Eastman vs Martin Dreadnought Shootout

Comparing an Eastman dreadnought guitar to high end Martin guitars. The Eastman is very nice, a great value. My favorite guitar in this demo is the standard Martin D-18. You can see it on my face while I play it.

[@michaelluczak3019]

Eastman is making some killer guitars. Martin remains the gold standard.

[@mcdee56]

that's right and not mutually exclusive.

[@mragunathan1627]

The top on that Eastman E-20D is just gorgeous.

[@mrm4xim4m]

Definitive!!! 👌🏼🤟🏼 well put dude! 👍🏼

[@apostolispaspalakis2627]

I just can't justify giving twice the amount of money for a guitar that sounds a hair better. Eastman and Furch for me are just destroying the big named companies. Truly amazing instruments

[@kommi1974]

Apostolis Paspalakis I own a Furch D-31 SR and I picked it over all of the Martin's above sans the authentic , which I owned only briefly and returned to Sweetwater once I tried the Furch on a whim. Unbelievably resonant, and to my ears is what a Martin and Taylor would sound like if they had a baby. At $2150, I'm extremely pleased and the quality is better than any of the aforementioned in fit and finish.

[@gijsbertuslaurensvandevooren]

Apostolis Paspalakis my idea.

[@shawnglass108]

That Eastman didn’t come close to any of those Martins in my opinion but it sounded pretty good for its price. It would make a good campfire guitar.

[@johndennis5182]

I can understand your point on the cost subject, but remember the martin will hold onto the value of the money you put into it.

[@Tyler_Wilson]

Apostolis Paspalakis Martin has resale value. In 40 years, I can sell my Martin HD28 for 5 to 10 times what I paid for it. Will the Eastman be worth that? Nope.

[@russg.9348]

Eastman all made by hand. Sounds great to my ears. Of course, Martins sound like Martins. Top of the heap, hell, they invented that guitar body. Boy, what value in the Eastman.

[@upcycleelectra8311]

Invented the Dreadnought. & Named it after British 1st world war Battle ship class...sadly had no faith in so built it for other guitar lables instead.. until it started selling like hot cakes that is lol

[@quintas66]

The Eastman sounds like an Eastman and the Martins sound like Martins. Both are great and very different. I couldn't say one was better than the others. It's like different roasts of coffee beans.

[@robinskitube]

Yes I have to agree with you there............

[@keyofb9513]

I mean, I do like French roast better than Pike, so... :)

[@TheDennzio]

Eastman is a less expensive cup

[@SpezlvomAnneNr1]

D18 wins for me

[@752brickie]

Yep I love the D 18 too !! It is a cannon !

[@calvinnapier9977]

The one thing that's not mentioned here is that the Eastman E20D has a Adirondack spruce top. It takes much longer for Adirondack to break in than the traditional spruce top. After the Eastman breaks in it will be a much, much better tone. I'm a huge fan of Martin but if there was a way of playing the Eastman a year later you'll see what I'm talking about. I've got a Eastman E10D with Adirondack top sounded brittle at first but now after about 2 years of playing there's no comparison in sound. It will stay with me the rest of my life. If Eastman could come up with a process of breaking them in before they go to stores would be nice!

[@gair1944]

I have found that some guitars simply have a response and projection that immediately grabs you and invites a different level of attack, touch etc. While its true he liked the D-18 and maybe played it better, I submit the notion that guitar brought that out in him. No fault of the player. That to me is the mark of a great guitar. I.e. the ones that invite you to play better or be more creative.

[@gair1944]

PS; the HD-28V sounded great to me and so did the D-28 '37 Authentic. But my favorites were the D-18 and HD-28V

[@GroovesAndLands]

That Eastman is a fine guitar, but it sounds a bit "thin" when compared directly to the Martins. The Martins have a thicker and perhaps darker tone. To my ear, anyway...

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

I have no outlets near me that carry them but have to wonder about lifetime warranty. I trust Martin to be a lifetime guitar and warranty respected should there ever be a true problem. I realize you can't believe everything on the net but have heard people complain about lack of eastman honoring their warranty. They are said to be completely handmade, very adamantly by a british reseller, but have read they use band saws etc....i picture the very low automation process of Seagulls but he insists not. Thing is, I trust today's automation for consistent perfection. Hard to believe 100% handmade in any case but would like to know their output and number of employees. Even being a Chinese company where labor may be cheaper it still doesn't sit well....I will wait to see how well they hold up o er time. Sorry so long

[@AntheInEcht]

D18 EUR 2800,- (mahogany back & sides) vs E20D (rosewood EUR 1.500,-

[@donkeninitz4590]

I think that may have been truer back in 2016 when the vid was made than it is today. I have a recent Eastman 8D (Martin HD-28 equivalent) that compares very favorably to my 22 year-old D-28 and 19 year-old D-41. I also have an Eastman E20OM from around 2014 that rivals my 1999 000-28; I actually prefer the Eastman because it has a v-neck more like a vintage 000-28 (despite the OM in the name, it's actually a 000-28H clone, 24.9" scale vs. 25.4"), and it is LOUDER.

[@GroovesAndLands]

@@donkeninitz4590 Since watching/commenting on this video, I bought myself a (slightly) used E10D. Helluva guitar that I've been enjoying thoroughly.

[@McSlobo]

@@jimgodofbiscuits Doubt they can grow much volume without automation and I haven't heard they don't use any machine tools. They just did not use CNC but I believe there was going to be some change for that too. (Perhaps they want to educate their workers and try to way best ways to use it.) Nothing wrong in CNC but well, handcrafted is handcrafted, and that's what some people want. Glad there's market and supply for everything. Anyways, there's plenty of Eastman factory videos to see in KZbin. Of course it's just videos and there's no way we will ever know if these guitars are really made like that and not at a Uighur prison camp but I like to believe so and I kinda like the idea my solid body electric guitar was actually hand carved with a chisel. What comes to warranty... well, it's a piece of wood. It obeys the rules of physics and it can be repaired by any skilled luthier. I think warranty is like insurance, in things that aren't super valuable it makes no sense to pay for it, in the long run it's cheaper to pay for fixes.

[@ventintothemic]

All of the guitars sounded great. But the Eastman is less than half the price of the Martins. The workmanship on the Eastmans is meticulous. I now own two, the Eastman e100ss and the J-45 lookalike, the e20ss.

[@albertpsaros3435]

I'm very impressed with the Eastman range of guitars but my ears tell me that Martin still owns the crown on tone

[@philipdeppen3189]

You clearly never played a Boucher or Borgouis or a Huss and Dalton. Those botique companies make better sounding acoustics than Martin or any big name mainstream name brand for sure. So no Martin hasn’t owned the crown for quite some time. Only to people that never heard or played anything from those guys ☺️ Hell most players don’t even know who those companies are because they only know of what they see in local shops

[@pascaljacobs8979]

For me the E8D with Rosewood back and side's with Rosewood fingerboard for 1200 $ is a great great guitar...

[@shawnglass108]

That D-28 authentic sounds absolutely amazing! It should though for 7 G’s.

[@dusanbogunovic6148]

but eastman is clone of martin 1937

[@brucemoore3382]

I have a few of each in my guitar collection and the big difference for me is that the Martin’s are a bit more mellow and the Eastmans are a bit brighter, but that too can be adjusted based on string selection. Both seem to sound best to me with Martin custom lites. Eastmans boom and Martins swoon!

[@MrAuell]

I liked the D-18! The Eastman is a great value and sounds very good. My second fave is the HD28V. On this shootout the Authentic didn’t sound like it was worth the Xtra money, but I’d havf to play them myself.

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Eastman is Killin it with the best quality. HANDMADE...

[@mike982]

Great job. Always love the new D-18. Best thing Martin has done in in a long time

[@rogermcadams8806]

I love acoustic guitars. Currently in my collection I have 3 from Eastman. E10oo 12 fret, E10D and my latest a E40D. It's a 2017 year model. Today I was going back and forth between it and the 2017 Martin HD35 that I've had a while and I have to admit that I'm honestly impressed with the Eastman. The Eastman dreadnoughts come with light gauge strings and standard bracing but I put mediums on my E40D ( Eastman says that they will handle them just fine ). Yes the Eastman is a Martin copy. No it probably won't hold its value like the Martin will. But I tell you folks for the price and build quality they definitely deserve a look. To me I'm with the him concerning the D18 ( always been a little partial to that one ) but as far as the 2 Rosewood dreads I have I almost didn't want to admit that with my eyes closed today I picked my Eastman E40D for sound over my HD35. It reminded me of a older Larrivee D03R Vancouver model that I should have kept. Dang thing would sustain forever and just had a good range from low E to high. I would highly recommend Eastman to someone wanting to step up into a solid wood guitar or who can't afford a more expensive Martin. I consider myself a decent player and enjoy my Eastmans. Heck look at the Takamine guitars made in Korea ( I still have a maple jumbo 12 string of theirs that sounds and looks absolutely gorgeous ). I reckon Garth Brooks has basically not made a dime playing them over the years, poor fellow....😂😉 Just saying!

[@v2807]

You sound like you have a lot of Eastman experience. What do you think of the relatively new E20D-MR-TC?

[@AndrewGorny]

I started laughing at the first chord of the D18 because of how incredible that particular D18 was. When the D18 is made really resonant, it's an unbeatable guitar. I have one from 1975 that just screams.

[@420thebestdayever]

I can certainly second this. I have one from ‘72 and it is on a whole different level from anything ive owned

[@BonafideToolJunkie]

I learned one thing, if you play your guitar questioning the sound of your instrument, your playing will suffer. Appreciate what you have, you'll get the most out of it. Each guitar is unique. Tweaking them with saddle/pin upgrades is have the fun. Who can be happy with just one guitar anyway? You hear it all the time " I own both Martin and Taylors..but this is the one I mostly play. "

[@kevinspake7338]

I think the Eastman come with light gauge strings and the Martins with mediums, but I may be wrong. If so, that could account for some of the better low end from the Martins.

[@phillippasteur3904]

Martins are known for a boomy low end. It's in their construction methods.

[@ykslight88]

The standard D-18 is very impressive, great guitar.

[@tunesmith7437]

The Eastman held its own with most of the Martins.

[@DeanMadonia]

but that d 18 sounded pretty great

[@jimmy5634]

He needs to compare the Eastman E 10 D to the D 18. The E 10 has mahogany back and sides like the D18

[@sprintertwo]

This is what I was going to say. The E10D is brighter and more Martin-like than the 20 rosewood. I played them all and ended up with the E10D. Sure, the D18 is great, but I couldn't afford it, and the Eastman is so close. I've never regretted it.

[@promoted738]

I like Eastmans generaly - I've owned several over the past few years. They tend to be brighter compared to the brands they model after. They hold their own in volume and sustain and the tone is certainly acceptable if not inspiring. As with any make, some have more mojo than others. Oddly, the lowest priced Eastman I have has the fattest bottom end and best sustain! (E2D CD) It's astoundngly great. They are definitely worth checking out. If you have the bigger dollars for the Gibsons and the Martins I say go for it BUT check out the Eastman equivalent as well and then decide. Some folks are all about what's on the headstock and I get that - but players' players are out for mojo, feel, tone, and playability. Eastmans deliver on all fronts - sometimes better - sometimes not.

[@ZongqiDU]

I got 2021 E2D, personal top favorite :)

[@stephensmith799]

Martin D 18 does it for me too.

[@chrisgross8439]

thats how you demo guitars. great job

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

D 18 sounds great with its scalloped pre war bracing

[@JuanDelaCruz-qt5ok]

Damn! When the Martin D-18 first strung, it just blew me away. Very warm tone! Still, Martin for me. They are both great guitar though.

[@joevannucci1392]

Whether we get hung up on brand names, marketing (and how could we not be affected to some degree), it's usually secondary to the sound, build, and playing feel, at least to me. I got hooked on the Martin sound almost immediately. I take good care of my instruments, and tend to hold them for a very long time (ideally forever). I've always found that if I settle by buying something almost as nice, for less cash, that I feel better in the very short term, like when I'm pulling out my wallet, but that I cry just a little inside every single time I play the darn thing. Years and years, and it's not what I actually wanted! This was a nice demo (thank you). The D-18 really did POP for the recording. Not sure if you already knew it was your favorite (seemed like your first strum was more powerful, and we always think louder, more trebly things sound better, at least initially). I try to like mahogany bodies, and never have been able to purchase one. Rosewood has the complexity, 'hog has the focused fundamental. But that day, in that shop, I'd have bought the D-18, hands down. The Eastman held it's own surprisingly well. I wouldn't have bought it, unless I wasn't comparing it to a Martin. For example, if my other choices were similarly priced guitars, perhaps Blueridge. Or if I play a Martin at home, and wanted something for the road that I wouldn't lose any sleep over. But the Eastman would definitely not allow me to cross Martin off my GAS list. I have owned an Eastman AR810ce Benedetto-style jazz box. Super nice. Honestly, I expected less. Build quality was perfect! The thin nitro finish was as good or better than any on my Gibsons, Martins, and high end Fenders. The bracing and wood selection had that guitar ringing loud acoustically, with tons of sustain. Eastman is doing a great job. I sold that 810 (to fund a lifelong want for a ES-175), but I miss it often. Most of their other models, I already have the real-deal equivalent, but I could definitely see getting another AR810ce (or 805) some day.

[@gutbucket260]

The Eastman sloped shoulder models are really great guitars. I prefer them to Gibson slope guitars and I've owned both.

[@uvp5000]

I've had the pleasure of playing a few nice guitars and some not quite as nice since the dawn of the 1980s. Which guitar is the best? The guitar that you want to keep playing. Everything else is a secondary concern.

[@aliwhitwell]

Yup that's why I love my Larrivee D-05. It's the one I just want to pick up and play all the time.

[@denisprieur7944]

Dallgire, this is not a fair fight! If you want to compare high ends Martin against the Eastman, you must compare with the top high end Eastman!! That is the E-40-D!!!! And by the way, check the bling( decoration, a real beauty!) on this guitar!!! Impressive!!! Any Martin with the same bling is worth at least twice the price! Do another video with those Martin D-18, D-28, HD-28V, and the D-28 1937 AUTHENTIC( THAT DIDN'T IMPRESSED ME FOR A 7000$ GUITAR BY THE WAY), against the E40D eastman!!! Only then you'll have a fair comparason!!!!

[@gianlucapaul]

None of these "fights" are really fair because we're hearing it through a microphone, whatever kind of space he played it in, his technique which will be different than any of ours, and then youtube compression. It's the same for all guitars so you can compare them in this setting only. If you were there in person there would be things you'd hear that are different than the recording.

[@Solu54]

And that does seem to be the issue in a lot of these store type of videos, is that the comparisons are made with what is hanging on the wall at that time and not really a spec to spec duel.

[@brucemoore3382]

Eastman guitars are one of the best kept secrets. 1/3 of the price of a good Martin and full bodied with excellent tone and the craftsmanship is 5 star. Also highly recommend Blueridge Guitars!

[@LoneWolf-cv6pl]

Not really a secret 😉

[@willbollman6246]

I just purchased a brand new E20D for $950. Amazing guitar. Compliments my Martin collection nicely. Cant be the quality and the price tag. I love it

[@TheDennzio]

not believing that price

[@willbollman6246]

@@TheDennzio I couldn't believe it either. The shop where I teach is a dealer so I was able to get a smokin deal

[@terryfitzpatrick5602]

D18 definitely. I own a D28 standard but have regretted not going for the 18.

[@unlaxo]

Supreme video!!! I bought D-18 a year ago. I tried D-28, HD-28 an several Gibsons (doves in flight cherry, J-45 standard, J-45 walnut, J-35 and more) in the shop. At the end I was changing D-18 an HD-28 for about 30 minutes. The HD-28 was great but too much basses came out of it. The D-18 won with the most balanced sound and the volume. I hope in 10 years the guitar will be far more better then now. :)

[@jonandkellydominguez4025]

Ladislav Vlachovsky

[@johnnycmajor]

I certainly didn't buy my HD-28 to plug it in.

[@whitefoamsea8070]

I played an Eastman E20D and was blown away on first impression, thing was a little out of my budget and I thought I'd wait till one popped up on the second hand market, two years ago and I've yet to see one for sale, says a lot really.

[@robinskitube]

Have you tried any of the Blueridge models, I have the BG-180RW myself and it is has an amazing rich tone, well worth trying .............

[@dandesmarais2190]

I just ordered an Eastman rosewood body Grand Auditorium. Played a few in the store and they have lovely, bright & balanced tone. Very different from my mahogany Guild D-25. Which is why I bought it.

[@G_Demolished]

The scale of diminishing returns in acoustic guitar buying is perfectly balanced upon the standard D18. It is the point of maximum yield.

[@jimmychops]

I own both brands and eastman has some killer sounds for their guitars. My D28 sounds incredible as well. If I had to choose, I'd probably go with my Martin due to its volume although there are things that I like about my eastman better.

[@tylervanvalkenburg7167]

You are the Hickok 45 of gitars I love this stuff

[@FlyingPancreas]

Great vid. All really terrific-sounding instruments. I am constantly wrestling with myself about purchasing a D-18. Every time I play/hear one, it just grabs me by the guts. Such a fantastic tone, and a simple beauty. Love the look of mahogany - think an 18 would compliment my M-36 nicely...

[@MaithriSanitgun]

Check out a Recording King RD-318 first, then buy the Martin D-18 if you feel it is worth the extra do reh me.

[@jimmielittle877]

Yeah D18 standard sounded sweet with the Eastman in 2nd and '37 Authentic in 3rd❗️

[@jameshill2015]

The Martin D-18 I think was the nicest tone of the Martins.. Dissapointed with the 1936 authentic.. Eastman best bang for the buck in guitars period..you get what you pay for.. I dont feel the samr about Martin.. Taylor I find is a much better all around guitar.. Tone, playability and quality.. Eastman may out do them all at some point and If I was in need of an acoustic Eastman would get my money..sounds fantastic!

[@JunkWoodProjectswithJacob]

I like the Eastman for the price, But those martins 🤤 I am looking for a d18 my self right now. I want a vintage pre 70’s or a newer one

[@bravo2789]

Luv Eastman! Have 3...makes sweet sweet music.

[@toneman335]

The Eastman sounds good and is the best "value" but the Martin sounds better.

[@GeorgeMaddaloni52463]

The D18 sounded the best to me but I have to say the Eastman gave them all a run for the money. Considering the price differences I'd probably buy the Eastman. Thanks for the comparisons.

[@Jadar...]

The Eastman guitar is a mere copy of a a Martin guitar….If you can, allow american workers to have decent living & working conditions, and your country to keep making what it has invented and benefit from it… If you can't, get one of these and see if you can enjoy a tool made by people living like school boys, having no private life and so on, cause that's what's usually happens in this kind of factories… And when it comes to the money Chris Martin IV makes from himself…, well try to get a consequent bargain...!!

[@zunif]

Bernard Pujos Ha this is too funny. You sent that message from a device that came from factories similar to what you described.

[@G_Demolished]

@@zunifYes, and if there was an option to buy that device from an American factory that pays living wages you’d have a point.

[@roymeyer6837]

To my ear, the Eastman stacks up closest to the Martin D18, though doesn't really compete with it. interesting that Eastman's rosewood is closer in tone to Martin's mahogany than rosewood.

[@upcycleelectra8311]

The Martin D1 price is $3500 eastman $1200 or try the $499 Eastman E1D or E2D Best value for Money Handmade Guitar in the world for sound & Build Quality.

[@inlovewithguitars]

Man, this guy is amazing!

[@michaelacannon397]

The Eastman E20D is an outstanding copy of a Martin HD28. The only difference is the neck on the Eastman is constructed in 3 pieces. The martin neck is one solid piece to my understanding. I have had my Eastman E20d for 3 years and it is still an awesome guitar. Super LOUD!! lol I wouldn't compare a standard D28 or a D18 (mahogany b&S) to the Eastman E20D. Play it against an HD28 for a fair comparison.

[@suryapratap9696]

HD-28 V sounds heavenly.

[@ytuberam7433]

You can't beat the Martin deep full bodied tone. Had the Eastman E-20 D but like the Blueridge BR-180A better. The Eastman comes with EJ-16's but within a week it doesn't sound right with the light gauge but also doesn't sound right with mediums IMHO. The new medium light gauge strings would probably work well.

[@docpearson]

If you are looking to buy a dreadnought, I think this video is probably the best one on the Internet if you’re considering a High end dreadnought. Personally here’s how I graded them. The D 28 Martin is equal to the D 18 Martin. Now why would I say such a thing. Because they are different guitars and they project different things. The D 18 if you want to stand out in front with Flat picking. The D 18 is king. However if you want an all around great guitar that does everything But is a little more eligantly laid-back for example for folks singing and other styles I think this is where the D 28 nudges just slightly past the D 18. But they will not step in front of the D18 when it comes to flat picking in great style. It just depends on what you want and what you want to guitar for. As for the Eastman. Yes it sounds like it deserves to be standing up in the top end with the other great Drednaughts. But I do not think the Eastman is ready take the crown away from where it deservedly remains which is on the Martin dreadnoughts.

[@aliwhitwell]

What a great price for the Eastman. Here in the UK these are costing £1445.00 compared to $1100 +tax in the US.

[@James.D]

The d-18 is a great sounding guitar, but the HD-28v is an absolute CANON of a guitar and one of the best martin makes.

[@michaelcorrieri6117]

No comparison of a rosewood guitar to a mahogany guitar. The D18 is mahogany back and sides. The Eastman was closer to the HD28. No contest the HD28V, a guitar costing nearly $4000 would beat them all.

[@CaptainAngman]

I thought the Eastman sounded great until he played the Martins. Then the Eastman sounded thin and simple with few overtones. I was a little let down actually - I was hoping for a cheaper alternative with equal tone. The Eastman did sound great - its just not in the same league. I am a rosewood guy also but the D18 sounded killer.

[@virgilrw]

Interesting sound test. It seems he really got warmed up playing at the end of the video... Just about any Martin guitar I can get my hands on wins it for me hands down even though the Eastman sounds good! 🤔

[@MisterNiles]

That Marting 1937 D-28 sounds almost exactly like my 1980s Yamaha FG-441s. So close it's spooky. I'm glad I watched this video. Now I know why I have had several friends ask to borrow it for recording sessions. It was owned by a Washington DC luthier. He said it was one of the best he'd found and he had done a lot of work on it to bring it up to his standards. Damn he did a good job. It has magic. I definitely hate taking int out of the house for shows. Although I imagine it's far less likely to be stolen than a fancy, expensive guitar. I need something less valuable to kick around on, so I'm looking at Eastman in the 1k range. I helped pick a ~$400 model for one of my students Christmas gifts, and that was a nice guitar, so I should be able to get something amazing in the 1-1.5k range from Eastman. Thanks for the video.

[@phonicwheel933]

Great comparison and playing. Thanks for posting.

[@oliverk191]

I tried a load of martins recently. I really like one but at 6k i can get a luthier to.build me something for half the price out of very high quality timbre (60 year old spruce) The Eastman I played was the standout guitar, for a third of the Martin it can't be beat

[@maxwellfan55]

The 37 Authentic takes this, blows the rest away. But make no mistake the Eastman's are catching up fast, serious competition, and sublime woods (they are experienced violin makers with killer stocks).

[@Gajeman]

Sounds, at times, like hints of Jorma Kaukonen's "Embryonic Journey" off of The Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow album. Great review. Thanks!

[@30smsuperstrat]

I have a 12 year old Bedell TB-28-G. I don’t miss the Martin D-28 HD. It resonates and sustains forever. It gets up and barks when you dig in. And it has the D-45 swirling harmonics that are just magical. Anyone who thinks China can’t build guitars hasn’t played enough. I do like that true vintage though! It has that awe tone thing going on with the clarity and bass boom to go with it. You know it kinda sounds like a Taylor🤣

[@carpballet]

Just wait until the Eastmans are 30-40 years old and that brightness has mellowed and the wood has dried a bit. It’ll be interesting.

[@bandicoot5412]

The 18 and the 28, did it for me, the Eastman is another nice sounding dread, the other two are tuxedo, I'm a paper cup. Thanks kindred spirit, keep it going!

[@gillesgenete9598]

Thanks for demoing. My ears prefer the D28 among all others. D20 is good bargain, but I feel like it lacks basses and volume. On my side I have a Martin D35 for even more bass and volume. Not bashing Eastman , just a matter of taste. I have an Eastman T59 ( ES335 format ) which sounds better to my ears than several Gibson 335 I tested.

[@joereith7469]

The HD-28V sounded magical

[@philipdeppen3189]

Ok after reading comments this is for all the people that said the Martin d18 sounded better. One the d18 is mahogany and to me mahogany always sounds better than rosewood. Three years ago I purchased an Eastman e6dtc with Swiss alpine spruce with what’s probably African mahogany because the specs just say mahogany. Well this model has a torrefied Swiss alpine spruce also known as moon spruce. At the time of purchase I compared it to the Martin d18 standard at the shop and the Eastman was more alive sounding while still having depth and warmth that was so so close to the d18 and yes the d18 had slightly more bottom end bass. Fast forward 3 years later that same Eastman that I bought than is a different beast from than. It’s got just as much depth as a Martin d18 but with more clarity and more volume and it’s more punchy way more punchy than any d18 I ever played. Punchy meaning a tight focus tone that u can feel and gear when u strike a string percussive like a hammer hitting a piano string and the low end is more deep. For 1099 bucks it’s a hell of a beast cannon that i absolutely love and will never get rid of it. The thing with eastmans is the inconsistency of the cheap bone they use and the only thing I did when I got it was put in a better quality unbleached saddle like Martin uses and what a difference that made alone when I purchased it. For anyone that doesn’t know yes quality bone makes a difference especially if it’s shin bone which what I got is. The shin of any mammal is the hardest most consistent density throughout than any part of the body. Eastman from factory uses whatever bone they get and I promise u it’s never shin bone lol. Make that upgrade and it’s a very cheap upgrade but makes a difference for sure. People seem to overlook what saddle is installed on the guitar and don’t realize that is a culprit to any well made good acoustic which eastmans are except for the bone they use which is stupid they don’t just use shin bone for only a few bucks more per guitar also what I found after taking the factory saddle out it wasn’t fully flat on the bottom which told me the saddle wasn’t making full contact with the bottom of bridge slot and also the saddle was in the bridge to loose it wasn’t making any contact with the sides of the slot quite tight enough. When installing a saddle the sides need to touch the sides of slot snug but not to snug just enough that is in with just a little resistance. Well the factory one was loose as can be no proper contact for proper vibration transfer. This goes for many acoustics lol this is why and the only reason why am Eastman can sound thinner it’s not that it’s overly bright it’s that it’s not full sounding to give that depth. Fullness is what gives the warmth u want and a simple change in better quality bone will provide that if installed correctly. Also note that Eastman not only uses cheap sourced quality bone but it’s also bleached. Bleached bone is always less dense than unbleached no matter the qualities always go unbleached high quality bone for best results for vibration transfer and you’ll see lol

[@FDNY8231]

D18 and the 1937 Authentic for me ... Nice playing .... That Eastman didn't sound to bad ...

[@Skrelnick222]

Adirondack top and solid rosewood back and sides for 1200$? Talk about bang for your buck. I bet you could get an amazing deal on a used one.

[@gutoman1]

That blues that you re playing at the end of the video sounds terrific, I just started playing blues in Holland, can you send me some tabs because i want to play it please, other videos are great, greets Rob

[@mrm4xim4m]

D18 suited you down to the GROUND! And was fun to watch you play it because could see you enjoyed it more than the others 😄 great stuff love your videos hope to see more take care 🤟🏼

[@johnburrett6593]

He was going to like the Martin best from the get-go.

[@thomaslau9631]

There is no way to comment on which guitar is better than the other when the material used are of similar high qualities. All need to be set up at the neck, saddle (usually so fucking high at the first place)and nut before they become playable to be good guitars.

[@toneman335]

How do these Chinese make such good sounding guitars at such lower prices. The Martin's have so much more "character" to their tone but you pay dearly to get it!

[@alanmcentee3035]

The quality or character of the sound is exponential. Each little improvement costs a lot more to achieve. That is the difference being good and being great. The Eastman was just too bright for my taste, I much preferred the D-28 Standard. BUT, to each their own. (My opinion and $1.19 gets you a coffee at the corner gas station.)

[@GroovesAndLands]

Building guitars is very labor-intensive. Americans want lots of money for their labor. There are 1.4 billion hungry little people clamoring for work in China. You do the math.

[@jsanfilippo5]

That d-18 is insanely good.

[@mkg28]

You can definitely tell this guy biased feelings towards the D-18. Played it with more attack than any of the other guitars. This is where blind folded tests would come in handy. Mainly so the person can not have any biased actions or opinions towards any of the guitars

[@robspithoff9337]

Great video. Great part when he took the D-28 1937 and started whispering. Nice playing. E20D is a nice guitar, but I think I like the Eastman AC320CE/420CE better.

[@hotwheels43]

The Eastman guitars are nice and a great value as an alternative to the American made guitars. They are well built butthe Eastman guitars tend to sound slightly brighter with less of that rich tone you hear with the Martins. I prefer Mahogany over Rosewood but man that D28 Authentic was a monster!

[@rubbersole79]

I thought the same thing. Loud, sweet, punchy, sustain forever....... By far the best one IMHO.

[@larrydunn4626]

IDK what is the deal with the standard Martin D-28. It sounds dead, overbuilt. Why can't they figure out a way to make it sound responsive? The D-18 materials apparently adapt much better to Martin's bracing and construction methods... sounds great and doesn't sound muffled and plastic like the D-28. On the other hand, the Authentic full on rocks. The Eastman sounds fantastic for what they're charging. i'd take the Eastman over the standard D-28, even at the same price.

[@phillippasteur3904]

The first Martin doesn't have a great open chord sound, and it is lacking in the lower range. The Eastman and other Martins sound great.

[@snowpro1]

The telephone ring at 3:55 made pickup my phone to answer thinking it was getting a call.

[@frankcline66]

The Eastman sounds pretty good, the Martin's have a warmer tone. But the final test is; in 20 years will the Eastman hold up like the Martin's? Hold it's value like a Martin? I think not.

[@harringtonbenton334]

What makes you think that?

[@G_Demolished]

@@harringtonbenton334It’s not a bold prediction. Martin acoustics maintain a higher resale value than ANY other acoustic brand.

[@stevelaferney3579]

Can’t understand the problem of YT compression being a problem. They All are compressed so they All are going to suffer. Now to the one thing I never hear addressed between Martin and Eastman: how does an Eastman neck feel compared to a Martin neck? Say D-28 to E-20D or equivalents? Anyone? Buehler? Thanks for any serious answers. :)

[@acadianflatpicker]

Great video. The Eastman held up pretty good. Man that D18 sounded awsome. They don't all sound like that one. That D18 was something special. I play a D35 which is my baby. I've been itching really bad for a D18. Especially the new upgraded model they started to make after 2012 just like the one you played. You jave just made me want one even more. lol... Thanks.

[@williamgray129]

Really like your guitar playing style.

[@jaykayrouz7210]

Great video!! HUGE Eastman fan here. My AC412 is my main acoustic guitar and has been for like 9 years.... But it's not a Martin. I've never played an Eastman that can out HD-28 my Martin HD-28. Eastman is Eastman and Martin is Martin. They both sound killer but if you want Martin you are gonna have to buy one or go boutique. I think Eastman has it's own thing going on and I love it.

[@sirlordcomic]

The Eastman has big volume and a bright crisp tone, the Martin's are all warmth and subtlety of tone. Depends what's to your taste.

[@thomastommy1192]

Btw, What do you think about Eastman guitars? Which guitar did you like best? We all need to know, lol.

[@12Radius]

Eastman holds is own !! Martin hd-28 rosewood got more low end seems.

[@jimmy5634]

12Radius it does because it was designed to.

[@ชคัตตรัยอําไพรัตน์]

Something wrong with that std D28? BTW the do not touch guitar sounds really amazing.

[@larrydunn4626]

I think Martin QC may be poor on the standard D28. I had one in the mid 70s that sounded like it was made of plastic. no volume, no sustain, no overtones. This one in the video reminded me of the POS I had, and then sold.

[@endoalley680]

I wonder if you tested the same guitars today 2 years later how they would compare? The Adirondack top of the Eastman seems to take longer to break in than Sitka spruce. It least that is what I have notice with stiffer Adirondack spruce. Bright loud articulate flat picker that warms up a bit over time. Maybe not for everybody. But seems to have a punchy cutting tone.

[@Suire1000]

I can hear the difference between the Martin and the Eastman. I like Eastman Guitars, but Martin still a notch better--more bass and a more rounded sound. Thanks for the shootout, though; very informative. The mahogany Martin definitely makes itself better known-it has a superb presence.

[@nellatrab]

I'm with you I prefer mahogany...so you should try the Eastman E10D with Adirondack top against the D-18, you'll be very surprised!

[@LUNA45ACP]

My vote goes to the HD-28V.

[@adriannasanchez468]

WharfRat had a hd28v. Thought it was the pinnacle. And it was.... Until I picked up a d18ge.. Now the hd28v is gone and it's just me and the Ge

[@joeygonzo]

Sooner or later , you would have to buy a Martin

[@badazmofkr]

I'm not a guitar player but I can hear the difference between the Martin and eastman. Pay the money

[@visitur4914]

Martin still sounds the best, but for half the price of a normal old regular D28, that Eastman is truly excellent.