My favorite alternatives to Martin Guitars! Guitar Hunter Live 02.23.2024 

The Eastman E20D’s used to have more oomph and guts along with a louder voice before they changed to the smaller body size to match Bourgeois specs. As of 2021, they now have a shorter lower bout and are 1/4” thinner and that has definitely affected the wimpier tone.

Jim from Ontario Canada. I have a green furch om and I love it.

I was looking at all hog Martins and I would up with a Guild M-20. Very lightly built and sounds great.

For me it's Guild all day long. I have a Rhode Island made 1994 D50 that's perfect but I also have a 12 string import F1512E that is very nice. No issues with craftsmanship.

Yamaha all day long. Everyone I’ve bought has had perfect setup out of the box, even the Chinese made ones. The LL16 is a very underrated guitar and the FG9 is more guitar than I will ever need. Plus they have a meaningful warranty.

I bought a very cheap, but brand new Eastman E1OM for 679 Euro, which would be approximately the same in dollars. I hadn’t played it, but I did play plenty of Eastman guitars years before and they were all good, so when I saw the specs (all solid wood construction, nice tone woods and a gorgeous looking finish), I decided to just go for it. I was expecting a nice guitar for the money, but when I took a good look at it after I had my own little unboxing moment, I was literally stunned by the amazing quality of that guitar! It was flawless, the bracings smooth as silk, no traces of glue, beautiful purfling, great fret job, ebony bridge and fingerboard, it played like butter and it sounded really, really nice! I would say easily comparable with guitars like the Martin 000-17, or the 000-16 Streetmaster. And this is one of their cheapest guitars! I bought a couple of Guild guitars as well. An eight string baritone and a twelve string in a beautiful blue burst finish with a cutaway. Both with a pickup system and both cheap. And these two guitars surprised me as well. And especially with guitars that are different (8 string, 12 string) you don’t want to spend a lot of money unless it really becomes a huge part of what you’re doing. The baritone sounds amazing when amplified. And the twelve string stays in tune so well and it plays so lightly, I became a fan! It’s crazy what you can get for a small amount of money. I’m an old guy (56) and when I started to play the guitar, there was no way that you could get a guitar that was cheap AND GOOD. Especially if you wanted a twelve string. These things were unplayable. I’m more than happy with these three guitars. And I know what it’s like to own high quality acoustics, because I own a handful of them. But I’m really happy with my Guilds and my Eastman. Really happy! 😊

Jeremy, I like my Bourgeois Small Jumbo (Adirondack top, Mahogany back and sides). As for Eastmans, I have both an E20SS-V-sb and E22SS-V-sb (Adirondack-Walnut). They have J45 dimensions , but different voices and violin varnish finishes. I use violin polish on them. The E22 has really blossomed toneally. The E20SS-V-sb is 43:44 no longer made, but great voice. They are vintage varnish, and they really didn't have to do the vintage beat up. I mean, one of them came with scratches through the finish on the top lower bout and back of the headstock. My 50+ year old Airline that's been everywhere with me doesn't even have that kind of damage, and here it comes new! Thanks Jeremy

Guild all day long! They make some of the best maple guitars and the rosewood and hogs are solid too

That furch om is beautiful reminds me of the my james goodall om bear claw spruce and east indian back and sides ❤ love the content brudda

I got a D-35 from 1974 that’s been my main go to.

Wow that Box Wood is one super sweet sounding guitar!

Jeremy, sorry I never have time to watch live, but I always enjoy your opinions and honesty. I had the opportunity to play a Furch OM yellow. Amazing sound. I keep looking for one locally. But I’m a Martin Fan. Something about the feel and sound for me just works. My favorite guitar in my collection is my 9 year old 00015sm. The sound just works for me. I own two Martins, two American made Breedloves, two of Eastman and an Alvarez and a couple of vintage Epiphones. I don’t expect Alvarez or Eastman to be or sound like Martin. But my Eastman are great road guitars that don’t break the bank. Mine are lower end, E2OM and E1SS. Great for traveling. I’m 70 and extremely happy we have access to so many more good sounding guitars compared to the 1960’s and so very glad the internet lets me connect with folks like you. Thank you.

I know Ed Sparks ! Great guitarist and love the mini's he builds like the one you have. 🎸🎸🎸

Really miss seeing these live shows, been too busy with work. Hope all is well at Guitar Hunter

I recently picked up the all-mahogany version of that Yairi. Such a joy to play and so very sweet sounding to my ear.

Thank you for this roundup. I do not have an Eastman D but I have an Eastman E10-00 and I love it. I do not think I lose a thing to Martin. I also have a 2012 E 10 OM-LTD with the highly figured mahogany. The only reason I am going to sell it is I have the 00 and I want an E 40 OM rosewood. I want that they just imitate classic Martins without trying to get every dollar you have. Brand loyalty is fine but the people that built the guitars I really love L5s, Super 400s and 1937 Martins are gone so who gets it done now for a reasonable price?

Australian acoustics are incredible and equal to the best US brands. There is a newish brand making huge waves called Fenech Guitars. I've played many Martins, Gibson's, Guild and these Fenech guitars are crazy good, and tbh, far better than the US brands. Maton is nice, but can lack warmth acoustically, but have the best pickup system hands down. Taylor are the worst acoustic plugged in I've ever heard. I'm well qualified, played only acoustics professionally for 31 years in live venues, 3 to 4 nights a week. I've heard and played them all pretty much. My current guitar of choice is my 3000+ show Gibson J200. Love it.

Could you recommend any of these models that would be able to get the Coldplay acoustic sound?

Any thoughts on the Guild M20 Vs the Yamaha LS16 Mostly play without a pick although would have some strumming for bedroom recordings. Pretty much a couch guitar to upgrade my entry dx1 Martin. Thanks all.

Always check the shipping cost first before selling or purchasing a guitar outside of your home country. Lot's of shipping is reasonable, but lot's are insanely expensive.

What time does your daily live video start?

What about the Eastman E6d-tc compared to say the E-10 or the Alvarez MD60?

try a Sant Cruz D/PW bro and be suprise how close it be to an Martin D 28 or is it Martin close to a Santa Cruz

Mainly Taylor but love to get Martin for sure

I thought the Alvarez were Japanese. Maybe that’s only Yairi?? I can’t get used to the bridge design. Might be great but looks funky.

Brazilian Rosewood is a thing especially if you're using an old piece of furniture or bed.

I picked up a 72 d18 for 1500 a couple years ago. I'll never sell it and probably never get another Dreadnaught

I’ve yet to play a Martin that plays or sounds as good as my L-15A Yamaha

The Boxwood is your best sounding guitar

I remember shaving off a beard and feeling like someone piured cold water on my face for two weeks afterwards. Ha Ha.

1000$ and china damn. did sound amazing tho!

Yamaha FG5 > Martin D18, and this coming coming from a life long Martin fan, and owner.

Eastman?

I have to disagree with you on DSS 17, that thing sings if played with a light touch and finger style. the sound guy at church says it's the best sounding guitar he's ever heard. the k&k I'm sure adds to that.

Are you missing Sigma guitars? I think I never heard you about these guitars.

I wish I liked Martin. Tried a bunch in all different sizes and they are just not for me.

i dont like volutes, a guitar with a volute is a no go for me