Eastman E20D | Acoustic Guitar Review

[@keitheeweithee]

Research before you buy. I did,and am pleased as punch with the E20D!!!

[@ClarenceJWTR]

I am buying one of these tomorrow and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!

[@AcousticShoppe]

That's awesome, congrats!

[@user-lz9xz6lu3u]

I'm getting mine next week !!!

[@keitheeweithee]

I've had an E20d 2+ yrs. Ordered it thru Reverb. It's more guitar than I was expecting for sure. Top even has bear claw markings!

[@keitheeweithee]

That's "bear claws" in the top!!

[@AcousticShoppe]

That's awesome!

[@steveyarbrough2300]

I bought an E20 D to leave at our apartment in Kraków. Getting ready to return to the US, and I hate leaving it behind, even though I have several vintage Martins. I love the guitar.

[@robinowens9661]

Bought an E20D-SB last year. Great guitar. Play it as often as my Martin D-18.

[@AcousticShoppe]

That's awesome!

[@WHITEY93532]

I’ve been looking at Eastman for a couple of years and and ready to purchase one within 6 months.

[@AcousticShoppe]

They're a great investment!

[@santacruzman]

I bought mine before knowing anything about them. I was in a store in Salem, Oregon and noticed the "near white" top. It was beautiful, so I picked it up and played it. It seemed very consistent from low to high and had a lovely sound. It was $1200 at the time, and when the sales person gave me the specs I was kind of shocked. Mind you I had a very rich sounding Tony Rice at home from Santa Cruz. I had to get it. The cost to value ratio was over the top. I play it about the same amount of time as my Santa Cruz OOO. I thought it would be a good guitar to take camping - it is, but I still baby it. I will only play it outdoors if the climate is suitable. Such a great hand built instrument. Personally I like the idea of a Chinese craftsman building it - the notion that a luthier's skill changes according to political boundaries is absurd. I bought some German tuners to replace the standard ones on this instrument but have yet to do so as these work every bit as well. Congrats on being the largest distributor of these fine imported instruments!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing your experience and watching the video! We totally agree!

[@rhettg24]

The Chinese Communist Party thanks you for your purchase. I bet you won't be able to resell it for $100.

[@santacruzman]

@@rhettg24 LOL. I'd bet you a grand I'd be able to resell it for more than $100. What a silly thing to say, even if it is an emotion-driven statement. Besides, I have my SCGC 000 and my SCGC Tony Rice selected purely for their sound -- I do not buy instruments in order to resell them and I obviously did not need this one. The fact is, it was an incredible instrument and an even more incredible value - that I could not resist. I don't mind discussing politics either, but only with those likely to have a quality take - something creative to say, or something to make me think. It ain't you, babe. No, no, no.

[@canaanlawrence7351]

​@@rhettg24 I don't buy guitars as investments. I buy them to play. And just judging by your comment, the trump party appreciated your vote in 2016.

[@rhettg24]

@@canaanlawrence7351 Crappy guitars for crappy platers.

[@ambu6478]

Thank you so much for enlightening me on the Eastman guitar brand. I'd never heard of Eastman until watching your videos. Sorry I didn't purchase my first Eastman from The Acoustic Shop, but I was able to find an old model that is like brand new at a great price. I've had a lot of guitars over the years, and this Eastman HE120, is probably the best playing and sounding guitar for the price I've ever owned. I owned a Martin D35 for a while and it was great, but it cost a great deal more money!! Thanks!!

[@f5mando]

Bostin on Little Sadie.Eastman are rockin' it - as are you, John and Jem.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks!

[@ermancroney3805]

Sounds great! I have a DM Martin, & just noticed a separation of the binding on top of the guitar next to the back. Bought it new in 04. I still need to come to your shoppe & look at the E20D. I am a bluegrass man. Thanks.

[@michaelg.damons6229]

If your Martin has a life time warranty call Martin. Richard Starkey in Franklin TN. Can do warranty repairs on Martin's

[@dponzi56]

Hey Erman, I have a 96 Martin DM. Its a nice guitar. The binding came off a couple of times, and the top split from the bridge to the end. I have a local luthier near me that repaired it. I have a D-35 too, so I don't play it a lot anymore.

[@AcousticShoppe]

We welcome you anytime to come check out our shoppe! Much like the other comments said, check out if this is covered under Martin's warranty!

[@gregpiper8416]

I've had my eye on this one for a while. I bought an AC622ce from you a few months ago, so I'll have to wait a few months before I'll be allowed to bring a new one home. Not to knock Martin, but there's a couple things listed on their current D-28 specs. that really bother me. They list the top as "spruce" without saying what kind. They also list the neck as "select hardwood". If were going to drop $3,200, I'd want better information.

[@victoresarey4036]

I have a 2019 e20d Adirondack and it's amazing especially after adding bone bridge pins 😊

[@AcousticShoppe]

Nice upgrade!

[@victoresarey4036]

@The Acoustic Shoppe do you think the certificate of authentication can be obtained from eastman? Got mine used and everything was included except that paper

[@AcousticShoppe]

@@victoresarey4036 We believe Eastman would not be able to get you a COA because it was sold used.

[@victoresarey4036]

@The Acoustic Shoppe that's cool thanks for the response! Also adding old school oval tuners to it as well

[@victoresarey4036]

Got lucky with mine. Paid 850 and came in the original case only thing missing was the COA

[@keitheeweithee]

That's a great price. Seeing how the current retail for them is @2k bucks.

[@victoresarey4036]

@@keitheeweithee reverb Is amazing sometimes there'd real steals on there

[@karengayle9331]

Great , exactly what I have looking for.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Glad we could help you in your search!

[@Yanthewhite]

It is a good choice for flatpicking style im looking for one

[@AcousticShoppe]

We absolutely recommend this model for flatpicking! We do have a couple in stock they just aren't on our website yet. The only difference is that Eastman has actually since changed over all of their "E" series guitars to be thermo cured. So currently we have one in natural and one in a sunburst, give us a call or email for more information, they hopefully will be on our website today! (417)-720-1223 Email: [e-mail] Website: www.theacousticshoppe.com/shop/Instruments/Guitars.htm

[@aaronpatton6674]

I’m very pleased with the tone and playability of my Eastman e20d. The intonation is not as good as the 2 Taylor guitars that I owed. I had a Luther put in another saddle and it improved a lot. But the intonation is still not as good as Taylor when playing a D chord. That said, this Eastman is a cannon in volume and headroom. Sounds great, and a great guitar for the price if you can get one used, especially as how expensive guitars are now.

[@shaynegreen]

Great review! You guys sound so good on Little Sadie. Is there somewhere I can listen to your version?

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thank you! Here's the full performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGfVp6SepMpofrM

[@FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill]

20th LIKE, 63rd fan view... "The 'Good-Old Martin' Clone" line. Awesome sound. Curious to know what strings you've got for this tone demo.

[@AcousticShoppe]

As a standard we put EJ16s on them!

[@santacruzman]

Try the Santa Cruz parabolics (mediums)! Outstanding.

[@ckdurso5326]

Again, thanks for the expertise. Which means you may know this answer: is there an Eastman E1 OM out there with ovangkol back and sides, thermo-cure top AND a shorter scale? I need the shorter scale for these old shoulders and Taylor says ovangkol has the reach of rosewood but with more middle...a giant economy size no-prize if you have the answer...best rgds

[@texhaines9957]

Adirondack or Red Spruce Also sounds better with my voice. Or I can better hear the notes I am to sing. Some of that wood comes from West Virginia and other Applichain forests. Thanks John and Jeremy.

[@stugordon7371]

nice guitar well played

[@captainnapalm8207]

Any opinions on Blueridge BR-160A vs BR-260 vs Recording King RD-328 vs Eastman E20D or E20D-TC?

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

I did a video comparing Blueridge and Eastman if you are interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5bKqayFm6qfg8k I ended up keeping the Eastman.

[@patricklundquist9869]

I have mixed feelings about that satin head stock. My 2021 E20D-TC, which I believe has the new Dana Bourgeois Tru-Tone finish, has a gloss head stock which is easier on the eyes. Mixed feelings because string changes and clip-on tuners can mar a gloss finish so the change won't be a deal breaker.

[@ckdurso5326]

interested in eastman under $1000, particularly an OM; does the build quality waver from guitar to guitar? I see Recording King offers Adirondack and Rosewood under $1000, but who wants the V neck? enjoy your videos, want a new guitar...

[@AcousticShoppe]

We do not see a drop in quality at all with Eastman's lower-priced series', especially their new Deluxe Series. It is also funny that you mention Recording King as we just recently filmed an Eastman vs Recording King review. We definitely agree that the V-Neck on the Recording King is quite pronounced and could be uncomfortable to some. We also notice overall that Recording Kings don't hit the same quality level that some other brands can, including Eastman. That is just our opinion, of course, we do see how both brands have their pros and cons.

[@ckdurso5326]

Well, so very grateful to hear back from you, thanks a lot! It is a sign of your real commitment to music, which "calms the savage breast." I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos and have learned some things even about my 1975 Martin D-28 that I didn't previously know. Your friend JP Cormier got me started on this value quest, and I refuse to pay the top prices. (maybe if I could play better...) Best regards from Nashville TN.

[@thefisherman2837]

Are these eastmans a thicker profile to the reimagined Martin's. ? I really love the tc versions of these . I just need to get my hands on one as I'd love to get into eastmans.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Yes the Eastman's are going to have a thicker profile than the reimagined Martin's. Definitely try one in person if you get the chance!

[@brettdomangue9666]

Where are these guitars made?

[@AcousticShoppe]

The Eastman factory is in China.

[@scottparsons9420]

“I feel more comfortable that way”

[@AcousticShoppe]

😂

[@scottschmittmusic]

What's the back and sides??

[@AcousticShoppe]

The E20D has Indian Rosewood Back and Sides.

[@billdedrick1914]

1976 first year of the HD28 not 1977

[@rhettg24]

I try not to buy anything from China. These things cost as much as a USA strat and you wouldn't be able to sell it for 1/3 the new price.

[@santacruzman]

A strat is essentially a 2 x 4 with pickups (I own a custom shop contemporary - black with white pearl pg). It makes little sense to compare one to a hand built acoustic instrument.

[@therhodeo]

@@santacruzman yep. A production D-28 is fender custom shop prices. They're not comparable.

[@saintless]

You're correct that resell value is greatly diminished vs a Martin or something like that... but, it's still a good instrument for the money considering an equivalent Martin (new) is going to run at least another $1000 on top of that... if not double. Not to mention, even lesser known US made guitars are not going to have the greatest resell value compared to the bigger names; look at how low Larrivee's go for used or maybe Guild. And even boutique brands selling $5k+ guitars tend to take a hit.

[@G_Demolished]

I have a D18 and as much as I love it, there are a lot of situations where I’d like to bring it but I’m afraid of something happening to it. I’m thinking of getting one of these instead of a D28 so I’ll have a good guitar that’s not giving me anxiety when it leaves the house. Resale value doesn’t matter if you keep it.

[@biffelliotforpresident]

Not many used on Reverb. That tells you something. I dont have an Eastman acoustic but the first time I saw them I was looking at a $3.5K Martin in a guitar shop. On a whim I picked up a blacktop Eastman that was $800. It sounded much better than the Martin. Everyone in the shop admitted it too. I couldnt believe it. Honestly, it was the best sounding guitar I've ever played and I often regret not buying it. Didnt buy the Martin either.