Eastman DT Series (DT30-D, DT30OM & DT30-GA) Double Top

[Meathead]

Thanks for the initial feedback Ted.  Man, sounds like such an intriguing guitar - particularly for fingerstyle, but sounds suited to any style.  I am guessing it is going to be awhile before I have an opportunity to play one and will take some time for models to become available across the country.  Unfortunately Arizona doesn't have an Eastman dealer on the level of LAGS or Acoustic Shoppe.

[Bert]

Eastman Marketing Deptartment ???

Maybe you rec'd one in the mail, this is the one I rec'd a couple days ago.  It's a well done, high grade newsprint (4color) piece, again, very well done.  Problem...

Where's the beef?

If you want to put your hands on one... ?

Tease is not an effective marketing strategy imo.

[sleigh]

Bert -- I understand what you mean, and I too wish it were easier to find Eastmans and actually play them before purchasing (no one here locally in SW Ohio carries any Eastmans at all). I bought my first Eastman purely on word-of-mouth from people (like PV) whose judgment I trusted, but that's not the ideal way to buy a guitar. As PV said earlier in this thread, before I'd try any double-top unheard, I'd have to have read lots of reviews preferably from unbiased players. This was the same issue I had with Seagulls: the only model anyone carried here locally was the entry-level S6. No one had any of the Artist series, for instance, so if you wanted one, you had to pull the trigger on an online outlet and hope.

OTOH, do we want Eastman to up their production and market saturation at the sacrifice of either quality standards or higher prices? To paraphrase an old saying: "You can have your guitar affordable, high-quality, or available everywhere. Pick any two."

[Pura Vida]

I like how they've managed their business model.  They've increased their production, but more in the electric line, since the solid body has been a home run.  But they're unwilling to abandon their "handcrafted" core, in order to ramp higher numbers.  That's their niche, IMHO, and they'd lose appeal if the quality suffered.

As for the DT series, just remember what NAMM stands for:  Not Available, Maybe May.  I had a recent exchange with Ted at LA Guitar Sales, and he has them on order, but was very cautious about the availability.  We might see some trickle in this summer, but it might take until late in the year to have them in enough hands to make any meaningful judgements.

[Bert]

PV, yea what Ted said.  Eastman spends the money to do a mailer and all you can do is look at pictures, can't even buy one online.  Since Winter NAMM... new models from Taylor, Martin etc have been in the stores.

I've had my TC model for 1 1/2yrs and they still are not readily avail...

Ground control to major Tom... get the horse before the cart.  This is like an Elvis sighting in Vegas.  
.02c

[Pura Vida]

I think the latest shipments arrived:

LA Guitar Sales: https://www.laguitarsales.com/index.php/...dt30d.html

Sun Valley Guitars too:  https://sunvalleyguitars.com/product/eas...t-amazing/

The Acoustic Shoppe:  https://www.theacousticshoppe.com/shop/c...523533.htm

[woodnstring]

Thanks for posting the vids Meathead. Fascinating to see what's involved in making these. Would love to try out the OM. Although the comment from the 2nd video about "there being no way of repairing the top if the glue fails" was a bit disconcerting.

FYI - for anyone actually shopping for a DT30D, I just saw a "Mint" one on Reverb via Sam Ash in Richmond, VA for $1600.
https://reverb.com/item/22073808-eastman...ailability

-Pete

[Meathead]

Good find, Pete! If anyone is interested in the DT dread, there’s a good opportunity on Reverb!

[Pura Vida]

That's crazy!  We just discussed how these have barely arrived in the States, and someone's already selling a used one?

[Chapboogie]

Well, we finally have this video done. Right now we have a D and a OM in stock. So much sustain!!!

https://youtu.be/MSA5Z0gxJVs