Ever wonder why guitars cost so much?

[leftykingv2]

According to Eastman's site, everything over $1k is all solid wood. The cheaper guitars have laminate backs & sides, but still have a solid tops. I've never seen one over here, but their site does keep pushing the "handcrafted" angle. It might be a bit dismissive to suggest that they are merely like entry level Yamahas.

fwiw, I have two Baden acoustics, handmade in Vietnam. They are excellent guitars.

First of all I never compared them to entry level Yamaha guitars, you did. I understand that Eastman's might be nice but you're not getting a good Martin or Taylor for 1K . They're pretty much entry level. The Martin I have cost well over 3K and the Taylor was a little over 2K. I hear you on the fact that Eastman's might be great acoustics for the price. But lets be honest they're not even close to any of the USA made brands I named. I am sure you're Baden''s are nice as well but are you trying to tell me they're on par or as good as my Martin? If so you have a hearing problem. Just my opinion sorry if it offends anyone.

[PowerTube]

When it comes to acoustics the best on the market are Martin, Taylor, Gibson and Guild. To compare a Chinese made Eastman acoustic to an American made Martin or Taylor or the others I've mentioned is just crazy. They're not even close to on par. You're comparing laminates to grade A solid tone woods. I own a Martin and a Taylor and they're both incredible guitars that are beyond reproach when it comes to quality, tone and playability.

Laminates? Every Eastman guitar I've ever heard of was solid wood construction. Every one I've ever personally seen came stock with a bone saddle and nut, also. And, I've tried them back-to-back against Taylors and Martins. In most cases, I preferred the Eastman.

[1994]

My two cents:

I don't think guitars are expensive. They do not become obsolete and can last a lifetime (apart from maybe a few re-frets). I had an Ibanez RG550 for 10 years that I played every day, chucked in the boot of the car regularly and dropped a few times - dings and scratches aside, it was still playing and sounding great. I eventually sold it because I got the GAS that we all get, but that guitar more than justified what I paid for it as I got so much use out of it.

[VitaminG]

First of all I never compared them to entry level Yamaha guitars, you did. I understand that Eastman's might be nice but you're not getting a good Martin or Taylor for 1K . They're pretty much entry level. The Martin I have cost well over 3K and the Taylor was a little over 2K. I hear you on the fact that Eastman's might be great acoustics for the price. But lets be honest they're not even close to any of the USA made brands I named. I am sure you're Baden''s are nice as well but are you trying to tell me they're on par or as good as my Martin? If so you have a hearing problem. Just my opinion sorry if it offends anyone.

I've made no comparisons. I merely responded to your comments about Eastman being laminates and mentioned entry level Yamahas as an example of a fully laminate acoustic.

Your words:

You're comparing laminates to grade A solid tone woods.

I only mentioned the $1k mark as the apparent crossover point between Eastman's laminate backed guitars and their fully solid options. If you've checked out the rest of their product lines, you'll see they also have archtops up into the $3-5k range. I haven't played them so can't vouch for their quality. But then, you are the one stating that Eastman just make laminate guitars that can't compare to Martin or Taylor. Big call since you seem unaware of just what Eastman do make.

You're drawing a lot of conclusions in this thread. I didn't compare my Badens to anything. Just stated that they are handmade in Vietnam and an example of an excellent handmade guitar made outside of the US. From that, you've concluded that I am saying they are equal to your Martin. And accused me of having a hearing problem. I haven't heard or played your particular Martin & from your comments, you've not played a Baden. But you've drawn your conclusions. I'm sure my "nice" Badens aren't a patch on your amazing Martin. I have played quite a few Martins. They make a nice guitar. Taylor too. As do Maton & Cole Clark. And many other manufacturers all over the world.

[PowerTube]

As I mentioned before, I've played Eastman guitars back-to-back against Martins and Taylors. Martin and Taylor both make some very nice guitars that I would love to own, but I'm just saying that I haven't picked up an Eastman yet that I didn't think was impressive.

There's a store near me that carries Eastman and Martin (no Taylor). I've played a $600.00-ish Eastman against their $2000.00+ Martins and I preferred the Eastman. It's all personal preference, but I honestly believe that the Eastman is built just as well. I've never seen shoddy fret work, glue residue, or anything of the sort on an Eastman.

[PowerTube]

I only mentioned the $1k mark as the apparent crossover point between Eastman's laminate backed guitars and their fully solid options.

Just for the record, I bought a new Eastman dreadnaught a few years ago for around $500.00 or so. It had a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, plus a bone nut and saddle. The action was very low.

The only reason I sold it is because I'm generally not a dreadnaught kind of guy. I prefer the OM sizes and parlors.

[PowerTube]

I am sure you're Baden''s are nice as well but are you trying to tell me they're on par or as good as my Martin? If so you have a hearing problem.

No offense, but that was a bit rude. Have you heard or inspected his Badens? If not, then you can't say that.

[leftykingv2]

Laminates? Every Eastman guitar I've ever heard of was solid wood construction. Every one I've ever personally seen came stock with a bone saddle and nut, also. And, I've tried them back-to-back against Taylors and Martins. In most cases, I preferred the Eastman.

The only Eastman's I've ever seen or played were laminates they were in the 4 to $600 dollar range. I had no idea they even made a 2 or 3K acoustic because who would pay 3K for a Chinese acoustic? I know I wouldn't when I could buy a lot of American made models that I consider to be higher quality in my opinion.

[leftykingv2]

Just for the record, I bought a new Eastman dreadnaught a few years ago for around $500.00 or so. It had a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, plus a bone nut and saddle. The action was very low.

The only reason I sold it is because I'm generally not a dreadnaught kind of guy. I prefer the OM sizes and parlors.

Then why did you buy it in the first place?

[PowerTube]

The only Eastman's I've ever seen or played were laminates they were in the 4 to $600 dollar range. I had no idea they even made a 2 or 3K acoustic because who would pay 3K for a Chinese acoustic? I know I wouldn't when I could buy a lot of American made models that I consider to be higher quality in my opinion.

Mine was solid rosewood back and sides and it retailed in the $500.00-$600.00 range. It sounded great for what it was, but dreadnaughts just aren't my thing.

But yeah, now that this has come up I see that they do indeed have some lower-end models with laminate backs and sides. Then again, so does Martin. I'm not sure about Taylor.

[PowerTube]

Then why did you buy it in the first place?

My tastes change frequently. As you know, I'm still on a bit of an Ibanez kick but lately I've gotten "Fender Fever." I don't dislike dreadnaughts, but I find the OM types to have a more balanced sound, less "boomy." But the Eastman was still among the best sounding dreads in the store.

[leftykingv2]

No offense, but that was a bit rude. Have you heard or inspected his Badens? If not, then you can't say that.

I guess you missed what was said directly after this sentence about how it was "Just my opinion sorry if it offends anyone." Like I said I don't have experience with these models you guys are speaking of aside from the cheaper Eastman's that I've played and they were nothing special.

[leftykingv2]

My tastes change frequently. As you know, I'm still on a bit of an Ibanez kick but lately I've gotten "Fender Fever." I don't dislike dreadnaughts, but I find the OM types to have a more balanced sound, less "boomy." But the Eastman was still among the best sounding dreads in the store.

I could never do that. Once I buy something I never sell it. I don't know why but even if my taste changes I still keep them all and only break out the ones I want to use.

[leftykingv2]

I've made no comparisons. I merely responded to your comments about Eastman being laminates and mentioned entry level Yamahas as an example of a fully laminate acoustic.

Your words:

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I only mentioned the $1k mark as the apparent crossover point between Eastman's laminate backed guitars and their fully solid options. If you've checked out the rest of their product lines, you'll see they also have archtops up into the $3-5k range. I haven't played them so can't vouch for their quality. But then, you are the one stating that Eastman just make laminate guitars that can't compare to Martin or Taylor. Big call since you seem unaware of just what Eastman do make. EDIT; for the record all the Eastman's I've ever played were laminates.

You're drawing a lot of conclusions in this thread. I didn't compare my Badens to anything. Just stated that they are handmade in Vietnam and an example of an excellent handmade guitar made outside of the US. From that, you've concluded that I am saying they are equal to your Martin. And accused me of having a hearing problem. I haven't heard or played your particular Martin & from your comments, you've not played a Baden. But you've drawn your conclusions. I'm sure my "nice" Badens aren't a patch on your amazing Martin. I have played quite a few Martins. They make a nice guitar. Taylor too. As do Maton & Cole Clark. And many other manufacturers all over the world.

Not trying to offend you bro but you get what you pay for when it comes to guitars, or at least it's supposed to be that way. I don't know. Maybe you're Badens are better. I've never played one and that was a bit dick-ish to draw a conclusion that way so my apologies.

[lefty]

I'm not talking about guitars in specific.... I'm just talking about when I buy anything and it says made in China, I'm reassured where a decade ago I wasn't.

Yah, I always used to dump on gear MIC, and doubt I'd ever buy a guitar made there.
But having said that, I have a few MIC amps that I like a lot, a couple of Jet City and
my current practice amp, a H&K Tubemeister. That thing looks very well made, is full
of features [for a 5-watt] and sounds amazing...