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Arrived yesterday! Amazing sound and player. Tons of volume and true to the Gypsy tone.
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09-15-2020 01:49 PM
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Ohhhh - very jealous here. I've looked at these (online) a few times, but don't have the chops to do it justice. Can't wait to hear some Django-style playing!
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I have a thread on here somewhere from when I got mine. Old-school sound, and really well made. The DM stands for Doug Martin, one of the regulars here
Have fun with it!
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Ooh, that's a beauty! Congratulations, and play it in good health!
Last edited by citizenk74; 09-15-2020 at 09:29 PM. Reason: punk2ation
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Originally Posted by Lobomov
I am always surprised at how comfortable the long scale length (approx. 26.5") is on Macafferri style guitars. It seems counterintuitive that I can comfortably maneuver the fretboard, but it is really a fun guitar to play. The strings are a little heavy and the action is higher than I usually like. I can change the strings but have no intention of changing the height. I think I will adjust. All in all, it is a joy to play and I hope to eventually grow into it.
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Originally Posted by Lobomov
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by rsclosson
The wide, classical style fingerboard is surprisingly comfortable. It is an adjustment if you're used to a Martin style flattop, but you can get used to it.
The tone always leaps out of these guitars ready to dance. Such an exuberant sound.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
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Google tells me it's a 4mm Allen key.
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by Lobomov
Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk
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Here is a review for my Eastman. Maybe this will get the thread back on track:
I ordered my Eastman DM-1 CLA from Djangobooks through Amazon. (I ordered through Amazon instead of directly from Michael because I had built up major gift card credit which saved me a ton of money.) When the guitar arrived I was, of course, very impressed by the guitarists appearance. The antique classic finish is a sight to behold. And the rosewood back and sides were perfectly matched and beautiful. Upon first playing it, I was both impressed and just a little disappointed. It had a beautiful tone and impressive volume, but I kind of expected more. My first GJ guitar was a Cigano GJ-10 and I loved it. It was loud and rowdy; a bit unrefined which I really enjoyed. The Eastman sounded almost too subdued and, while I loved the feel of the ebony fretboard, the action seemed a little stiff. It felt like it was fighting me. I was not sure what string were installed. They looked a little old and felt like .011s. They were not Argentines for sure. I could tell by the lack of winding around the loop ends.
After a few days of playing, it grew on me and I was enjoying it more, but still wishing for a bit more energy. Finally, I installed a set of Argentine .010s and it came to life! While still more refined than the Cigano, it had a LOT more power and enough rowdiness to impress any Manouche guitarist. I also finally have the ability to bend and vibrato the way I am used to. There are a few spots on the fretboard that have some slight buzzing and I wonder if, due to the lower price on Amazon, the usual Djangobooks setup was not done. It is not enough to impair the sound, but eventually, when financially able, I will probably take it to a tech to see if it could use some slight tweaking.
All in all, it is (finally) far superior to my Cigano and extremely impressive. I will proudly jam and gig with it just as it is. A real keeper for sure!
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I have no idea how to get the pictures in the proper position.
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How is the neck on your Eastman Dm1, more on the thick side?
One thing I have a hard time to cope with on many Gypsyy guitars is the huge neck. I know the traditionalist like them like that, but for me they are sometimes at the limit of playable for people with small hands. You CAN always adapt, but I'd prefer a more regular size in the end.
And have you lowered the action a bit without fret buzz issues if so?
Thanks in advance
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Originally Posted by Jx30510
The neck is a chunky D shape. It felt like it was on the bigger side, but the shape was more prohibitive for me than the depth. All down to personal preference, I just happen to like a C shape. Because you're in France, I'd look for a used build like Dupont Nomad or even save a bit longer and have something from Cyril Gaffiero. You're in the most perfect place in the world to find brilliant manouche guitars.
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Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am looking for a Dupont Nomad by the way!
A bit curious about the Eastman since I have a T64 that I really love.. But Eastman might be a little too young in the Gypsy Guitar area to have made up their game yet.
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Originally Posted by Jx30510
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I bought a DM1 last January. I began looking for a Sel-mac in 2019, after playing a friend's Craig Bumgarner, which was superb. My local store(for whom I do repair work) is an Eastman dealer, and since a Bumgarner was out of my budget, I suggested they bring in a DM1. They did, and I rented it for a month. At that time, I was not too impressed, and returned it. Fast forward to last January, when I tried the same DM1, still in the store. Very nice! I ended up bringing it home. While, yes, it's not a Bumgarner, it's an excellent instrument, especially for the money. Good tone, volume, build quality and fretwork. I have not played any other Asian Sel-mac copies, so I can't compare, but I'm very pleased with my DM1.
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Mine is getting better with age and playing. Plenty of Manouche vibe for me.
Cheap floating humbuckers
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