J45 or Eastman alternative? Update: Eastman wins!

timmypix · September 29

I've been without an acoustic for about 8 years now, and with a metal project coming together, I of course have a perfectly logical hankering for A Nice Acoustic. Trouble is, with little experience, I had no idea what I like in an acoustic. I've only ever had cheapy all-laminate acoustics in the past. I've decided I want an all-solid for... reasons... and the only acoustic I've had the chance to play that's really stuck with me over the years was a 70s J45, so that's stuck in my head as a potential yardstick.

To try and work out what's what, I went to GuitarGuitar Brum today, and the guys there were incredibly accommodating. My general understanding is the "big three" of mainstream/aspirational acoustic guitar design are Gibson, Martin and Taylor, so the staff let me try a J45 (love), Taylor of some sort (too bright/not enough body) and a Martin OM (wow, but omg how much). Then I tried to bring things back to my sort of price range with an Alvarez (okay), Epiphone (dull) and Yamaha (disappointing). Then the staff were enjoying themselves and wanted me to try some Atkins just to experience them (oh boy).

To keep it brief, my favourite overall was the J45 after all. I like the bassiness, it's not too bright, and the only thing I'd change in my dream acoustic would be a bit more midrange definition/clarity, but I also recognise that scoop means it fits around singing nicely. The Atkin J43 had that midrange but I didn't like the bass as much. And of course, I can't afford an Atkin.

The curveball at the end of the day was a used Eastman E8D-TC, which was absolutely bloody brilliant! Impeccable craftsmanship, comfortable, gorgeous clear midrange. I went back to back with the J45 and while it was close - and for the money, the Eastman smokes the Gibson in bang-for-buck - I still preferred the warmth and body of the J45 overall.

But that's got me thinking - GG didn't have one, but it looks like Eastman do a J45-alike in the E10-SS.

So has anyone here got one or compared it to a J45?

the_pman28 · September 29

timmypix said:

I've been without an acoustic for about 8 years now, and with a metal project coming together, I of course have a perfectly logical hankering for A Nice Acoustic. Trouble is, with little experience, I had no idea what I like in an acoustic. I've only ever had cheapy all-laminate acoustics in the past. I've decided I want an all-solid for... reasons... and the only acoustic I've had the chance to play that's really stuck with me over the years was a 70s J45, so that's stuck in my head as a potential yardstick.

To try and work out what's what, I went to GuitarGuitar Brum today, and the guys there were incredibly accommodating. My general understanding is the "big three" of mainstream/aspirational acoustic guitar design are Gibson, Martin and Taylor, so the staff let me try a J45 (love), Taylor of some sort (too bright/not enough body) and a Martin OM (wow, but omg how much). Then I tried to bring things back to my sort of price range with an Alvarez (okay), Epiphone (dull) and Yamaha (disappointing). Then the staff were enjoying themselves and wanted me to try some Atkins just to experience them (oh boy).

To keep it brief, my favourite overall was the J45 after all. I like the bassiness, it's not too bright, and the only thing I'd change in my dream acoustic would be a bit more midrange definition/clarity, but I also recognise that scoop means it fits around singing nicely. The Atkin J43 had that midrange but I didn't like the bass as much. And of course, I can't afford an Atkin.

The curveball at the end of the day was a used Eastman E8D-TC, which was absolutely bloody brilliant! Impeccable craftsmanship, comfortable, gorgeous clear midrange. I went back to back with the J45 and while it was close - and for the money, the Eastman smokes the Gibson in bang-for-buck - I still preferred the warmth and body of the J45 overall.

But that's got me thinking - GG didn't have one, but it looks like Eastman do a J45-alike in the E10-SS.

So has anyone here got one or compared it to a J45?

I have no doubt the Eastman is a great guitar—I’ve played a few of their electrics and have been tempted more than once. That said, if it were me, I’d worry about buying the Eastman only to regret later that I hadn’t gone for the “real thing,” meaning the Gibson. I know it’s a bit shallow, but with a Gibson you’re also getting the heritage, the aesthetics, and the name on the headstock. It’s a classic for a reason and if you've bonded with it, I say its worth the extra cash...

Teyeplayer · September 29

It’s that old thing of ‘when you find the one that works for you’. If you picked up the right Eastman I don’t doubt it would be a stunning guitar (I’ve owned a few), but if you have found the right j45 go back and get that specific one. Don’t order a cheaper one from else where, get the one you tried that spoke to you.

thermionic · September 29

I think you could get a used J45 for £100-200 more than the new Eastman.

TheMadMick · September 29

Folks here sing Eastman praises. I can't hear it myself but you can get a very significant change in tonality by changing strings, picks and pick technique. If the Eastman is close to best for you, I'd say go for it. Ultimately, the thing you have least control over is the environment in which you play. That can change everything and you can't judge that in a shop.

Tannin · September 29

TheMadMick said:

Ultimately, the thing you have least control over is the environment in which you play. That can change everything and you can't judge that in a shop.

I always bring one of my existing guitars in to the shop so that I can play the two side by side. That makes judging the new guitar so much easier and more reliable. If it's impractical to bring my own instrument, then I ask the shop staff for something similar, or for a model I know well and can use as a baseline for comparison.

Of course, @timmypix, you can't do that this time. But it will be a handy tip for choosing your second, third, and ninth acoustics.

timmypix · September 30

Teyeplayer said:

It’s that old thing of ‘when you find the one that works for you’. If you picked up the right Eastman I don’t doubt it would be a stunning guitar (I’ve owned a few), but if you have found the right j45 go back and get that specific one. Don’t order a cheaper one from else where, get the one you tried that spoke to you.

Well this is the thing, I suppose I'm waiting for them to get the equivalent Eastman in to try. The J45 in the shop was very nice, but not "I can't bear the thought of leaving without it" nice, which is probably just as well for my bank balance. But it definitely helped me establish that that's my preference for an acoustic, so I'm hoping it was typical of the breed and I can either get one when one pops up used that's more reasonable than the new price (and there is one in the classifieds not far from family...), or see if I can establish whether or not the Eastman E10SS is a close enough alternative to take a punt on one blind, assuming GG don't get one in any time soon.

stickyfiddle · September 30

I played every J45-alike I could find in London a year ago. The best was an Atkin, but the second best outside crazy-$$$ Gibson Murphy Lab ones was a French polished Eastman. I think it was an E10SS

timmypix · September 30

stickyfiddle said:

I played every J45-alike I could find in London a year ago. The best was an Atkin, but the second best outside crazy-$$$ Gibson Murphy Lab ones was a French polished Eastman. I think it was an E10SS

Interesting, thank you! My Googling of other forum posts had some people saying they're similar and others saying they're nothing alike - obviously everyone has different standards and expectations so it's hard to work out what's nitpicking and what's fair comment. What did you end up with, or are you still looking for the right one?

stickyfiddle · September 30

timmypix said:

stickyfiddle said:

I played every J45-alike I could find in London a year ago. The best was an Atkin, but the second best outside crazy-$$$ Gibson Murphy Lab ones was a French polished Eastman. I think it was an E10SS

Interesting, thank you! My Googling of other forum posts had some people saying they're similar and others saying they're nothing alike - obviously everyone has different standards and expectations so it's hard to work out what's nitpicking and what's fair comment. What did you end up with, or are you still looking for the right one?

I bought an Atkin because I fell in love with an all-black one.

But if I had a smaller budget I'd have bought that Eastman and been very happy with it

munckee · September 30

I splurged on a walnut J100 a few years ago and while it was superior to anything I had played the tone wasn;t quite right, too bassy and polite, after selling I tried a J45 which was the best sounding and nicest guitar I'd tried compared to Taylors, Martins, Eastmans etc - after a long time looking I bought an old 80s Guild D25 spruce top, sounds exactly how I want an acoustic to sound, is very loud for playing at home but I still love it every time I play it.

TheMadMick · September 30

munckee said:

after a long time looking I bought an old 80s Guild D25 spruce top, sounds exactly how I want an acoustic to sound, is very loud for playing at home but I still love it every time I play it.

Gotta say I've never played a bad Guild. That's from the cheapo Chinese to the American dread. All good.

stickyfiddle · September 30

TheMadMick said:

munckee said:

after a long time looking I bought an old 80s Guild D25 spruce top, sounds exactly how I want an acoustic to sound, is very loud for playing at home but I still love it every time I play it.

Gotta say I've never played a bad Guild. That's from the cheapo Chinese to the American dread. All good.

I haven’t played their J45 types, but yeah the regular Jumbo style ones I’ve played have been consistently fab

timmypix · September 30

stickyfiddle said:

timmypix said:

stickyfiddle said:

I played every J45-alike I could find in London a year ago. The best was an Atkin, but the second best outside crazy-$$$ Gibson Murphy Lab ones was a French polished Eastman. I think it was an E10SS

Interesting, thank you! My Googling of other forum posts had some people saying they're similar and others saying they're nothing alike - obviously everyone has different standards and expectations so it's hard to work out what's nitpicking and what's fair comment. What did you end up with, or are you still looking for the right one?

I bought an Atkin because I fell in love with an all-black one.

But if I had a smaller budget I'd have bought that Eastman and been very happy with it

Interesting, thank you! Looks like I'll play the long game and wait for the chance to try one.

I suppose same applies to the Guild suggestion - thank you and I'll keep an eye out.

Littlejonny · September 30

I've played many high end acoustics, Martins, Taylors, Atkins, Lowdens, Furchs etc. I played on a Gibson J45 (circa £2.5K) for the first time about a year ago and it was a revelation - there was the sound in my head.

Not long after that, I Guild D-140 SB came up locally for £400. I went and tried it on the off chance I would like it, and I did. I haven't regretted the purchase for a second - I enjoy it every day.

I'm curious about J-45 copies, but from what I hear on YouTube none of them seem to sound close to the real thing for some reason.

Greatape · October 1

I recently bought one of these. It was easily as good as anything else under £3k in the place. https://www.peachguitars.com/eastman-traditional-thermo-cure-large-sound-hole-e20d-tc-lsh-natural.htm

tomjax · October 2

I believe only a Gibson is going to give you that sound you experienced. I haven't played a J45 clone yet that sounded anything like the genuine thing. Even the high end Collings, Atkins etc; they're some great guitars but they have their own, different, voice.

MikeP · October 2

Only other brand I might look at for gibson tone is Iris. They sound brighter and more hifi and probably louder (I haven't played one but I'm fairly sure I know how they sound having watched some videos and having built several gibson style acoustics). Dunno how easy they are to get over here. All the others seem to be mostly good guitars that have the gibson look and a completely different sound. I haven't played a Gibson style atkin.

MSedg · October 2

If you like the bassiness of a J45, I think you’re probably best off with a Gibson. Pretty much every Eastman, Atkin, or Iris equivalent seems brighter to me. Iris are 25” scale as well so the feel isn’t quite the same.

I’ve currently got an Atkin J43, and I picked it because it’s the best one I’ve played, mainly because it’s the least bright J43 I’ve tried and feels a bit closer to a Gibson, but without losing the Atkin playability, touch sensitivity etc.

guitargeek62 · October 2

I've had one of the Eastman E10SS models for ~five years and I bloody love it - highly recommended, and the closest I found to a J45 tone without spending as much as a Gibson (or more!), or sorting through their QC. I play mine regularly and it never fails to put a grin on my face.

timmypix · October 2

guitargeek62 said:

I've had one of the Eastman E10SS models for ~five years and I bloody love it - highly recommended, and the closest I found to a J45 tone without spending as much as a Gibson (or more!), or sorting through their QC. I play mine regularly and it never fails to put a grin on my face.

This is encouraging to read, thank you! Did you get the chance to compare or just find it,like it and stop there?

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J45 or Eastman alternative? Update: Eastman wins!

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