The Loar acoustic archtops

[Anandbhat]

The eastman non-cutaways look awesome! Which model did you get?

[Retroman1969]

Norman,
Funny you post this now. I just got back from the music store trying out a couple of Eastman non-cutaway acoustic archtops and I was really amazed at the volume and depth of tone from them. Very tempting.

PS: They said they had to order in several more AR371s because my post of mine on this forum, according to them, prompted interested calls from all over the country. LOL! Crazy!

[Norman931]

Originally Posted by Anandbhat

The eastman non-cutaways look awesome! Which model did you get?

It is the AR810, sunburst. GuitarsnJazz listed it used on ebay a few weeks back, and I was the only bidder. I suspect the photos were off-putting, as the guitar appeared to have a garish red hue in the sunburst that is really quite subtle in ordinary light. In fact, I was pleased to find the sunburst finish was quite well done, and the guitar is fantastic for what I paid.

[Anandbhat]

Saw this video the other day and was so impressed!

Eastman AR810 Acoustic Archtop Guitar - YouTube


Great buy.Enjoy!

[Norman931]

Originally Posted by Anandbhat

Saw this video the other day and was so impressed!

Eastman AR810 Acoustic Archtop Guitar - YouTube


Great buy.Enjoy!

Great review. He's right about the projection. It does respond nicely to a soft touch, but you can whack it with a heavy pick and be heard over the kettledrums!

[mark6110]

Hi All,
I am new to the forum and a recent convert to Jazz. I read this thread a few weeks ago and decided on balance to buy a Loar LH-650-VS. Bearing all of the feedback from this thread in mind I decided to try to find a dealer here in Spain, but I had no luck. I have used Thomann in the past, but have to agree that they do not do any quality checks before dispatching, although they are very fast to put things right. I looked around on-line and found a dealer in Ireland (my original homeland) Kieran Moloney instruments, Galway. I phoned him and asked if he would check through his stock and pick out the best finished guitar he had, and fit it with a set of flat wound 10`s ( a mistake on my part) and do a set up. I also asked him to go over the guitar in detail and sent a list of the problems' people on this forum have found with the Loar`s. I ordered the guitar on a Friday, and it arrived the following Thursday. The price, including postage strings and setup, was the same as Thomann.
Other than the glue mark near the bridge (which he found on all his stock) the guitar is perfect. It has the lowest buzz-free action of any of my guitars, even set up for the 10`s I ordered. The finish is flawless, and the tone is amazing. This will be my new go to guitar. If you can get a good one, properly set up, I reckon it is by far and away the best value for the money.
Just my 3 cents worth!
Thanks for all the advice and feedback, it made my buy pain free.

[Rob MacKillop]

Well done, Mark. I agree - if you are willing to accept there might be the odd flaw here and there, you will be very happy with this guitar. And the action is very easy to change, as the dials on the bridge move easily without having to detune the strings. Now treat yourself to some beautiful Philippe Bosset strings :-)

[mark6110]

Thanks for the tip Rob, I will try to find some here. Still loving this guitar, sometimes it sounds as if I can actually play!

[ruiner54]

oh man! I don't know it is about that archtop but I love the look of it. I think it's the fact that it's minimalist yet still elegant.

COngrats!