E6D-TC Alpine top or Sitka Top

[Jopetto]

Hi all... 

I'm new to the Eastman world with a purchase of a E6D-TC Serial Number M2220029. Martins have been my preoccupation and currently own an 1999 OM 28 Custom along with a Backpacker and a 2004 000-16GT which I traded in a couple of year ago. I have owned Gibsons and Taylors along the way as well and am extremely happy with the quality of my new Eastman Acquisition. My question is this, the top Tonewood is very light and much lighter than any other guitar I've owned. i learned that some E6D-TC have Alpine Tops vs. Sitka. This topic appears ad nauseum so appreciate your patience. I got two responses from Eastman Client Service. The first is that my serial number confirms Sitka and the second says that there was no way to tell per my Serial Number. I understand the Covid era window and the lack of a Sitka supply, however can anyone confirm the possibility that this Dreadnaught has an Alpine Spruce top? Looking at serial numbers close to mine. Thank you in advance.

[TomC]

Jopetto
I currently have an E6D-TC which I know to be Alpine. The S/N starts M20. It is my understanding that Eastman only used the Alpine for about one year (2020 maybe into 2021) due to availability of Sitka. I previously owned an E8D-TC in both Sitka and Alpine. I have played several others. Eastman didn't keep track of the exact number of Alpine (or won't acknowledge it) The one difference I have noted is the uniformity in the toasting. Alpine seems to have more of streaking look to it whereas Sitka tends to a more uniform color. The pic below is Alpine on the left (E6D-TC) and Sitka on the right (E6SS-TC) I can not guarantee that holds true completely across the board. 

[sleigh]

Jopetto -- like Tom I also own an E6D-TC with an Alpine top. Mine looks similar to Tom's: the toasted top is rather streaky, but I do love the sound of it. Mine was purchased in 2021 and has a serial starting with #M21. The guitar shipped with the Florinett AG, Tonewood Switzerland card identifying the top as Swiss Mountain Spruce (picea abies).

[Jopetto]

Thank you both. I’ve attached a picture of my own on my original submission after painstakingly trying to figure out how to attach correctly. There’s so much to love with the E6D-TC -  having played soo many Dreads in my life - everything from older Martins to higher end Gibson. I love the thickness of the top too. After seeing both of yours I believe mine is Sitka - albeit very light Sitka. I really appreciate the replies. Rock on ✨?✨?

[dmoss74]

my e6d-tc alpine has a serial starting m22. but it was purchased from the acoustic shoppe and has the little card with the alpine spruce story on it. 

i got it from someone locally, but tas verified that they had sold it (the receipt was still in the case) and also verified it was alpine spruce. it still had the picks they throw in with a purchase, too.

enjoy it. i really like mine. i would say the sound leans more to the adi side than sitka, butt that's just my ears.

the grain on yours looks more like adirondack to me. but that's just my $.02.

[REHII]

The only way i think that an alpine top can be truly verified is the label they put on the outside of the shipping box.
Eastman has no idea what guitars got the alpine spruce when they ran short of Sitka.
Looking at the color and any pattern or figuring if the top is not conclusive.
I have seen alpine that was creamy white, some that looked like adi and some that was darker than known Sitka guitars. Anyone who says they can definitely identify the species of wood on a guitar top just by looking, epically at a photo, can not be taken seriously.
Generally the alpine tops are lighter but that’s not for certain.
Some guitars that came shipped in boxes with alpine stickers did not have the florett card. Anyone that called Eastman could have had a card sent to them. ( I did)
And cases and their contents can be swapped around.
Here is a photo of the shipping box with the alpine sticker.

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Here is a good photo of the label and a florett card.