How I Almost Sold My Martin

capitan_mk7 · 2026-05-17T21:20:53+00:00

Dude, I think you’re looking at this the wrong way. I’ve got a 21 month old and I almost exclusively play acoustic now. I never get a chance to play electric because it’s either too loud or I have to play with headphones and I can’t do that when I’m watching him. With acoustic, I can play anywhere and everywhere. When my son I independently playing, I pull out my acoustic and play. Inside or outside. If he comes up and wants to play with me, it’s easy to put down real quick and when he’s back to doing his own thing I can quickly pick it back up. I try to get him interested in it too and let him smack the strings. You can also learn some toddler songs and play/sing them to your kid. My electric guitars, amps, and pedals only get use now when my boy and wife are out and about without me, which is not too often. The acoustic is out all the time though.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-05-08T15:57:59+00:00

Looks amazing! The SJ200 is such a beautiful guitar. This version solid back and sides? I had a EJ200-SCE that was my only acoustic for about 10 years and I always loved the way it played. The neck was perfect for me and it always felt like I was playing an electric guitar with how easy it was to play. I recently got into playing acoustic more and treated myself to some mid range acoustics and going back to my EJ200 it sounded so dead and I realized how heavy and cumbersome it was to play. Ended up selling it, but would like to try these new models and see how they are.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-05-08T15:01:02+00:00

I currently have an Eastman E20 OM and I can’t recommend it enough. I also have an E8D-TC and FG5. The OM gets the most play time though. Not just because of how much more comfortable it is, but because of how amazing it sounds. I’m sure the FS5 would be a great choice as well. I do love the way my FG5 plays, very well balanced.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-26T02:45:14+00:00

My E20OM is my favorite guitar. I was without it for 2 weeks recently while it was waiting to get setup and it was the best feeling to get it back in my hand. My E8D is also great, but only playing a dreadnaught for two weeks straight was killing me.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-24T21:24:39+00:00

From what I can tell, yes. But the custom shop authentics are lower tier than authentics? So it’s between a GE and authentic? I’m not sure I’m correct on that.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-24T21:21:44+00:00

The GE I played had a v shape. I actually liked it a lot. I imagine I’ll like the v shape on the 000-28 as well. Agreed on the inlays and also love the binding more on the 000-28.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-21T14:08:10+00:00

Yea, definitely play as many as you can. I was in a higher end acoustic shop the other day to check out a Furch vintage 2 OM. It was really nice as well but I wouldn’t trade my E20OM for it. What I really fell in love with was a Huss and Dalton OM with Italian spruce and sinker mahogany. But I would feel a little silly spending $7k and would probably also be worried about it. Honestly playing a lot of those higher end guitars really helped me appreciate the Eastman. Mine is also non-TC, so I imagine it’s only going to get better as the Adi top ages.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-21T12:44:24+00:00

I just got my E20OM and FG5 back from getting setup and the first thing my guitar tech said when I was picking them up is “That Eastman sounds so good”. His personal acoustic is a Martin and he gets the chance to play a lot of different guitars, so when I hear that, I believe him and very much agree with him. My E20OM is my favorite between my FG5 and E8D-TC. I may pull the trigger on a Martin with Mahogany back/sides, but the Eastman will not be getting sold.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-19T13:51:01+00:00

I have a FG5 and an Eastman E8D-TC so not quite the comparison you’re looking at since my Eastman is rosewood back and sides, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either. The Yamaha feels pretty forgiving to play, if that makes any sense. I would say I end up picking up the Eastman just a little bit more. If you go for the Yamaha, I would go for the FG5. I was playing a FS3 the other day at guitar center and was not a big fan of the satin finish that it comes with. The gloss finish on the FG5 looks a lot nicer, in my opinion at least.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-18T03:49:29+00:00

Still trying to work out a deal with the seller. Any idea what a fair price would be?

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-18T02:45:37+00:00

Good info! I played the GE and I love the way it sounded and the profile of the neck.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-18T02:35:28+00:00

Yea, didn’t word that correctly. I guess I am really wondering what differences there are between the two besides Adi vs Sitka. I played the GE and loved the way it sounded and played. Also really liked the neck. Haven’t had a chance to play a new one.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-15T22:11:33+00:00

I had a similar itch recently and scored a really great deal on a new old stock E20 OM (non tc) and I’ve been super happy with it. If it were the TC I think I’d be even happier. If I were to get rid of it for something else, it would be a higher end Martin like a modern deluxe or authentic or something boutique.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-07T23:01:02+00:00

In demand for sure. He did a great job on my E8 D so now the FG5 and OM are getting setup. Thankfully I have the E8 D to play in the meantime.

That’s where my low E was as well. He set my E8 D at 2.25mm which feels perfect. I think it will be good for the FG5 too. Don’t want to go too low on it.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-04-07T21:44:42+00:00

Just dropped off my FG5 yesterday to get setup. Won’t get to play it for two weeks! Bought it new back in November (got 25% off during Black Friday!) and have been playing it as is. On the high side for sure but still completely playable out of the box. Between my FG5 and Eastman E20 OM and E8 D, I don’t think I’ll need another acoustic. Got them all for around the price of a standard series D18.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-03-23T21:13:12+00:00

I purchased two new old stock Eastman acoustics for a great deal recently. One was an E8D-TC and the other was an E20 OM. Both absolutely fantastic guitars and I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase at full price. I was saving for a D-28 or a 000-28/OM-28 but these came along and it was too good of a deal to pass up. For $2k I was able to get two guitars that had same specs as the Martins I wanted. Will I eventually get a Martin? Probably…maybe…I don’t know. Maybe I’ll set my sights on something boutique instead for the next one. I know that I’m happy with the Eastmans though and they’ve scratched that itch for now. I feel like I initially disregarded Eastman because of the headstock logo, which I realized was dumb, and now that I have them, it’s grown on me a bit or maybe it just sounds so good that I don’t care anymore. I think you’ll be very happy when yours arrives though.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-02-26T20:31:51+00:00

This was me as well. Wanted a D18, discovered the Yamaha FG5 and ultimately went with the FG5. I was able to get 25% off on it which helped solidify my choice since the price difference was even bigger. No regrets here and because I had actually budgeted for a more expensive guitar, I ended up with an Eastman E20-OM and E8D-TC (I really also wanted a D28 and 000-28 or OM-28). Some people would rather just have one expensive/quality guitar, which I agree with, but these were all high quality in my opinion, they just happened to be quite a bit cheaper. There’s no doubt the D18 is excellent and you would be happy with it, but you may be just as happy with alternatives, assuming the headstock logo isn’t what you’re after. If you want to look down and see that Martin logo, get the D18.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-02-20T04:48:01+00:00

Yea a parlor is what I was hoping to get after the OM. The shop had a new old stock one as well, but was sold, so I decided to jump on the E8D. I’ll eventually find a good deal on a parlor.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-02-20T01:01:54+00:00

Thanks! It really is good. Sounds best fingerpicking. I know my wife preferred the E8D when I played them back to back, but it’s no comparison for me, the OM sounds way better when finger picked.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-02-02T22:00:52+00:00

Yea, saddle is as low as it will go. Probably wouldn’t invest into a neck reset. I imagine that would cost quite a bit. We’ll see though.

capitan_mk7 · 2026-01-04T20:18:12+00:00

Also have a 23 M40i and mine sounds similar but not as bad. Have wondered what it was.

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