Hi Sal,
It's been a few weeks since the guitar came home with me, so we've had a chance to get better acquainted.
Like you, I also have a few Gibsons which are all slope shoulder, plus my wife has an early E20SS SB. Human nature dictates that a compare and contrast is in order, but taking each on their own merit.
The E1SS SB has some of the same basic fundamentals as the Gibson with its thump but not the quick decay. The highs tend to shimmer a bit longer. To me, the E1SS to E20SS is a more level comparison accounting for the difference in tone woods. The E1SS has an Eastman tone. I've always heard a combination of Martin and Gibson in the standard dred and slope models from Eastman. As this is a new guitar, (you can smell the fresh cut wood), it still sounds a bit constricted. Time and playing should help this.
Fit and finish are great. No problem with fret ends, messy glue joints, etc. all are nicely finished. Having an ebony fretboard is a huge plus for me. If the guitar has a weak point it would be the tuners. I may upgrade them from the Pingwell to Gotho 510 open back with cream buttons. That's more asthetic than functional.
A great guitar when you don't want to take a pricey option but still want the tone and comfort of a slope shoulder.
In short, I dig it.
It's been a few weeks since the guitar came home with me, so we've had a chance to get better acquainted.
Like you, I also have a few Gibsons which are all slope shoulder, plus my wife has an early E20SS SB. Human nature dictates that a compare and contrast is in order, but taking each on their own merit.
The E1SS SB has some of the same basic fundamentals as the Gibson with its thump but not the quick decay. The highs tend to shimmer a bit longer. To me, the E1SS to E20SS is a more level comparison accounting for the difference in tone woods. The E1SS has an Eastman tone. I've always heard a combination of Martin and Gibson in the standard dred and slope models from Eastman. As this is a new guitar, (you can smell the fresh cut wood), it still sounds a bit constricted. Time and playing should help this.
Fit and finish are great. No problem with fret ends, messy glue joints, etc. all are nicely finished. Having an ebony fretboard is a huge plus for me. If the guitar has a weak point it would be the tuners. I may upgrade them from the Pingwell to Gotho 510 open back with cream buttons. That's more asthetic than functional.
A great guitar when you don't want to take a pricey option but still want the tone and comfort of a slope shoulder.
In short, I dig it.
