Did Eastman Just Create The PERFECT Slope Shoulder Guitar, UNDER $600?!

[@RossBurgess-xs8wt]

Just coming back to give feedback on the E1SS-SB that I bought a few weeks ago at your Small Business Saturday sale. I have no shortage of much more expensive guitars to pick up, but found this one while strolling through the shoppe and decided I couldn't pass it up. I agree when you say it is not just a great guitar at the price point - it is a great guitar period! This is the perfect guitar for picking around the campfire, and with the short scale neck and bright sapele back and sides, it works quite well for playing lead riffs behind another acoustic guitar player. I also put it in drop D tuning and it is amazingly full top to bottom. Think I need to come back by and get a pickup added into this guy... Thanks Eastman and TAS for a great guitar at a steal of a price!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the feedback, Ross!

[@Ezemdi]

Just ordered one from reverb. It definitely needs a setup but man it sounds really good. I’m going to send it in to my luthier to have an lr baggs pickup installed along with a setup

[@bleedingear1952]

I bought my Eastman E20ss a couple years back and I can say hands down this is the best guitar i have owned (including vintage gibsons , Matons etc). It still inspires me every time i pick it up and has become my main gigging guitar. Very well built and what a massive tone :) Love my Eastman

[@ambu6478]

I've been playing guitar for 45+ years and have owned several different guitars of different brands, but I had never heard of Eastman until I found your KZbin channel. I bought a used Eastman recently,and I can't believe the quality of the guitar for the money! If you didn't see it, but heard it, you would think it was a Martin!

[@paulmurphy9973]

Big fan of the Eastman company!

[@LPKJFHIS]

Any time I play a good one, and there’s a lot of them, I’m very tempted to own it out of the joy it would bring me. Alas. I can’t own everything

[@banjo1434]

Great review. The 00 didn't like being strummed with barre chords, but that is as to be expected. I really want an Eastman J45 and this one is the most affordable yet. Outstanding.

[@mattweiss5035]

The Eastman e10ss/v is basically the Eastman J45, and I like mine better than a Gibson J45!

[@ronbussell467]

Looking forward to a comparison of E 10ss and the E 1 ss

[@trent526]

I have several Eastmans and just purchased the E1SS. Amazing guitar, the tone and sustain are very good... as good or better tone than my E10SS. This model is simply beyond belief when considering the price point it is at. I cannot find any noticeable flaws or indications of a lower-end guitar. It's a little bit baffling in that I don't understand the need to even spend twice the price in Eastman's line, let alone 4-5 times the price for brands in the over $2000 range. There is always the made is US vs China debate but if someone is considering Eastman I assume that is not an issue.

[@danherrick5785]

If they made these with larger nuts, the E1ss would take over the world.

[@kevinmauch5622]

I'm a proud owner of two Eastman guitars, an E20 OOSS and an E20P. Both are fantastic instruments of exceptional tone and build quality. To solve the saddle/pickup conundrum on the OOSS I installed a K&K Pure Mini set up which has three sensors mounted to the soundboard. No battery to fuss with. Been playing it plugged into a Fender Preverb pedal, a great preamp with a selection of several cool reverbs and quite affordable for under $200.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Nice recommendation!

[@michaellaverty1844]

I’m not a fan of the open pour finishes but I have to say for the price these two look and sound good. That being said I believe John could make a 2x4 with a wire sound great.

[@55TeleMark]

This has become my favorite channel above all. Makes me miss the Ozarks.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Come visit sometime!

[@asskicker917]

Ive played the 00 in the store and it sounds unbelievable especially for the price!

[@markharwood7573]

I recently bought an Epiphone IBG J-45 and out of the 20-odd guitars that I have owned it is one of my favourites. It ticks every box; even the basic pickup is better than some folks make it sound. This Eastman dread costs a little more and doesn't have the pickup, the sound is brighter, the all-round quality is right up there too. It surely deserves to sell well.

[@ndtealmusic]

The Epi J45 retails at $749. The Eastman E1SS retails at $579. There's a newer E1SS-DLX that does have a Fishman pickup and gloss finish and that retails at $769. For an extra $10? The E1SS-DLX is the next acoustic on my list. I also owned an Epi J45 for the better part of last year and will say I very much loved it.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

Thanks guys!!! I’ve gotta come check out the shop one of these days.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Come on by!

[@matteimages8154]

put a lens hood or some kind of mattebox on main angle camera on the slider. It'll get rid of that washed out look you have. Great reviews guys!

[@rond1763]

I hear a bass difference but not an enjoyability factor. I liked the smaller guitar better but they both sounded excellent! 😃✌

[@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill]

19th subscriber LIKE; 94th desktop fan view of the matte/satin-finish, no-frills look.

[@vanrozay8871]

Either of these would be a perfectly acceptable road guitar for a working folk, bluegrass, or blues performer. Why worry about a 4K instrument when a modest price one will do?

[@eertje01]

Very tempting! I own an E1d which I love. The only thing that grinds my gear a bit is the satin sunburst. It really needs a bit of a gloss. I wonder if it can be hand rubbed with a compound or something

[@AcousticShoppe]

It can be rubbed out a bit, but it will never be as glossy as a gloss finished guitar.

[@weaselpopper]

I did it with my E1OM antique finish and am very pleased with it. Not as perfect as a sprayed factory gloss but so close and I love how it looks and feels now. I used Mothers mag and aluminum polish and a Q tip to go around the bridge and pickguard edges. It also works wonders on dulled plastic car headlight lens in just minutes they are like new.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

I got my e1ss today and it is so much better than my Taylor at 5x the price, it’s not even close! Excellent review, fellas. Anyone on the fence, go get it! The only risk is that you might like it more than your way expensive guitar…

[@MrMattroc01]

Are the new e100 ss sb no longer have the drop-in saddle? I'm trying to find one but it seems like all the pictures I see you're just a regular saddle

[@kingstumble]

The fact that you can't easily lower the action at the bridge is a dealbreaker for me.

[@fenderlead1]

Someone recently posted an E1 - 00 Eastman on Facebook marketplace and the bridge is not a through slot. So maybe they’ve changed the design recently because I agree with you. Marginal improvement and tone but a pain in the ass for everything else.

[@mightymustache6949]

Would a medium gauge string provide some more low-end on the dreadnought? I almost really like these, but the sound is just too bright and has too much mids.

[@mathiasmas]

Hey guys! As always, great review and demos! How come these guitars aren't on the Eastman website yet?

[@AcousticShoppe]

They are going to be released at NAMM.

[@mathiasmas]

@@AcousticShoppe ok! 👍👌

[@calebbhawkins]

I have an E10 OO SS so I’m good there. But my E20SS is needing a neck reset so I might need another advanced jumbo in my life soon

[@mightymustache6949]

Hey, I know this is an old comment but I wanted to ask how long you had the E20 before it needed a reset? I'm interested in an Eastman due to the price, but that's concerning.

[@calebbhawkins]

@@mightymustache6949 so I am the second owner and this particular guitar came with a small gap at the heel when I bought it used for $760 on reverb… I got it in 2018 but it’s a few years older than that. I didn’t baby it. I strung it with medium gauge strings and played gigs with it. I ran it hard and I still have it. It’s great still, sounds better than the Gibson J45 I bought and sold. I think my experience is a little unique.

[@mightymustache6949]

@@calebbhawkins thanks for the response! I appreciate it

[@laketownmusic]

I actually prefer satin finishes. To me gloss finishes make acoustic guitars look cheap sometimes and I just love a good satin finish

[@clydesullivan6945]

Just wondering if you know why the ss guitars or any that are j45 shaped don't come from factory with pickup already installed? Please let me know if you know Thanks an I enjoy your site !Have a wonderful day!!

[@AcousticShoppe]

As far as Eastman goes, they don't install the pickup because it gives customers more options. If they do decide to buy a pickup, they can choose which one is best for them rather than the factory choosing for them! Thanks for watching!

[@goodknight37]

If the top had a nitro semigloss I’d be all in

[@benketcherside1746]

So i have stumbled upon this and i am now torn ive been looking at the martin dss17 any words of wisdom for a guy who is torn i love on the martin that the nut width is 1 3/4 and sounds great but, that eastman e1ss sb sounds great

[@bealfeirsteabu]

Love mine. I have some sweet guitars and have let go of others. DSS-17 is my go to; incredible depth and tone for such a light guitar. Won’t be letting it go. Price is reasonable imho.

[@bosse641]

Very nice guitars at a very nice price.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Agreed!

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I was going to get an Orangewood at about the same price as those Eastman guitars, now I'm not sure. I prefer a mahogany top, back and sides, so probably getting an Orangewood, if I can decide on which model....?

[@AcousticShoppe]

I do wish Eastman had their all mahogany models again, they were discontinued. We would recommend the Eastman overall

[@derekgladden5200]

Oh man, I’ve been looking for SS short scale dred! When will they be up for sale in the shop?

[@johnchapman4232]

Now

[@aperezdeal]

Has anyone buffed one up? Works well.

[@John-wr6yo]

For some reason i believe that the slot in long saddle increases sound board sonics.

[@tdkrei]

Thanks again guy but, how come I never see any archtop "f" style guitars? Is it because they aren't "bluegrass" type; or something else? I have played many arch tops and love the sound. Keep on smiling.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Archtops are awesome! We have a few reviews on our channel of some of the Eastman's, we really love the ones that they make! We try and highlight them whenever we can, we don't see too many come into the store too much.

[@2628064379]

Will Eastman be offering these instruments left handed?

[@richardharding9975]

One word. Left handed!

[@ShelfGenie-Philadelphia]

Will Eastman be releasing either of these with a natural top?

[@AcousticShoppe]

They will not be released in a natural top.

[@845ranger]

Is this available with a 1 3/4” neck?

[@AcousticShoppe]

It is not.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

OK I’m not an acoustic guitar expert. Can I put a k&k mini in this guitar or not? Thanks in advance.

[@AcousticShoppe]

You absolutely can!

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

Thanks!

[@larryoneal9944]

Have you folks considered playing the guitars first and then discussing their merits. How they sound and play is the bottom line.

[@bughat1]

where are they made?

[@lazvt8469]

China....HANDMADE. Got a couple electrics SUPERB and affordable....

[@jed1166]

They are made in China, because Eastman is a Chinese company. It is not an American company,(Ovation), or Japanese company,(Yamaha), farming out lower end guitars to CNC factories… I lived in China for 13 years, and visited the Eastman factory. I spoke to craftsmen that had worked there, hand building guitars, mandolins and violins for over a decade… they are rightfully proud of their work. Amazingly, the street price in China is 10% higher than here in the states.

[@md6397]

@@jed1166 Cool story bro...needs a few dragons

[@makkiesteban4574]

For those that have purchased these guitars, what type of pickup did you end up installing if you have done so?

[@tedr.]

I'm guessing no leftys😢

[@lazvt8469]

I got a couple electric lefties....easy to find...acoustic a bit harder but available.

[@keestoft250]

I believe John did sadly say no on a previous video. They should at least think about offering these left handed, they'd sell a ton of them.

[@2628064379]

@@keestoft250 I wrote to Eastman last week and asked which instruments they offer in a left-hand version. They replied: Acoustic AC122L-1CE AC222LCE AC322LCE AC422LCE E1DL E1OML E10DL-TC E10SSL-TC E20DL-TC E20OML-TC Electric AR372LCE-SB SB59L-GB T486L SB59L/TV T49DL/TV T64L/V-T-RD T59L/TV-RD Let's hope they include this new instrument. I'm looking for a short scale instrument. And I wonder if these instruments with their minimal finish are significantly less in weight than their gloss finish instruments.

[@tedr.]

@Bill Baumann Nice to know but the issue has always been finding them.

[@manuguzman4919]

👍🏼

[@masterofce]

That satin finish looks hokey,,,,Very Cheap Looking.!!

[@gottaflylee5521]

Wow, they are both Boomers!!!

[@soofitnsexy]

i just wanna say thats a tremendous shirt you are wearing bro!!! the guitar...meh it sounds 500 bucks..nice beach park guitar

[@carlosreira2189]

I'm afraid those are two incredibly shitty sounding instruments, but they have some mojo. Lead lines are ok, but chords sound awfully out of tune, which suggests harmonic interference all over the place. The Gibson designs are not easy ones to optimize. The Martin dreadnought and all the others are so well copied as to be well understood, but Gibson remains a mystery even to themselves. Some sound great, others shit. (Guitar Center lets you mess around with the J200s and everything else, despite the $5000 pricetag).I wonder about the thickness specs, arching and bracing. Its actually possible that the top woods are too high quality for the J 45. It's counter intuitive, but Gibson used whatever was available. Recently, the Bozeman team thinned the perimeter of the top to try and recreate the vintage tone, similar to what Taylor does, and the instrument suffered worse IMO. Also, they really dug into bracing in the old days. Scalloping is essential to create nodal points in the top. Not sure if Eastman appreciates this. Like their arch tops, these two Eastman guitars are stiff in places they need not to be.

[@CliffordEdgley]

This comment is ridiculous.

[@mbrackmann8]

@@CliffordEdgley dude was just typing a whole lot of nothing lol

[@carlosreira2189]

@@CliffordEdgley Maybe. I've built some beautiful but very shitty sounding flat top guitars, all based on Gibson designs. With archtops though Gibson ruled, no doubt about it.

[@CharlieBFrench]

no

[@toneyrockstv]

Want a J45 sound... get a J45. These guitars don't do it. If you're serious about your sound, stop being cheap and get what it is that'll help you reach the tone you're looking for. Score a decent J45 for $1600. It'll get you a lot further than a $600 knockoff that doesn't hit the mark.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

False. Go play them side-by-side. You might even like it better than the fancy headstock name models. Eastman is the real deal. My e1ss punches above its price point - better than others I’ve played at 5x the price.

[@Johnjingleheimerschmidtt]

@@danejames7098 folks can blab all they want but the side-by-side doesn’t lie.