Eastman E20D Thermo-Cure Large Sound Hole

Eastman E20D TC Large Sound Hole – a tribute to a legendary dreadnought

Some guitars are more than just instruments—they tell stories , weathered, damaged, yet invaluable to the music made on them. The inspiration behind this Eastman E20D Thermo-Cure Large Sound Hole is such a guitar: a heavily modified 1935 Martin D-28 once owned by Clarence White —and later by none other than Tony Rice .

The original D-28 began its second life in dire condition: a thin top, a replaced fingerboard, a significantly enlarged sound hole—and the usual battle scars. But it was precisely that raw character that contributed to Clarence White's groundbreaking style within bluegrass. His guitar survived everything—from BB gun hits to near misses with trucks—and ultimately ended up as collateral for a loan.

Yet that wasn't the end of her story. Young Tony Rice once saw Clarence live with this guitar, and years later, he had the chance to play and own it himself. Despite cracks, a worn bridge plate, and countless repairs, it remained his main instrument until his death . Even a flood couldn't stop it – it was rescued from his submerged house and brought back to life.

The E20D TC Large Sound Hole is a heartfelt tribute to this legendary instrument. Its most striking feature is the enlarged sound hole – a result of wear and tear and modifications to the original, and considered by many to be the key to its enormous projection and powerful bass response. Eastman deliberately adopted this characteristic, with audible results.

The top is made of thermo-cured Adirondack spruce , which provides a faster response and a tone reminiscent of a well-played vintage instrument. Thanks to the Thermo-Cure process, the guitar sounds open and mature from day one. The back and sides are all-solid, with Indian rosewood for the back and sides—a classic combination that produces a rich, layered sound with powerful lows and sparkling overtones.

The mahogany neck has an even C profile , making it comfortable and familiar for those who frequently play dreadnoughts. The ebony fingerboard has a 12" radius and a 1 3/4" bone nut, making this guitar play smoothly—whether you're flatpicking, fingerstyle, or strumming.

Eastman demonstrates here just how serious they are about building high-quality guitars with soul. The E20D TC Large Sound Hole is more than just a nod to the past – it's an instrument with character, punch, and history in every note.