I’m reluctantly parting with my beautiful Eastman, which I bought from The Fellowship of Acoustics almost four years ago. It has been exceptionally well cared for and is in pristine, virtually like-new condition.

The tuners were upgraded to Grovers by the first owner. This is the only aspect of the guitar that I would consider a departure from the original specification — and, in my opinion, actually a worthwhile upgrade.

For those familiar with Eastman, there probably isn’t much I need to say. These guitars have earned a serious reputation among players and collectors, with many considering them to be on the level of, and in some cases even surpassing, Gibson Custom Shop instruments.

What really sets this particular guitar apart, however, is the sheer level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. Every element has been executed with an almost obsessive degree of precision. The striped double binding is a perfect example: it runs around the body and neck, continues inside the F-holes, and even carries through to the edge of the pickguard. Details like these are what make the guitar feel less like a mass-produced instrument and more like a genuine piece of luthiery.

This is a 2019 hand-crafted Eastman from an earlier chapter of the company’s history — before the brand became as widely recognized as it is today and before production expanded significantly. There is something particularly appealing about these earlier instruments: they have the feel of a period when Eastman was still building its reputation one meticulously crafted guitar at a time.

In other words, this is not just a great-playing guitar. It is a beautifully made instrument with a level of craftsmanship and detailing that you would normally expect from considerably more expensive, high-end custom shop instruments.

Pickups: Seymour Duncan Jazz (neck) and '59 (bridge)
Fingerboard: Ebony
Body & neck: Maple
Top: Deluxe Flamed Maple Laminate