One of the hallmarks of Eastman's instruments is their high level of craftsmanship. The company's guitars, for example, are made using traditional techniques, such as hand-carving and hand-graduating the tops and backs. This attention to detail results in instruments that have a warm, rich sound and a high level of playability. Qian Ni, an accomplished flutist from Beijing, founded Eastman in 1992 after graduating from the Boston University School of Music. He never imagined that over the course of 30 years, the company would grow from a small business operated out of the back of his car into a global music supplier.