If you are looking for that classic, dry, percussive thump that only a slope shoulder dreadnought can provide, the Eastman E6SS-TC is a serious contender. The secret sauce here is the thermo-cured Sitka spruce top, which has been heat-treated to shed excess moisture and resins. This process gives you a guitar that sounds like it has been played for thirty years right out of the box. When you pair that aged top with solid mahogany back and sides, you get a mid-range focus and a woody punch that is absolutely perfect for singer-songwriters or anyone who wants a guitar that "sits" perfectly in a mix.

One of the coolest things about this model is the short 24.75 inch scale length. It gives the strings a slightly softer tension, making it feel a lot more "slinky" and easy to play compared to a standard long-scale dreadnought. The traditional even C neck profile and 1 11/16 inch nut width make for a very familiar, comfortable feel that is great for both flatpicking and thumb-over chording. You also have hand-carved scalloped X-bracing inside, which helps that 16-inch body push a lot of air while maintaining a really sweet, balanced response across the entire fretboard.