Thanks for the review mate ..I'm now a subscriber! Just played one of these the other day in a shop in Newcastle NSW, and was blown away! Warm, mellow sound.. I agree neck is thinner - but that's what I'm after as comfort is hugely important for my hands! Agree top end could be better, and it's a sacrifice for the bottom end ..but value for money is great! As other's have reviewed - it's highly underrated, and beats big name guitars $3k+ in my opinion! Totally agree about Yamaha LL and LS26 (& higher) models. Very underrated as well! Thanks
@clivematthew-wilson791827 күн бұрын
I used to own a 1958 Martin D18. $1000 to straighten the neck but it sounded amazing. Now I have a 1978-81 Japanese Sigma DM18. More or less identical except the Sigma has an adjustable neck. Otherwise identical quality, identical quality sound as my 1958. The back and sides of the Sigma are said to be laminate but on mine they appear to be solid mahogany ( but I'm not an expert). The best Sigmas have two separate pressed serial numbers inside plus a cute impress stamp saying 'Sigma Guitars. Made in Japan for CF Martin & Co.' This was the pinnacle of the Martin Sigmas. Anything with a paper label inside, or no label at all, is probably Korean. Nice guitars, but never as good as their Japanese siblings. 1970s American-built low-end Martins had pretty patchy quality. I suspect the Japanese companies of the 1970s made extremely good Sigmas as a matter of pride, because Japan had faced humiliation by the American military just three decades or so earlier,.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel23 күн бұрын
The one I reviewed here was Korean and it was nice, but nowhere near US Martin quality in my opinion. I agree the earlier Japanese Sigmas are the best!
@shuster1921Ай бұрын
That Blueridge really sounds more complex, while the Eastman sounds like it needs more time to open up?!
@turrafirmaguitarchannelАй бұрын
I don’t own either of these guitars any more. The Blueridge did sound really nice. Complex as you say but also very warm which was surprising from the rosewood. Yes the Eastman was new and would have only got better. But that one had an issue with a lifting neck which required lowering the saddle extremely. Since then I have learned to keep my guitars in their cases with dehumidifier bags. This helps prevent the action deteriorating through excessive moisture. I did prefer that Eastman over the Blueridge.
@expressyourselfistАй бұрын
You are right, front loaded cabs sound very direct and cold, as an example Ampeg V4 cab, or modern Engl XXL cab. Rear loaded speakers make a cab sounding way better, fuller and 3dimensional.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel15 күн бұрын
Thanks for your comment. I definitely noticed an improvement in the sound when I remounted the speakers. I didn’t know there were some cabs out there that chose front mounting. I wonder why? It can’t be a noob mistake as in my case 😂
@TheWhisleblowerАй бұрын
Please learn to tune a guitar it drive my ears mad
@nobody_gtkАй бұрын
based whistleblower
@schesserАй бұрын
I bought mine 2-ish years ago. Also in Tobacco burst. Easily my favorite guitar. I have an American Tele and an American Jazzmaster, both circa 2005. Brilliant axe!!
@fischman26-ChinaАй бұрын
I am thinking about getting the LL16 but there is none to found locally. I don't like buying acoustics online and don't like shipping back if it doesn't work out. I found a used one online in Tennessee, so I am just staring at it online. If I get the LL16 it will complete my acoustic lineup. Dreadnaught Guild d50 and smaller body Yamaha AC3M DLX are my other two main acoustics. I have two lower end guitars and they both sound lower end, no love lost there.
@turrafirmaguitarchannelАй бұрын
I have bought guitars online and I like to see a photo of the saddle height and a measurement of the action at the 12th fret. If those things are OK I will take a punt. Did you end up getting an LL16?
@fischman26-ChinaАй бұрын
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel Haven't bought the LL16. Those photos are a good idea. There is no rush to buy. I am a bit curious about the rosewood vs. mahogany difference. Does it really matter all that much?
@GK-vj9dzАй бұрын
your first check should have been to put a straightedge from the first fret to the bridge (with no strings on), to see if the neck is set right from the factory. it's a simple check. if that was correct and your saddle needs to be lowered that far, then it is what it is. i have 2 mid '10s eastmans that both have fairly high saddles to get the action comfortable for me. the newest one i have requires less saddle, but the neck angle is correct. i haven't measured the height of the bridge itself, but i will now. chances are they are making them shorter at this time to save just a little in material. every bit counts when you're beginning to get into the production numbers that eastman is beginning to do.
@turrafirmaguitarchannelАй бұрын
I am not sure that Eastman would be saving money on shallower bridge. I rather suspect that there was a period where they set some of their necks with not enough angle and when they were an a straight edge they reduced bridge height to compensate. I also think that over the years they have tended to go with lower bridges to reduce the leverage of the strings, which would reduce the volume and tone but make the guitar more stable.
@thedustykeratometer85702 ай бұрын
That turned out great! A one of a kind cabinet for sure.
@1NTU1T1V32 ай бұрын
Dont ask me whyyy
@zentime80472 ай бұрын
I discovered Eastman a little over a year ago when I picked up an sb59 electric. I know have 3 of them and am waiting for my first acoustic to arrive 😅.
@tiedyedkarma2 ай бұрын
I got a really good deal on a series 7 because the lower bout had a crack. I glued and cleated it. I love this little thing. I have a Martin O-18, but I play the Recording King waaaay more often.
@jeffalexander78802 ай бұрын
What was the song you were playing to demonstrate the tone on both guitars?
@turrafirmaguitarchannelАй бұрын
Hi that is my own tune, it goes from the d minor shape to the d major and I play a g minor shape without the bottom e string.
@DutchVai2 ай бұрын
Recycled 'n Rustic. Fantastic job mate !!
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
Many thanks!
@davidclarke92152 ай бұрын
Nailed it man 👏🏻
@ErebosArt2 ай бұрын
Looks good man, Im building mine soon too :) Converting Laney combo with 1x12 to head and separate 2x12 cab.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
Hi, good luck with your build. One thing I didn’t point out in the video, you need to account for the depth of both the baffle and the frame for the fabric, I didn’t leave enough depth there when I did this one.
@mns87322 ай бұрын
Cut that echo ,chum.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
I do agree with you. I didn’t know it had that ‘feature’ when I clicked the buy button. But it is not a showstopper for me like those old preamp controls they used to cut into the top side of the guitar. And the piezos for those usually sounded terrible too. The plugged in sound of this RK is halfway decent btw.
@9999plato2 ай бұрын
Bought the LL16 12 string and was so impressed that I bought the LL16D. The Deluxe is all black gloss has different bindings and lots of abalone. Oh... Its sonorous like a grand piano. My third Yamaha guitar. Highly recommended. Also have the AC5R-ARE that is a step or so above these LL16 not to make them seem a poor choice but with a larger price comes incremental improvements. All great guitars, choose what fits your budget. Cheers.
@turrafirmaguitarchannelАй бұрын
Ooh, I have been looking at the Japan made AC5 too. I am waiting to play one when it comes in stock at my local music store. I do have 4 dreadnought type guitars though …
@fo762 ай бұрын
Thanks for the review... I was also considering to buy the 11 series 000. The reason for not buying it in the end was the battery compartment in the side. How can anyone build a nice guitar, then cut a hole into it and put an ugly piece of plastic in? It really makes me cringe... Too bad, the guitar sounds very nice, but I'm not buying a guitar with a hole in the side...
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
I do agree with you. I didn’t know it had that ‘feature’ when I clicked the buy button. But it is not a showstopper for me like those old preamp controls they used to cut into the top side of the guitar. And the piezos for those usually sounded terrible too. The plugged in sound of this RK is halfway decent btw.
@user-vz6sb3kh1r2 ай бұрын
Здравствуйте, что на Ваш взгляд предпочтительнее будет под вокал ymaha LL- 16,ll-16m или FG-3. лучше будет взять.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
Hi as they are all similar large body size I think they would all be similar for vocal accompaniment. It would be a case of which tone you prefer. Maybe think about trying smaller body sizes to see if those sit better with your voice. All the best from Australia 👋🇦🇺
@user-vz6sb3kh1r2 ай бұрын
👍👌🆗, спасибо,привет из России.
@felipebazan7103 ай бұрын
Hi! Do you know about finish? Nitro? Polyurethane? French polish?
@ramspencer54923 ай бұрын
The good over at brickhouse guitars are missing these, but taking out the underdaddle piezo and putting in those under the bridge plate ones... I heard it before and after and I can definitely hear an improvement in the tone... Something to consider. I'm seriously thinking about adding one of these to my collection and I would definitely take out the pizza. Thanks for the video! Side note .. I wish they would do one of these with the reserve tone woods... The aged Andirandok spruce.... Kind of a deluxe edition.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Thanks for your comment. I am also very interested in the adi top Tonewood Reserve series. I think they are the cheapest Adirondack guitars on the market. If you want crisp power the Adirondack is the way to go. I wonder if the tonewoods are built light like the 11 series though? That is a good thing about this series 11 000. My only gripe is the top strings are a bit thin. My Eastmans produce more depth and overtones. That said I really enjoy picking up the RK.l and it sounds spacious overall. I agree with you that removing the piezo might improve tone, but the pickup sounds very good so I will leave it be for now. PS I watch Brickhouse guitar videos and also JP Cormier. Go Canada, home of guitar tonewoods!
@ramspencer54923 ай бұрын
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel I don't think they are... I don't think they are particularly overbuilt But I think they're closer to your modern Yamahas and Martin's in terms of thickness and bracing... And they're going to have the relatively heavy polyurethane finishing.... (Which is really terrible, if not ideal) They do interest me as well! ... I think the QC is a bit higher on those.... But I wish I could pick through half a dozen or so to find one that I really liked!! The ones on KZread often sound quite different from one another to me... They don't sound quite as open as the 11 series to me... In all the examples I've heard... They Do they have great sounding attack with that Adirondack spruce... And some seem quite complex and resonant... They're a little hit and miss for people I think... Not a hard miss... I think everyone I've heard of finds them some at least respectable. Very desirable woods.... And I bet some of them are particularly exquisite... If only it were possible to handpick that special one. Yeah I can hear that the series 11 isn't the most complex in terms of overtones or chimey attack.... But it just has this warm open woody tone... It's a certain thing.
@ramspencer54923 ай бұрын
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel J.P. Cormier is so much fun! The main reason I would really to remove the under saddle pickup is that is one of those rounded thicker modern piezo's. They may sound a little better plugged in.... But it really affects the easy the bone resonates against the wood.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
@@ramspencer5492thanks for your comment. I think we are on the same page on these guitars. I am really appreciating my adi top Eastman dreadnought and have my eye on a tonewood reserve 000 with mahogany back. They are available from online Australian store for A$950. To get Adirondack for that price! . I agree it would be great to play first but it is 800 km away. Meanwhile I enjoy this series 11. Just a bit thin in the top strings of I’m picky. But overall very lively, spacious sounding with good volume. And enjoy the neck, string spacing and it plays well.
@ramspencer54922 ай бұрын
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel I just recently picked up Dreadnaught version if the series 11. It was temporarily $100 U.S off at Sweetwater. Surprisingly good guitar! It's also fortunately quite balanced for a Dreadnaught. It's in a phase where it's opening up and opens up when you play it and warm it up.... I hadn't done that in long enough that I forgot it was a thing with new guitars. I'm really happy with it so far. I've also had my eyes on a 000... Adirondack at that price is pretty crazy!
@ramspencer54923 ай бұрын
Such a great, old time classic sound. I didn't even know I was interested in this series! 😎
@ramspencer54923 ай бұрын
I bought a new old stock BR160 several years ago... Is a 2002.,..the wood is gradually opened and responsive.... Great guitar. It sounds a bit different than yours. It doesn't feel like anything is holding the tone back.... I'd like to get something if comparable quality, new... On addition to it..... Either a different back and sides tonewood, it name an OM.... That's some great more affordable options in this day and age.... It can be really hard to put your hand on them before you but, though.... Which is less than ideal... So much better to be able to pick a specific guitar!
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
There is nothing like age to improve the tone of a guitar. As long as the action remains good with enough saddle height they are the way to go. My almost 20 year old Eastman started to sound even better 2 years ago. Glad to hear you got a good old Blueridge. Agree it is a lottery buying sight unseen and researching a specific model is a good idea. Hope you get a good one!
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
This was recorded on an iPhone and even this picks up the bass, at least I think so. Comment if you agree or if you think I’m full of behs 😂
@chaddukes92213 ай бұрын
I have one. Mine had none of those set up issues. Its my favorite guitar, including my few Americans.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Glad to hear that. I have struggled with mine and prefer playing my old Samick Artist Les Paul copy. The Eastman ebony fretboards feels bigger and more unforgiving than other electrics. I need to take it for a setup with my luthier I guess. Am also considering swapping the magnets to A2.
@Waterbeach20003 ай бұрын
Update: hadn't watched whole thing before commenting re f'board. Am I right to think you go for the same measured action at both Es ? Most folk have a higher action at the bass side. If anyone goes for an equal action all over, then the sloping f'board trick doesn't work.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Hi, I go for 6/64 on low e and 5/64 or a bit less on high e. On this E3D this has resulted in the saddle being about level on both sides.
@Waterbeach20003 ай бұрын
Stumbled on this. The fingerboard sloping across to the bass side, is actually a *deliberate* thing which small scale luthiers have been practicing since forever. The idea is, that once the action at the 2 "Es" is the correct height above 12th fret, the overall plane/curve of the strings, will be parallel to the top, not sloping up towards the player, which is thought to provide the optimal shape for the hand, rather than sloping from bass to treble. I think that classical makers were first to do this. I have noticed it is there on all the Eastmans I've owned, and was impressed, because I considered it a deliberate touch, very unusual on mass produced guitars (ok hand-made, but mass produced in terms of product numbers). Cheers, from a Once Upon a Time guitar maker 🙂
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I must say I haven’t noticed this slope on my other Eastmans. What I do notice is the whole fretboard drops down a little after it joins the body, I guess to help keep the action from getting too low up there. The drop away on the E3DE is pronounced enough that the saddle on the low E side is a tad lover than on the high e side. Another Eastman owner commented he had one with the same ‘issue’. Perhaps it is something Dana Bourgeois brought to the table, along with the slightly smaller body dimensions on the R3. By the way the guitar is being kept in its case with a humidity bag and is is sounding very good.
@MaxRadin4 ай бұрын
That Junior sounds great - I'm about ready to pull the trigger and buy some Tonerider Rebels for a humbucker Les Paul style guitar.
@MaxRadin3 ай бұрын
I just put a pair in a Les Paul copy - they sound great and not too noisy either. I'm sold.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
I like the Tonerider pickups a lot. They are a bit unusual being English company with China production. Their scatter wound A2 humbuckers are nice.
@goofyjohn61914 ай бұрын
Good sounds
@Charlie-hp2oh4 ай бұрын
that trussrod adjusts very easy. Doesnt need force to be turned, compared to other guitars. Am I right ? doesnt seem normal
@turrafirmaguitarchannel2 ай бұрын
From memory that truss rod functioned OK. The neck was set pretty flat so it was doing its job. Problem with that action on that guitar was not because the neck had too much relief. Since this video I have started keeping my guitars in cases with humidity sacks to keep them dry. That has alleviated the issue with lifting action.
@rubenshulman194 ай бұрын
'promosm'
@turrafirmaguitarchannel4 ай бұрын
I should mention the capo is behind the second fret. So you are actually playing an E chord with the D shape. It’s good for E minor Celtic tunes.
@Wobbz94134 ай бұрын
That looks like mahogany. My LL16D is much darker. Can I see the label? You realise theres an LL16M, right?
@turrafirmaguitarchannel4 ай бұрын
It’s the rosewood LL16 for sure; the sunlight in the video makes the rosewood look lighter.
@austinriska66443 ай бұрын
@@turrafirmaguitarchanneldoes the LL 16m sound significantly different?
@turrafirmaguitarchannel4 ай бұрын
OK folks, my son told me, Dad, all the stuff on Ali Express is fake. It turned out the Chinese-made Daddario EJ16 strings I mention at the end of this video are counterfeit; right down to the packaging and the fake genuine ID number. Moral: if the price is too cheap to be true, It's most likely a lie. But the Grover tuners are most likely genuine. Why? because they are probably made in China: see this article about Grover not being transparent about where their tuners are made: www.fuelrocks.com/the-debate-over-where-grover-guitar-tuners-are-made/ In any case, the Grovers are working quite well on the Recording King 000, but I am happier with a set of cheaper Wilkinson vintage open backed tuners I also bought through the Ali Express app for my RK Single 0. in summary, if you are a guitar fancier and like to buy bits and pieces for your projects the Ali Express app is worth a look. Double check that the item you are looking at is manufactured in China. Clearly if it is proudly made in the US, UK or elsewhere it's not somehow going to fall off the back of a truck in China and be sold back to you for a song :) Keep on plucking.
@danielefatali51174 ай бұрын
Got.same.guitar and bought the Wilkinson same bridge as yours but It tilts forward and the strings buzz on the back of the bridge ... How a yours? Any suggest?
@drmether91505 ай бұрын
Hi!! Is this an electric acoustic?
@turrafirmaguitarchannel5 ай бұрын
Hi there! Neither of the guitars in this review had a pickup.
@atato13315 ай бұрын
looks like the DR 7 sigma
@turrafirmaguitarchannel5 ай бұрын
There is a current Sigma model that has similar specs to this old Korean Sigma. But they are actually different companies. The new Sigma brand is German and make the guitars in China, with permission to copy all the Martin designs.
@only1cel5 ай бұрын
Hey awesome video! You mentioned eastman... so eastmans weigh more do you you think that has an impact on the sound? And are eastman necks chunkier than recording kings?
@WysteriaGuitar4 ай бұрын
EASTMANs do not have chunky necks at all. Nice balanced C-shape
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Hi I agree with Wysteria guitar Eastman have balanced c shape necks, not chunky but not as skinny as the Blueridge necks I have played. This RK 000 neck is chunkier than the Eastman. It also feels spacious at nut and bridge. I will measure and post. RE weight, I think it gives the Eastmans a bit more sustain and depth. If I have a criticism of this RK is the upper strings are a tad thin sounding. But they ring pure.
@dishansolanki74985 ай бұрын
Thanks for video. Can you tell me where you sell your guitars?
@turrafirmaguitarchannel4 ай бұрын
Hi I used to sell them on eBay but the feee have become very high. If you are in Australia let me know and we could work something out. I have a few I would let go 😊
@rodnocker5055 ай бұрын
I’ve got the slash j45 but that Eastman sounds really good and resonant. I also like the matte or satin finish on your Eastman. Oh that ebony fretboard is nice too.
@ZXZ-im5gn5 ай бұрын
Awesome Review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@turrafirmaguitarchannel3 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@Steven_ologist5 ай бұрын
Nice playin at the end!
@user-lz9xz6lu3u6 ай бұрын
That Blueridge has major tuning issues by the looks of it!!!
@turrafirmaguitarchannel5 ай бұрын
Yes, it wasn’t rock solid in the tuning department. It didn’t last is the cut-throat world of my guitar collection 😄 I just upgraded tuners on a couple of my guitars and it makes a big difference. I made video about it.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel6 ай бұрын
Update: in the video I say the Yamaha is same dimensions as a dreadnought, in fact the lower bout is a little wider than a standard dreadnought and the body is a little deeper too. It is true that the E3DE is a little narrower and shallower than a standard dreadnought.
@natedunford30236 ай бұрын
I am very impressed with what little Eastman guitars I have played. Different tone than any other brand. But, I think Blueridge guitars are one of the best values around. I have a BR-180 and a BR-163CE, and they are both amazing. My Martins get much less playing time since I added the Blueridge’s to the stable. Everyone’s ear is a little different, and to each their own, but my money is on the Blueridge. Their necks are perfect, and so playable! Sound is amazing. If there are QC issues I have not seen them. The 2 I own, and the 2 my kids own, are nearly flawless.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel6 ай бұрын
That Blueridge I had in this review had a really spacious, loud and really warm tone. It was lovely! I personally found the neck profile to be too slim for my taste, that seems to be the way they do it, a ‘modern’ profile. A lot of people like it. Do you follow the Acoustic Shoppe on KZread? They review Eastmans all the time. They made a comment that Blueridge guitars varied a lot in quality. I can’t speak to that, but I would say that Eastman final setup and quality check has been patchy in my experience, but the overall quality and value for money makes up for this.
@turrafirmaguitarchannel6 ай бұрын
Hi, it does have the five piece neck, but the wood is almost the same colour, so it doesn’t show in the video. It is unusual that it is not the 2 darker strips.
Пікірлер
Cool! My next project!
la junior siempre es la mejor de todas....
Thanks for the review mate ..I'm now a subscriber! Just played one of these the other day in a shop in Newcastle NSW, and was blown away! Warm, mellow sound.. I agree neck is thinner - but that's what I'm after as comfort is hugely important for my hands! Agree top end could be better, and it's a sacrifice for the bottom end ..but value for money is great! As other's have reviewed - it's highly underrated, and beats big name guitars $3k+ in my opinion! Totally agree about Yamaha LL and LS26 (& higher) models. Very underrated as well! Thanks
I used to own a 1958 Martin D18. $1000 to straighten the neck but it sounded amazing. Now I have a 1978-81 Japanese Sigma DM18. More or less identical except the Sigma has an adjustable neck. Otherwise identical quality, identical quality sound as my 1958. The back and sides of the Sigma are said to be laminate but on mine they appear to be solid mahogany ( but I'm not an expert). The best Sigmas have two separate pressed serial numbers inside plus a cute impress stamp saying 'Sigma Guitars. Made in Japan for CF Martin & Co.' This was the pinnacle of the Martin Sigmas. Anything with a paper label inside, or no label at all, is probably Korean. Nice guitars, but never as good as their Japanese siblings. 1970s American-built low-end Martins had pretty patchy quality. I suspect the Japanese companies of the 1970s made extremely good Sigmas as a matter of pride, because Japan had faced humiliation by the American military just three decades or so earlier,.
The one I reviewed here was Korean and it was nice, but nowhere near US Martin quality in my opinion. I agree the earlier Japanese Sigmas are the best!
That Blueridge really sounds more complex, while the Eastman sounds like it needs more time to open up?!
I don’t own either of these guitars any more. The Blueridge did sound really nice. Complex as you say but also very warm which was surprising from the rosewood. Yes the Eastman was new and would have only got better. But that one had an issue with a lifting neck which required lowering the saddle extremely. Since then I have learned to keep my guitars in their cases with dehumidifier bags. This helps prevent the action deteriorating through excessive moisture. I did prefer that Eastman over the Blueridge.
You are right, front loaded cabs sound very direct and cold, as an example Ampeg V4 cab, or modern Engl XXL cab. Rear loaded speakers make a cab sounding way better, fuller and 3dimensional.
Thanks for your comment. I definitely noticed an improvement in the sound when I remounted the speakers. I didn’t know there were some cabs out there that chose front mounting. I wonder why? It can’t be a noob mistake as in my case 😂
Please learn to tune a guitar it drive my ears mad
based whistleblower
I bought mine 2-ish years ago. Also in Tobacco burst. Easily my favorite guitar. I have an American Tele and an American Jazzmaster, both circa 2005. Brilliant axe!!
I am thinking about getting the LL16 but there is none to found locally. I don't like buying acoustics online and don't like shipping back if it doesn't work out. I found a used one online in Tennessee, so I am just staring at it online. If I get the LL16 it will complete my acoustic lineup. Dreadnaught Guild d50 and smaller body Yamaha AC3M DLX are my other two main acoustics. I have two lower end guitars and they both sound lower end, no love lost there.
I have bought guitars online and I like to see a photo of the saddle height and a measurement of the action at the 12th fret. If those things are OK I will take a punt. Did you end up getting an LL16?
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel Haven't bought the LL16. Those photos are a good idea. There is no rush to buy. I am a bit curious about the rosewood vs. mahogany difference. Does it really matter all that much?
your first check should have been to put a straightedge from the first fret to the bridge (with no strings on), to see if the neck is set right from the factory. it's a simple check. if that was correct and your saddle needs to be lowered that far, then it is what it is. i have 2 mid '10s eastmans that both have fairly high saddles to get the action comfortable for me. the newest one i have requires less saddle, but the neck angle is correct. i haven't measured the height of the bridge itself, but i will now. chances are they are making them shorter at this time to save just a little in material. every bit counts when you're beginning to get into the production numbers that eastman is beginning to do.
I am not sure that Eastman would be saving money on shallower bridge. I rather suspect that there was a period where they set some of their necks with not enough angle and when they were an a straight edge they reduced bridge height to compensate. I also think that over the years they have tended to go with lower bridges to reduce the leverage of the strings, which would reduce the volume and tone but make the guitar more stable.
That turned out great! A one of a kind cabinet for sure.
Dont ask me whyyy
I discovered Eastman a little over a year ago when I picked up an sb59 electric. I know have 3 of them and am waiting for my first acoustic to arrive 😅.
I got a really good deal on a series 7 because the lower bout had a crack. I glued and cleated it. I love this little thing. I have a Martin O-18, but I play the Recording King waaaay more often.
What was the song you were playing to demonstrate the tone on both guitars?
Hi that is my own tune, it goes from the d minor shape to the d major and I play a g minor shape without the bottom e string.
Recycled 'n Rustic. Fantastic job mate !!
Many thanks!
Nailed it man 👏🏻
Looks good man, Im building mine soon too :) Converting Laney combo with 1x12 to head and separate 2x12 cab.
Hi, good luck with your build. One thing I didn’t point out in the video, you need to account for the depth of both the baffle and the frame for the fabric, I didn’t leave enough depth there when I did this one.
Cut that echo ,chum.
I do agree with you. I didn’t know it had that ‘feature’ when I clicked the buy button. But it is not a showstopper for me like those old preamp controls they used to cut into the top side of the guitar. And the piezos for those usually sounded terrible too. The plugged in sound of this RK is halfway decent btw.
Bought the LL16 12 string and was so impressed that I bought the LL16D. The Deluxe is all black gloss has different bindings and lots of abalone. Oh... Its sonorous like a grand piano. My third Yamaha guitar. Highly recommended. Also have the AC5R-ARE that is a step or so above these LL16 not to make them seem a poor choice but with a larger price comes incremental improvements. All great guitars, choose what fits your budget. Cheers.
Ooh, I have been looking at the Japan made AC5 too. I am waiting to play one when it comes in stock at my local music store. I do have 4 dreadnought type guitars though …
Thanks for the review... I was also considering to buy the 11 series 000. The reason for not buying it in the end was the battery compartment in the side. How can anyone build a nice guitar, then cut a hole into it and put an ugly piece of plastic in? It really makes me cringe... Too bad, the guitar sounds very nice, but I'm not buying a guitar with a hole in the side...
I do agree with you. I didn’t know it had that ‘feature’ when I clicked the buy button. But it is not a showstopper for me like those old preamp controls they used to cut into the top side of the guitar. And the piezos for those usually sounded terrible too. The plugged in sound of this RK is halfway decent btw.
Здравствуйте, что на Ваш взгляд предпочтительнее будет под вокал ymaha LL- 16,ll-16m или FG-3. лучше будет взять.
Hi as they are all similar large body size I think they would all be similar for vocal accompaniment. It would be a case of which tone you prefer. Maybe think about trying smaller body sizes to see if those sit better with your voice. All the best from Australia 👋🇦🇺
👍👌🆗, спасибо,привет из России.
Hi! Do you know about finish? Nitro? Polyurethane? French polish?
The good over at brickhouse guitars are missing these, but taking out the underdaddle piezo and putting in those under the bridge plate ones... I heard it before and after and I can definitely hear an improvement in the tone... Something to consider. I'm seriously thinking about adding one of these to my collection and I would definitely take out the pizza. Thanks for the video! Side note .. I wish they would do one of these with the reserve tone woods... The aged Andirandok spruce.... Kind of a deluxe edition.
Thanks for your comment. I am also very interested in the adi top Tonewood Reserve series. I think they are the cheapest Adirondack guitars on the market. If you want crisp power the Adirondack is the way to go. I wonder if the tonewoods are built light like the 11 series though? That is a good thing about this series 11 000. My only gripe is the top strings are a bit thin. My Eastmans produce more depth and overtones. That said I really enjoy picking up the RK.l and it sounds spacious overall. I agree with you that removing the piezo might improve tone, but the pickup sounds very good so I will leave it be for now. PS I watch Brickhouse guitar videos and also JP Cormier. Go Canada, home of guitar tonewoods!
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel I don't think they are... I don't think they are particularly overbuilt But I think they're closer to your modern Yamahas and Martin's in terms of thickness and bracing... And they're going to have the relatively heavy polyurethane finishing.... (Which is really terrible, if not ideal) They do interest me as well! ... I think the QC is a bit higher on those.... But I wish I could pick through half a dozen or so to find one that I really liked!! The ones on KZread often sound quite different from one another to me... They don't sound quite as open as the 11 series to me... In all the examples I've heard... They Do they have great sounding attack with that Adirondack spruce... And some seem quite complex and resonant... They're a little hit and miss for people I think... Not a hard miss... I think everyone I've heard of finds them some at least respectable. Very desirable woods.... And I bet some of them are particularly exquisite... If only it were possible to handpick that special one. Yeah I can hear that the series 11 isn't the most complex in terms of overtones or chimey attack.... But it just has this warm open woody tone... It's a certain thing.
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel J.P. Cormier is so much fun! The main reason I would really to remove the under saddle pickup is that is one of those rounded thicker modern piezo's. They may sound a little better plugged in.... But it really affects the easy the bone resonates against the wood.
@@ramspencer5492thanks for your comment. I think we are on the same page on these guitars. I am really appreciating my adi top Eastman dreadnought and have my eye on a tonewood reserve 000 with mahogany back. They are available from online Australian store for A$950. To get Adirondack for that price! . I agree it would be great to play first but it is 800 km away. Meanwhile I enjoy this series 11. Just a bit thin in the top strings of I’m picky. But overall very lively, spacious sounding with good volume. And enjoy the neck, string spacing and it plays well.
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel I just recently picked up Dreadnaught version if the series 11. It was temporarily $100 U.S off at Sweetwater. Surprisingly good guitar! It's also fortunately quite balanced for a Dreadnaught. It's in a phase where it's opening up and opens up when you play it and warm it up.... I hadn't done that in long enough that I forgot it was a thing with new guitars. I'm really happy with it so far. I've also had my eyes on a 000... Adirondack at that price is pretty crazy!
Such a great, old time classic sound. I didn't even know I was interested in this series! 😎
I bought a new old stock BR160 several years ago... Is a 2002.,..the wood is gradually opened and responsive.... Great guitar. It sounds a bit different than yours. It doesn't feel like anything is holding the tone back.... I'd like to get something if comparable quality, new... On addition to it..... Either a different back and sides tonewood, it name an OM.... That's some great more affordable options in this day and age.... It can be really hard to put your hand on them before you but, though.... Which is less than ideal... So much better to be able to pick a specific guitar!
There is nothing like age to improve the tone of a guitar. As long as the action remains good with enough saddle height they are the way to go. My almost 20 year old Eastman started to sound even better 2 years ago. Glad to hear you got a good old Blueridge. Agree it is a lottery buying sight unseen and researching a specific model is a good idea. Hope you get a good one!
This was recorded on an iPhone and even this picks up the bass, at least I think so. Comment if you agree or if you think I’m full of behs 😂
I have one. Mine had none of those set up issues. Its my favorite guitar, including my few Americans.
Glad to hear that. I have struggled with mine and prefer playing my old Samick Artist Les Paul copy. The Eastman ebony fretboards feels bigger and more unforgiving than other electrics. I need to take it for a setup with my luthier I guess. Am also considering swapping the magnets to A2.
Update: hadn't watched whole thing before commenting re f'board. Am I right to think you go for the same measured action at both Es ? Most folk have a higher action at the bass side. If anyone goes for an equal action all over, then the sloping f'board trick doesn't work.
Hi, I go for 6/64 on low e and 5/64 or a bit less on high e. On this E3D this has resulted in the saddle being about level on both sides.
Stumbled on this. The fingerboard sloping across to the bass side, is actually a *deliberate* thing which small scale luthiers have been practicing since forever. The idea is, that once the action at the 2 "Es" is the correct height above 12th fret, the overall plane/curve of the strings, will be parallel to the top, not sloping up towards the player, which is thought to provide the optimal shape for the hand, rather than sloping from bass to treble. I think that classical makers were first to do this. I have noticed it is there on all the Eastmans I've owned, and was impressed, because I considered it a deliberate touch, very unusual on mass produced guitars (ok hand-made, but mass produced in terms of product numbers). Cheers, from a Once Upon a Time guitar maker 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I must say I haven’t noticed this slope on my other Eastmans. What I do notice is the whole fretboard drops down a little after it joins the body, I guess to help keep the action from getting too low up there. The drop away on the E3DE is pronounced enough that the saddle on the low E side is a tad lover than on the high e side. Another Eastman owner commented he had one with the same ‘issue’. Perhaps it is something Dana Bourgeois brought to the table, along with the slightly smaller body dimensions on the R3. By the way the guitar is being kept in its case with a humidity bag and is is sounding very good.
That Junior sounds great - I'm about ready to pull the trigger and buy some Tonerider Rebels for a humbucker Les Paul style guitar.
I just put a pair in a Les Paul copy - they sound great and not too noisy either. I'm sold.
I like the Tonerider pickups a lot. They are a bit unusual being English company with China production. Their scatter wound A2 humbuckers are nice.
Good sounds
that trussrod adjusts very easy. Doesnt need force to be turned, compared to other guitars. Am I right ? doesnt seem normal
From memory that truss rod functioned OK. The neck was set pretty flat so it was doing its job. Problem with that action on that guitar was not because the neck had too much relief. Since this video I have started keeping my guitars in cases with humidity sacks to keep them dry. That has alleviated the issue with lifting action.
'promosm'
I should mention the capo is behind the second fret. So you are actually playing an E chord with the D shape. It’s good for E minor Celtic tunes.
That looks like mahogany. My LL16D is much darker. Can I see the label? You realise theres an LL16M, right?
It’s the rosewood LL16 for sure; the sunlight in the video makes the rosewood look lighter.
@@turrafirmaguitarchanneldoes the LL 16m sound significantly different?
OK folks, my son told me, Dad, all the stuff on Ali Express is fake. It turned out the Chinese-made Daddario EJ16 strings I mention at the end of this video are counterfeit; right down to the packaging and the fake genuine ID number. Moral: if the price is too cheap to be true, It's most likely a lie. But the Grover tuners are most likely genuine. Why? because they are probably made in China: see this article about Grover not being transparent about where their tuners are made: www.fuelrocks.com/the-debate-over-where-grover-guitar-tuners-are-made/ In any case, the Grovers are working quite well on the Recording King 000, but I am happier with a set of cheaper Wilkinson vintage open backed tuners I also bought through the Ali Express app for my RK Single 0. in summary, if you are a guitar fancier and like to buy bits and pieces for your projects the Ali Express app is worth a look. Double check that the item you are looking at is manufactured in China. Clearly if it is proudly made in the US, UK or elsewhere it's not somehow going to fall off the back of a truck in China and be sold back to you for a song :) Keep on plucking.
Got.same.guitar and bought the Wilkinson same bridge as yours but It tilts forward and the strings buzz on the back of the bridge ... How a yours? Any suggest?
Hi!! Is this an electric acoustic?
Hi there! Neither of the guitars in this review had a pickup.
looks like the DR 7 sigma
There is a current Sigma model that has similar specs to this old Korean Sigma. But they are actually different companies. The new Sigma brand is German and make the guitars in China, with permission to copy all the Martin designs.
Hey awesome video! You mentioned eastman... so eastmans weigh more do you you think that has an impact on the sound? And are eastman necks chunkier than recording kings?
EASTMANs do not have chunky necks at all. Nice balanced C-shape
Hi I agree with Wysteria guitar Eastman have balanced c shape necks, not chunky but not as skinny as the Blueridge necks I have played. This RK 000 neck is chunkier than the Eastman. It also feels spacious at nut and bridge. I will measure and post. RE weight, I think it gives the Eastmans a bit more sustain and depth. If I have a criticism of this RK is the upper strings are a tad thin sounding. But they ring pure.
Thanks for video. Can you tell me where you sell your guitars?
Hi I used to sell them on eBay but the feee have become very high. If you are in Australia let me know and we could work something out. I have a few I would let go 😊
I’ve got the slash j45 but that Eastman sounds really good and resonant. I also like the matte or satin finish on your Eastman. Oh that ebony fretboard is nice too.
Awesome Review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks!
Nice playin at the end!
That Blueridge has major tuning issues by the looks of it!!!
Yes, it wasn’t rock solid in the tuning department. It didn’t last is the cut-throat world of my guitar collection 😄 I just upgraded tuners on a couple of my guitars and it makes a big difference. I made video about it.
Update: in the video I say the Yamaha is same dimensions as a dreadnought, in fact the lower bout is a little wider than a standard dreadnought and the body is a little deeper too. It is true that the E3DE is a little narrower and shallower than a standard dreadnought.
I am very impressed with what little Eastman guitars I have played. Different tone than any other brand. But, I think Blueridge guitars are one of the best values around. I have a BR-180 and a BR-163CE, and they are both amazing. My Martins get much less playing time since I added the Blueridge’s to the stable. Everyone’s ear is a little different, and to each their own, but my money is on the Blueridge. Their necks are perfect, and so playable! Sound is amazing. If there are QC issues I have not seen them. The 2 I own, and the 2 my kids own, are nearly flawless.
That Blueridge I had in this review had a really spacious, loud and really warm tone. It was lovely! I personally found the neck profile to be too slim for my taste, that seems to be the way they do it, a ‘modern’ profile. A lot of people like it. Do you follow the Acoustic Shoppe on KZread? They review Eastmans all the time. They made a comment that Blueridge guitars varied a lot in quality. I can’t speak to that, but I would say that Eastman final setup and quality check has been patchy in my experience, but the overall quality and value for money makes up for this.
Hi, it does have the five piece neck, but the wood is almost the same colour, so it doesn’t show in the video. It is unusual that it is not the 2 darker strips.