappoint you. I used to bury my head in my hands at the thought of giving honest advice with a Martin. No doubt there are nice ones but terrible consistency lets them down.
Richards Guitars i
You must be a Taylor fanboy
I paid a visit to Richards guitars a few days ago not a Taylor in sight did have good few 'none factory' made guitars tho.
Echo, he's not a fan boy, he's just speaking the truth. When I bought my Martin, I tried 5 of the same model. Every one of them sounded completely different. Only one of them sounded good. Two were so muddy sounding I wouldn't even think about buying them. One had huge mids and lows, with no highs and no articulation at all. The one I bought sounds amazing!! The tone is very even a crossed the board. It plays great, and has huge volume. It is not my favorite out my 10 guitars. It's to bad Martin has no consistency at all.
@@becomeaudible1 Thank you. Appreciate your feedback.
I own two Martins-a D-28 purchased new in 1973, and a 2004 000-28EC, purchased in 2016. I also own an Eastman E8OM. I don't kid myself that the Eastman sounds like either Martin-it doesn't-however, it has its own distinct voice and sounds really good. And when you consider the price differential, which is enormous, the Eastman stands right up and deserves to be counted.
High quality guitars have been built with jointed necks like that for at least a century, and of course all lutes had them. Unattached to a guitar, because of how the grain runs, the heel of a neck is quite weak. It’s being glued into the body that gives it strength. A glued heel is not a structural problem. The glue is strong. Also, the grafted headstock is arguably stronger in a fall than the way Martin does it. I believe Gibson mandolins have grafted headstocks.
Just an fyi, but the joints on the neck are not a bad thing. 2 pieces of wood joined together can reduce movement in the wood. An all solid wood neck may be more prone to moving and warping due to environment. Plus adding the scarf joints also reduces how much wood is used in carving the neck. I am not a guitar luthier, however i do work with wood and make furniture. Just a little info for you. I do have an interest in Eastman guitars. Thanks for the comparison.
I have an Eastman E10OM with a wider neck and LOVE IT! It fits my hand much better than other standard guitar necks. I really love that guitar.
Hi +Dan DeLyon . I posted a negative comment about the time taken to review the cases.... it was late - and I had kids running around. Just to say sorry about that and have removed it. Eastmans are wonderful guitars - thanks for taking the time.
lol
+JohnPKnuckles and their cases are ok too.
I’ve owned both of these. The Eastman neck is easier to play (C shape vs soft V). At 1 7/8 the Martin soft V feels “sharp” at the edges. The C shape is more comfortable. The Eastman is overbuilt a bit. The Martin sings. The Eastman is a tiny bit duller. For the money - the Eastman wins. You can get the Eastman used under $1000. You can get the Martin Used for $3700.
Eastman is definitely a poor mans Martin. I have 3 of them and LOVE THEM. I do feel it is the closest you can get to a Martin without spending 3 times the money. I STRONGLY recommend them.
Martin has a 16 radius fingerboard.Eastman has a 12 radius fretboard.. which is like gibson.Eastman price is way lower..so for a lot of people great guitars.
My old hands will no longer tolerate a 16" fretboard radius - no matter how good a guitar might sound. I am happy with my US made Guild acoustics, which have a 12" radius. One day I would like to own a Gibson standard acoustic with a 12" radius also. I must note that the newer "G" or "Studio" (less expensive) Gibsons all have a 16" radius like Martin, as do the imported (less expensive) Guilds.
I have bought a few Eastmans over the years. All nice guitars, but I end up selling them. The Martins I've bought tend to stay :).
Forgot to mention Fretboard Radius, which is, 12in. Martin much flatter at 16in. A rather important factor to consider, could be a game changer for some. And lastly the very important fact that the Eastman joins the Guitars Body at the 12th Fret, the Martin at the rather curious 15th it would appear. Another possible game changer.😮😯😮
I was fortunate enough to play a Martin 00-VS earlier this week and yes it's a killer music making machine. I had never played a V necked Martin but found it totally natural. If I were rich and famous or at least rich I'd have snapped it up in a heartbeat but I'm neither and I didn't. Unfortunately there is no Eastman dealer within driving distance so I've never been able to compare them although I wouldn't expect them to be perfect but then the Martin wouldn't be twice as perfect but costs twice as much. Since they are both used it's unlikely they have the same strings which nobody ever seems to take into account in reviews.
The comparison should be with the Eastman E20-OO
I thought this same thing immediately. The comparison is apples to oranges. Might as well compare an OM to a Dread.
I have a 0-28VS and its also perfect. I also have a blueridge br-371 and the difference between them is immense. You kinda would expect it, since the Martin is like 3 times more.
The Martin has a mature sound.
I recently purchased an Eastman E20 00. I believe that the standard nut widths are wider than the Martins at 1-13/16” as opposed to the Martin 1-3/4” . I’d like to know what the nut width is on your Eastman. It should be 1-13/16”. I have heard that they vary but I have not seen that.
The Eastman e40oo would be better compared
You called it on the tone. Eastman's brighter and better mids. Martin better low end, and got that Martin sound. Two similar, but different guitars. Love my Eastman e6om. Agreed they probably need more setting up than a Martin, but any hand built guitar will deserve set up, so doesn't really matter. Basically, if you want a brighter, and better mids, and don't have double or triple the money to spend on a Martin and want a high quality, hand built, Eastman is a great option.
I've done some homework.
Anyone interested in an Eastman should definitely buy from Soundpure.
when received from China, they turn each guitar over to their "in-house" Luthier who makes an "adjustments" needed BEFORE the guitar is up for sale. In addition, if there are any major issues, the guitar is rejected and returned to the factory.
This is the only way to buy an Eastman.
Maury's Music does the same for their Blueridge brand of guitars which are also made in China. Eastman and Blueridge are head and shoulders above the rest of the Chinese products and with two dealers who QC these products, you will get a great guitar.
Wait, what, the only reason i even considered one is because i thought they were made in California ?
not at those prices...sorry.
Actually saw some today, no thanks, plus i only buy American made although some of the ibenz semi hollow stuff is changing my mind
Certainly, to each his own.
I thought the woods were from California but the guitar is handcrafted in China....GREAT guitar
Eastmans are pretty damn great. And to be fair - Martins dont always send out a perfectly set up instrument. My local dealer is forever tweaking nut slots on 3-4 K Martins. It's the nature of guitar builds. Additionally - I have played say, 3 brand new D-18s on the wall and they are all a little different from each other. Some are sweet as can be - some are quite boring. Same applies to Eastman and other brands.
I own three Eastmans and love all of them. He's very correct about the Martin NOT being three times better. They may be 10% better, but that's it. You can buy an Eastman E8D for $1000, and get pretty damn close to a Martin D28 that's $2700 plus tax. Not worth it as far as I'm concerned.
They both sound great, but they do sound different, at least fro the video. I prefer the Martin, but on my budget it would be the Eastman for me. But I am going with a Blueridge from Maury's.
Eastman is a real game changer on the market. If you can't afford the real thing, Eastman is the way to go.
Though Eastmans are a good value, you generally get what you pay for. The Martin sounds much better and you play the Martin better, at least to me. The Eastman sounds like it is muted a little. Eastmans are made by hand, where Martins are largely built by CNC. For such things as carving the nut, the CNC precision is generally better, at least I would expect that. I did buy a new Martin once with a terrible nut. I have to believe that someone needed a nut and grabbed it off that guitar at the store, then they put the one I bought on it. It was that bad. I have a hard time believing a nut that bad came on ANY new guitar. I bought the guitar in spite of it because the tone was and is spectacular. When I got it home I carved a new nut myself using my Collings as a guide. It is still my go-to guitar.
I think Eastman is a reasonable alternative to the Mexican Martins and other well-built guitars that are at a lower price point than American (usually) "handmade" guitars. Some of these, like Alvarez, Recording King, and Blueridge often sound very good and I would encourage a buyer to try every one he or she can afford.
Again, Martin really isn't handmade anymore, but if you buy one of the standard or higher models it will generally have had sufficient attention to wood selection and construction to justify the price. To me, some Martins just have the best sound, though Collings, Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, etc are great and some are also "the best". Then there are the truly high-end individually-crafted guitars of elite builders that are sometimes extraordinary.
Martins generally aren't all that special you just get the odd one that really sings. In fact I would go as far to say that the vast majority of Martins I have played are rubbish in relation to the asking price. As for Eastman I am yet to pick one up that in some way didn't impress me. Furch and larrivee are also a lot of fun to play and consistent
C+. If you're going to compare two models that are actually comparable, why wouldn't you get an Eastman E20 00 to stand up to the Martin 00? I played the smaller bodied Eastman E20P before purchasing the 00 Eastman and the difference in tonal range and quality is significant, not to mention the added projection from the Adirondack top. I suppose some can justify $4K for a guitar but for me the Eastman 00 was a no-brainer for about $1700. (My other guitar is a '42 D18)
I found the dimensions of both guitars to be nearly identical. The Eastman is VERY close to the quality of a Martin, and a good luthier could probably make up the difference. I wouldn't, and didn't, spend $4k on the Martin. But even at double the price, the Martin is nowhere near twice as good. The Eastman is great - and I'd be happy with it if the Martin weren't perfect. I had hoped to be satisfied with the Eastman and sell the Martin, since I tend to be anti-brand, and pocket the difference.
thanks for eliminating the case reviews. a really good comparison and the Vince Guaraldi piece is well done.
so for the money the Eastman is a better guitar with the Right SET UP
this review seems kinda biast toward the martin guitar, not a bad review but seems kinda unfair to compare the brand spanking new eastman to an old martin though.
I agree that it's an unfair comparison new vs. older.
I truly wanted the Eastman to be as good. The Martin is only a few years old, so they are contemporaries.
i've heard that the overseas guitars are built more stoutly than their mainland counterparts because the mainland guitars don't have to undergo the riggors of being shipped overseas like the overseas models do. i myself have experienced that most of the martins i played have been fairly light guitars, especially the new 17 series, very responsive.
Great review, very detailed, thanks!!
fret buzz = nut? truss rod adjustment? string height? Easy adjustments.
Thanks for the review. I have been considering buying an Eastman. I have a Potomac by Eastman and its a pretty nice guitar.
What is the price on Eastman? I am a Martin lover myself. I own two Martin Guitars. I worked and saved to buy my first Martin D35 back in the 70's. Later years someone stoled that Martin. So in 2001 I had worked and saved to buy another D35. Needless to say I love it. I would never sell it. In 2004 I bought a Martin DX1. I like it. But a few years later while on line one night. I recovers that Martin is making some guitars in Mexico. At a much lower price. That's sorta of a slap in the face. To guy's like myself. That worked and struggled to buy a real Martin. Now I see you can order the fake Martin D45's for a few hundred dollars. There made out of solid east Indian rose wood. My thoughts are. Why be loyal to Martin anymore. There not loyal to customer like myself. That was a hard pill to swallow. for me anyway. What do you think? Thanks for sharing.
you do not have to think about other things martin or false, if you are satisfied with your !! everyone buys what he likes, there are always false ... and I bought the shirt Versace, then I found exactly the same shirt with the label, but imitation, and I bought replica shirt, 10 times less than its price of 'original .. are chosen! but I do not get angry with those who buy the replica, but I'm angry with myself for having bought the first high-priced shirt, not knowing that the wax in the same or a little below market model ', but it costs 10 times less .. life is so .. only the most cunning survive, and in Italy they say: who is content with what he has, is happier
A couple of minutes and that nut could be solved, Also for the home player spending the amount you pay for a Martin compared to Eastman , there is no contest , I can’t afford a Martin
I have a blueridge br361...sounds amazing. I prefer a nut 1 3/4 over the 1 7/8 and not a V. However...its much warmer than any eastman ive tried. Both are great.
Thanks for your great review. One case latch on the Eastman case is not connecting as well but still will work after tweaking. I bought a used E20p back in 2012 and I like it a lot as my couch guitar. I have several Martins (J40, HD35 D28 and D18Retro) and they all play great ... well..like a Martin! So I can say I have same experience with Martin dreads and a jumbo. All are stellar! But the Eastman Parlor has it's own unique sound and for the price it stands out as a keeper. One question for you is if you still have the Eastman...the frets feel like "roadblocks" especially on the b and high e strings and when playing single notes when sliding up and down the neck and wonder if you have that issue as well. It gets distracting for me so I am considering changing the frets maybe to what is on my J40. I tried a re-crown but either the guy did a poor job or just could not round the frets etc. Another question is what electronic pickup would you consider for the Eastman. Would be fun to use in a raunchy sort of way when I play Dead/Young stuff in bars for free beer! Update: Git new frets on Eastman and love it! Thanks for your or anyone else's thoughts on this! Happy New Year! Cheers!
Hang about a minute, you bought one BACK in 2103.😂🤣😂 What do you call you Couch??? Not the Enterprise i hope.😃😄😅 Back to the future, eh.👽👽👽
The top on the Eastman has some aging to do, would catch it up somewhat to the Martin, Adirondack breaking in slower than Sitka.
But jeepers that Martin is something.
Really, the cases? How about putting that at the end?
How about making a video yourself...you lazy douchebag?
The reason why I mention the case is to provide an overall experience between the two guitars. But you're right - I could have put it at the end.
Thanks a lot! Very informative and useful video.
Well it’s difficult for me to be objective about the Eastman because I have never been to a store that is a dealer of this brand. Not only that but I also have a Martin 12 fret slotted head stock. I also have a Gibson, however only my Martin has that sound that almost sounds like an organ or a piano sound. It’s the first guitar that I have ever owned that I never question how it sounds .
It’s more like all you can do when you hear something that didn’t sound right is realize it was your error and not the Martins…. Only then you will be in awe at
the guitar. It’s an eye opening experience and I imagine anyone else that has ever found yourself in this exact situation whatever brand guitar it is you know exactly what I mean. However I would buy an Eastman if it gave me the same experience. The experience with the Martin has the ability to make you take more serious your abilities as a player. The experience alone to me is worth money and I get to keep the Martin and continue to have this experience .
Looks like Eastman is 12 fretsMartin is 14
Both are 12-fretters.
as the saying goes 'you get what you pay for' , the Martin at three times the price of the Eastman , is a solid investment.
i wouldn't even look at imports , top US builders make the best steel string acoustic guitars on the planet ; why even bother with the imports ? unless you're on a strict budget ; even then , look for resale US built product !
Awesome video thanks for sharing. I own two Martin's. I have owned several over the years. I don't think anyone will ever beat Martin. I am looking for a small body guitar. I have been reading up on the Eastman. Sounds like there nice guitars. What is the list price on the Eastman guitar?? Thank you for sharing your video and thoughts on the guitars. I kinda feel Martin sold out on us by putting a factor in Mexico. So I figured what's the difference in buying one from Mexico then buying one from China. I live near the Martin factor in Pennsylvania. I have visited it several times over the years. I love going there. But I am not as loyal to Martin as I use to be. I worked hard saved to buy my first Martin D-35. At the age of 16. In 1976. Sadly I lost that guitar in the 80's. I saved for years to buy another D-35. I another one in 2001. Man l done without to save money for those guitars. Then Martin goes to Mexico and makes a cheaper guitar. Which in years to come will hurt the value of the higher end Martin's. I am not very loyal to Martin anymore. I am truly sorry. For the way I feel. But I can't help it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the guitars.
A bit of a guitar snob?
A good comparsion.
Thanks for the comparison. The Martin sounds better by far to me.
Nice ,I would have to say my recording king ros 627 is a good compares to the Martin ,all day thx
Are you sure the nut width is larger on the Eastman than on the Martin? Thanks
He said it’s 1/16” THINNER
@@ViaticalTree he's wrong. The Eastman is 1/16 wider.
The guitar brand speaks for itself, not the case.
Bogus comparison but if it makes you happy about your Martin, have at it...
The Martin takes it for me but I am a native Pennsylvanian ! And they are made in Nazareth and a class A company .
I don't care how good the Eastman sounds/plays, if I have $1400+ to spend on a guitar, I sure as hell ain't spending it on a Chinese guitar. I'll go with a Larrivee instead.
soundwise...not too much of a difference.
That sounds right - it's how they feel that's different. The difference in tone is subjective. They're both fine guitars, it's just that the Martin plays flawlessly. It's a huge diminishing return on investment, I understand. On the other hand, I don't expect to ever sell the Martin - it's the only guitar I own that I can say that about - okay maybe my AVRI Tele too.
or get a Sigma 000r28vs..
Buy Eastman. Stop allowing the bloated prices of ridiculous joints like Martin, Fender, Gibson, etc.
Well...China pays its workers right around $4.75 / hour....Martin pays in the $35-$40 /hour for the same skill set . So how bloated is all that?
No argument regarding quality, Eastman are fine guitars and deserve consideration. Eastman are not building the GSO's that China exports abundantly nor producing GSO's with names on the guitar that belong to some other entity. I will however never support a company (Eastman in this case) that chooses to outsource rather than build in the west. That said, choose the guitar you can afford and feels right to you. Politics should not get in the way.
I don't care about the cases, but thanks
Faux leather
who really cares about the case. the remainder of your assessment was informative, but why waste any time reviewing the case. really??
I care about the case.
Me too.
I do too
It's pretty hard to seriously compare a fine American guitar with a Chinese product. More information regarding the source of the wood would be useful.
+Dale Hazlehurst Why would it be so hard to compare a fine Chinese guitar with an American product? It's just that: two guitars.
You can compare them any way you want. You can like the one, dislike the other, or like them both, or prefer one guitar over the other in some aspects and not in other aspects. Really, it ain't hard.
Unless you would have some prejudices against one of these 'products', of course; that would make a comparison pretty hard. Getting rid of prejudices is hard too. Yet you might want to give it a try.
I thought we were talking guitars not race. At the end of the day play the guitar you like.
Dale Hazlehurst I am not talking about 'race'. I am talking about guitars. Please read what I wrote, not what I did not write.
You asserted that "it is pretty hard to seriously compare a fine American guitar with a Chinese product". I challenge that assertion. I think it is nonsensical.
+Dale Hazlehurst Woh!!!! Hold up! Did you know Eastman use the finest tone woods available - used by Collings? Did you know that Eastman guitars are literally hand made using traditional tooling methods - no CNC at all. Did you know that Martin guitars ARE mass produced. Eastman guitars are head and shoulders above Martin pound for pound and Martin simply could never produce their guitars in the same way Eastman do without each guitar costing you many thousands of pounds more. Martin use inferior tone woods, utilize mass production but make sales because of lemmings whose only requirement for a guitar is for it to be "American"
+Halcyon Halcyon Nothing at all. People think that paying 2-3x the price for a guitar makes it better. I own Martin and Eastman guitars as well as many other brands. The Eastman guitars stand right up next my Martin guitars for a lot less money. Eastman guitars are all hand made by extremely skilled craftsman.
Eastman sounds like a dying cat.
Eastman's sound like they are toy guitars.... I'd never buy one...
Hollis Greene. Sir, have you spent any time actually playing an Eastman? Perhaps you might find the experience educational and enlightening. Perhaps not. Just a thought.