Eastman E1SS-SB / E1 00 - now ft NGD content!

Shipwreck

Anyone tried one? I've really fallen for it from the spec / look / price point but would value any input. Is it worth the asking price? Struggling to find one used so any advice is welcome. Cheers

TimmyO

Not that model but got the 00 in the same range (and finish) for my son and am really impressed with it. The fact it played better than my Martin prompted me to get mine worked on! 

I didn’t play the dreadnaught version so obviously you’re probably going to want to do that, but as a comment on the brand at that price point generally it’s a thumbs up here 

BigPaulie

I had a play on one.

I quite liked it.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/245987/tried-some-acoustics-today/p1

tbm

Shipwreck said:

Anyone tried one? I've really fallen for it from the spec / look / price point but would value any input. Is it worth the asking price? Struggling to find one used so any advice is welcome. Cheers

Not sure if you went ahead with this, but I just picked one of these up and would recommend it. You can ignore the rest of the post if you like, as it's mostly waffle.

I was mulling over a few different hog backed dreads with all solid wood.  It was down to  a Recording King RD-318, Guild D-140, and an Alvarez MD60BG. I have another Guild, and previously owned  an lovely sounding all solid Recording King 12 fretter that I could never get to play right. The Alvarez was an unknown. Reviews spoke highly of all of them, though the Guilds heavy poly finish drew the ire of some.

ANYWAY, a mate who owns Eastman mandolins recommended I look into one of these yokes. As you say, from a spec and price point POV it's very competitive, especially with the gig bag.  Reviews were universally positive, so I went ahead and bought one.  

I'm not a big acoustic player, and am defo one of those people who see €4/5/6K Taylors, Lowdens, Gibsons etc and wonder where the price justification is. That being said, I have played examples of those  pricey new and old acoustic guitars that are pretty amazing. One particular guitar -  think it was a Santa Cruz - when I strummed it the sound came at me from the other side of the room.  It was mad.

I digress. This guitar arrived well set up, and sounds fantastic. I recently recorded with an old J45, and this is every bit as nce to my ears. The fit and finish are great, and the gig bag very decent. I can tell the satin finish will mark easily, but that doesn't bother me too much. It also feels like the kind of guitar that will sound better as it ages. 

Shipwreck

Life expenses got in the way but hoping to grab one next year. Seems like it's right on the money though and I'm partial to a matte finish even if wears. Glad you're enjoying! 

MartinB

What's the fingerboard edge like on these? I have an E1OM and the edge is so heavily rounded that the useful playing width starts some way in from the edge. I don't mind it on that guitar, but if they do the same with the narrower nut width on the SS models I'd probably struggle with that.

tbm

MartinB said:

What's the fingerboard edge like on these? I have an E1OM and the edge is so heavily rounded that the useful playing width starts some way in from the edge. I don't mind it on that guitar, but if they do the same with the narrower nut width on the SS models I'd probably struggle with that.

6mm on the treble side, 3 mm on the bass side at the 12th. it doesn't feel cramped at all but i see what you mean, the frets are pretty rounded off. 

Timcito

Another vote of serious interest here. I've always liked the specs for the J-45 - shorter-scale, 1 11/16 nut width, more manageable dread body size - but I've never liked the sound of them in stores. They all seemed to have that 'stuffed socks' syndrome that some attach, myself included, to larger-bodied Gibsons. However, I love Eastmans, and the idea of getting a J-45 style guitar made by them instead Gibson and at a fraction of the price is very enticing indeed!

Shipwreck

Right. I'm now very much back in the market for this. Kindly given some money after my wedding last week and think it's time I got an acoustic (now I'm not stressing about seating plans and all that!) I'm close to pulling the trigger on one - I love the look / price point / satin finish etc - but will I regret not getting a second hand Martin or something for 500 quid? Or the new Deluxe (electric) version Eastman have just dropped for a little more? I hate buying blind but my gut feels drawn to this model!

GoFish

Congrats on the marriage - now go get it

Shipwreck

Thanks! Now I'm torn between the 00 model... !!

WindmillGuitars

@Shipwreck The 00 is a peach of a guitar - If we can help you out with either model just drop me a DM. 

Shipwreck

WindmillGuitars said:

@Shipwreck The 00 is a peach of a guitar - If we can help you out with either model just drop me a DM. 

How does it sound? I'm not a folky-finger picker but I do struggle with big guitars. It certainly looks playable but wondering how it compares sonically to the Dreadnaught! 

WindmillGuitars

Shipwreck said:

WindmillGuitars said:

@Shipwreck The 00 is a peach of a guitar - If we can help you out with either model just drop me a DM. 

How does it sound? I'm not a folky-finger picker but I do struggle with big guitars. It certainly looks playable but wondering how it compares sonically to the Dreadnaught! 

@Shipwreck They're a very well balanced little guitar. You'll obviously not get as much bass out of it as the larger J45 style model - but if you're looking for something a little more compact the 00 is great. 

guitarjack66

WindmillGuitars said:

Shipwreck said:

WindmillGuitars said:

@Shipwreck The 00 is a peach of a guitar - If we can help you out with either model just drop me a DM. 

How does it sound? I'm not a folky-finger picker but I do struggle with big guitars. It certainly looks playable but wondering how it compares sonically to the Dreadnaught! 

@Shipwreck They're a very well balanced little guitar. You'll obviously not get as much bass out of it as the larger J45 style model - but if you're looking for something a little more compact the 00 is great. 

I do covet an Eastman but have not seen an 00 in the flesh. Are these the size up from the Parlour sized? My Fender Concert (possibly 00 but these duck egg abbreviations still confuse me?) is an ideal size but doesn't sound great.

Shipwreck

guitarjack66 said:

WindmillGuitars said:

Shipwreck said:

WindmillGuitars said:

@Shipwreck The 00 is a peach of a guitar - If we can help you out with either model just drop me a DM. 

How does it sound? I'm not a folky-finger picker but I do struggle with big guitars. It certainly looks playable but wondering how it compares sonically to the Dreadnaught! 

@Shipwreck They're a very well balanced little guitar. You'll obviously not get as much bass out of it as the larger J45 style model - but if you're looking for something a little more compact the 00 is great. 

I do covet an Eastman but have not seen an 00 in the flesh. Are these the size up from the Parlour sized? My Fender Concert (possibly 00 but these duck egg abbreviations still confuse me?) is an ideal size but doesn't sound great.

I'd love to know. I understand smaller acoustics can sound boxy but there seems to be good reviews for the bass response on the 00  (more than expected). It would be my only acoustic so weighing up the tone / playability between the two 

Timcito

I bought this guitar a couple of weeks ago and have had it now for around a week and a half.

I'm delighted with it. As dreads go, it is quite comfortable to play with its short scale and narrow nut width. But it's the sound that does it - rich bass notes and a great 'sizzle' on the trebles. It's taken me many years and too much money to finally get a guitar that hits all the spots.

P.S. The pickguard was also easy to remove!

guitarjack66

Timcito said:

I bought this guitar a couple of weeks ago and have had it now for around a week and a half.

I'm delighted with it. As dreads go, it is quite comfortable to play with its short scale and narrow nut width. But it's the sound that does it - rich bass notes and a great 'sizzle' on the trebles. It's taken me many years and too much money to finally get a guitar that hits all the spots.

P.S. The pickguard was also easy to remove!

Dread? Narrow nut? That doesn't sound like the Eastmans most speak of on here. 45mm and 00 or Parlour would be my non negotiables with Eastman. 

Shadow

All their SS models to my knowledge have a narrow nut. The standard OO and P models have a 46mm nut.

earwighoney

Shadow said:

All their SS models to my knowledge have a narrow nut. The standard OO and P models have a 46mm nut.

The P/10/20 in 12 fret models that 46mm wide nuts, but their 14 fret models have a 43mm and the E1P Bluesmaster too.

Shipwreck

NGD!