I happened upon this guy's channel. The enthusiasm for Eastmans is contagious!

This is me singing a hootie song....





I don’t know if these embed on the forum or show up as a link...

Hi all - thought it might be a good to have a thread detailing places where forum members have had a good experience purchasing Eastman (either online or local dealers).

For me personally, I have purchased from Guitars Plus USA (http://www.guitarsplususa.com/) in the past, with good success.  I also purchased from Penny Lane Emporium (via ebay) and had a good experience too.

Curious, where have others purchased from?  I know PV has mentioned LA guitar sales as a good spot.

Hey, gang!

Is there a place you go to get away from it all?  It can be somewhere around the world, just down the road, or maybe just a quiet spot in the backyard.

Less than five years ago, our family took a vacation to Costa Rica.  We had never visited before, but the mix of warm beaches and tropical rain forest mountains sounded amazing. But the best surprise was the people, who were incredibly positive and friendly.  Over the last four years, we have returned as often as possible, making lasting friendships and creating incredible memories.

And now, we have two rental properties, so we've been able to share our corner of paradise with family, friends, and others.  Once our kids are grown, maybe we will divide our time between CR and the States.  Like many others, I've worked demanding jobs all my life, and I'm facing some health issues at a relatively early age, so CR has also taught me to slow down and enjoy life more.  That's why I chose "Pura Vida" as my user name --- it translates to "pure life," and it's their national saying down there.

So, I'd be happy to answer any questions about Costa Rica (here or privately).  And I want to hear about your place to get away from it all.

Pura Vida!

Brian

Curious - how many of you actually play mandolin?  I personally would love to own one, but haven't done much beyond noodling on then when in an instrument store.  I know which brand I will be buying when the day comes to acquire one 

Howdy folks - created an area for any other non-music related discussions.  Please keep in mind (of course) the family friendly nature of EGF, and please refrain from political discussion.  Thank you and enjoy!

NGD today --- just in time for this wonderful new Eastman site!

If you haven't noticed by now, I've gone "all in" on Eastman in 2017.  I started with an E40D and then bought two OM guitars, all of which I love.  Along the way, I discovered two things: (1.)  I'm really partial to Rosewood, so I sold off a few Mahogany body guitars, all of which were dreads and (2.) I've always been - and continue to be a dread player (see #1 for my dilemma).  I have a Rosewood/Sitka dread (2008 Seagull Artist Studio), but it's a totally different creature and not getting any attention since the Easties showed up.

I called Ted at LA Guitar Sales, who had two E20D guitars in stock.  Based on the photos, I had a preference, but didn't say, so I could get his live feedback.  They were very comparable, but he agreed with my preference.  Next, I asked him to play both guitars, as well as an E40D that he has in stock.  When he called me back, he confirmed that all three were in the same tonal family with a bias towards the E40D (no surprise).  However, he was surprised to discover that the same E20D was  more responsive and 20% louder than either of the other two guitars.

So, it delivered today, and wow is he right.  This thing is a cannon!  I can't really make a direct comparison b/c my E40D currently has Nickel Bronze strings on it, but it's as loud as my E40D --- and right out of the gate (with the stock D'Addario strings), the tone and sustain are superb, as is the build quality.  I am very pleased with the top, which is mostly blonde with just a bit of red grain mixed in (and a few markings, which may or may not be small, faint bearclaws).  Likewise, the Rosewood body is fairly straight,  but the back has this really interesting dark streak that runs perpendicular along the back.  Can Rosewood have a bearclaw too, LOL??!!!

So, ***this is likely my last Eastman purchase for quite a while.  I am consistently amazed at these beautiful guitars --- everything from the wood selection, build quality, bracing, sound.  I feel so fortunate to own these fine instruments and will be hanging onto to them for many years.

*** Famous Last Words


Obligatory NGD photos:

Hi EGF board - 

I have added a new feature to the forum that should be incredibly useful for sharing guitar photos here on the board!

To add a photo, all you have to do is click on the "imgur" button on the left side - then select your photo and upload.

After 5-6 seconds, an imgur URL to your image will automatically be added to your post!

Simple one click!

This will work on both New message posts, and 'New Reply' but is not an option in the quick reply section

I have performed some limited testing and seems to work - but give it a shot and let me know if you have any issues. Enjoy!

Cheers!
Tim (Meathead)

Sometimes you end up in the right place at the right time. Such was my case many years ago on an early fall evening. 
Eastman had begun to build their dealer network in Missouri. They had selected a location that would later be known as The Acoustic Shoppe to host a road show event and introduce their guitars and mandolins to the Springfield, Missouri market. Our proximity to Branson does not go unnoticed. 
The Eastman rep arrived with just about every model of guitar and mandolin in their line up. Which was a smaller selection than today, but still a sizable volume for one person to demonstrate. To his credit he enlisted the help of a couple of phenomenal bluegrass players, John Chapman on guitar and Jeremy Chapman on mandolin. 
The Eastman rep began by introducing the company, explaining the hand crafted build process, selection of tone woods to a curious crowd of about 30 people. Then the magic happened.
The Eastman rep handed a mandolin and guitar to the Chapman's. They started with a medium tempo bluegrass tune. Giving us all a chance to hear the wonderful tone of these Eastman instruments. Soon the pace increased. The rep was trading out guitars and mandolins explaining the different models and construction of each.
Then BAM! Lighting in a bottle. These fellows started playing the fire out of these Eastmans. So fast and clean, not missing a single lick, as the poor Eastman rep had to stop talking and trade out instruments as quickly as possible. While this fellow had a hard time trading out guitars and mandolins, John and Jeremy just quickened the pace, smiling and laughing the whole time. 
If you get a chance to checkout an Eastman event, do it. You might get lucky and hear magic right before your very eyes.

Look at this thing!  Sadly I don't remember where I found this, but saved it to my collection several months ago.  I don't know if this is a custom shop or what it is... but wow... flamed KOA and arm bevel.  I didn't even know they offered those options.  Maybe a mainland China option only?