Martin D18 vs Eastman E6D! | Guitar Battles #18 | @ The Fellowship of Acoustics 

They could of used E6d-tc to give it a chance against the D18. You can get a the thermo cured model for £1100 brand new. Theres a massive difference in the E6d and the E6d-tc models

Eastman is impressive for 1/3 of the cost.

Thank you for listening to your audience and letting one of the guys play both guitars. These great guitar battles just got a lot better! Nice video, by the way, this is the review that I wanted you to do! Both are awesome, I own a D-18 and an E10, and you’re right, the Martin has that Iconic tone that nobody can reproduced. But, the Eastman has a great sound and comes in at an incredible value.

I just discovered you guys about a month ago on RU-vid. Really love your videos and the guitar comparisons that you do. It was because of one of your videos that I purchased an Eastman e10SS, truly an exceptional guitar for the money and so much fun to play. I had sold my Gibson J-45 last year because I didn’t really enjoy the sound I was getting from the guitar. I am an experienced player, having played guitar for around 45 years, and have quite a collection of mostly the Martin Standard series models. However, I appreciate the two of you turning me on to the Eastman products. I know now that I can travel with my new e10SS or my e10ooSS (also new) and enjoy them while leaving my expensive babies in the safety of their home. Looking forward to your future videos.

As long as you don’t hear the d18 , one shall be happy with the Eastman !!!

I think the E6D-TC may be a better comparison to a D-18. I would even venture to say the E6D-TC may sound better than a D-18 since it has a thermocured top. And the Eastman is only like $1000 bucks!

I recently got a e6d-tc, it sounds much better than the e6d they play. I don’t think it’s all in the tc. Play the guitar in store, there is something off on the guitar they used.

I was pretty convinced I would go for the E6D, but mow I have to save up for a D18. Damn you guys. ;) The difference is substantial. Thank you very much for your work, Coen and Maarten.

I have an Eastman E6D and it is a fantastic guitar. It is brighter than the D18 but I use a nylon 1mm pick and that has calmed it down and brought out more of the mids on the guitar. A different set of strings would also help. Certain strings that are more mellow usually help take some of the brightness out of the guitar and make it more balanced. The factory strings on the Eastman tend to be very bright. As much as I like Martin, the D18 is 2600-2700 dollars and I got the Eastman E6D for $900 and it has a pickup.

Got an E6 and really believe the strings Choice make all the difference. With right strings the E6 really comes alive.. it will never be an Martin sound for many reason, but not an less good sound and possible at least as good build guitar (if not better when looking at the inside details and finish). Still appreciate the D18, as a great classic, however.

Keep in mind that the Eastman has a standard X brace placement meaning it’s further back into the guitar where as the Martin has forward shifted bracing on the new D-18. That’s a big difference in sound.

D-18 was warmer and had a more distinct tone. That undeniable Martin tone. Eastman looked nice but sounded way too bright for me. And I agree with you guys; the Martin beats the Eastman. If it comes down to money, I'd probably have to settle for the Eastman while the whole time craving the Martin. Stay safe and thanks for another great video.

D18 rounder, less zingy. The Eastman sounds brash by comparison. For the fingerpicking I suggest you capo to third or fourth fret, it sounds sweeter and more together there.

Hey great video guys! Thoughts on the Eastman E6D versus the E10D? I've been mainly an electric player for the past 15 years and I'm finally looking to add my first full sized dread to my arsenal. I've convinced myself that I'm after that classic Martin sound and I've heard the Eastman sound be described as more modern/refined, maybe closer to Collings. Would you say that's true? Any experience with Blueridge guitars? Those seem like a solid/more affordable alternative to Martin that is maybe closer to that classic tone than the Eastman offerings. Cheers!

Martin right off the bat sounds vintage… amazing

The Eastman sounds better to me

I love how the Martin guitars sound and play but their binding are probe to delamination which pissed me off . Totally not acceptable for such an expensive guitar. Cost me a lot to repair my 000-18.

I Believe the Eastman E6DTC some are a different Spruce top. Some have Solid Alipne Spruce and they don't get as dark in color. Alpine Spruce has some qualities of Adirondack from what I seen

problem with eastmans are the tall back braces. i often use violin builders planes to shape the back bracing to traditional height. the top bracing is very thin already. with the more resonant back it comes alive

Anyone interested in an alternative that sounds as good or better to the D-18 I recommend playing on an Alvarez DYM-60HD. It’s all subjective and every guitar has its own voice so don’t get me wrong I’m not saying it is better, but very comparable.

The d18 has heavier bracing, it's less boomy, more articulate on the middle strings and forward presence. The eastman has more bass and boom, that you could find in the hd28 lighter bracing at the cost of the articulation. To each his own, but I find the strength of the mahogany d18 style is the middle range and the woodyness which the d18 is the best here. Buy i wouldn't choose it over a rosewood if it were my sole guitar. For singer song writer the rosewood is for me a better choice.

How about comparing a Martin D-28. And a Blueridge BR-160. Thanks

While Martins are stellar...Eastman's do pretty much the same for way less $$, although a bit brighter, it records quite well being so.

How could one be happy with an Eastman, knowing there is a Martin around... better save some more money and love playing every day. Remember the great TFOA sticker! They are right!

D18 is better in this test

This is not the SP is it? Baked top on the Eastman?

What was that first song? And you should compare the E8D and HD-28.

What would you compare estman e40d with? Which martin by sound?

D18...but the difference of €1500,- is much bigger then the difference in sound. €1000,- for the Eastman is so much good value for the price!

Nothing like two different players using completely different playing techniques to compare the sound of two different guitars. Seriously?

I have an Eastman, LOVE It but then you hear a Martín.... Damm., Why did I watch this. I am Happy though, may be Next year

If I was playing out in bars or chicken wire places, definitely the Eastman. Do you really think drunks know or give a flying shit?

D18

D18!

d 18 .....YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR ...ALWAYS

Are we sure that is mahogany on the back and sides of the Eastman?

Hard to judge without sitting and playing them... all d18s are not creted equal. If youre a d18 fanatic and you get the right one - youll never play another! The eastman sounded great though. They make fantasic instruments.

Eastman guitars are wonderful but the Martin just kicked this one into touch. Not a fair fight maybe.

Come on then Eastman keep copying that tone!

very nice products, but big problem : your sound picking is awfull (too much bass, no fingerboard tone precision) because of the back position of the unique microphone. I think with one microphone the right position is above the 12th fret (at 40-50cm not 1meter) and for a complete spectral tone, is to use 2 microphones in X between the sond hole and the 12th fret in a ligth uper position. ...overall the martin has more balanced tones with a warm middle. Martin have older wood stock that makes more mature and complexe sound, obviously !

Wow surprised at how much Martin absolutely smokes the Eastman here

Sorry, but you guys shouldn't be doing this. Or watch how others do it. This is not a vrs at all. Soft fingers on a dread? You've got soft fingers vrs strum with pic, not a comparison between guitars.