The Eastman E2D & E2OM. I Challenge You To Find Me Better Acoustics Under £500

Finally! Eastman have finally produced cedar topped acoustics!
The Eastman E2D is the cedar topped brother to the award winning E1D which I have mentioned before on my channel. The E1D is a top personal recommendation for anyone looking for a dreadnought under £500 and I would argue the E2D matches anything out there at least TWICE the price - If you disagree let me know what you think beats it in the comments below.
rguitars.co.uk...
If you are looking for something a little smaller then the natural alternative would be the E2OM. Same guitar but in an OM body size making it easier to get your arm around - less bass and treble with more mid range makes it an ideal picking guitar but of course you can strum away on it too!
rguitars.co.uk...
Both of these guitars are 100% top personal recommendations.

[@davide_p]

How dare you keep challenging my wallet like this 😭😭😭

[@FiddleSticks800]

I bought a cedar top seagull guitar in high school from a pawn shop. It. I got it for real cheep as it needed some bridge work I was capable of doing. I fell in love with the tone of a ceder top. Nothing fills that void quite like cedar. Needless to say, I’m now in the market for one of these.

[@alfons1976]

After watching your video I popped into my local guitar store, tried one out and inevitably took it home with me. I am so happy with it that I can't put it down. I can only match it (price wise) with an epiphone masterbilt EF500R I had a few years ago and have always regreted selling. At last I have a wonderful sounding guitar again without going bankrupt. Thanks for posting!!! BTW, I bought the E2D-CD.

[@Stratman6969]

I bought the E2D and its is absolutely amazing, loud and with great tone, and perfect string balance, lovely ebony board and great quality. A year on it is opening up already and sounding even better. I now fancy getting the E2OM as a compliment.

[@Fret-knot]

I saw the vid you did on the E1D I think it was and thought it sounded the nuts! I’ll have to rewatch and see how these compare. The dreadnoughts sound great.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Both killer guitars and so wished i had the E1 to hand to show the subtle differences. You should find a little more bite in the spruce but hey - this one was so sweet - so loud - so..... dreadnoughty!!!!!!! Perfect!

[@patricklundquist9869]

I own four Eastman guitars. E40OM-SB, E10D-TC, DT30-GACE, and my most recent purchased last week, PCH3-GACE. That may seem like going from the sublime to the ridiculous but, no. The DT30-GACE has laminate sides and back and yet somehow sounds amazing. Blindfolded you would swear it is all solid wood. It has wonderful tone, overtones, resonance and sustain. I bought it to play out since there is no way I would take my double top out in public. The two guitars feel almost the same. Same shape, neck shape, cutaway grand auditorium body. I can play one at home and the other out with none of the confusion that comes from switching guitars. New, the guitar costs $569 US (443.20 pounds). Sure the double top sounds richer and more complex but the listening public will have no basis for comparison.

[@timramm1]

I'd never heard of Eastman, tried one in Sounds Great in Handforth. Blown away it was a 000, there was a Clapton signature Martin in there and I preferred the Eastman, I currently have a Cort MRA from about 2005 which has aged nicely but struggled over the with the action, the Eastmans are set up great

[@EXT3RMIN8R]

I compared the E1D to the Clapton Signature Martin as well. There just happened to be a used one in the my local shop. I preferred the Eastman as well, then I bought it. It's been the best guitar I've owned and one of the best acoustics I've ever played.

[@chrisjs6123]

No idea how they do it. Sensational guitars really.

[@richardcooksey1600]

I have a takemine sante fe I bought in '96 with a cedar top. Love the smokey sound and the clarity. Dents and scratches easily....I've nearly worn a hole in the top from hard finger picking.

[@skaybaltimore]

You had me at the E2D -- it rang out almost like a 12-string guitar. But the E20M sounded much thinner and not nearly as fantastic as the dreadnought. I didn't expect that much of a drop off.

[@champchas]

I recently purchased an Eastman E2D-CD from Village Guitars Farnham Surrey. I can confirm everything this review states about the excellence of the Eastman E2D. It's an outstanding guitar and is easily the best acoustic I have ever owned. It also records very well with a clear crisp sound.

[@Killstr3aker01]

Contemplating myself of getting one, I read reviews however that said they had problems with the fretting. Have you experienced any problems with that? Like the frets standing out too much? Thanks!

[@champchas]

Can't see any problem at all with Fretting. The Eastman E2D is my favourite guitar and I play it every day. You'll be very lucky if you can find one.

[@ZongqiDU]

amen to that!

[@LegsON]

Richard, can you make a vid about changes to CITES? Are musicians finally able to be in love with rosewood again?

[@TempoDrift1480]

Never apologize for tuning a guitar. I don't care if you are driving a buss full of school kids on top of a sketchy dam head road with 50 knot cross winds.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

I'd really like to know if the rosette is real wood...Anyone?

[@gearhead4005]

I've had a bunch of smaller guitars and like he said... you cant beat a dreadnought 👌

[@LuciensMusic]

It makes it hard for me to justify a D-28. With a good song and a decent mic, who's gonna know the difference,lol

[@philipdeppen2890]

For what it's worth I purchased one of these over a martins D18 I played because it sounded better. Better voice more sustain and louder.

[@smandez2023]

Only the headstock snobs.

[@OfRiffAndMan]

Hey, great review! Now I'm really tempted to get Eastman E2D-CD. My sister has Sigma DM 1ST, it's even cheaper all solid guitar. I don't know if you've tried it, but if you did could you compare it with the Eastman? Do you think it's big upgrade from that Sigma model? Thanks!

[@a_n_t_e__]

I bought the E1D from you recently. Very nice Guitar

[@shubhamsawant7216]

i think its solid sapelle back and sides

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Lovely full tones. Wow

[@michaelclark6423]

Hi Richard. Great video. Any chance you could do a side by side comparison of the e1d with spruce top and the e2d with the cedar?

[@edwardstanley4987]

I guess im randomly asking but does someone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me

[@lanesalvatore2389]

@Edward Stanley instablaster =)

[@edwardstanley4987]

@Lane Salvatore I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@edwardstanley4987]

@Lane Salvatore it worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@lanesalvatore2389]

@Edward Stanley you are welcome :D

[@claytonmoss1]

What are these like to play? I always struggle with acoustics Action wise

[@MalachiEastling]

Thanks for making this video!! I've been shopping around for one, just discovered them 2 days ago at an open mic. I hope I can pick the right one out!!

[@AdamAtwood-ik7xe]

Baton Rouge also made in china even cheaper and better instruments

[@madamkirk]

Taylor 214 series is also decent value but yeah these E2-OM models are so good I had to get one yesterday.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

furch violet series - all solid woods and extraordinary value - the best sounding acoustic money can buy - yes the e2 om at its price point is another outrageous guitar. Taylor just don’t come close to options from Furch - Eastman - Auden - Dowina …. For me personally of course

[@peteracosta744]

Richard… I just got an E2 D. And you are so right about this guitar. It does what it does very well… With no unnecessary frills. You don’t hear frills. Thanks for the outstanding review!

[@smandez2023]

There are FREE tuner apps for your phone Richard. Come on. I know that OM is killer because I've watched so many other videos and that is what brought me here. I'm going to go and try one in person hopefully tomorrow.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Not sure if you’re being fun or poking the stick as I did this video many years ago but I do hope my videos are helpful - fingers crossed 🤞;). We are here to help should you need us as every guitar is setup to perfection - we provide 6 and 12 month check and reset in the price and I’m the uks largest Eastman dealer - longest serving too! I’d like to believe you couldn’t be in safer hands and I’m sorry if the guitar was out of tune - it’s been a long time since watching this video but apologies if it was annoying - I mean well!

[@DaNeOMiTe313]

So a couple months ago, I was headed back home from a 3 day weekend getaway. I was making good time and so I decided to stop in this little hole in the wall called “The Acoustic Shoppe” in Springfield MO. I was a bit surprised to find they didn’t carry Martin or Taylor and the few Guild’s and fewer Gibson’s they had were outside of my price range. I soon learned that about 90% of their inventory was from some Chinese manufacturer I’d never even heard of called, “Eastman”. Upon hearing this information I immediately lowered any expectations of finding anything of quality. I honestly might have walked out had the guy behind the counter not made it a point to engage me. I told him that I was interested in finding a budget friendly small body acoustic guitar. He lead me down a row and the first thing he put in my hands was the E2OM. I suppose It looked fine enough and I’d taken the time to stop in so what hell, right? Why not give her a pluck... ...45 minutes and one down payment later, I walked out of that shop with a little bit of a strut in my step lol. Idk what it was but I guess that sometimes you just happen to stumble across an instrument and for whatever reason it just FEELS right. Like it was custom made just for you and everything clicks in all the right ways 👌🏻

[@pablodebiddlybo3771]

The E2D is so well built the finish is exceptional and the spec for the money is tremendous value . You are dead right in your statement about finding anything like it for 10-20% more than their retail price. I have Yamaha guitars that are double the price that don’t sound as good. Sorry but it’s true . These guys are really pushing the quality out now

[@tbeau6663]

You don't see many cedar topped dreadnoughts. I really like the satin finish on the E2D

[@nickszentkuti5552]

Wow, the dread does sound mighty and lots of harmonics. Not available in Australia at the mo.

[@crockie2230]

I have a E2D and (had) a gibson G45. E2D sounded way better so I sold the gibson. I've owned probably 100 if not more guitars over the years but this is the one. Never getting rid of her. Also ordered some gold grover open back tuners to replace the generic ones.

[@ZongqiDU]

same here, i won't sell my E2D

[@jaylakhani5568]

Hey would you reccomend the E2D for a beginner?

[@jaylakhani5568]

@@ZongqiDU Hey would you reccomend the E2D for a beginner?

[@crockie2230]

@@jaylakhani5568 absolutely

[@ZongqiDu-u7u]

@@jaylakhani5568yes absolutely

[@Tanbark]

Hi, what guitar is that jumbo/mini jumbo sunburst on the right?

[@LoneWolf-cv6pl]

Which do you prefer ed1 or ed2?

[@dondeleon78]

Please help me decide bet this vs. ALVAREZ MD60EBG vs. Guild d140

[@sasquatchlife8836]

I've narrowed my search down also to this E2D and the alvarez

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

They sound nice, especially at that price. I have a Walden Supranatura 2070 cedar/mahogany, all-solid, which is a sweet little guitar. Otherwise, I'd want one of these. Walden was an ethical anomaly in China, too. Guess that's why they went under.

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

I'm glad the Eastman suits you. I can't get used to their necks; I think the main culprits for me are the frets (feel like speed bumps to me), and the string spacing. I just tried out an E10OM, and while the sound was mindblowing, my fingers kept tripping up doing runs up the neck, or combination chords notes up the neck. I tried really hard to love it, but my fingers said 'no.' After 6 weeks, the shop I bought it from graciously allowed me to choose a replacement. Which I did. I bought a BSG guitar, small outfit in Czech Rep. Superb workmanship, even for an entry level guitar. Fits my hands perfectly. Doesn't have the volume or bass of the Eastman, but that doesn't matter. Plays well, sounds sweet, and has a couple of lovely appointments. Cost me just €100 more than the Eastman, yet is made in Europe. I think Richard is getting some BSGs in. He won't be disappointed.

[@djayr1soulfulhouse838]

Does it come in a left handed version?

[@bosse641]

Amazing that dreadnought. Would love that.

[@845ranger]

You are the man Richard. I' a new player wanting to upgrade, I'm looking at perhaps upgrading my Yamaha FG800 to a Eastman e6OM. I wish you were closer because I live in Oregon. I love watching your videos.

[@spada60]

Challenger accepted blueridge much better

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

LMAO

[@nickszentkuti5552]

Sound better than the sitka top!

[@daddio307]

I would love for you to compare it to the Alvarez MD60BG Masterworks Bluegrass Acoustic Guitar . Might be surprised. Might not. Only one way to tell. (Alvarez about $50 more)

[@Iggy_Lakic]

Great guitars👍

[@rsteckable]

Please, please tune the guitar. I was so excited to hear the OM, but it sounded like shit and that wasn't the guitar's fault. The D sounded outstanding.

[@VishalVengurlekarOfficial]

e2OM sounds magical!!!!

[@ontoseno3269]

hello.. looks like u are one of fans of faith guitar.. three faith guitars beside u.. that's good.., do u know where faith guitars built ??

[@speedy692]

2:35. There's a bit of damage along the edges.

[@seancollins3711]

That's not damage, that's the light shining through the binding, it tortoise shell binding

[@jujufisherofmen]

Major dents 😅

[@ZongqiDU]

i got a E2D today, what a sound! I am chuffed as nuts.

[@mrwuffe]

Your passion and the sound of this amazing instrument, Eastman E2D ,sold me. Can't wait till it comes. Thanks

[@philipdeppen2890]

I got one 2 years ago pretty much right when they became available and absolutely love the sound of it. They seem to be extremely consistent because I don't read or hear anything bad about this particular model. The tone isn't your typical sounding cedar top it actually has cut very similar to spruce but still maintaining that cedar warmth. Truly incredible balance of warmth and brightness and to be as loud as they are with such a voice with crazy sustain is just an awesome feeling when playing

[@lossforgain]

Michael, how has this guitar been for you since you got it?

[@mikewiley6009]

HI Richard, really like your content. I bought an eastman PCH OM about a year ago and love it. Every now and then I think about treating myself to an all solid wood version of what I have. Would you say this is a good step up from the PCH ? or is there not that much difference ? keep up the good work :)

[@musicproductioncentral4540]

That echo'y room and the camera mic make it sound like shit in the video, but it really sounds great in person.

[@lovewalruss]

Thx great video. I recently sold my E20d. I never loved it. I may try this instead. Does it come with a pick up and case?

[@AbitLippy]

8:17 😂

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

I’m glad you found it useful ❤

[@oliox8685]

You can't beat a dreadnought indeed. Glorious tones from the Eastwood.

[@squidwardjtentacles]

Would I be better spending a bit extra and getting a Sheeran?

[@JohnnyBgood548]

Great Demo! These Eastman's are really good! Thank you for your video's and unbiased reviews!

[@sasquatchlife8836]

I ordered an E2D a week ago, wow what an amazing instrument! I really love the open pore finish too. Gives a very loud and in your face sound. This guitar has such a sweet and crisp tone, and it's the most responsive guitar I've ever owned. Sounds fantastic in DADGAD too. It's an amazing fingerstyle guitar, and equally takes a flatpick. I can't believe this guitar can be had for less than $600. It easily compares to guitars in the $2K - $3K range IMO. It's my 4th Eastman, and probably my favorite.

[@jaylakhani5568]

Would you recommend it for a beginner?

[@sasquatchlife8836]

@@jaylakhani5568 100%

[@brendangray]

What is the action like out of the factory? Thanks

[@tommagnum6302]

I am so excited!! made in China!!! Yay!!!!

[@lowspeed69]

Do another review about cort little cj pls. I really want to hear u play that guitar

[@AvantaSensei]

Well i guess its time for me to work a bit extra around Christmas :D

[@albertn9549]

Hi Richard, i have been looking at comments on this guitar. People say that it has high frets. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. Many thanks

[@nickszentkuti5552]

How high do you want them?

[@peterpulpitpounder]

So tough to tell how a guitar sounds via this recording. Both sound a bit harsh, but, then again, that may not be the case at all when hearing them life.

[@nickszentkuti5552]

The trick is to listen to Richard's other videos so you are comparing apples to apples :)

[@hwekking]

After watching this very interesting video, I tried out this week both the E1D and E2D. I ended however with a Seagull Maritime SWS SG. The €600 street price for the Seagull in The Netherlands roughly was the same as the Eastman pricing. To my opinion the Seagull stood head and shoulders above both Eastmans.

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Hans W hi Hans. In the uk the street price of the the seagull is more £600 so £100 more and if you were to mention your budget it’s possible the difference could be as far as £150 so quite a difference and of course at £150 more this does bring all sorts of new options. Glad you love the seagull. Historically I have always supported them but against Eastman they don’t get a look in. Again it shows how personal tastes and guitars on the day do vary and will always compare price points like for like

[@nickszentkuti5552]

Heresy

[@AdamAtwood-ik7xe]

My thoughts too I have a Eastman and another Chinese guitar a Baton Rouge it was cheaper and blows the Eastman out the park people swear by the Eastman with the red spruce tops but of the few I have played I’m not impressed

[@wojtek300]

What model BR?

[@Gigirizzolihhhhyyy]

This or furch?

[@brylleflores8855]

Do you ship to saudi arabia 🤔

[@wahabali7357]

Sir please tell how would you compare these Yamaha fg830 that is having rosewood back & sides.

[@oliox8685]

I have the FG830 which is a fine guitar. By that I mean great and I would not be without it even owning and all solid USA Martin. To me the E2d is a step up from the 830.

[@skaybaltimore]

I have a Yamaha FG830 and it's an amazing guitar for $300! I took it with me to a luthier who had just reset the bridge on my 65 year old Gibson J-45 to see his reaction. He nearly fell off his chair when I told him I'd only paid $265 for it at Guitar Center because I bought the demo off the wall. The sound out of that guitar is just stunning. I can't attest to how it would compare to these Eastman's but I had a K&K pure mini put in and that only cost $99 + installation. Now that acoustic-electric Yamaha is flat out amazing. The only thing is that for the first time ever, as I am getting older, a full body dreadnought is a bit much to handle.

[@alansturgess1324]

That OM Eastman sounds glorious. Do Eastman make a travel sized guitar to put up against, say a GS Mini?

[@mchajen511]

yes, the actg 1 &2

[@alansturgess1324]

@@mchajen511 Thanks for that info ... I Googled and found an excellent comparison of the Actg versus an equivalent GS Mini. The demonstrator is Chinese but the comparisons are very well played across several styles - and he leaves you to listen and decide for yourself which you prefer. The answer is shown at the end. His playing starts at 2.04 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6CwfHiupKZ8arM

[@Big.E]

Stunning sound

[@qphonix]

Thanks for the review man

[@tonyrollins8757]

I'd like to hear seagulls s6 go head to head against the e2d

[@RichardsGuitarshop]

Honestly Tony - Its chalk and cheese. Sadly Seagull have had their day. Very expensive now for what you get and they are laminate back and sides.

[@tonyrollins8757]

I couldn't agree more, I did buy a guitar from you and I couldn't be happier I purchased the beautiful dowina pomona GAC amazing sounding cedar top acoustic I can't stop playing it I had to go over my budget but it was totally worth the extra money for a hand built all solid guitar that arrived set up perfectly thank you richard for making me a very happy man

[@rikardo1070]

are they doing LEFTHANDED ??????? uh huh. place ur bets.

[@poorjudjement]

Yes

[@1965Scotia]

These Guitars are not Mahogany back and sides, they are Sapele which is a total different species!

[@paulliversidge1083]

Sapele is Mahogany

[@77guitarts22]

Indeed a bit brighter tone compared to Mahogany but not to be discredited since the top gives the main sound anyways, plus the bracing & finish count probably even more then the woods in themselves... I couldn't believe how good an all laminated scalloped bracing satin finish guitar can sound... That prooves that Solid wood is only one ingredient in the big recepie of an acoustic guitar :)

[@daveydoodle1916]

I heard the neck dive,that would 😮

[@nickloughrey9841]

I have a SDR41 Sigma made in Korea 80's. Best soudingacoustic Ive heard . Sustains like no other . !!

[@austinthornton3407]

Nick Loughrey Yes I’ve got a Sigma DR28 and still sounds great. But these Eastman sound good for the price.

[@seamusbrowne4909]

Really should learn how to TUNE a Guitar. Try using a TUNER next time.😂🤣😂