It’s half ten so probably a bit antisocial to play any more today when I live in a flat.
This is the guitar. It’s one the fellowship of acoustics ordered for their 20th anniversary, with a run of 10. They’re the only black E10OOSS/vs Eastman have made, and have some fancy inlays as well. It’s one of their varnish finished guitars, which all seem to come reliced. It’s not overdone, and the finish feels lovely so no complaints from me.
This shows some of the aging on the side, and the tort body binding. The pickguard is a very subtle, very dark tort, and the neck binding is black.
These are the inlays, apparently inspired by some of the railings at TFOA.
Of course, the sound is the most important part. I love it. When I first strummed I was immediately surprised by how loud and open it is. Strumming hard it really projects for an OO. There is great definition and clarity both fingerpicking and strumming. Hitting hard it might be a little congested, but at that point I’d probably be upsetting the neighbours.
I’d really struggle to compare it to other acoustics simply out of a lack of familiarity - my only other acoustic is an awful dreadnought, and it’s at my parents so I haven’t touched it in ages. I can say that it sounds and feels significantly better to me than the Gibson L-00s I’ve played in shops recently, across current USA production, Murphy lab, and early 70s instruments.
Having also played an Eastman E1OOSS/sb, which is their cheaper OO offering, I’m glad I splurged for this. The E1 was lovely - I played one for probably an hour at Mak’s guitars - but this feels nicer and sounds more full bodied and well rounded. I assume this is down to the materials, but again I don’t know much about acoustics other than that OO size was most comfortable out of a line up of Audens.
I set out to get
my acoustic, something I can play everywhere forever, and first impressions suggest this could do that.