I’ve had my Dreadnought for around 25 years, so about time I tried something different.
I want something smaller and was thinking OM but lately I’ve been looking at 00 guitars.
Eastman seem to has some decent options, looking for all solid and a fairly wide nut, not sure what my dread is but feels a bit narrow, 43mm i think, so looking at 1 13/16, around 45-46mm as I switch between steel and classical.
Open to suggestions, don’t want to spend too much, up to about £1500, so looking for opinions, on the Eastmans and alternatives.
https://www.eastmanguitars.com/e10oo_tc
Comments
FWIW, I recently had a minor issue with my left wrist, so I changed from playing my dreadnought to playing my GA - I found the difference in size to be more noticeable to feel when holding the guitar than I do to look at. I've also been thinking I want to try something smaller - OM/00 size.
As it happens, my dreadnought is an Eastman E10, I'm pretty sure I'd be more than happy with one of their 00/OM's.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
Body depth: Dread 124 OM 102
Lower bout: Dread 405 OM 378
All dimensions in mm, full details here as I don’t want to transcribe the whole table https://furchguitars.com/en/features/body-shapes-and-dimensions/
The numbers may seem similar but my experience is they have a significant difference in how the guitar feels.
Re sizing... I'd say go in to a shop and try a few different sizes or go with your instinct as we are all different, what feels suits me (or others) may not suit you.
I know it is a pretty standard answer!
I find the 43mm dread hard after playing classical.
I’ve been looking at your HB thread and wondering whether I need to spend so much more. I think the CLP-15me would tick a lot of boxes. I prefer the gloss finish of the more expensive models and I quite like sunburst finish.
Also wondering whether to go for a 12 or 14 fret.
There’s too many options!
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
Nut Width 46mm
As described above, OM’s are the traditional compromise for players who want to lose the shoulder pain but not a boomy bottom end so it depends on what sort of tone you want. But buying a cheap 00 all-mahogany turned me on to smaller bodied instruments. They’re really OK for the blues/ragtime fingerpicking stuff I play.
This Sigma (all solid Spruce/Rosewood) looks lovely though and I’m hankering after one. Shame they don’t seem to sell an all-mahogany version. I think that might be my ideal instrument.
Long story short, I need to play a few small bodied guitars, bigger than a parlour, smaller than an OM, with a wider nut. Some smaller models seem really punch and focused whilst some tend to sound really boxy. Not sure if thats a spec thing or a model thing.
Cheers. 48mm would be OTT on a steel string!
Sigma is not a brand I’m familiar with but this ticks the boxes.
just because you do, doesn't mean you should.
This ‘trusted brand/Asian manufacture/western marketing’ model is common in the guitar world and has been since at least the 1970’s. It is advantageous to us as players but is sometimes a little opaque.
In 2024, if you want good instruments but not the crazy prices charged by USA manufacturers and others, Sigma is one of the growing number of alternatives.
I just wish they did something between the two (for me) extremes.
OP, if you're ever this side of the country you're welcome to try out.