BATTLE of the DREADNOUGHTS! Martin HD-28 vs. Eastman E8 D!

In this video Sasha compares two similar dreadnought guitars in different price ranges. The Martin HD-28, a true classic. And an Eastman E8 D, a modern classic. Not really a fair fight, we know. But we do think the Eastman holds its own very well against the much more expensive Martin. Which one do you like best? Debate in the comment section!
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[@denmanjum]

I was in a guitar shop a few weeks ago and played several guitars, Martins, Gibsons, Taylors. All of the guitars were used. I saw an E8D and asked about it and when she told me it was a Chinese guitar I immediately dismissed it, but it looked nice. I continued to play guitars and was almost ready to lay down the cash for an old Gibson that had a very nice tone, but something was drawing me to the Eastman, even though I hadn't picked it up yet. It was. 2017 model in mint condition, so I googled it and was impressed with what others were saying on various guitar forums. I was very impressed with the build, solid rosewood back and sides, spruce top and ebony fretboard, so I picked it up and began to play it. I loved the way it sounded and played and it did remind me of a Martin, but it was different, not better or worse, but the sound of a very well made guitar,, with its own unique tone. When you play a guitar and it rings, you know you have a good guitar. So I bought it and I'm very happy with it. These people make very fine instruments!

[@tomdaoust]

Excellent and fair comparison. I just bought a 2019 Martin D-18 (used, obviously). I had no idea that Eastman was such a great copy. Why? Because I'd been absent from guitar shopping for decades, wanted a Martin for its history and prestige, and most importantly I had the money to spend with no pains of regret. I've watched many comparisons like yours and the Martin wins in so many important areas. The last words in your video says it all, “If you've got the money, buy the Martin. If you don't, the Eastman will make you very happy.”

[@truthof7382]

Eastman dreads are built for and come with 12ga (light) stings and the Martin 13ga (medium). Makes a huge difference. Martin’s top is made or tuned for the medium strings, which give it that extra body or “thump”. For most people’s ears, when you slap 12s on a D28, it’s just not the same. And that is big reason why Eastman dreads sound brighter and more open. They are made for light gauge strings.

[@joeshea1010]

Interesting. Would you put medium gauge on the Eastman E1D?

[@spider8429]

I have an Eastman E10d and I put medium gauge strings on it and it sounds a lot better to me I just had to file down the nut slots in the back angle so the strings don't get caught up

[@bobaldo2339]

Ah, but in the retail stores these days most of the new dreads, including Martins, are strung with light gauge strings (12's) and coated 12's at that! So, you really don'r know what that D-28 on the wall (for example) will sound like with medium uncoated PB strings on it.

[@G_Demolished]

@@bobaldo2339 That’s false. All Martin dreads come strung with 13’s. They put 12’s on their smaller bodies.

[@bobaldo2339]

​@@G_Demolished Come to where? Evidently you haven't been in the same stores I have. Even big internet retailers are shipping them to their customers with coated lights, and they are all dreads I'm talking about, from D-28's to cheaper made in Mexico dreads.

[@geoffreycarter3981]

One downside to the Eastman that most people never mention is the Polyester finish. It's quite thin and very well finished, but if you want a Nitro finish, which is a more "correct" finish for an instrument in my opinion, you'll have to get the Martin, or a Gibson. I feel more connected to the instrument and the materials with a nitro finish and it will age gracefully until it fits its player like a glove. At the offset, it's a pretty minor detail, and the poly finish will actually "last" longer, but it just has a slightly impersonal feel to it and prevents some of the instrument's character from coming through. (not to mention the great smell of nitro!)

[@dannymuhammad8321]

Excellent review and I agree with every single thing you said. I actually own a both of these guitars so I know what you're talkin about. I knew you knew what you were talking about when you mentioned the Martin compresses

[@brieantoine963]

When you attack the strumming strings hard, the chords on the Martin stay in place which is not the case on the Eastman. We hear an unpleasant metallic noise certainly due to the bracing. Martin's bracing are much better and that's why we hear a difference. Martin's fingers give a warmer sound

[@ettoreg6272]

I have an Eastman E1D and this is not true at all for mine.

[@lpjbird]

I have two Eastman an E10ss/v and E8OM-tc and they booth have a metallic kind of noise nobody can quite put their finger on… mostly when strummed aggressively with a pick…but fingerpicking is no issue. I even sent the E8OM back to Eastman & they replaced it with one that does the same thing. I have Martins, Gibson, Epiphone’s, Guilds new & old and none of them make that noise. It’s very annoying to say the least.

[@kamarienedwards1757]

@@lpjbirdtry upping the string gauge!

[@gregpiper8416]

I played two E8Ds yesterday. One had the torrified top and the other did not. They both sounded great, but I bought the non-torrified model. It sounded better to me and to others in the room. Apparently, they are making all of the new ones TC. I feel lucky that I got the discontinued version.

[@guestguide2544]

I have a 2022 E8D and it sounds better to my ear, then a 2022 with a TC top that I also have. Also have a Custom HD-28 with Adirondack top and braces that is much better then the Eastman's. Another is a Recording King RD-327 that is nearly as good as the Martin, it is though the best, the 3rd one out of 5 of that model I purchased. Still have 2 left to move out.

[@LottimusMaximus]

If you’re into hand made guitars, Eastman is the way. If you want a mass produced replica of a good guitar that’s overpriced, get the Martin.

[@oliverk191]

I'd buy an Eastman and go on holiday. Honestly the Eastman d28 style I played was far superior to any of the standard Martin line I have played in the last few years and kept up with some of the "top end" martins with fancy wood, baked tops and pumpkin treatment

[@skittlybeepbop13]

They both sounds great, strumming on the martin, and picking on the eastman for me. Curious if they both have the same strings because especially on acoustics i think that really really matters. Eastman is such a good deal.

[@mcdee56]

Amazing how we judge guitars by the sound they make prior to opening up! I'm older and don't choose to break-in any more new guitars. Nice demo, thanks!

[@patricklundquist9869]

Eastman E8D now comes in thermo-cured for impatient people like us.

[@cminty6805]

Great review, actual opinions! A rare thing on you tube guitar comparisons

[@danleyrold45]

I have a D 18 and an Eastman E60M. I love them both for different reasons and different tonal qualities. The radius is different. The neck shape is different. but when it comes down to just one guitar, the D-18 will win every time.

[@Walksomemore]

Me, too. Well, I sold my E6D, great guitar but not in the same room as my 18....

[@hotlov72]

Both sound amazing! The Martin is a little mellower

[@tomdaoust]

I love the comments your video illicits. Serious guitar officianados hang around here, many with perfectly valid critiques of your comparison. You do good work. Keep it up.

[@guestguide2544]

Another good comparison review would be the Bourgeois Touchstone Rosewood Dreadnought with the HD-28. New they would both have mediums on. Also, what he says here about the TC top not having a lot of subtle to full volume control is accurate, with the TC top the sound really takes off when you dig in but until that point it feels somewhat timid. As the guitar opens up and back and sides age somewhat they will probably improve quite a bit.

[@patlundquist6106]

I've had two TC dreds. No timidity. Great volume of necessary but also subtle nuance. In fact the rosewood tended to get muddy when playing harder. The mahogany can take anything I throw at it.

[@tonyrollins8757]

Eastman sounds better to my ear

[@G_Demolished]

It’s perfect for your ear then.

[@tonyrollins8757]

@@G_Demolished not just my ear my wallet too 🎤

[@madamkirk]

Just my opinion is that the Eastman is slightly more focused in the middle and the Martin has more Lows.

[@billybudd45]

Nice video. Great comparison

[@bobaldo2339]

Both sound very good. Martins have a 16" (flatter) fretboard radius; Eastmans have a 12" (rounder) fretboard radius.

[@patricklundquist9869]

Thermo-curing artificially ages a guitar so that when it is brand new, it has already opened up.That brand new Martin will take a lot of playing to open up. I'm sure your viewers would like to hear how a well-played and opened up Martin compares to a thermo-cured Eastman. Does the tone get closer to the Eastman?

[@Hubieee]

You can really hear the difference in between the two top woods. The Martin sounds more dull and will surely open up over the years. Both great guitars. If I had to chose, definitely the Martin. Why? I would sell it and get the Eastman ;). I personally really don't care. Got an Eastman here, for a hobby a great guitar! Yet, ... Martins will definitely keep their value better though. You know, people can't get out of their minds so easy...

[@begelston]

You described perfectly why you'd pay the extra price for the Martin. It is that "thump" against the chest and the resulting symbiosis with the player. There's nothing else quite like that.

[@ahill209]

I have a Martin D-28 Marquis, which has the Adirondack Spruce top. I agree that Martin has more presence, and better bass projection. The Eastman is a good guitar and a strong consideration for those who can't afford a D-28.

[@jamescoughlan8193]

They both look and sound great to me but just think you could buy two Eastman guitars and still have a thousand leftover for a really nice acoustic amp. I do understand why people who have the cash to spare would buy a Martin though. Love your soft gentle playing style it lets the real sound ooze out more than the banding hard playing I often see on these type of videos.

[@jaredcaldera]

…was this sarcasm?..😂

[@infiniteawareness2202]

I agree!

[@NINEWALKING]

So basically finally someone figured out that they can make roasted tops as well. Necks were/are successful time for other parts to get roasted as well 😀. Considering that you can't really make wood old, kiln drying and roasting it does good thing in my book.

[@stevebernard221]

A lot of people get caught up in "the low end" . The Eastman is better balanced, you heard each string clearly in the recording which actually contributed to a fuller sound to the chords. The Martin is bass heavy, and unfortunately the chords don't project as clearly. The Eastman, at least for recording, is the winner here.

[@pana19561]

HD-28 is better sound, 😊 Still being compared to for a reason, its superior quality, and hand made in USA...

[@njcranes]

I have had an Martin HD-35, OM-21, Taylor 414CE, Larry OM-3 and still only helld my J-45 the longest. I now have 2 Eastmans, AC422ce and AC-OM2 and they are fantastic. The Martin and Taylor's are fine guitars but you are paying for the name, if that's important to you, God's speed. If you want a top quality instrument at an "affordable" price, go Eastman and don't hesitate. Affordable is a relative term I understand.

[@dsimms561]

I think I like the Eastman better in this review. I think a D-18 beats them both

[@G_Demolished]

D18 beats almost anything. 😀

[@TheGuitarRoom]

Couldn’t agree more!!! George Gruhn of Gruhn Guitars in Nashville said the D 18 is the best guitar made today

[@sc12100]

HD28 for me - yet I own one so Im biased. I've owned Eastman (specifically a 2011 E10D). They make great guitars but they dont sound like a Martin. If you want Martin tone, get a Martin. I sold the Eastman after a year and half just because I fell out of love with the tone. Eastman's are known to be a little bright. Nothing wrong with that, but I found out - thats not what I'm looking for. IME - they have a certain chimey sound, and you can kind of hear it here. Outstanding comparison and I love videos that compare guitars that are really close in woods and construction.

[@ren-shen]

I agree about the chime. The E10D almost gets to a D28 in chime. But the adirondack gives it much more power. I love mine.

[@waynejohnson3214]

The dried top makes a big difference. The Eastman sounds livelier and louder. I'm curious to know if they have the same strings....all guitar shootouts should use the same strings. Maybe in a few years, the Martin would sound better, but that Eastman beats it now.

[@MrArchie765]

Thank you for this honest review!!!

[@mr.k905]

I bet all the “experts” are listening to this here on their phones. 😆 I actually liked the Eastman better. Overall I find the Martins to be a bit “colder”, stiffer sounding (although with more bass). They have a somewhat metallic sound whereas the Eastman sounded more like the guitars on my old 60s records. …yes, I know, I know… Still, that’s my opinion.

[@Walksomemore]

Eastman is way less scooped than the Martin, and imho the Martin is more harmonically cohesive. I love the Eastman price but I think the Martin is a more refined sound. Tough call though.... I have owned five Eastmans, all nice guitars, all gone, but my D18 has stayed.

[@nickspearience]

Shocking how much better the Martin took hard strumming

[@gilh3947]

Toch een duidelijk verschil. Beiden mooi (gezien de prijs). Zelf verkies ik de Martin. Sasha beschrijft het juist.

[@collegeofcool8109]

Thank you for the honest opinion. Refreshing!

[@shawnsnow6413]

If you want the Martin sound then get a Martin. The Eastman lacks depth to my ears.

[@RobTackettCovers]

So for my ear anyway, when you are strumming the guitars with a pick, I can for sure hear a difference...but when you are playing finger style, both guitars sound exremely similar...

[@valentinp4110]

Martin is better... much better in my opinion... more overtones.

[@SillyMoustache]

When I first heard the Eastman playing chords - I thought -"sounds like it had lights strings - It would have to be mediums of same brand and age to really compare, but tanks anyway.

[@danielheij8881]

Cool comparison! You guys should do the same with the Eastman E10SS and the Gibson J-45!

[@maxguitarstore]

Great idea! If they're in stock I'll do that this week! - Sasha

[@EffBee_Tip]

Came here for the comparison, but I really want to know what the brown/silver head is, in the background. I see them everywhere

[@andiargana8487]

i choose martin HD-28

[@JHil35]

Martin for me

[@TheTroyallen23]

We all have different ears, it seems. To my ears this is not even a close competition. The HD28 is by far the winner; bass, middle range, upper range...

[@Tinwhistlemusic1994]

Is The Eastman good for open tunings slide blues guitar and laptapping guitar please let me know if you can much appreciate it

[@aaronpatton6674]

The Martin sounds better

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

The Eastman. I have found them problematic, though. I am on my 4th, an E1-OM. Instead of an Ebony bridge and fretboard, they are Rosewood. Other than that, the E1 series punches far above its weight class.

[@jdstan9650]

I've owned both Eastmans & Martins...neck profile is always very different. I have never heard them described as similar. Eastman has more of a thick full C shape and Martin are slimmer.

[@marlonmadera8651]

Which one you like better?

[@Blunt33bdx]

Would be interesting to see the prices now with this crazy inflation we all know > I think Martin HD28 is now almost 5000 € and Eastman maybe 1700/1800 €... And Don't forget another brand that is Martin killer : Furch guitars !!!

[@soofitnsexy]

....btw u are a great player and I really appreciate your honesty!

[@frankenstein4106]

Are they using the same size/make of strings? Strings could be influencing the tone also.

[@revzone3544]

Martin has a formula they follow, Eastman is still learning..

[@TheGuitarRoom]

However Martin walked away from that formula for decades until they almost went under. Finally in 2013 they went back to bracing and building guitars like they did in the 20s and 30s

[@James-id5xq]

The Eastman dreads always sounds a bit scooped in the mids

[@usfazli]

Martin is better

[@Tinwhistlemusic1994]

Martin has the name has the tone but not realistic for your average Joe. Eastman Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is better tone and affordable and realistically affordable for guitar noobs like me

[@michaelg.damons6229]

You should use a heavier pick too much flimsy pick sound.

[@jonizefox]

6:31 agree

[@soofitnsexy]

no comparison Eastman is bright and leaner..the martin is woodier and more robust...

[@thom2my71]

Martin is so much sweeter & refined.

[@markstaggs7342]

The Martin Al the way ,The cheap one sounds outta tune ,You can keep it, Martin way way better.

[@Joedex1625]

Sure it's 4000 but playing it will make you cry so

[@TWC6724]

Eastman sounded a little more dynamic to me.

[@freddymclain]

doesn't seem like much of a choice...

[@janfrombelgium5410]

In this case, the Eastman all the way...

[@ggrahman9371]

I stiil like martin...👍

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

I like the Eastman better...

[@guestguide2544]

The Martin clearly sounds better but a better comparison would have been with the E8D with normal Sitka Spruce. Stick with normal dried Spruce and let it age naturally for the best sound. The standard E8D sounds better then the 8D TC more definition, depth and crispness. Baking the wood does not yield natural aging process.

[@randallharris4087]

I've played and owned both. Eastman all the way!

[@patricklundquist9869]

Eastman players say their guitars are almost as good as Martins because they are afraid that Martin players would attack them if they told the truth.

[@alfsmith4936]

They are but they're not.. It's like the old Guild d40 and 50s. Great guitars and sound brilliant in the same setting as a good Martin but they have their own thing going on.

[@patlundquist6106]

@@alfsmith4936 I totally agree. They don't sound the same. But they do both sound great. Build quality and playability are both top notch. I think it does a disservice to either brand to compare and rank them when it all boils down to personal taste with potential bias based on the country the craftsmen are working in.

[@thesovereignonion2283]

two different sounds. Equally good

[@NINEWALKING]

I mean it's easy to say Martin, obvious choice for the ear and eyes and pride of the ownership. Tradition you get with the Martin is unparalleled by any other brand. They have invented the game. Still that Eastman is not bad. Plus value is also great. Solid woods with great workmanship and attention to detail at very high end level for affordable price. Eastman keeps on pleasantly surprising me. I bet it will sound better 9ver the time disregarding that top got his sap already caramelized with roasting process. Sure money no object scenario Martin all the way. 28, 45 what ever model it is it is a Martin and sounds like a Martin. More details and certain type of voice. Different structure of sound more 3D. Would not be ashamed to be seen with the Eastman either, they are rapidly rising in my book.

[@jasper_north]

That Eastman is not in tune. Seriously. B/string sounds off.

[@codehong]

1:25 2:48 5:16 5:56

[@dodgermartin4895]

Buy American!