Guitar Tone Tuesday: Ep 183 - Eastman E1 OM VS E6 OM - Sapele VS Mahogany - Satin VS Gloss Showdown!

Guitar Tone Tuesday: Ep 183 - Eastman E1 OM VS. E6 OM - Sapele VS. Mahogany - Satin VS. Gloss Showdown!
Visually Impaired since birth, Lucas Haneman of the Lucas Haneman Express uses his ears and hands to guide him when choosing gear, writing songs and recording parts. Will you agree with his assessment? Haneman gives you experienced tips and tricks, as well as showcasing lesser known gear in this series. Subscribe and follow to let your voice be heard!
Today we compare and contrast 2 nearly identical Eastman OMs' (The E1 OM and the E6 OM). The E1 is Eastman's entry into an all solid wood OM, and the E6 for a long time was the most affordable of it's gloss finish guitars, though now Eastman is making a laminated guitar with a gloss finish as well. The true differences are the back and sides being Sapele on the E1 OM, and some type of African or Asian Mahogany on the E6 OM. Otherwise aside from the aforementioned finish differences, these guitars are nearly identical with sitka spruce tops, ebony boards and bridges, the same fret-wire, the same tuning machines, the same general pick-guard, similar bracing and top thickness under the hood, and the list goes on.
So, the real question today is how much of a difference do the body finish and back/side wood options make to the sound of the instruments?
More over; what are the general sonic differences between Sapele and Mahogany?
#EastmanGuitars #AcousticGuitar #OMOrchestraModel #Sapele #Mahogany #SatinFinish #GlossFinish #ValueForMoney #GreatGuitars
#Rock #Blues #Jazz #Funk #FingerStyleGuitar #LucasHaneman #LHExpress
Do year hear a discernable difference between these 2 guitars, and do you own an example of either? Which do you prefer and why? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below!
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[@juddadam2]

I'm 40, played guitar professionally for may years. I've never heard a more precise accurate description, not just between the woods, but what you/audience is hearing than what you described. You are a guitar savant hands down. Keep it up. Subscribed

[@LucasHaneman]

Wow, that’s very nice of you! Thank you so much and happy to hear that your subscribed to the channel.

[@smandez2023]

Saplele is widely used now for its a a availability, lower cost, and substitute for tropical or Honduran mahogany. I’ve really grown to like it for all the same reasons you comment on is this video. Both sound great in your hands. ❤

[@LucasHaneman]

Precisely. Glad to hear you like it for the same reasons I do. I’ve actually heard of some boutique builders who are offering it now along with East Indian Rosewood as their “starter “options. Haha personally as a working musician it’s hard to imagine having something much more premium than either of those options as I truly think in the right hands, made by the right person any lumber can be wonderful

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

My 2c from Eastman enthusiast in Australia: The E1 has a little less gravitas than the E6. A shade more chintz, which is a mean way of saying more treble 😅 But you would expect that with it being the less expensive model. They both sound good 👍 I’ve done several video about Eastman guitars on my KZbin channel 🎸🇦🇺

[@guyb7005]

What a perfect description. As I listened to the pieces your played on each, it was difficult to articulate in my mind what I was hearing, but you nailed it. Thanks for training me to trust my ears!

[@LucasHaneman]

Trust your ears indeed Guy! The number of times I’ve talked to you about music and musicians I know you’ve got Great taste. You’ve just got a believe in what you’re hearing.

[@seanhembree7136]

Both guitars sound great!! I really would like the E6 or E10 om to add to my collection but I'm a lefty player and I waited too long as Eastman has discontinued a lot of their models in left handed versions. I was lucky enough to stumble upon an E40 in lefty . 1 of only 3 made in left-handed.

[@LucasHaneman]

The E-40 must be a very nice guitar. The highest grade I’ve played from Eastman was the E20. That’s news to me about them discontinuing lots of their left-handed guitars. This is one thing I really respected about Eastman. They offered many left-handed models at no charge to the consumer as far as I could see. As a fellow lefty who just so happens to play right handed. I care about these kinds of things. One of the reasons I cannot get along with PRS guitars. Haha Keep your eyes peeled though on the used market as I’m sure a couple great ones will pop up from Eastman that could work for you Also, where are you located? I am in Canada, and there’s a local store close to me that stocks a lot of Eastman stuff. I know he has had a good amount of left-handed stock in before.

[@lucabez]

Hi, it's fantastic hear you playng these guitars!... I have a Eastman E10M and, as you said, I found a special sound in this instrument, I love it!... but also in your E6OM I've fell something of magicl!!... really great sound, thank you for your beautiful playing!...💚🙏👏🌈

[@LucasHaneman]

It sounds like you’ve got a great guitar there! Congrats on that and thank you so much for your kind words on my E6! It is a very very special one

[@paulmclaughlin7206]

Great video! Picked up the guitar as a retirement hobby a few years ago. Bought an Eastman OM01 last year largely on your recommendation. No regrets! Go Sens go!

[@LucasHaneman]

Indeed go Sens go, lol and congrats on your Eastman guitar purchase. They are awesome instruments

[@Big.E]

Awesome playing

[@LucasHaneman]

Thanks a lot!!

[@scoggers1628]

Good comparison and well played as usual, Lucas. I've owned an E6 OM for a year and couldn't be more pleased with it. Very comfortable to play and like you said the E6 OM fills a room well, more than other short-scale OMs/000 I've played. It also offers something quite different from my spruce and rosewood grand auditorium Furch.

[@LucasHaneman]

Well said and yes it would be a great contrast to that Furch Grand auditorium. Yin and yang. I think that’s an important quality to have an a guitar arsenal

[@alessandropepe1381]

Dude you rock!

[@LucasHaneman]

Thanks so much!!

[@Woodyt]

I love Eastman guitars and have a 00 short scale and its looks and sounds awesome. Both of yours sound nice do to your very nice playing. Well done

[@LucasHaneman]

Thank you kindly and thanks for the view!

[@sidweazel2883]

Another great video Lucas, you are so good at this now, I would challenge anyone to find a better comparison video, including the Acoustic Shoppe guys.

[@LucasHaneman]

Hey. Thanks so much for this! Somehow I missed your comment. Nonetheless I really appreciate it.

[@GyanAddict]

I have a sapele and agathis mixed back and sides guitar from Kepma. Although I was skeptical at first, but she sounds so well. She even smells so good. Thank you for making the video. Very informative.

[@LucasHaneman]

Wow, that’s very cool! I appreciate you tuning in. I have never heard of those guitars but I’m sure they are nice. Out of curiosity what’s it like to play a mixed back and sides guitar? I’ve always been curious about this concept. I haven’t heard of the other lumber you mentioned, but I’m sure it brings something to the table.

[@GyanAddict]

@@LucasHaneman Hey thanks for replying. Really appreciate it. Kepma is really making great acoustics that are even being called budget friendly Taylors. I have their legacy model A1C which has a spuce top, sapele on the inside of the back and sides, and agathis on the outer layer. Agathis is considered as an affordable alternative for mahogany. The sound signature of the guitar is somewhat in the middle of mahogany and rosewood. It has bright highs with a chiming like feel, but also slightly warm mids as well.

[@keestoft250]

Hi Lucas, the differences were surprising. I have an E1OM and always think of it as a dry guitar, because i don't own a mahogany guitar to compare it. The sapele definitely has more hifi presence. Contrast is so important in music. I can feel GAS coming on, shame I'm broke. 🤔

[@LucasHaneman]

Thanks for your kind words. You know if you already have the Sapele guitar you’re at an advantage as I think it’s a great “do it all “wood that leans towards the mahogany sound. It has more overtones than mahogany usually does and a little more treble, so if you ever record yourself you will have to do minimal EQ on your guitar. With mahogany guitars I always find I have to boost The top end, and with Rosewood guitars I always have to decrease the low end. Of course having a collection of nice acoustic guitars is a great luxury, but having one instrument that can do a lot is some thing to feel lucky about. Just my two cents for what it’s worth With a guitar like yours there’s no need to rush out and buy another one, as fun as that idea seems. Haha. I honestly meant what I said in this video, if I could only have one acoustic it would probably be the E1

[@iiCybershotii]

Wow that e1om is great. Lots of presence without sacrificing bass.

[@LucasHaneman]

I agree with you 100%! Thanks so much for watching

[@derekhanna4642]

Great pickin', my friend! Both sound awesome, but not as good as MY Eastman OM. 😜 Seriously though, you can hear things that I just can't. Well done.

[@LucasHaneman]

Ah man, your Eastman honestly sounds fantastic! And in terms of hearing things honestly I think I just obsess over little details of sound.. lol, maybe more than is necessary sometimes :-) The only thing that really matters is if we are inspired by the sound that our guitar makes

[@tobyupson6184]

Thanks. Wish they had a Eastman dealer close to me. I have Martin 000-15. I wanted something brighter the E1OM might be for me. I think the E6OM might be to close to my Martin. What a great Christmas gift, lucky man. Your playing is really nice.

[@LucasHaneman]

Oh man, thank you so much for your kind words! I couldn’t believe it when I got this guitar. I love it and will cherish it forever for sure! It’s just sounding better and better all the time. I agree I think it would be a little close to your margin. The E1om would likely provide more contrast based on all the examples I’ve played of Eastman and Martin 000/OM style guitars. I think you could get an equal amount of contrast by looking into an E8 om if you’re curious about Rosewood, or an e10 om if Adirondack and mahogany would be in your budget. Of course Eastman also makes some nice grand auditorium style guitars and dreadnaughts if you choose to go for something bigger. Lots of nice options for sure but between these two guitars in this video I agree that the e1 would certainly provide more contrast from your guitar. Thanks so much for watching and hope you’ll stick around the channel to check out some more videos! I’ll have some more stuff out soon!

[@tobyupson6184]

Thanks for the advice. @@LucasHaneman

[@LucasHaneman]

My pleasure!

[@ckdurso5326]

enjoyed this very helpful vid, well done. in the market right now for e1OM, and this was in my sweet spot; fascinated by the tonewood discussion, but i assure you i can make any guitar sound like crap. I have a D28, over fifty years old and love it; have a taylor GTUrban Ash, i have worrn a hole in it i play so much, and little Guild travel i keep in Open G, play some slide on it; the eastman e1 OM seems to me to be a lot of guitar for the money, and i refuse to pay thousands. rgds from nashville

[@LucasHaneman]

That’s a nice collection of instruments you’ve got there! Yeah, these Eastmans punch way above their price point. I think at the cost of the E1 OM they are among the best, if not the best being made right now in that price range. Looks like they just released a new version called the E1 Special with a gloss finish and a different wood option for the back and sides as well the specials are a couple hundred dollars more than the standard series, but it might be something to look at as well. I will definitely say try a bunch before you buy as I’m sure you know this is a big consideration with acoustics as every guitar is different Say hi to Nashville from me. I always love getting down there when the chance comes up.

[@nickp4872]

Hi Lucas, thanks for this comparison and the wonderful playing! Have you had the chance yet to try the new Eastman E1OM-special with TC Sitka top and quilted Sapele back and sides? It seems to be a homerun for a guitar of it's cost. Premium quality and sound. I'm curious what you think of it.

[@LucasHaneman]

Hi. Thanks so much for your kind words and for checking out the video! No, I have not had a chance to check out the E1 special yet, though it sounds like a fantastic instrument from all accounts I’ve heard so far. There is a local store. I’ve been meaning to get back to where I’ve shot some videos on Eastman guitars in the past. I think they might actually have one of those guitars in stock, so I’ve got to get back there soon. Unfortunately, life has been really busy as of late, so even shooting videos at my own place has been difficult lately. Fingers crossed though that I can get back to that store soon and do a demo for KZbin on one. I’ll put it on the top of my priority list when I can start shooting on location again!

[@leeasbury7273]

Oh!!! The E1om is really awesome! I didn't know Eastman was giving out legit, low-key, pro quality SLEEPER guitars, for prices that = the tax alone on similar snob brands comparables. I need to see this right now!

[@mariodriessen9740]

Interesting. Very interesting indeed. I have an E1OM in a beautiful classic finish (very typical type of sunburst) and I paid 679 euros for it. Brand new, came with a soft case. And now I can buy a 2nd hand E6OM for 775 euros, hard case included. I haven’t played the 6 yet, but if the differences between my 1 and that 6 are similar to the differences between your student’s 1 and your own 6, I’m beginning to doubt whether or not I should do it. Especially because I will use one of them in a C or C# standard tuning and I will use the other one in a variant of a Nashville tuned guitar. This means I might as well buy another new E1OM instead of a used and more expensive E6OM. Hmmmm…🤔

[@LucasHaneman]

Absolutely. It’s all very subjective. The e6 should sound a tad dryer and less overtone heavy, though I did play a recent E6ss-tc that sounded more modern and had more overtone content. Different guitar design, but I released a recent video with that guitar. If you wanna check it out for another potential mahogany/spruce tone from Eastman. I have tried a number of wonderful E1 OMs’ and have not been disappointed, so either way, I’m sure you’ll get another great guitar. Perhaps nice variety having the 1 and 6, but with acoustics it’s so much about the individual guitar rather than the type of lumber or specs of a given model.

[@mariodriessen9740]

@@LucasHaneman Thanks! I will check out your other videos and I am interested in the SS type guitars. After I wrote this I realised that if I should consider the option of a new E1OM, I might as well take a good look at the D and the SS. Thanks again. I like your videos, they’re great! 😊 👍

[@LucasHaneman]

@@mariodriessen9740 thanks so much! Yes, a little variety is good in the stable. For instance, I love the contrast between my dreadnought with Rosewood back and sides when compared with my OM with mahogany back and sides. Both sound wonderful, just very different from each other. Sometimes I feel more inspired to pick up one or the other depending on how I feel, and for gigging/Recording, if that’s something you’re doing all the better to have a couple nice different sounds available

[@mooseymoose]

Yeah I think the 6 is louder for sure. Both very nice, but then I am an Eastman fanboy. The whole “mahogany” discussion is pretty long since there are about 30 species that are called mahogany but only maybe 3 are technically mahogany. Sapele looks similar but is quite different in a guitar. I have the E8 that is lovely for what it is and I sadly don’t play it that often. My Galloup and Strahm are just way more compelling, but then they are S tier builders. Price is commensurate as well.

[@LucasHaneman]

For sure. Lots of different types of mahogany out there with similar, but not exactly the same characteristics. I do find across the board that Sapele sounds a little bit like mahogany that is hyped in the top end, maybe premixed and mastered. Lol. It’s cool. My Rosewood ears kind of like that. Either way I love whatever the mahogany is that Eastman uses for what it is for that dryer more fundamental sound as well.

[@tommysixstring5094]

Sapele is an improved mahogany imo. It has treble sparkle and the frequency range is flat and extended over mahogany. The only thing it misses is the mahogany mid-range growl which is full of character but that same mid-range hump masks the bass and trebles in a mahogany guitar. I have a Larrivee OM02 (sapele) and OM05 (khaya) and each has its strengths but I'd grab the sapele out of a burning building.

[@halemcdan1]

Been shopping around for a step up from my first guitar after 3 years. My lovely dreadnought Yam is deep and loud. But it's a bit big. This E10m looks good. Anything else I should look at?

[@LucasHaneman]

Thanks so much for your comment. I guess I would ask you what your budget is for your new guitar? The entry-level Yamaha are really nice guitars, but I would say the biggest thing that you will hear and feel when playing the guitar is getting one with all solid wood construction, the back sides and top. That could be a Yamaha L series, probably one of the S models as these are smaller and more comfortable than the LL dreadnaughts, you could also take a look at Eastman E1, E, E1 special, E2 or E6 OMs’, or even the Canadian company called Seagall makes some fantastic guitars in this style as well. With this entry-level solid wood guitar though I would say definitely try before you buy. There’s a lot of variation from model to model and Guitar to Guitar. Hope this helps and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any more questions.

[@halemcdan1]

@@LucasHaneman thanks for your reply. I'm drawn to Eastman and think that's where I'll go. Cheers.

[@94SexyStang]

I never liked mahogany when playing, I actually bought a Sapele guitar, it's Way more alive and bright to me......I played Every guitar on the wall and thought mahogany sounded Just the same as Spruce and other generic stuff.

[@LucasHaneman]

thanks a bunch for watching, and for sharing your story! I like all woods for what they bring to the table, but I have to profess to being more of a rosewood fan than a mahogany fan when it comes to the back and sides of acoustic guitars. It’s just what my Ear is used to. With the fact that I have Rosewood guitars, though, I enjoy the contrast of the mahogany. Don’t own anything with SAPELLE personally but I’ve always really liked it as it’s to me the best of both worlds.

[@77guitarts22]

Great video, Thank you! I agree with the Solid Sapele of E1 that sounds so rich of overtones and a bit similar to the Rosewood, very well pointed out... I have the Dread E1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fonUpZiXeaapr9k Really love the sound of it but also the finish it's just gorgeously done, looks like a cello, and by the way also play some Cello

[@LucasHaneman]

Thanks for sharing the link with your guitar. Sounding great! I also love Eastman‘s classic finish. I have it on my t185 thin line and as you say looks like a cello. Absolutely beautiful.

[@FishTillYouDrop]

I really don't like sapele. It has a harsh bright tone to my ear.

[@LucasHaneman]

Cool. Thanks for sharing. Have a good one.

[@juice_williams]

2 5/32 bridge string spacing😢

[@LucasHaneman]

I have no idea. Feels like 2 1/4 to me but I’m not sure. It’s never bothered me

[@juice_williams]

@@LucasHaneman Thanks Lucas, it's 1/32 more than 2 1/8 Unfortunately for me guitars with 2 1/4 to 2 5/16 are very expensive

[@LucasHaneman]

@@juice_williams not sure if this would help but I believe all of the Eastman‘s have the same string spacing. Have you checked out the PCH range? They are a lot more cost-effective and sound wonderful. I have many students with them.

[@juice_williams]

Great playing😊 I'll take a look at the Pch, thanks! Love the eastman sound for being so affordable

[@LucasHaneman]

@@juice_williams they are the best thing I’ve come across in a long time in the realm of affordable guitars. Some of the high end stuff is really really quite nice as well. Regardless of the price tier if you try a few Eastmans and find the one you like you can’t go wrong! I have one acoustic, one electric and one of their mandolins. They are all great in their own rights