Eastman Guitars is Changing Their Neck Joint? | New 2022 Eastman Tone-Tite Neck Joint Blind Test

[@HenryPipes]

Necks aside, you guys are becoming my favorite KZbin channel. I like these longer videos where John and Jeremy discuss these things. Great demos as well! Thank you all for the work you do for the Eastman guitar community!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! People like you are why we do it👍

[@divindave6117]

Im old and I have old fashion tendencies about a lot of things. A dovetail neck joint on a guitar speaks of tradition and it takes high quality workmanship to get it right. Quality craftsmanship is thing of real beauty. The first 'bolt on' guitar neck that I ever became aware of was the Taylor guitars. Ack!! A bolt on neck on an acoustic guitar? Blasphemy! For that reason alone, I avoided Taylor guitars like the plague for a couple of decades. Then a few years ago I acquired a Taylor and well...I guess I've softened a bit about it. The Taylor is a fine guitar even if the neck does bolt on, so I guess it's OK for me now. It's so OK, that I recently purchased an Eastman guitar that has a bolt on neck, and it's also a very fine guitar. BUT, if the choice was there with Taylor and Eastman, I would have selected a dove tail one because that's how I roll.

[@smandez2023]

Well, I'm kinda old (52 in October). I grew up with the modern sound and even have had a couple carbon guitars in my custody. Coming from an electric background, I didn't know much about acoustic and bought some real dogs. My first acoustic was a Chinese built Ovation (sounded like a combo of plastic and wet socks). Later I bought a Korean built Breedlove , a 2/3 solid guitar (solid top and back with laminated sides). That guitar sounded much better for sure, but something lacked. It had a lot of abalone and full gloss. When I started to play rather plain satin and matte guitars in stores without all the bling, I found that they sounded even better. I've had one Martin and one Taylor too and love them both but for different reasons. I totally get why you love that gorgeous Martin tone, but those guys really know what they are doing after 191 years! But Taylor has a place for me too, but maybe because I'm so used to modern tones. For example, I've had a really good sounding carbon guitar (expensive too), but it just lacked "soul". How can something sound so good but lack "soul"? I don't know, but they almost sound TOO perfect sometimes. Clinical maybe? So, I bought a cheap Taylor grand concert with laminated back and sides, and guess what? It sounds really good compared to even an expensive carbon guitar, especially considering it was a third of the cost. It also has the Taylor NT joint, which will be great when it needs a neck reset. The reset would cost more than I paid for the guitar LOL!

[@gregalderson128]

I picked A and D that sounded the best and those were both without the tone tite. That is very interesting.

[@jmstern22]

Guitar A was the clear winner in my mind. B a close second, D took third and C was the oinker of the bunch. I really didn’t hear much I liked with guitar C. Great demo and really a interesting comparison!!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@marcuslajeuness8400]

Middle of the blind tests now and A and D sound the best to my ear.

[@guitarzana688]

I heard guitar C as the most different sound. The dreadnought sound was close in both guitars with the dovetail OM (D) not far behind. But the OM with tone tight did not have as much base presence to my ears. All beautiful guitars and it totally depends on what the player wants. 👍Great demo.

[@danielmorrow6165]

‘B’ wins in my opinion but A is close with D honorable mention, C is my last place finisher but, all are great sounding guitars.

[@robertoclemente449]

WOW !!! FANTASTIC !!! Greetings from Europe , Estonia.

[@williambutler8624]

All the guitars 🎸, sounded great, but I like the sound of both Eastman 20D, I would prefer either one, I think its all in what any acoustic player prefers in buying a guitar, I own Eastmans, Bourgeois, Martin and Taylor, they are all great guitars 🎸 Eastman is building some amazing guitars, keep on picking guys!

[@michaelk5507]

Tonto was also described as the Lone Ranger's... trustly sidekick. Silver was his horse.

[@ShawnBrockMusic]

Great job guys. After demoing and owning so many guitars, I still can’t decide which neck joint I think is best lol.

[@AcousticShoppe]

It can be tough sometimes😄

[@ShawnBrockMusic]

@@AcousticShoppe gentlemen, we have found the answer, try to own them all LOL.

[@infiniteawareness2202]

Here I am, two years too late, but I can tell you, I could most definitely tell a difference! I much preferred the guitars without the bolt on necks. Now, I think I might want to buy an older Eastman E40D with a non TC top.

[@jonothanwoodward]

I listened to this through my Imac with an M-audio DI and great headphones. The dovetail absolutely kicked butt. Less volume but WAY more pleasing tone. In fact through the headphones I disliked the sound of the tone tight. It is harsh and brittle and not pleasing. This reminds me of all the telecaster people who say they need to "improve" the original ash tray bridge because of all the "problems" with it, except that those" problems" are what give it it's character and make it a classic.The difficulties of manufacturing a dovetail and repairing one, as if anyone buying one of these guitars is going to playing it in twenty five or thirty five years which is when it might need a neck reset, are well worth the more pleasing tone you get from it. Eastman I hope you are listening.....

[@HenryPipes]

All sound good. The dovetail sound best to be. They have the most bass. However, I could barely tell with the dreadnoughts which was which. The AC models were more noticeable, but honestly, those differences could come from the uniqueness of just those two two guitars. It's hard to know for sure.

[@patricklundquist9869]

You mentioned that one of the dreads has a thermo-cured top. Unless they are both thermo-cured, doesn't that undermine the Tone-Tite joint test? Also, it seems like the two 722ce guitars should be tested against each other and the two E40D guitars should have been tested against each other separately.

[@johnwashburn3793]

I came back again and as a dovetail owner and 50 years of guitars...I think that all sounded good. I recently bought a Martin CEO 7 because of the true dovetail neck..the Eastman was a close second, but only $350 less and I'm not into bling that much.

[@patricklundquist9869]

I haven't found any Eastman dealers around Sonoma. I found my first, an E40om, on consignment. Then I got an E8om used as well. So I'm thinking I know all there is to know about Eastman only to discover there is another huge series I know nothing about. You kind of hinted around at that, which actually helped. A more in depth explanation and comparison of each guitar in each series would be great. You'd probably have to break that into several episodes.

[@AcousticShoppe]

We are huge fans of Eastman! Here is a link to our playlist of reviews we have made so far: kzbin.info/aero/PLAMJH63TffO8gHonNUT09LmDlOyc-nEeR Also the Eastman website does have a dealer finder here is the link: www.eastmanguitars.com/dealers If you ever find yourself in Springfield, MO come stop by! You could also check out our website: www.theacousticshoppe.com/

[@Jaykar36]

I liked the sound of the AC722ce.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

I prefer the two with the dovetail neck joints as they sounded like they had more bass BUT it does not mean the other two sound bad just different. Every ear is different depends what you like.

[@billdedrick1914]

"A" was best sounding but 3 of the 4 had so much buzzing going on that it hindered good clear listening to actual tone...Setups should be done more accurately to eliminate annoying string buzzing which clouds the actual tone. Just listen and compare lack of string buzzing on any videos from players like David Grier, Bryan Sutton, Kenny Smith, Jake Workman, Molly Tuttle etc.

[@MegaPortenio]

For me ( and I am not an expert) the C guitar ( tone tight) sound it the most Natural : and it was a blind test!

[@BobStCyr]

Hmm, interesting, I found in both cases the bass was fuller with the tone tite system - more so with E40D, and way too much buzz on all of them, I prefer a cleaner sound - this would be fixed with a little more height to the action.

[@MegaPortenio]

Great sound comparison, guys 👏🏻👍

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks again for watching!

[@jeraldtackitt6749]

ABDC in that order. I guess I prefer the Dread’s sound. I did not detect a noticeable difference between the dovetail and the tone tight but preferred the dove tail in the Dreads. To my ear there was a greater difference in the AC’s. The dove tail was more open and brighter. The greater divide in the AC’s could be the quality of tone wood and not so much the neck joint

[@michaelmaris7]

B was my fave - listening on hifi 5 driver IEMs.

[@briandesjardins728]

ImO Furch has the absolute best bolt on system. Their CNR is the most stable and best energy transfer I've ever played. I've played pretty much all brands and never had a guitar stay in tune for weeks on end and better body resonance then Furch!

[@Big.E]

Awesome guitars and playing

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching!

[@Intrinsic.Recording]

Guitar A I prefer on strumming, maybe all around. Gtr D I like the least. B second best, and C second to last. Shows that maybe the neck joint might make some difference, but not the biggest thing that determines what a guitar sounds like? Probably the tree the top was cut from varies the sound than the tone right. At least from this video. Interestingly gtr A sounded a tad more upper midrangey on my playback system than the tone tite. I didn't expect that, but I thought that gtr A still sounded best. At least today, in this room, on these speakers, in this comparison.

[@akfisher7138]

B sounded good strumming. More tone and colour with dovetail joints. So my conclusion is less overtones and complexity with modern neck, but probably good in live setting on stage.

[@akfisher7138]

Bolt on probably better amplified and within a band competing for sound. For quiet bedroom playing dovetail offers more.

[@DjBydLo]

The tone - tite sounds bigger, it can be heard very quickly between the same guitars but with different neck systems.

[@westcoastrey3679]

The sounds are very close, for me it's a non issue either way, maybe it's out with the old, and in with the new technology. Taylor has certainly ran with it, along with so many other builders. Eastman certainly is trying everything to compete and they are getting closer and closer everyday.

[@richardbailey1295]

No bolt ons for mandolins, RIGHT?

[@gregpiper8416]

I was more surprised by how little difference there was between the Dreadnaughts and Grand Auditoriums.

[@karengayle9331]

Tone tite sounded brighter, I would have both . The dove tail sounded more mellow. What is the name of the black and white blocky guitar, it sounded good to.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching🤣

[@CarolDailey]

I picked A as the best to my ear. You could tell it was a dread, but then I thought the other 3 were close. I actually liked C a tiny bit over D. I didn’t like B at all

[@robinowens9661]

Waiting for aa E20D-SB to be delivered. Would bolt-on neck be a possibility?

[@AcousticShoppe]

Bolt-on necks are not currently on the E20D series. We currently have an E20D-SB in stock that has a dovetail. It's a great guitar and you'll never have another one like it!

[@matthewhenry6378]

Anything sounds good if John is playing it.....however, on the blind test I guessed A and D would be the dovetail and I seemed to like the tone better. They are all nice though!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lucsaulnier1637]

I picked A&D. C was way different . Still loved them all.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe if you haven't already😄

[@gregalderson128]

I must add that all of them sounded great!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Eastman builds FANTASTIC guitars!

[@marcelchaloupka]

the dove tailed guitars have more presence though Guitar B was on par with A and D. maybe tone-tite works better with D stye guitars

[@AcousticShoppe]

Interesting observation! Thanks for watching. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@philipdeppen3189]

Doesn’t surprise me a and b sounded best during blind test being both are dreadnoughts. But I favored a over b and didn’t like the tone of either concert body ones or whatever you want to call them. To me they sounded stuffy and muffled and the dreadnoughts were more open free sounding.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rafalmarkiewicz6313]

@@AcousticShoppe John, could you please explore more about your feeling of the sound of those guitars as a player/performer and listener all at once? I agree with the above comment that E40D's were way better sounding but it's only from the listener perspective where the sound we receive is reduced by the additional sound hole which should give the player some direct expanded sound properties.

[@quigley4440]

So I picked B and D. What now? A and B are too close to call. sound falls off on C???

[@fredpayton3790]

Traditional dove tai joint sounds fuller and smoother. More volume as well

[@haroldcrane5908]

I have exactly 1k dollars...what would you r recommend, exactly 1k all in ty

[@AcousticShoppe]

It depends on what your looking for, is there a specific body shape you know you want, or wood selection? Or what kind of music are you looking to play?

[@haroldcrane5908]

Dreadnought, spruce top and rosewood b/s. Country Thank you

[@AcousticShoppe]

We would highly recommend saving a little more and getting an Eastman E8D priced at $1,200. That is the best value dreadnought with a Sitka Spruce Top and Rosewood. If you're comfortable buying used, you could probably find an E8D at or under $1,000. Hope that helps!

[@chullerism]

@AcousticShoppe What is the bracing like on these Taylor-esque guitars from Eastman? Is it Taylor like, Martin like or something else? I'm not a fan of the sterile, castrated sound of Taylor.

[@AcousticShoppe]

It is a bit more Taylor-Like, but Eastman does have their own sound. We have a full comparison of Eastman's Grand Auditorium or AC series, if you would like to hear a variety of tone samples: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haKXlIuNhqihmqs

[@bkt6025]

What were the woods on C ? I'm looking for a guitar, that may be the one

[@AcousticShoppe]

Solid European Spruce top and Solid Rosewood back/sides with Center Strip😄

[@bkt6025]

@@AcousticShoppe thankyou, thankyou Where is your dealer ? I'm in Vegas NV, could do a trip. I play every week, guess that justifies finding that right one, gotta feel it, hear it

[@AcousticShoppe]

@@bkt6025 We're located in Springfield, Missouri (quite the drive for you). We do record special tone demos, live sales calls with John, and more for customers who are interested. However, we completely agree with needing to get the feel for the guitar in person!

[@bkt6025]

@@AcousticShoppe that's right, remember now from KZbin, I was thinking you were in California, thanks

[@deanmcbride8747]

I think the dovetail guitars, sound much better. I thought I wasn't going to tell the difference but I could. Not sure if eastman should use this bolt on neck. Great video though. Dean 🇬🇧

[@AcousticShoppe]

Hey Dean, thanks so much for watching and leaving us a comment! If you haven't already, be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@PotPoet]

I definitely nailed B and C as the Tone-Tite models in the blind test. The dovetail neck joint guitars have better harmonics and a more full sound. The Tone-Tite models sounded thinner.

[@leeasbury7273]

Definitely heard a difference. Liked the non tone tite better for sure

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

Eastman neck lifting is a fatal flaw with this otherwise stellar brand. I have owned a lot of Eastmans over the years and most very quickly required reduction in saddle height to maintain playable action. My new E6D is only a few months old and action is already above factory spec and I have taken saddle as low as it can go. It might be worse for me living in very humid Sydney Australia, but still … The problem imho is not the neck joint, it is the instability of the ‘modern’ slim neck profiles. Eastman, they are just too skinny to be stable!! The truss rod needs more help from the wood! There is no reason to make the traditional series necks so slim, especially up the neck near the body!! I don’t think your target market is pimply electric guitar playing teenagers with weak little hands!! Keep the skinny necks on your AC series if you must. But put some heft back on the traditional series guitars please. Heck give me a vintage V!! They will be more authentic and far more stable!! Re the new Dana neck join, that will make a neck reset easier but we don’t want to be going there in the first place. Last thing, how come you are reducing the height of your bridges straight out of the factory? The height of my new E6D bridge is lower than my old E10D and ac222. I have made video about the above on my KZbin channel.

[@im58woody]

You tend to smile more playing the B guitar. I don’t like playing dreadnaught guitars because of the size is uncomfortable. Eastman are great guitars. I don’t think the bolt on neck sounds worse but or better just different.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching!

[@texhaines9957]

Maybe I ought to have said 'I would like any guitar the guy played,'

[@richp.6642]

A and D, was interesting to see that they were the dovetail NOT the tone-tite. Now I know.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! If you haven't already, please like, share, and subscribe for more content like this😄

[@RobTackettCovers]

B to me seems to record better...haven't seen the reveal yet...be interesting to see what B is.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Were you surprised?😆

[@RobTackettCovers]

@@AcousticShoppe Not super surprised, because I've owned USA made bolt on neck guitars like Breedlove and Taylor in the past...so apparently, if done right, that approach can make really stellar sounding instuments...thanks for the video!

[@weaselpopper]

I guessed them correctly. I heard the bass response differently than others.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Nicely done! Thanks for watching.

[@GK-vj9dz]

A,D,B,C for me.

[@texhaines9957]

I liked the A dreadnought sound, although I have a great Bourgeois. I would be happy with any of the guitars IF YOU want to give me a free guitar! Thanks folks.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Haha! Thanks for watching, we're glad you enjoyed it. Also, we LOVE Bourgeois guitars too!

[@PeterCat1111]

Before I find out or scroll to read any comments.... To my ear in order of best sounding it #1 - Guitar B #2 - Guitar A #3 - Guitar D #4 - Guitar C

[@mickymillersson4376]

The playing section with the blocking out does look a little ........ Pervy

[@AcousticShoppe]

We were thinking it had more of a Cops vibe, but I guess it's subjective.... Thanks for watching

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

B WINS but i kept going B C

[@jamesakers1175]

I think I would have B then A,D and C

[@AcousticShoppe]

Nice! Thanks for watching. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@brettgarlick5252]

I love Eastman's. I got an e20om I think they are just doing what others are. Martin copys traditional neck joints and Taylor copies the tone tight. Copy what makes the other company's famous. Don't re invent the wheel.

[@defaultuser6498]

Green day would like it

[@AcousticShoppe]

We hope! Thanks for watching. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@defaultuser6498]

@@AcousticShoppe Done. Btw that was a great idea greying out the guitar and letting compare without seeing exact models and be biased

[@roior]

A & D - all the way ..

[@jeremychapman7243]

That's what I heard as well.

[@bkt6025]

C the best

[@laurenbroido9]

I really wish they weren't looking like Taylors now.

[@AcousticShoppe]

The nice part is the E series guitars are still very traditional and staying with dovetail neck joints. I think they are trying to play to the customer that's going to buy a particular series/model of guitar. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@laurenbroido9]

@@AcousticShoppe The bolt on neck allows them to ramp up production. Being able to CnC the neck join is what allowed Taylor to be the first to reach 100K guitars annually in the 1990s. If you ask me, the relationship with DB is a mistake. Eastman was well on the way to developing and confirming their own personality. They have been awesome guitars at player's prices which is how they are a year back ordered. But like so mnay others, they are seeing Yuan signs flying out the window. Arm rests and side ports are for Yuppies or whatever those folks are called these days. I guess they'll find a whole new audience, but they are going to lose some as well.

[@2628064379]

A

[@charlestellus7396]

About anything beats a Taylor, not a Taylor fan.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

NOT SO MUCH THAT ONE SOUNDED BETTER THAN THE OTHER JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

[@calvinnapier9977]

Blind test my ears 👂 choose B first then A second. The others not worth talking about!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching!

[@ScottHz]

THIS! C & D were muffled AF, blech!

[@leeasbury7273]

Babicz

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I absolutely hate Green Day. 😂

[@ditchweedchronicles8673]

A and D sound brighter maybe harsher . B and C are rounder to me. B is my favorite sound blind test