Martin OMC-18e vs Eastman E6OM-LTD vs Eastman E10OM

Three OM size guitars face off.
Each guitar has a Tusq saddle (changed from bone) and is strung with John Pearse 600L strings.
Guitar 1 = Martin OMC-18e
00:00 - Strumming
07:34 - Single note licks and random playing
Guitar 2 = Eastman E6OM-LTD (with pickguard)
02:31 - Strumming
08:50 - Single note licks and random playing
Guitar 3 = Eastman E10OM (no pickguard)
05:05 - Strumming
09:46 - Single note licks and random playing

[@nelsonc6173]

The Eastman is definitely brighter but very smooth. The Martin is smoother and more balanced. Love them both. Both very civilized sounding guitars. Thank you for the demo! Love the Martin but the price is something I can't afford...but it does not stop me from appreciating their sound!

[@peterd5901]

I agree with your observations!

[@munkeatphotography]

Eastman E6OM-LTD sounds simply amazing . Just enough of mids to cut through yet really sweet sounding . The E10OM sounded a little more harsh with the adi top , prob needs a bit more time to break in.

[@bunkerman99]

Ijust bought a used an E10OM Ltd and I could not be happier. Nice progressions by the way.

[@peterd5901]

Awesome those LTD are sweet guitars!

[@oldschoolbluesplayer5319]

* * * In case anyone was wondering...The Martin OMC-18e is $2850....and the Eastman E60M is $850...that should tell you something..

[@TheDennzio]

Thanks Peter...I'm about to pull the trigger on an Eastman acoustic, prob a 20OM SB. This is the best type of comparo and I play this style so elegantly performed by you. All the best!

[@peterd5901]

Thank you! Good luck with the guitar I'm jealous!

[@MitchSonic]

I just picked up my first Eastman - an E6 OM. I like it very much. Now just deciding which pickup to install. Going back and forth between a K&K Pure Mini (I've had 3) and the new Fishman Matrix, which my super pro guitar tech is recommending.

[@peterd5901]

Nice glad you like the guitar! Tough decision on the pickup for sure... let me know what you go with!

[@Hundenminhelmer]

I installed LR Baggs Anthem (the big one) in my E6OM and it sounds extremely well. I've used MagMic for about 18 months but that sounds to electric to my ears.

[@hotwireman49]

Your progressions sound just like that Sinapore guy who reviews guitars. I like him. And LOVE those beautiful progressions.

[@peterd5901]

Yes! I just learned them by ear from listening to him!

[@ag5tm]

Jarvis... jajaja

[@renehernandez9207]

@@peterd5901 can you please give us chords thank you.

[@sdfswords]

Martin by a country mile, super warm and balanced with sustain and lovely harmonics. Eastman would be a nice gig or campfire guitar.

[@donaldmusic6274]

Sorry,but you are wrong. The Eastman E60 is balanced much better, with all the notes ringing out. The Martin sounds muddy

[@joq702]

You are entitled to your opinion, but the separation of quality sound in this instance is not very great, at all. A few yards.

[@akfisher7138]

What are the string seperation/scale length, differences, in terms of feel as much as actual numbers. Cheers. Really great vids.

[@peterd5901]

The Eastmans have 24.9" scale and the Martin 25.5". Same nut widths on all 3. I can feel the lighter tension scale length difference, the shorter scale is a touch gentler on the fingers. However the Martin has a thinner neck and is extremely easy to play if you like that kind of thing.

[@aquaboneus]

I definitely prefer the Sitka tops. If I had to choose= Martin. But the E6OM sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

[@peterd5901]

Thanks for the comment! I love all 3 haha.

[@brucemarrs2596]

I think that groove's from Glen Hansard's film "Once." At least that's where I heard it.

[@FishTillYouDrop]

A blind test would be interesting. I truly think that words like Martin and Gibson trick people brains.

[@ag5tm]

What a great guitars...

[@MySongman]

Great playing! All sounded very good. I kind of whished you identified which Eastman was which. I assume one with white body bounding was the E6OM LTD... Also, one of your reply below said you sold the E6OM despite sounding the best to you. Why? Thanks for sharing!

[@peterd5901]

I sold it because I wasn't playing it much since I really enjoy the cutaway on the Martin. I don't play the E10OM much either. But the E10OM is about 7 years old now and is the guitar I take to random houses/outdoors etc. I am ok with it getting nicked a bit. The E6OMLTD was mint and just sat there, so I decided to let it go to a new home.

[@prestonwoods8197]

I'm surprised that I preferred the sound of Eastman E10OM. Having said that, hearing it live is obviously different. The feel of the guitar is highly subjective, not too mention the placebo effect of brand perception. For me, I'll probably get E6OM will likely be my next acoustic guitar purchase. Can't ignore the price.

[@peterd5901]

Yea an E6OM is an easy choice for a lower price guitar that can last a lifetime and sound amazing. It compares with guitars thousands of dollars more expensive!

[@sharkblues]

Peter, great demo and playing! Wondering if you had a chance to play a Eastman E1OM and if so what are your thoughts? Thanks for taking the with the demo and replies!

[@peterd5901]

No I haven't had the chance! I'd imagine it's mostly similar with some small differences.

[@sharkblues]

Thanks for the reply! E1 is sapele so that is sure to make a difference. Again great review!

[@ben.graham7143]

I think your playing is definitely a phrase I have listened to a lot. It is very similar to JoiL's phrase on Wantmesound channel. Anyway, you play the guitar so well. :)

[@peterd5901]

Yep it's from JoiL! I use it now when I compare guitars. I've listened to his channels so much.

[@brucemarrs2596]

E10!

[@tankhalffull]

The Martin is so warm.., currently shopping.., you may have just sold a left handed OMC-18E

[@gutbucket260]

Why did you change the bone nut to Tusq? That's going backwards.

[@peterd5901]

The saddle was changed to tusq, not the nut. It's really easy to swap saddles and I wanted the most accurate comparison. Also I prefer tusq in some guitars and bone in others.

[@kedduff1814]

The second Eastman sounded the best. But the Martin has a nice warmth to it that I liked. I would say the Martin had a traditional sound and the Eastman sounded more modern.

[@peterd5901]

Nice, thanks for the input!

[@akfisher7138]

Another question: How has the sound in the E10 changed over the years? Did it change much? Am not used to Adi tops. Thank you.

[@peterd5901]

I don't think mine has changed much yet. Very loud and resonant since day one!

[@mcdee56]

I believe Martin used to make them with ADI tops...

[@MegaPortenio]

I feel that you played the Eastman Guitars rougher than the beautiful sound of the Martin. It’s difficult to see a good comparison. The Martin is too expensive, almost $3,000.00 ?

[@peterd5901]

Watching the video back, your observations are valid, and it appears like I might have, especially the third guitar. But there are times where I played the Martin aggressively too. It really is a much tamer guitar and I think the video still demonstrates the differences between them very well. The Eastman guitars are canons and the Martin is mellow and tame. Immediately when you pick them up and play a note in real life you can tell they are very different.

[@oldschoolbluesplayer5319]

Peter....I have read on several guitar forms that people describe the Neck Profile /Feel of the Eastman E60M as "very close to the Martins Modified Low Oval" which the OMC-18 has. What are your thoughts? ...Thanks

[@peterd5901]

I would say they are quite different. Although both are smaller necks, the Eastman necks are slightly thicker and more of a "C" shape. The mod low oval has a slight "V" to it and is a very thin neck. The Eastman necks are also 12" radius while the Martin is 16". If I had to compare the Eastman neck to any Martin neck, it would be closest to the Low Profile neck.

[@oldschoolbluesplayer5319]

Wow...thanks for the super fast reply...I have a Martin D-16R with the 1 11/16" MLO neck and a Martin OM-18 Custom with the 1 /34" MLO Neck with the Performance Taper....but im looking for something cheaper...

[@peterd5901]

Sorry for the late reply. I find the Eastman necks extremely comfortable, due to the 12" radius I think. They feel very nice!

[@brettgarlick5252]

Whats the difference between the e6 and e10 and e20

[@peterd5901]

E6 = Mahogany back & sides + Sitka top E10 = Mahogany back & sides + Adirondack top E20 = Rosewood back & sides + Adirondack top

[@brettgarlick5252]

@@peterd5901 cheers. i just ordered an e20 and awaiting delivery :) and cant wait

[@hotwireman49]

P.S: Did you have that E6 set up or did it sound like that right out of the box??

[@peterd5901]

I believe in this video that I had probably done a basic setup which includes neck relief, saddle height, and nut slot heights.

[@TIM123451ERR]

What is the song you played at the beginning? And which one is your favourite?

[@peterd5901]

Just something I copied from the Korean channel kzbin.info/door/Pk1fE8IYWsAdwMYZy9022w. I can't decide which one is my favorite! They all have a special place in my heart, I did end up selling the E6OM even though it might be the best sounding one.

[@TIM123451ERR]

Peter Dietrich haha apparently I’m Korean ...lol

[@TIM123451ERR]

Peter Dietrich the link is wrong I guess...

[@peterd5901]

Weird it's working for me.

[@TIM123451ERR]

oh it doesn't work on my iPhone but it works on my laptop..:) thanks! I went to a shop today and tried martin 00018 and e10om.... I like Martin's logo on headstock but I loved e10om's sound... made a order

[@Morten_Nielsen1979]

The Eastman E10om sounds best. Is the neck small on it?

[@peterd5901]

The neck is pretty small. It's definitely modern in that regard. It feels similar to a Taylor neck mixed with a Martin low profile neck. Although the specs on the Eastman website list the nut as 1 3/4" it is actually a bit narrower, somewhere between 1 11/16" and 1 3/4", like a Gibson.

[@Morten_Nielsen1979]

@@peterd5901 Thanks for the info. I have a Taylor as well as an Eastman e20p. That Eastman has a bigger neck than my Taylor. Too bad. I want to buy the Eastman e10om. I guess I will have to live with the small neck. A couple of months ago I bought a Recording King ROS-A9M (similar to the Eastman e10omm) for 330 euros, just to try out if a mahogany OM is the best for me. That Recording King has a very slim neck. It is not a comfortable neck, like the more bulky neck on the Eastman e20p, but you get used to it.

[@SidemountDiving]

I love omc18e

[@enzodeltoro3392]

Martin the best .

[@flemmingballe1651]

Eastman all the way

[@hotwireman49]

Teach me those chords!

[@peterd5901]

Basic progression is this: E, Emaj7, E, Emaj7, Asus2, Asus2#11, A(add9), F#m11, G#m(b6), Asus2, Asus2#11, A(add9), F#m11, G#m(b6), A(add9), B(add11). Basically it's all just power chords but with the top B and E strings left to ring open.

[@hotwireman49]

@@peterd5901 thanks man!!

[@theabster2853]

The rattling the Eastmans make when strummed vigorously would drive me nuts. The Martin: Better tone, better construction.

[@Bejaardenbus]

Bollocks, a set-up and the rattling is gone.

[@warbseven8613]

When you say better construction that depends if you prefer hand built or machine tooled .(Eastman are hand built.)

[@cliffhorton1198]

That Eastman E10om sounds like A BOSS. I like Martins but the mahogany Eastmans are special