The Most Expensive VS Least Expensive Guitar Eastman Sells | Can You Hear The Difference?

John and Jeremy compare Eastman's top-of-the-line AC922CE against their entry-level PCH1-GACE, the results may be closer than you think...
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00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Review
14:26 - Blind Test
16:43 - Our Conclusions
23:24 - The Test Revealed
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Watch a full "Dust In The Wind" performance with this guitar here: • "Dust In The Wind" | A...
Check out all the incredible Eastman Guitars we have in stock now: bit.ly/38ZVYSs
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[@TheChadPerez]

I’m glad you guys have been having some success! Couple of good dudes. Was here when y’all have like 60 subs

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sticking around with us. Hope it hasn't been too miserable🤣

[@greenfinmusic5142]

That was a lot closer than I thought it would be. It's amazing how good the best cheap guitars are today. The E2D-CD is another example.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Yeah absolutely. Thanks for watching!

[@scottfishkind5335]

Great discussion and demo as usual!! It really is amazing what you can get for the money these days!! That PCH model sounded great, even if not at the level of the more expensive AC model. No question the AC model had another dimension to it. That being said I feel like the HPC is still a great guitar while the AC is exceptional! As a general statement, I do think there's an upper limit, in terms of price, that you really don't need to go beyond, from a sonic/ playability standpoint. I know I've mentioned in comments here before, but I have a Furch Yellow Master's Choice Gc-CR which is sonically and playability wise, everything I get ever hope to find in any guitar at any price ( including boutique guitars). While it is extremely beautiful, with beautiful solid tonewoods and a breathtaking gloss finish, it's not flashy. I feel that when you get beyond a model like that, you're really getting into more expensive woods (ie rarer, more uniquely figured, etc) and bling (inlays, binding, rosettes etc) that look incredible but really don't have any musical impact.

[@NeriKafkafi]

Glad to find out that B was the expensive one, because I thought it sounded slightly better. However, the difference was barely perceptible.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@billw8648]

Great video! Eastman makes some beautiful instruments!

[@gottaflylee5521]

Wow, what a great way to do that! I could tell a big difference in sound, started off liking B but over all went to A, but aver all, just depends on what you want sound wise. I have one that I play for songs that I want to sound "bright" and one that I want the low end to ring out. Well done guys!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe if you haven't already😄

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Love hearing the Eastman guitars you have for sale...more please...

[@AcousticShoppe]

You got it👍

[@standingbadger]

I preferred A but thought it was the more expensive Eastman. I have a T386RD and an SB55DC/v. I absolutely love them. My next purchase will be an Eastman acoustic. Thanks for the great review 🙏🏼

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@TaylorandKeesRozenberg]

love your guys videos and love all the guitar talk too :-)

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for supporting us!

[@tdkrei]

Thanks guys another good one. From the first day I picked up a guitar (about 60 years ago) I played by ear until I started playing the hard stuff (music, not acid rock) so I have developed a pretty good ear. They sounded different as I expected; did they sound $2,500 different? Absolutely not. Just from the sound, I'd play that $400 guitar in a heart beat. Keep on smiling.

[@AcousticShoppe]

thanks for watching!

[@johnwashburn3793]

Hello Springfield, I listened through headphones while I was walking an inside track at the gym. I had to watch again to see what I had heard. They both have a place in the market and if I was buying a first guitar...

[@AcousticShoppe]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@ditchweedchronicles8673]

Yes not bad for the cheapest Eastman and I like it’s sound . Pretty darn close . It’s not as round but way better than I’d thought. The sharper highs are noticeable and the expensive guitar has that smooth tone and roundness .

[@borojammin6509]

Great video guys. I have to point out though, that you incorrectly identified the PCH guitar as an AC122CE. The AC122CE is not a PCH series guitar. What you demonstrated is actually a PCH1-GACE. I own 3 Eastman acoustics: PCH1-D, AC222CE-OV, AC422CE. They each have their own distinctive sound, much more so than the two guitars on the video. I suspect that in real life listening, the difference would be more apparent. I really like that you show the string height measurements by SN for inventory on your website. If you look at the numbers though, you will see there is a wide variation in factory setups for all the Eastman models, regardless of whether they are expensive or inexpensive. I don't understand why the setups are not more consistent. Not a big deal, as I had mine set up to my preference. The build quality on my PCH1-D (recently received) is very good, but not excellent. The finish on the back of the neck bled over on to the side edges of the fretboard a bit. Not a big deal (no one will ever notice it but me), but I would take issue with it on a more expensive guitar. Otherwise it seems perfect! No plans to buy another guitar at the present, but when I do, I will buy it from you.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Nice catch, John did in fact misspeak in the beginning! Thank you for looking at us for your future purchases!

[@upton_ogood]

The difference was clear from the start and guitar A was the better sounding to me. I knew it was going to be the cheap one. Great video.

[@thickchili]

When I get blind test wrong (like I just did in this) it makes me question whether or not I know a lick about guitars. Really surprising.

[@AcousticShoppe]

haha differences in tone can be tough to pinpoint sometimes! Thanks for watching, we hope you enjoyed it!

[@ClarkeJDuggan]

I think the difference is probably more noticeable in person. I A/B'd the Eastman AC322 and 422 yesterday and even between those two the difference was very noticeable. The only time I ever heard one of the PCH Eastman's in person was when someone brought one to compare to a Yamaha LL-TA was selling. It was interesting hearing them both and the Yamaha sounded a lot better. The Eastman definitely had the "cheap" guitar sound in comparison. I haven't played one but I'm sure a good player can make them sound really great.

[@double00spy]

I just got a 922 about a week ago, and I love it. I think it definitely has a richer tone than the cheaper model, but they actually sound pretty close. Such a bargain on the cheaper one. It is simply amazing how good some of the cheaper guitars are these days.

[@patricklundquist9869]

I'm sure your objective is to sell guitars with your videos but under the heading of 'unintended consequences,' this video convinced me to take a chance on purchasing a used PCH3-GACE last night. I say, take a chance, because the seller had dead strings on it so I had no idea how it would sound until I got it home and replaced the strings. There was nothing to fear. Just like with your video, it sounds like a solid wood guitar. I have an Eastman double top DT30-GACE which I would never play out, especially now that Eastman quit building them and they are becoming rare as hen's teeth. Anyway, I was able to do my own shootout. The two guitars feel and play the same, which achieved my main goal. Even though the double top sounds more complex and rich, that laminate PCH3-GACE certainly sounds nice enough for stage work. It has way more sustain than I've ever heard from laminate. I'd say that anyone on a budget, or anyone playing out, won't regret getting an Eastman PCH series guitar.

[@dabratlaboratoriesreviews4659]

I just got an e3ome from Eastman . Its a really cool little guitar and very balanced sound between all the strings . Best Chinese guitar I have ever played .

[@Ari_Calamari]

I bought a pch earlier this year. Very nice, affordable guitar. Sounds pretty good, but I could tell the difference all the way. Wasn’t particularly hard to tell which was which using headphones. To me, I’d probably never buy that expensive one, would give me anxiety of damaging it. The PCH is the Honda Civic of the Eastman line, in the best way.

[@AcousticShoppe]

I like the analogy, thanks for watching!

[@jameshill2015]

Eastman... Very impressive guitars, l love my SB59v, l had a 100% hand made solid wood TM185x which was incredible but l realized lm just not a hollow body 335 kinda guy but it was just incredible for what it was.. yes the PCH sounds a lil boxy, not as warm and clear but it did sound incredible! I would love to see the PCH go against a Taylor GS Mini-e which is not Taylor's cheapest guitar but it's laminate back and sides, also produces an incredible tone and projects more than twice it's size! And like comparing your two guitars there the difference is very noticable comparing my Sapele mini to my GA8e (Taylor's top of the line guitar in 2009).. it's really much more drastic than the Eastman's.. but it's a huge difference in body size, if Taylor's mini was a GA body then it may be more similar to your comparison. All that being said l don't think l could justify the extra money for Eastman's finest unless l was touring or doing big gigs.. that PCH would be plenty of guitar for the herds of home players for sure. It's really shocking what a great guitar you get for sub $1000 today, by far the greatest time in history to be a broke guitar player looking to get a really decent guitar (acoustic or solid body) for under $500 that you can actually gig with. Look at Epiphone.. l likely would not have considered a Epi acoustic 10 years ago, now.. l own 3! They are THAT good thanks to today's tech they are better guitars for under $1k than you could buy 20 years ago in the $1000-$1500 range and with inflation since 20 years ago that is a true accomplishment!!! Eastman is getting more and more recognition for being a builder of great (not good but great!) guitars and the prices are just now 5-6 years later starting to show it. As with any hand built guitar there will be differences within the same line on similar guitars but even so the build quality is stellar and if you think you want a truly custom shop level guitar that you may actually be able to afford... JUMP on an EASTMAN before it is no longer a phenomenal deal..because they truly are still. You will not regret it.

[@masterofce]

Does Eastman have a guitar that compares to the GS Mini.?

[@jamesakers1175]

For the price the PCH is a very good deal. Loved the sound of both. But if I had the money I would buy the AC. Good comparison. 👍

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Those PCHs are great. Be sure to subscribe for more!

[@zimmcal]

I preferred A quite a bit. Thought it sounded a lot more open with a woody low end that avoided sounding too boxy.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching😄 Be sure to like, share, and subscribe if you haven't already!

[@abclar1]

I heard the difference and would rather have the b guitar but am buying the a guitar anyway! Thanks guys, the best test yet!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@texhaines9957]

They are close enough to where I'd have to sing with each before I decided (providing money is no object). Sounds like the more expensive has better bass. What think you John?

[@misterarthur]

I preferred the B. I do wonder if the difference were more noticeable in the room, rather than listening to them mic'd on my laptop.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Sure, that's definitely a possibility. Thanks for watching!

[@thefishrustler3893]

Jeez, I got it right but I wasn’t positive. Those are amazingly close considering the difference in price, materials, etc.

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

Whats the cheapest model with the player monitor hole?

[@AcousticShoppe]

Good question! It should be the AC422CE-AE, that's the version with Eucalyptus back & sides. Note that the original AC422CE with Rosewood, does not have the sound port, just the Eucalyptus version.

[@beauarts]

I’m listening on my iPad, yeah I can hear the difference. Guitar A is brighter and cuts more, Guitar B is rounder and fuller. At least listing through my iPad, I could mimic a lot of that difference with a different pic and a different attack. In person it might be a different story or if it’s a serious recording.

[@jasonmoorman8019]

Love eastman gutars and the pch sounds pretty good for an inexpensive model but this is not even close. Own an e20dmrtc, absolutely fabulous.

[@n8watkinz]

I listen to these kinds of videos all the time and had convinced myself that A was more expensive... I am stunned! Here's the bottom line, folks: We are living in the golden age of acoustic guitar making with more bang for the buck than ever before!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Couldn't have said it better ourselves, thanks for watching!

[@ShawnGilbert1967]

Was it just me, or did A buzz or flap a bit ( lack of control ) aside from tone?

[@sustainablelife1st]

really nice arrangement of DITW.

[@HenryPipes]

I preferred A. Sounds a bit dryer. Both sound amazing.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more😄

[@anthonylane9547]

The B guitar sounded better for me. It sounded more open. Its about sound for me. The bling is just a nicety to the eyes. If the B guitar was the cheapest, id buy it in a heart beat, if i was looking for another guitar.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Sure! Thanks so much for watching, hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@lpjbird]

Good stuff very close to my ears but I did prefer the more expensive one but for 400 bucks that sounded preeeetty tastie.

[@patricklundquist9869]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN! If the Acoustic Shoppe person reading this is not John, and John is wandering around the shoppe being all grumpy today, maybe it's because everybody forgot.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Most of us has told John "Happy Birthday", I think... 😂😂

[@AssTroll]

Gtr b sounds more deep and balanced but I wonder if all the additional embellishments take away from the expensive model. We shall see lol

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Feel free to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@jtd3421]

Not much. When you first started the blind test, I looked away and didn't realize it had gone back and forth a couple times. I was waiting for the switch and didn't realize it had already happened. Kudos to you playing at the same speed and volume with both! At the end of the day, acoustic and electrics, you FEEL the difference when you hold and play it more than you HEAR the difference.

[@jtd3421]

BTW, I have a great Eastman PCH and I really like it.

[@muffinthepug2358]

I got it wrong, and thought that A was the high end sound... 🤷‍♂️

[@GRJ-uz7kf]

Young folks don't realize how much low-price guitars have improved. I got my first guitar (mail-order Kay archtop acoustic) at age 15 in 1959. Hardly any tone or volume, poor intonation, and painful to the fingers. Only $15, but my grocery store job paid 60 cents an hour.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing. You make a good point. Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@texhaines9957]

Let me clarify, it's not "cheap" it's the least expensive! Cheap would relate to quality, and is the build and play quality that much different ?

[@AcousticShoppe]

The AC922CE is a top-of-the-line build with premium wood selection while the PCH is an entry level guitar. Both are great guitars, but yes, the build quality is absolutely different.

[@waterdistraction759]

I thought A was the expensive one. Eastman luthiers are making some incredible instruments at all price points.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Yes they are! Thanks for watching😄 Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@kanyinak]

Watched it for half the video, then the surprise, torrefied top on the PCH1-GACE.

[@teerakkiss]

Well I picked correctly but the sound difference is not worth the difference in price, and I love the bling,,but not worth the extra money,, yet I would go for the ac722ce..a little more and a little more bling

[@gregpiper8416]

I was surprised by how good guitar A sounded. However, it wasn't very hard to tell which was which. John is right though. In years gone by, you had to spend more to get a decent entry level guitar.

[@mns8732]

@Gregory just as an aside, my brother's Gibson SG cost 350 in 1972/73 ( everything is still hazy from that time) , which after inflation is what a new sg cost currently.

[@staleyexplores]

interesting video imho. this is what I like to see, people don't really understand the differences except it costs more...very clearly different as I hear them, yes I did pick them correctly.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Well done! Thanks for watching!

[@frank-mm7oo]

I hear a différance, one is more bass and the other is more treble.

[@Big.E]

Both lovely but the expensive one WOW !!!!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Beautiful isn't it? Thanks so much for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@sustainablelife1st]

No comparison. but, i feel so cheated for buying a Taylor 114 instead of the Eastman PCH1. Paid 2.5X for the taylor. ugh.

[@metalfather8139]

especially with coffee my gosh.....

[@LordAahzz]

I got it right, but it was indeed close.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching! Please like, share, and subscribe for more blind tests👍

[@PotPoet]

The harmonics were far superior in the more expensive guitar. Both guitars are great value for the dollars spent. The inlay work is under-priced by thousands of dollars compared to American luthier prices. The lower priced guitar is an absolute steal as well. To get a torrified top that is also individually voiced is a feature that is worth the price of the whole guitar just for that one feature. I do not like the idea that Eastman is abandoning the superior dove tail neck joint for an inferior and sound dampening alternative.

[@pmscalisi]

Dovetails are urban legend, especially today. The machining methods are light years ahead of what they were 100 years ago. The “alternative “ neck joints are just as tight and well fitting as the old dovetail when done properly.

[@646627jd]

Eastman started out with nice inexpensive, But still very nice. Not anymore. If I'm spending 3k. I'm getting a Martin or Gibson.

[@AcousticShoppe]

That's a fair choice. you should get exactly what you're looking for especially in the higher price ranges!

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Surprisingly fould barely hear s difference if any. I guess that PCH is worth the money!

[@williamdesmarais4931]

Sound demo starts after 14 minutes.

[@thrumyeyesphoto]

Appointments (inlays, etc) on a guitar are never going to make it sound better. Theres a certain price point where you are only getting aesthetic changes, which might actually make the guitar sound worse if anything. Outside of tonewoods, paying for upgrades like a bunch of Abalone or MOP just has no value tonally.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the comment! If you haven't already, please consider liking, sharing, and subscribing for more!

[@MatthewCuda]

I got fooled lol

[@turbodownwarddog]

PCH was better to my ears

[@alinchitown7556]

Guys you website is at a crawl😢😢😢

[@litteldave]

Guitar A sounds much more resonant to me.. Guitar B is out of tune so I wouldn't buy that one.

[@inout2998]

Let's see; you state you're the "world's largest acoustic dealer for Eastman guitars" then later on you say, "... looks like snakewood but I looked online .....". So, the obvious question is this: Why would the "world's largest..." have to go online rather than contact the Eastman dealer directly? You know, the the people whom you purchase Eastman guitars from.....

[@AcousticShoppe]

For a small spec question, it's easier to just look on the Eastman website rather than asking our representative. They can be quite busy and this is something that we can easily double-check ourselves through our dealer specs page. The 922 Series, in general, can have different specs from guitar to guitar, just depending on the luthier's choices, thus why we wanted to double-check.

[@discgolfprofessor]

What you call cheap, i call least expensive for one. For two, sound is relevant, and some guitars play so good and set up so well, or have such a great neck that does it for you individually. So The Award Goes To PCH !!! Eat it Snobs , and Chew on it for a while Snob Shoppe.

[@michaelg.damons6229]

A sounds better

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for watching

[@denisprieur7944]

Not a big difference in the sound!

[@tuneyouup]

Won,t buy Chinese

[@AcousticShoppe]

Well, thanks for watching!

[@timothyyy1259]

You're discriminating against an entire country's population?

[@dencio6665]

Then don’t buy, dont use iphone too they are made in china ahahaha and most of your clothings are made outside your country

[@TR-uw2sp]

@@timothyyy1259 Or he doesn't want to support communism. The reason they are priced so low is the terrible wages the Chinese work for. Bordering slavery.

[@timothyyy1259]

@@TR-uw2sp right so I understand you don't or have ever owned anything made in China, including iPhones, Nike and Adidas sneakers, and probably half the stuff you see in your stores. China is the USA's biggest trading partner. The stupidity actually boggles the mind. Dumbass lol

[@denisprieur7944]

You guys talk too much!

[@jerbear1601]

You guys talk waaaay too much about nothing. Get to the point.

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

< < < I CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE AND IT SOUNDS ABOUT $7.29 > > >

[@markstaggs7342]

Three thousand dollars for a Eastman no way in the world this is nuts ,I would not pay three thousand dollars for thirty Eastman guitars.

[@gospelcitymuzach1157]

Are you a Martin owner?