Gutted.... The Eastman AC630BD Fail To Impress Its New Owner

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Thank you all so much for your comments! Wow over 80 in just hours since I posted last night - thank you. Following the outpouring of love for this guitar I thought I would set up a voucher code for anyone wanting this beautiful guitar. Voucher code : LOVEMYWART This will give you 10% off. The voucher can only be used once against this specific guitar so if the voucher code doesn't work chances are its gone to someone else. I have had several enquiries for the guitar so I know it will find a loving home.... If I could keep her I would. Hey ho... This link I believe will automatically apply the code for you... rguitars.co.uk/discount/LOVEMYWART?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Feastman-ac630-bd-inc-100-professional-setup-added-value

[@richardrobb4579]

Clearly I'm tardy to this party discussion, but I just have to comment that I would have rejected it too. Wait six months in anticipation for a $2500 guitar (guess price), I would have been pretty let down too. Someone buys in your shop they see that flaw, and I do call that a flaw even if being purely cosmetic as it's just too obvious to ignore, and they either accept it or negotiate for a price consideration, but waiting ...AHH! Six months suggest that Eastman had no back stock and had to add that into their making mix. That is kinda their flagship acoustic right, so I'm surprised that QC didn't squelch that early on like at wood selection. I own an Eastman T58V electric hollowbody and am quite happy with it, great tone and look. Being a solid wood hand carved archtop with a vintage finish is quite different from high gloss nitrocellulose and does evince a certain roughness or unevenness that's acceptable as 'aged'. But having said that ... I still see minor 'flaws' in the making that while don't affect playabillity are none the less curious to me. Well I hope your customer is happy anyway, oh - did he get his replacement yet I wonder?

[@MentalMickey999]

It's a beauty spot, I bet your soppy customer wouldn't have turned down Cindy Crawford....

[@jameslight5260]

Stunning guitar, the beauty spot reminds me of Cindy Crawford, I wouldn’t reject either of them!

[@damon2a102]

I'd take the guitar over her at this point.

[@vince8081]

oh ! i was thinking the same. Hi five !

[@bigmike9527]

cindy crawford? eww yuk,shes ugly as fuck.

[@keesketsers5866]

Actually, good comparison, Cindy was actually rejected at several agencies when she was young because of her beauty mark! Call the guitar Cindy!!!

[@cem330]

@@bigmike9527 Different folks, different strokes I get that. But seriously, I can't imagine any red-blooded man would of kicked her out of bed in her prime...

[@peterdavenport5882]

I worked for a premier acoustic guitar manufacturer in the USA, and one of my roles was selecting different species of wood for custom and high end guitars. It's extremely difficult to obtain perfect wood, especially this day and age. But, If the customer doesn't like it because of this minor blemish, that's fine he doesn't have to buy it,. The problem is, the next guitar may not sound , or, play as well as the original, and to me it sounds fantastic. There are many other things to consider when buying a guitar, more than just cosmetic issues. No guitar is perfect. I call it character and individuality! Do we sit and look at guitars, or, do we play and listen to them? People now pay lots of money for relic and distressed new guitars, with manufactured dings and blemishes. It's very subjective and obviously a personal preference. But remember, every guitar is different.

[@michael1]

TBH the irony here is that some of the most overpriced and hyped guitars are the bashed and battered ones Fender et al have realised they can dupe idiots out of tens of thousands to buy - so, yeah for a substantial chunk of the market looks do matter (although not necessarily good looks) - And you'll note that brands know that bright pretty colours attract people on a low or no budget. Obvious example here is that the AZ premiums tend to look pretty (or at least stand out more) than the finishes on the AZ prestige. But there's an obvious quality difference between them that makes the prestige the better instrument. The prestige is the better guitar to play. But Ibanez know that people will buy the premium and rationalise that the colour is nicer - people who buy cheaper things need to kid themselves they have a better deal than the expensive one. Same as people who buy an expensive item need to make sure that buyers remorse doesn't kick in - so they need to know it's better than the budget model. A blemish is going to stick out more. You often see people commenting on this perhaps not realising that the garish bright finish is there because it's being sold on looks. Even Vai, who has a lot of garish Jems has tended to find one that he really likes to play and it's a plain white - that should tell you that even the most egocentric, showman virtuoso guitarist cares about playability over looks. But most Jems are sold to people who care about the looks - and the audience is wowed when Vai does one song with some fancy pants garish Jem model. The other side of the coin is how much you're paying. The trouble is making a guitar in some parts of the world is significantly cheaper because Cort et al can get away with mistreating staff and those staff don't cost as much. But the problem is the difference in resulting price doesn't reflect the difference in quality. i.e The difference between, say, a USA select Charvel or a USA made PRS and the Mexican Charvel or Cort made PRS SE isn't several hundred percent. Maybe the expensive ones are 10-25% better but simple economics means to get a 25% improvement you need to pay 5x more. But once someone is paying more they expect it to be perfect and because how much money you have isn't reflective of how good a guitarist you are, for a significant number of people paying a lot of money for a guitar they only really have looks to go on. They don't need a £3k+ guitar or a £10k guitar, but they have the money for one and the desire so they buy it and they want it to look perfect. Same as 99.999% of the people buying high performance sport cars will never explore or experience the performance of the car but they'll be able to look at the paint work and the trim - and the more they pay the more they'll expect perfection. Whereas the highly skilled guitar player would probably pick a guitar blindfolded (and I'm not talking about those buffoons on Andertons wearing blindfolds) but there aren't many highly skilled guitar players. I mean you wouldn't set up a business selling musical instruments to highly skilled players. When you set up a business selling instruments primarily you're going to get people who can't play at all and want to learn (and, often as not mum or dad are buying something and are more concerned that it doesn't cost them much because they expect Johnny or Sally to be wanting a skateboard in 2 months time and they'll never touch the guitar again) or very average guitar players with money to waste - and these people are the ones you can oversell a guitar that's bashed or got a brand name on it. The rest are average guitar players who buy an instrument based on their budget - they'll have some idea of how well an instrument feels but their playing really won't be good enough to make it worth paying £5k rather than £500 even if they do. The number of really skilled guitar players walking into your shop is going to be an insignificant percentage - not enough to form a business around. Hence why you have to fret about how the guitar looks. You ask but most people strum a few chords and do a few cliched pentatonic riffs they can't play their guitar so yeah they're looking at it. I don't know how many signature models Guthrie Govan has sold but the only ones being played to any extent are his - with a couple of exceptions. There are a few Jem players who can bash out decent copies of Vai songs but the vast majority of Jem owners may as well have bought a GRG model ibanez in terms of playability and their level - and a more significant number are the 'collectors' people who buy guitars because they think they have value as objects. Lastly, of course, in the modern day it's become pretty difficult to make a guitar that sucks. In the 80s if someone had a les paul copy or a cheap guitar they were absolutely useless instruments. Unplayable. Now it's harder to find a instrument that you can't play because of the way its manufactured. Mass produced guitars in the 21st century are light years ahead of the best instruments from 50 years ago. It's the same thing that the average people in the UK now live better than the king did in the middle ages. When it comes to the sound they make there's a bigger difference still although for electrics that are put through amps or an amp modeller and a lot of effects it becomes a bit moot. That means an even bigger proportion of your potential customer base has no reason to spend more - but it also means if they are convinced to spend more they are going to be more critical - as I say to avoid buyer's remorse - especially if he spent £2k when there's an £800 guitar that's more or less the same spec and plays more or less exactly the same - but the reality is the difference in price is simply because the only person who cares about Indonesian and Korean workers is Tom Morello. The bulk of your extra money isn't going towards making the guitar better - it's just a family in the USA or UK or Japan need to be paid more - but, yes, to make that worthwhile they will spend a bit of time and effort to make the instrument better, albeit mostly what they are doing is selling expensive guitars to wealthy people and how they look and the brand etc is more important than how they play. You look at PRS video where Paul gives one of his guitars to Lee Anderton and it's as meaningful as if Paul had handed his guitar to a chimpanzee. Lee can't play guitar. And Lee is only interested in his Les Pauls - sold entirely on his feelings. So Paul hands him a great crafted instrument (for free) and Lee is nonplussed. Well Lee is closer to your average guy who is buying a really expensive guitar than, say, Guthrie Govan is. It's mostly people who can't play instruments that buy them.

[@Calatriste54]

Yeah, Bravo Pete.

[@tonepilot]

That’s a ridiculous reason to reject a guitar. Wood had blemishes, he should buy a fibreglass guitar.

[@Calatriste54]

Nah, I'd have lived with that, slight flaw. Would this flaw have been produced out of Gibson, Montana? Guild? Nevertheless, I'd never buy a guitar, even a perfect guitar from a CCP Pariaha, communist country. Good analysis, bad politics.

[@toml7945]

@@Calatriste54 Gibson has had it's fair share of selling over priced junk at times in history, like when they couldn't source rosewood and started with the baked maple fingerboard to look like rosewood...um if I wanted a maple fingerboard I would buy a maple fingerboard...

[@nickcebalo2709]

@@Calatriste54 if that was on a vintage Gibson particularly one that had some famous player history people would be "look at that" frothing at the mouth over it. "ooo look you can see the spot" Murphy Lab would be making absolutely sure that spot was on the replicas

[@jamescoughlan8193]

I've watched this video a few times and no doubt the customer deserves to get exactly what he or she wants, but I love the blemish it adds character sort of like the so called bear claw marks you get on some woods. Eightteen years ago we decided to get a puppy from a rescue centre, they showed us a sheep dog that nobody wanted because she had one brown eye and one blue one, this was seen as a blemish by many, we instantly fell in love with her and over the next 17 years she was the best friend and companion ever. Heart broken when she died. That knot makes it all the more real for me, makes it unique. I've no doubt you found a home for it.

[@Philxxxxxx]

It’s a knot ! Wood has knots. Sack the customer!

[@philipmarshall6685]

@Sylvester McArthur You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[@danielbell4007]

I like character marks on my guitars. Things I can see and know it’s mine.

[@harryburnett7086]

That gives it character and identity

[@rudykizuty]

Just seeing this now more than two years later. I am hopeful it wound up in the hands of someone who loves it and enjoys making beautiful music with it.

[@billhallsongs]

Reminds me of the Seinfeld Cashmire sweater episode, wherethe sweater was coveted till everyone eventuall noticed the red dot on it ! 😀

[@thisistimwoods]

LOL more though tha t Elaine realised George got it on the cheap as a result of the red dot

[@carlomaletti4284]

Like a beauty spot on human skin, a small distinctive mark on a nice piece of wood can be seen as a blemish or an added attraction. Given the choice between two otherwise identical guitars I’d choose the one with the “beauty spot” in a heart beat. To me it gives it more character and makes it more unique

[@BekkerGuitar]

Hi Richard, As a pro guitarist, I came across Eastman a couple of years back, then an unfamiliar brand to me, played the whole price range, discovering that Eastman builds extremely high quality guitars in every price range they offer, blown away buy it. This blond ac630 is a work of art, at a ridiculously affordable price! The "knoest" at the back of the neck would not be a reason for me to reject the guitar at all! Wood is a product of nature and if you, as a guitar building company would have to sort through every pile of wood to find that piece for each part of the guitar, without any "knoesten" you'd have to have a pile that big that you can build 100 guitars with "imperfections" to be able to build 1 guitar unblemished. The price would rocket for that one guitar.... And would have to be sold at a much steeper price (6000€ and more) to compensate. It's astonishing that Eastman has build such a piece of art with only one small "knoest" at the back of the neck and offers it at such a great price! In my opinion Eastman is going places and has become a major league brand in the guitar industry.

[@georgeargon5113]

As the satisfied owner of an Eastman, Gibson is falling rapidly behind the curve when it comes to pricing and product quality. While manufacturers are better off going up than down, data shows that, on average, 86% of consumers are willing to pay more "if" excellent products are accompanied by great customer experience. However, one should be careful not to charge too high a price as it will turn potential buyers away. Eastman is offering products with significantly better quality, for considerably less, hence value. Gibson's current focus is on branding and making the purchasing journey more enjoyable. The company firmly believes that customers will also be willing to pay for that experience. Unfortunately, by rehashing the same product (with well known design issues) simply based on "pride of ownership," creates another generation of dissatisfied customers who will vote with their wallet, as other have done in the past.

[@cliffjenkins7]

The knot is paintstakingly added by nature and as such is a bonus and makes it more real

[@daveanderson5680]

I agree with the customer....QC should have rejected the neck before the neck was glued to the body.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Its called a beauty spot.

[@maxwellfan55]

Well, you cannot swing a customers opinion if they're resolute, but I'd be extremely nervous as a retailer offering another on this flimsy basis. In fact, I would consider rejecting ordering the same guitar for that customer altogether, and probably their future business. God knows what he'd come up with next? You have more faith than me in the public! The only thing I'd change on this beauty would be swapping the inlays on the bridge for another inlay at the first fret, but that's personal taste, and done prior to ordering. Having worked professionally with a multitude of hard and softwood timbers throughout my life, it is clear and obvious all examples of the even the same wood are unique and different. It's why wood has that natural appeal. And we are not even talking about a really expensive guitar here (in the range of a new Gibson SJ200 equivalent). I just mentioned I worked with many different woods for a long time. Whenever people ever complained about knots, which as rare, my response was, "Unfortunately, trees have branches". I am very impressed with Eastman instruments, whatever the comparison to a Taylor or Gibson. They hold their own against any manufacturer, and this AC630BD is no exception. My principal concern as a musician would firstly be the the quality of tone, then the quality of manufacture. This example appears to excel in both, but goes further. I actually prefer to see knots in hardwoods, as long as they don't fall out! But this is far too small, hard and compact to ever do that. What your video HAS done however, is turned a lot of attention onto this stunning instrument which I am now anxious to try myself.

[@philoshaughnessy906]

With Eastman's attention to detail, how did this pass QA?

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

😂.

[@mrsullyrox]

i'm a player- last thing on my mind is the shine- i understand if your interested in a show piece- but me i would have taken it - played and loved it dings and all that are gonna come to it- life's too short

[@paulnoden7982]

Good on you, Eastman and Pepijn for looking after the customer! Of all the music companies I’ve ever dealt with, I found Pepijn’s assistance exemplary, and I can see why you deal with them Richard. My lefty SB59v that I purchased from you is simply awesome, and easily competes with my friend’s Custom Shop Les Paul. I’d buy Eastman again in a heartbeat. As you say, the customer is right; once you see something you’re not happy with, you can’t un-see it can you? I know you’ll find a good home for the lovely thing.

[@wesmatron]

Your love and passion for the instrument shines through. I'd trust you with my next guitar.

[@PeteAxeShields]

I grew up with two friends, identical twins - they were amazingly identical ( both beautiful girls, by the way, who became wonderful mothers ) - one of them had a birth mark, a tiny birth mark, on her neck ( ironically ) - even their closest friends could only ever distinguish them by evidence of this birth mark ....... need I say more ? - sometimes, the tiniest marks of individuality are quite simply divine ( I would have adored this " imperfection " had this been my guitar - it is its fingerprint )

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Also an identifing mark if it were stolen etc

[@DrJoshGuitar]

I thought you were going to say the problem is the string touches the E string tuning peg...

[@jameslowe6499]

What if the replacement doesnt play/feel or sound as good as this one, because surely its those things that make them perfect.

[@minnesotahawk4090]

I feel sad for that customer of yours. But I believe you'll find another guitar player that will love that guitar and embrace that beauty mark for which it is.

[@maverick_trail]

The person who rejected that guitar was buying it for the WRONG reason. They obviously put more value on the look (and potentially what other people thought of the look) instead of the sound - which is why we play the guitar in the first place. I don't care who made the guitar or how much it cost, that was completely shallow.

[@brendan190770]

Hat off to you Richard!! that's a fantastic attitude to have, personally I would be more interested in playability and tone than a silly little spot.

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Much appreciate your channel Richard. Fantastic knowledge.

[@bigfootingermany]

I’ll take it wart and all. Looks like a tiny knot in the wood. Blinded by the bling

[@stevenshockley4237]

I'm definitely keeping my eye on these, I think I want one.

[@capriom85]

Truth be told, that “wart” just makes that guitar a one of piece. I’d love to have one.

[@SuperMerryChris29]

Seems like a real treat to play, sounds fantastic, looks fantastic. Personally, I think the 'blemish' adds character.

[@robertkerr8601]

I think it sounds amazing and great price.

[@srbell]

My only thought would have been if it were a knot that could possibly be an issue down the road with it being right at the joint with the body. I would assume the builders at Eastman probably saw it and determined it would not present a structural issue and gave it a pass. Personally, I would not have rejected it, particularly if it came with a good warranty. It's a stunningly beautiful instrument and sounds great too!

[@Calatriste54]

This defect area will likely be stronger than not (NPI).

[@toml7945]

That's what you call a birth mark, and should be embraced as something that gives it individualism from others, that's always a good thing.

[@samunsworth2896]

This is a late comment... of years. That noted, I would have loved to have the guitar even more so. It gives it character..and what an awesome way to identify your guitar if it were to unfortunately go missing and be found. What ever happened to the guitar..I wonder?

[@tombain5665]

I understand the customer's point of view. I have been there! Seeking perfection in whatever can be like a tunnel vision goal that excludes a lot of other beautiful things, waiting and deserving appreciation, like Cindy Crawford, i love that comment. Perfection is also difficult to sustain, one ding of the headstock and calamity! The fragile concept of perfection is broken forever. A new search for perfection has to begin again. Solution is don't play it, put it in a large cigar humidifier with a revolving platter in order to appreciate the unspoilt beauty. Richard I hope to get down to your shop in the New Year please help me find my Cindy!

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

Do you still have this beautiful guitar for sale Richard ?

[@yamahamusicians]

I understand the customer wanting a perfect guitar but that is not the nature of wood. No two guitars are identical and personally that would not have bothered me at all. I would have just seen it as part of the unique nature of this particular guitar. Still, it is a relatively expensive guitar and I guess expectations are high when spending that sort of money. Beautiful guitar though ;)

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Indeed. An interesting dilemma. I can totally understand why someone would consider it "not right", as did the Director of Eastman. We all loved it so much we just didnt consider the "other view". Never mind. The customer will however get a guitar that they consider to be right for them.

[@MaithriSanitgun]

Put the STRAP BUTTON on the wart! Insane.

[@thefreese1]

That's exactly what I said . Because that's exactly where the button's supposed to be.

[@dennispurdy3533]

If it is not a bump or hole or some sort of texture I would accept it as part of the wood. The guitar sounds amazing. You will find a buyer.

[@nicolaskrinis7614]

Unbelievable. Talk about 1st world problems. This is not a blemish, it's a feature found commonly in maple. It's a birds-eye blemish which adds personality to the guitar. To boot, it makes it unique. As a sidenote, maple of this quality will always have a few birds-eye "imperfections" which are actually sought after. Heck, RR, yes the auto brand, buys this wood for their dashboards. If you ask me, I think it was buyers remorse or a customer with a very bad case of OCD, in which case, it would explain his decision.

[@Rightupbass]

For me that would not be a problem. However; if I’m the inspector at that guitar shop, it wouldnt get past the neck department. Why?. Because of the conversations we are having right now. Don’t give the buyer ammunition to poke holes in your product. That’s eastmans fault. It may slide by some, but not others. You wouldn’t accept a mark like that on your car or shirt or your house paint , would you? Believe me ,Somebody saw that shit before it left the factory, they just thought it wouldn’t matter because of its position on the guitar... well guess what? It didn’t work ..I have Never heard a customer Ask for a guitar with wood knots in it.....good quality control eliminates all this bullshit.

[@brandonknapp3328]

So I have an E10D with a dime size dark knot on the side of the neck. I see it as I play. Funny enough it’s one of my favorite things about the guitar. It’s a remainder of the tree it came from, a spot of natural wood in a sea of smooth gloss. That guitar just needs a different partner. BTW my E10D is the best sounding guitar I have ever owned.

[@sinnersdwarf7138]

the guitar "blemish" would help identify the guitar should it be stolen..

[@joeshea1010]

Appreciate all your care but I would have no problem with the wart.

[@rowanbaylis7951]

Naa! Just a dab of beige paint would fix it! ;) But, seriously, I can see both sides on this - and I think the point raised earlier about it only really showing up because the wood on the rest of the guitar is so free of "blemishes" is undoubtedly a factor. While I'd have accepted this beautiful guitar without complaint, the fact that you and Eastman are going the extra mile and providing a complete new build for your customer is a real credit to you both.

[@rayf7821]

that's a beautiful guitar,you know some people you just can't make them happy.oh btw I've been watching reviews of the 59/v and yours is the one that sold me so i found a Eastman dealer close to me it's gonna take about 6 months or longer right now i planned on buy e few guitars for my retirement anyway so i can wait.i'll get a les paul standard gold top to play until my Eastman gets home.thanks have a great day and stay safe in these crazy times.

[@bigfootingermany]

Seriously Richard, what do you want for this beauty? I’m interested. For some reason, I can’t get any info on your website to work properly. When I click the link for “more information”, nothing happens. I don’t know what the problem is. I don’t have this problem with Thomann or Andertons or anyone else.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Hi. Use voucher code XMAS for a 10% discount and when I am able I will look at the issue with the more details. Is this just on this product or all of them? Sorry for brief reply. School run!

[@DavidWoodmanMusic]

I noticed last night whilst browsing your site that any guitar I clicked on to find out more didn't display any info. This was browsing on Android and iPad. On the wider issue of the guitar wood does have imperfections and it is the luthier's job and skill to work with it to create something amazing. If you've paid a lot of money without being able to see it first I can understand being disappointed. I think if sounded as good as that though I'd have just asked for a discount

[@shelley3025]

I completely understand the customers disappointment. If that guitar was made specifically to fulfil an order you placed with them then I think at that price point Eastman should have informed you about the blemish on the neck and given you the option of accepting it or not before it left their workshop.

[@scottstubbs9913]

I would not have rejected it, like you said it's wood. That little spot gives it character, makes it unique to that Guitar.

[@douglasmcintyre3297]

That guitar has a remarkable combination of persistent sustain that hung in there for four or five bars. Plus plenty of volume and its clear, crisp bass side which doesn't kind of overwhelm or overshadow the bright treble side of the instrument as you described like itwold with a good solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It's a really sweet and big sounding jumbo acoustic that is new yet once opened up sounds kind of like a vintage adirondack spruce/figured maple back and sides Gibson SJ-200. Happy playing, bro. .

[@boydackerman5698]

That guitar is BEAUTIFUL. I'd be very proud to own that one. I agree with one of the other comments. It is a beauty mark. Made even more wonderful and endearing by its imperfecitons.

[@646627jd]

I have No Problem with It. I'll take it. How much was it?. I've had two guitars SJ-200. And that one sounds better than both of them.

[@andyc5392]

Great job capturing the flame...

[@HenryYeguitarcover]

well he can pay double price to the other brand then. it’s a great offer for the price and there is a lot more space for more “imperfection”, and yet it only has a tiny bit of imperfection on such a gorgeous built. He just expected way too much on this price point.

[@bazcass8662]

Stunning guitar !!! the wart certainly would not put me off. LOVEMYWART...

[@xetexuk12]

Amazed the customer rejected it on those grounds. Obviously the buyer wanted a guitar to look at and not to play, if it plays well of course. Surprised you didn't spot it Richard. Lovely guitar.

[@robertveith2255]

I don't think I would have turned it down love the guitar !!!!!!!

[@dougclarkson69]

You're right the guitar is fine. The builder used the wood with the knot in the backside of the neck, no big deal to me. It's a beautiful guitar. How much is it?

[@Dodzee.44]

sounds beautiful

[@stutty1400]

I guess it depends on if you buy a guitar to look at or to actually play! .. ;)

[@chrisstanford3652]

Wood is a natural material, discolor imperfections are to be expected. If it had a tonal aberration, bad bracing, or bend in neck, but... really a knot in the wood🤣😂. I just special ordered an Eastman E40 00 12 fret slotted head, will get by next fall 🤗

[@oxsnake5192]

How is this guitar compared to a Gibson j200?

[@alexqian7175]

bette than j200，i have one 630bd

[@TheLastFraudster]

@@alexqian7175 But do you have a J200?

[@Axibis]

The spot is just as beautiful as the whole guitar. Some people want to make music with jewelry, not instruments.

[@DenisVolga]

One of the best-best guitars i have ever played (the sound, the comfort /the perfect neck, very rounded; even the jumbo size is not a problem for me, being not a big person/; the beauty). Unfortunately,..2000$..can't handle it.

[@chroniclesofbap6170]

Walked into a music shop for the first time in years. Played some of these Eastman guitars. Was very impressed.

[@davidarnold6376]

I really enjoy our reviews here....if I lived in the UK I would buy an Eastman from you....I'll take that red SS behind you... BTW that guitar is stunning!!

[@rtortortorto]

I think it makes it more valuable.. perfect in its imperfections, like all of us.❤

[@agp24432]

to my eyes thats a work of art warts an all

[@bandicoot5412]

If it did not have a flaw I'd be worried positive/negative go together, at least in this part of the megamultiverse.

[@d.3como555]

I would have kept it without hesitation, however, I'd like to offer a different perspective: I own an Eastman and love it, but when I first brought it to a jam some turned their noses up at it (in ignorance) because it came from China. Eastman is doing such a great job building their guitars that those same people are starting to be more accepting, but there's still a stigma there that's yet to be fully overcome. In other words, if this had been a Gibson or Guild jumbo it may not have mattered has much to this customer, but since it's an Eastman, this customer may be seeking perfection to counter anyone judging his or her Chinese built guitar, know what I mean? If you're old enough to remember when Japanese automobiles were first introduced there was the same stigma attached to them, but of course we all know how well built and reliable most of them are and have been for years now, same thing, If Eastman continues to keep their quality high, over time Eastman will fully shed any stigma they still have with some people.

[@cooloutac]

That is a good point. about him not wanting a blemish that can be made fun of for being a chinese made guitar. But unlike Japanese automobiles that had no precedent. Most chinese made guitars are garbage man. I just retu8rned an all solid mahogany wood fender paramount that is raved about online. po-220e. And sure it did sound decent. But the frets needed leveling out the box and the whole thing had jagged edges everywhere, even the body was cutting into my arm. Tha action was at 6/64ths, but still just brutal to play compared to my old Martin DX1 with same action so I returned it. It even smelled like toxic glue, not the nice spanish cedar in my martin. And I'm so shell shocked I'm not ordering anything from china without taking a fret rocker and straight edge to it. The Fender even smelled like toxic chemicals. But again, the guitars get nothing but good reviews from reviewers and commenters online. But I feel duped and feel like I should of known better. Disillusioned with the whole industry so when someone tells me to buy a chinese made yamaha or eastman. I think their either industry shills or insane.

[@IrishChef85]

Piece of art. I wouldn't refuse. Beautiful guitar

[@johnnorth9355]

Impeccable fit and finish and a tone to die for with what looks like a really silky smooth action. Eye candy aside (and this has it in spades) I can only dream of owning an instrument of this kind of quality. My seriously pesky OCD would not get a look in over the tiny blemish when so much is right about this gem of a guitar. It probably would not improve my playing much - at an age and stage where nothing could - but my pride of ownership would be immense.

[@sriatmas]

cor blimey ... what a travesty of a situation ..Cant see how such a feature in the grain would constitute an issue ... if anything it enhances it... is it still available or did you have to send it back to Eastman?

[@davetaylor8504]

Absolutely beautiful guitar! Aesthetically awesome, with a magnificent rich sound. I would NOT have rejected that guitar - it gives it personality. Beautiful piece of wood crafted by masters. The fact that it is hidden away on the back just shows that some people can be a wee bit spoilt. The argument is, you'd expect perfection for a couple of grand, but to me it is a slight blemish (which we all have) and gives it a little bit of personality. Beauty spot. It's beautiful, that's a spot! His loss.....

[@donharrold1375]

The small blemish would be a character thing for me. The imperfection would make it mine.

[@jrwardle1]

It is imperfect but I’d still consider buying it. Seriously. I will check things out in detail & be in touch. That sound .....!

[@tonybrooks476]

Wood on guitars is often really incredible to look at.

[@FluffH1]

It's made from natural materials and the customer was surprised that there was a blemish? I'm surprised that there is only one. That is a beautiful guitar.

[@richfiryn]

No maybes about it the customer was 100% within his rights to reject it because of that blemish. Quite frankly that is inexcusable for the manufacturer to have let the neck on this pass before it was even remotely close to going on the guitar. I would have been pissed too.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Don't sit on the fence on this Rich. Tell me what you really think. lol. Appreciate your feedback - thank you.

[@richfiryn]

I should have also mentioned that the guitar is drop dead gorgeous besides the unfortunate blemish and it sounds positively glorious. @@RichardsGuitarshop

[@tonepilot]

I don’t agree with you at all. Since when is wood supposed to have no character? It’s where a branch grew. Jeez.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

@@richfiryn ahhhhh balance restored!

[@tigerbalm666]

That's not a blemish to me. if you buy a computer monitor, 5 or less dead pixels is acceptable. You buy a car, there are already swirl marks up the ying yang. etc etc.

[@jamieolson766]

That "blemish" looks totally fine. It just adds to the beauty.

[@fretfreaks1085]

i can understand the customer but i also totally understand where your coming from too! that is with out a dought one of the most beatiful guitars i have ever seen! and its birth mark just makes more unique! im going on your website right now and if its in my budget and still available i might just have to buy it!!!!!!!

The client has bought into the concept of a Rolls Royce of guitars. A blemish, even if minor, isn't on the spec sheet. I can see why he would be disappointed. Its the kind of thing that would prey on your mind and might ruin your enjoyment of it. Of course, the replacement may not be as beautiful, but you've done all you can, so fair play to you. You're lucky the punter will accept a replacement, as some might have walked away after a disappointment like that.

[@westvalleyjunction]

It's a beautiful guitar

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

The guitar reminds me of the sound that Nic Jones made on his Fylde. Not interested in the looks so much but what is it like to play. I have an Eastman Mandolin that plays so well. If I played that I would be unable to let it go.

[@guitarbassamp4823]

It looks and sounds amazing 🎶 🎸

[@iwct]

I got a nasty ding in the back of one of my Martin acoustics. A luthier I know managed to fill it and smooth it off, but it left a dark mark, looking a bit like a knot. He offered to re do it, or not charge me. I happily paid up. He had fixed the damage and given it a little unique mark. As some have said, like a beauty spot 😊

[@robertdickinson889]

Wood is a natural product. Blemishes happen the same way that grain occurs by nature. Bear claw is a blemish yet people crave it on guitars. One man's blemish is another man's joy. The tone of that guitar and as a whole the beauty - someone is gonna love it.

[@Preston_M.]

That's amazing that was never caught in production. Inexcusable, but if you have to get rid of it, I'll take it as blemished 1/2 price with no problem. She's a beauty!

[@ffiladeys7093]

Just wondering, would a traditional large jumbo pickguard affect the tone of that beauty?

[@NemoNepersonne]

This reminds me of customers who have rejected guitars because there is natural and desirable bear claw figure on the spruce top. I usually keep strap buckles covered with tape so they won’t scratch. Yesterday I removed the tape from a little mandolin strap to adjust it and it fell onto my $12,000 Gibson mandolin and scratched right through that hand-rubbed varnish, on the top. Ouch!

[@michaelenosmusic]

I understand this is YEARS after the fact.. but the customer rejected what is essentially a 'factory 2nd' .. it doesn't kill the tone. It's an imperfection. I would have taken it home.

[@Brian-rq8hi]

I would prefer the one with the knot in the wood. It makes it more unique and identifiable.

[@niptodstan]

Is it a knot or a blemish? Could it be scraped away and refinished? If you sit with that guitar on your knee and look down it will be in your line of sight. I’m on the fence over it, but it shouldn’t have got to the finish stage in the factory. At this price point it should be perfect....unlike most Gibson’s now.

[@anthonyroach7974]

Not bother me that it’s a beautiful guitar and a beauty spot .how do you find perfect wood .ever got stolen you would know it’s yours

[@kevinmauch5622]

That little spot in the wood is like Cindy Crawford's mole. Who cares when something is that beautiful and sounds so good.

[@grinder2401]

Really?? That's the beauty of this guitar which makes it kinda unique! Small story: Some years ago, I bought a used ESP Edwards Explorer through ebay. The seller (a very reputable American guy living in Tokyo having a guitar shop there) had photos of that guitar with all its marks and dings and it's amazing wood grains. I fell in love and got it. Arrived exactly as was shown in the pictures and I couldn't be happier. I now own a fantastic Explorer (I always wanted one, love this shape) which although a mass produced guitar it's still unique because of its dings and marks and awesome wood grains! Anyways, different perspectives, different opinions. At the end of the day as the person who spends the money, you know better what you like and what you don't :)

[@lemonstar.2]

Baby/bathwater. I've said for a long time how I remember making the transition from someone who wanted new things that I wanted to keep in perfect condition. A strange incident changed the way I started looking at things. I was in the second hand section of my record shop in the 80's and saw a bunch of records that all had had one corner of the sleeve destroyed - it had been pecked off the owners parrot! But among these albums were quite a number that I had been interested to hear - they were at a knock down price so I bought several - 4 or 5 and I was so glad I did as there was nothing wrong with the vinyl - some of the albums were great - some less so but the following week I went back and bought another handful - I never regretted it. It made me focus on what was important. I have owned a few guitar from new and always hate that period of newness when you first have them - I really love them more the more worn they become - I look at the worn sound hole and the pitted frets and fingerboard and value the pleasure these guitars have given me and the times I have spent with them growing as a musician. For me - the blemish wouldn't have put me off at all. TBH - I'd rather buy a used guitar than a new one. I feel the same about books - if it is well thumbed, dog eared and has notes in the margin - it's a sign someone has really spent time with it and used it or read it - it's a good sign isn't it that the book is a good one.

[@grahamturney130]

Richard, just out of interest, how does Maple compare tonally to Mahogany and Cedar?

[@thefreese1]

Maple is not used to the soundboard except for fiddles. Cedar is t used for back and sides . So the only comparison you have there is the Mahogany against the maple back and sides. Mahogany has a deep bassy tone .. and it's my personal favorite on a dreadnought.. but with the Big Jumbo guitars it would be so bassy that it would sound like an acoustic bass. With 2 extra strings. Maple has tighter grain and a higher pitched tone that's why they use it on Jumbos . To counter act all the bass that will come out of the sound board top . IN my own opinion maple is good for Jumbo guitar and mandolin backs and sides ... and everywhere on a violin/fiddle

[@tomduckworth8335]

It's wood a natural product that is a beautiful guitar. Sounds like someone who want's to just sit around and look at their guitar and not play it.