Compare Eastman guitars

[jzucker]

you can velcro fishing weights near the endpin jack to solve the balance problem. Doesn't take much...

[basile865]

I know this is a little late but I finally was able to get over to Sound Pure and try out and compare a few Eastman guitars.

I was very impressed with the build quality. They all were light weight, comfortable neck carves, solid strong jacks, pots and selector switch if equipped. Fit and finish was top notch - excellent stuff. I tried numerous models although the El Rey wasn't in stock. Mostly 15", 16" hollow bodies.

I did compare them to a few Benedetto models as well as a used Sadowsky that was in stock. The Eastmans held their own against much more expensive guitars. Only thing I found on one of them was the frets felt a little grindy when using any vibrato. Thats one of my biggest pet peeves on a guitar, but then again they're not really designed to have notes bent too much - but I come from a blues background and thats part of my sound.

They are a good enough deal that I would spend the extra money on having the frets polished or re crowned to be a little smoother and you'd still come out with an instrument with excellent value and tone.

They were very close to the Benedetto models I played, however the Benedettos seemed just a tiny tiny bit more uniform across the fretboard. I'm used to a guitar having a few sweet spots in the neck that just sound better - I was very impressed with one of the Benedetto's I played having equal volume and resonance anywhere on the fretboard - even past the 12th fret.

But for half the money if not more then half, Eastman gets my vote. Great guitars.

[jzucker]

a fret level/polishing should run less than $75. Most shops will do that as part of the sale.