Eastman E1OM vs Martin OM-18 

Went om shopping with a $2500 budget. Ended up with a $800 brand new Alvarez Chinese made masterworks om 60. Blew me away. It inspires me more then any guitar i have owned. Maybe i just got lucky...

The Eastman sounds more zingy to me. One question I believe the Eastmans OM is actually a short scale so it is mis-named. Wouldn’t it be better compared with a 000-18 Martin?

Thanks for the video. I own an Eastman E1OML(lefty) for six months now. It is a truly great guitar. Very well build, great sound and together with my Martin DRS1 the best in my steel string collection. It is so easy to play and so consistent. A bit punchy when using a plectrum but a dream for finger picking. I an still in love with this instrument. Of course it's not on par with a Martin OM, but it's really very close and certainly has it's own character. Eastman guitars are really, really great instrument at a good price. Completely hand made and that is not the case for many Martins. My DRS1 is a Mexican build Martin and it's quite obvious that it's partly machine made. Of course it's the less expensive Martin and it's still really good. But 1.5 times the price of the Eastman it is certainly not better. (I know comparing an all mahogany dreadnought with a spruce / mahogany OM is silly, but still.) If I should buy another steel strung guitar I shall definitely go for another Eastman and not the Martin as the price difference does not match the differences in quality and sound and I do have to be careful with my budget.

I’m blown away by the clarity/balance of the Eastman. The Martin sounds a bit more “vintage” imo, but the Eastman has a certain “fidelity” that I prefer. Definitely looking at the E1om lately.

Thanks for the video. Awesome playing and recording too.

Thank you for making these video's. I am looking to buy a new OM and being able to hear simple sound comparisons helps a lot!

Thanks for the video. There's quite a big difference of sound. And the lack of clarity for the D18 is maybe due also to the strings: also, speaking only about the bronze color of the E6 strings of each guitar, the one the D18 isn't looking shiny any more, when on the Eastman, it is.. Obviously, my E/A/D/G strings on my Martin HD28 are not sounding bright any more after too many months, when clarity is so huge with new strings..

I’m trying to decide between this and a Yamaha FS3 red label. Have you ever played a Yamaha FS3? It has a torrified top.

If you think the Eastman sounds just as good, maybe you’ll give me a good deal on the OM-18. ;) where did you get the om-18? Dealer custom run?

Super demonstration.. Thanks for Sharing. I have an Eastman E6D and in the field for an OM and tried the both E2OM, but found it muted, then tried E1OM and wow so clear and articulated, finally tried E6OM that was amazing.. but over budget as right now. Apparently both E1 Nd E6 has been upgraded. I will give an E1OM a go.. felt and sounded good and guess goos strings improve further. Greetings from Denmark.

Nice playing and custom pickguard on the 1om! I just got one myself, the top is quite unusual and darker than what you would typically see. I didn’t even recognise it in the store when I was looking for it, and the clerk had never seen one quite like it. Also recently got an E2D, for the price these guitars just can’t be beat. But man that 18 sounds like butter! I also second to know that tune at around 3:30, not sure if I’ve heard it before or if it just seems that way because it’s so intuitively well written the chords are sort of exactly where you expect them to be.

Why not compare the Martin with an Eastman E10OM? What is the use comparing with a different tonewood?

☑️ recently got the Eastman E10OM and it's pretty nice but previously got the AC308CE and it turned out to be even better ‼️😜 ☑️ I've had a new Martin OOO-42 many years now and a recently acquired Eastman E40OM, and I have to admit the Eastman plays better and sounds marginally better than the Martin at about half the cost ; but the Martin is still quite a bit sexier axe of the two ‼️🤔🥸🤓😜🤑

Delightful video and each piece you play. Now, could you please tell me if they're your own compositions of they do belong to any song?

between the om-28 vs the om18, which one did you prefer and why ?

Thanks for the video. Song at 5:15?

Very nice demo. Both guitars sound great. Just out of curiosity, do you notice a big difference between the OM-18 full scale and the Eastman shorter scale?

The thick, larger pickguard on the Eastman will dampen a slight amount. I play an Eastman OM and tried two different size pickguards and found that the smaller teardrop guard allowed more vibration.

I konw you don't like these questions - but - what is the song at 2:15 - would love to play it someday...

I can hear an obvious difference but hey, that Eastman sounds great for the price.

Eastman is comparable quality and materials at 1/4 of the price. Just amazing guitars.

I think the strings are contributing to the biggest difference in this video.

Where’s the eastmans pickgaurd from?

I must have got a Friday afternoon one it was nicely constructed but the finish was very poor especialy around the neck , the end of the fretboard wasn't finished properly, the saddle too tight so it didn;t seat properly, and the nut badly cut. I am a lefty so had to buy it blind , it went back and I haven't tried another Eastman. It can't have been representative of their work as most of what i see and read online is positive.

Both very nice, you really can't go wrong with Eastman for the money. The Martin has more dynamic range and a richer low end. But for way more money.....up to you if it's worth it I suppose.

The Martin is extremely well balanced and controlled. Winner for me

I actually like Eastman more, less dry and dark. Are the Martin's strings old?

Great comparison. I would never be able to afford a Martin and to be honest I wouldn't want to. I don't go in for guitar brands due to the name on the headstock. I think those high end brands like Martin, Gibson, Taylor and the ubiquitous Bender are out of reach of the everyday player. I could hear a slight difference, can't put my finger on it, but perhaps the Eastman was punchier? And the Martin warmer. Both sound great. I am considering an E1OM so thanks for this vid.

I don't hear a 2000 euro difference 😀

Great demo. I think both strings are different. Each guitar has different tone even completely same model. Besides tone depends on strings.

The Eastman sounds damn good for the money. What's that you're playing at around 03:30? It sounds very familiar but I can't think of what it is.

Eastman OM has a short scale while the Martin OM has a long scale and the Martin usually has a sitka top while the Eastman has an Adirondack. (E10 had Adi, E1 has Sitka)

Great demo. Thanks. The Eastman is great but you’re not going to beat a Martin at half the price.

That martin sounds like a laminate top. The eastman sounds much more vibrant.

I really wish it wasn't so because I'm poor but the martin sounds so much better

Interesting comparison. The Martin OM-18 is warmer with faster decay so has a bit more soul. The Eastman e1OM is louder with tons of sustain, natural reverb, likely due to the adi top. When capo'd, they sound remarkably similar, with the Eastman gaining in warmth to match the Martin's. All in all, both very fine guitars. Martin wins on tone as it seems more consistent up and down the fretboard, however at 3.5 the price (or more with an adi top upgrade on the OM-18) the Eastman remains a very appealing option.

Thanks for the comparison. I have one of the Eastmans on the way. €650, not bad. I have 3 Martins, and Eastmans do not wilt up against Martin gits. I've had an E10-D, should NOT have sold that; and an E10-OM. That one I didn't get along with, so returned it. It was still a stunning instrument, and having an Adi top, was a little cannon. The E1-OM will fit the niche of small body all solid spruce/hog for me perfectly.

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