Eastman E8OM Steel String Guitar, Natural

The Eastman E8OMis back in stock!  We’ve just received a new shipment of these guitars from Eastman. 

Here is a fantastic new Eastman E8OM steel string guitar in natural. It’s a great take on the classic Orchestra Model design that works so well for fingerstyle playing.

The OM or Orchestra Model first appeared towards the end of the 1920s as a custom order Martin guitar for Perry Bechtel, a prominent banjoist / band leader at the time, and went into production as the OM in 1930. Capable of delivering significant volume levels, its main competition became the Dreadnought design, which can be even louder and deliver more prominent bass.    Many builders have used this design as along with volume, it provides a very even representation throughout the harmonic range and mid-range body size, between a Parlor type instrument and a Dreadnought,  is quite comfortable.

The Eastman E8OM features all solid wood construction and a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The top, with Herringbone purfling, is Sitka Spruce, the sides, back and headplate Indian Rosewood. The body blocks and dovetail-joint neck are Mahogany, with Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. Unusually, the fingerboard also appears to have a light coat of clear lacquer.   The inlays are subtle, small snowflakes in Abalone.  The example seen here is strictly acoustic, but it is available with an L R Baggs pickup system.  Interestingly, the action is good as factory stock, with rather a lot of saddle exposed.   This means that the neck joint is set to a relatively high angle,  and that’s in recognition of the fact that over time,  virtually all steel string guitars will settle and ultimately require a neck reset to restore the angle. With a neck set like this, that expensive event is pushed years down the road and many builders are adopting this approach.

Like other products from this builder, the Eastman E80M is a well built instrument that plays well and sounds quite good.

The original Eastman hard shell case is included.

Eastman E8OM Specifications: