New Eastman ar-175 released in Japan

[clem_gael]

Two new "gigging" guitars released in Japan:

TAURUS CO., - EASTMAN GUITARS AR403CE - AR175CE

Note the prices are showed in U.S $
Who will be the first?

[Drifter]

I think the AR-403CE is the real stunner of the two.

[Steve Z]

I do like the look of the AR175ce...

[Meggy]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

I do like the look of the AR175ce...

Me too! Actually I think I prefer it appearance-wise to the ar403ce model. Clearly looks a lot like a Gibson, but it's a great look all the same.

[goshawk]

I'm with Drifter - I'll take the 403, please. Although the 175 also is very nice. I'm guessing that's the production model of the prototype Steve from Eastman posted here a few weeks ago. Also looks like they're coming in at the price point he mentioned, with a list of US$999.

[jorgemg1984]

I am on the 175 side here

[cargoshorts]

I've got my suspicions that it's a "stenciled" Peerless Gigmaster with a metal trapeze tailpiece and a Plain Top. I've seen so much that's been stenciled throughout my life in the way of Guitars and Saxaphones that I've become highly suspicious.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't take it either. I've played some really terrible Gibson 175's - the quality is all over the place, that said a lot depends on whom the original owners were too. Some people just do not care and are neglectful. But the consistency of excellence coming out of Asia for the last 15-20 years has been stellar.
5 years ago I thought Korea and Japan were there at the summit and still are
but look over yonder because here comes Indonesia.
And the Indonesians are doing Amazing at beginner prices.

[poolnjazz]

Here's a short sample video I found of the 403... Hopefully some 175 clips will show up soon. I'm kinda new to jazz guitars but the 175 looks like a great option without having to spend 3k... especially if they build it lefty.

YouTube - ‪Kanaal van musiclandkey‬‏

[mambosun]

Like the 175 too, but still have to check if Eastman guitars are available in France.

[mark105]

I like the look of the 403, I wish they would have done the demo with flatwounds. I wonder what the price will be on that one.

[jorgemg1984]

Gibson is making piles of money selling 175 at that price, the ones I have tried were at best ok guitars.. if the eastman is good is all they have to get is good marketing.

[AZanshin]

Team AR-403CE on this one. Would be nice if the neck was bound.
With the current conversion rates thats 739.893 GBP I will buy!

[Steve Z]

I asked the Eastman folks about these new guitars on the Eastman FB page... Eastman Guitars | Facebook

Me:
It looks like the AR-175CE is now available in Japan... any idea when it as well as the AR145 and 150 will be available in the US? Any chance these guitars will be the Summer NAMM? Either way I'll be stopping by on Friday once I get into town. Cheers.

Eastman reply:
Well, they are not here yet. We requested some minor changes in the specifications of the AR175CE and do not yet have an update on when we may see those. I know they will not be here anytime before mid-August. We do have a few AR405CE and AR 503CE in for evaluation. The first evaluation samples of the AR145 and AR150 will be arriving sometime around the first of August. Please keep in mind though, these are only evaluation models. We often make changes and you will likely see the first ones available for USA purchase in November or so.

[clem_gael]

ar-503ce ?

[Jazzpunk]

What's the neck carve like on the Eastman guitars? My fat neck ES335 has made me a fan of thicker necks but the options seem to be limited out there.

Eastman seems to really cater to the hollow body/ archtop crowd which I dig. I'll have to track down some of their archtops to try out in person.

[AZanshin]

Originally Posted by clem_gael

ar-503ce ?

Thats the AR-503CE
Solid top with laminate back and sides, great guitar at a great price. Inc. case.

Soild Spruce Top
Laminate Maple Back + Sides
Ebony Fingerboard
25" Scale
1 3/4" Nut Width
Single Kent Armstrong Pickup
Body Depth 2-3/4"
Lower Bout 16"

[SamBooka]

Funny.. like the 25 in scale better that 24 3/4 (but I doubt I would notice it or if I did would get used to it fast) BUT... the extra 1/2 in depth is nice on the 175.

I have an ES165.. looks close enough for me

[Marto]

Like a few others here I really like the look of the ar-403ce I look forward to finding out more about these guitars as they go into production. I could not find any info on the Eastman website yet but if they are decent instruments and around a grand they should sell quite a few.

[stegre]

Originally Posted by cargoshorts

I've got my suspicions that it's a "stenciled" Peerless Gigmaster with a metal trapeze tailpiece and a Plain Top. I've seen so much that's been stenciled throughout my life in the way of Guitars and Saxaphones that I've become highly suspicious.

But that doesn't mean I wouldn't take it either. I've played some really terrible Gibson 175's - the quality is all over the place, that said a lot depends on whom the original owners were too. Some people just do not care and are neglectful. But the consistency of excellence coming out of Asia for the last 15-20 years has been stellar.
5 years ago I thought Korea and Japan were there at the summit and still are
but look over yonder because here comes Indonesia.
And the Indonesians are doing Amazing at beginner prices.

Nope, sorry... your speculation is not correct. It was entirely built by hand by Eastman in our factory. We do not have others build for us. I have worked with our builders a lot on building these to our specs. I want one so I can go gig with it !

Steve from Eastman

[mambosun]

Nice guitars but not for me (champagne taste but beer budget)

[Billnc]

Originally Posted by stegre

Nope, sorry... your speculation is not correct. It was entirely built by hand by Eastman in our factory. We do not have others build for us. I have worked with our builders a lot on building these to our specs. I want one so I can go gig with it !

Steve from Eastman

A store I teach at just got Eastman, the quality of the flattops has me wanting one of the archtops in the worst way, they don't have one to play but I have no doubt they are great. I will get one and my present guitar will be the spare!

I like the 403 best.

[Al_F]

Steve, I like the 175 & will be looking for one around December. Will the nut width in the US be 1 11/16 or 3/4...?

[Jabberwocky]

Steve of Eastman Guitars, please make the nut-width 1.75". And have it available in Antique Natural or Violin Burst Finish. Could I have some curly maple please? Ibanez can do it for $600 in the AF105NT.

[hallpass]

Wow, I like the 175 look of these Eastmans. Will $995 really be the USA price?

I have an Ibanez AK105SM that has a 175 shape (but slightly smaller size) that I love. So not sure I'd try the Eastman...but you never know.

[fep]

Love the look of the 403CE, that looks like an Eastman. (Not a fan of the fancy inlay position markers on the 175, love the no position markers look of all the other Eastmans)

Not sure how I feel about the different body depth and scale lengths between the two. I do have small hands, maybe the 175 would feel better to me.

I'm thinking I'd probably prefer the shallower body depth of the 403ce though, after all these are not being designed for their ability to sound good acoustically, with the laminate top they are clearly electric guitars.

[Pres1956]

Either of these could very well be my next.

[cargoshorts]

Originally Posted by stegre

Nope, sorry... your speculation is not correct. It was entirely built by hand by Eastman in our factory. We do not have others build for us. I have worked with our builders a lot on building these to our specs. I want one so I can go gig with it !

Steve from Eastman

'preciate You jumping in to settle that Steve.
BTW...did Ya happen to notice who's attempting "The Eastman Look" kinda sorta?
Check out Michael Kelly's new Jazzbox - it's called an "heirloom worn" or something like that. Looks like they've been really studying what You Guys have been doing.

I'd love to see that "175" of Yours without the dual parallelograms but instead with Eastman's traditional dark fretboard - makes it look so classy IMO.
The hashmarks make it another Gibson Wannabee plus the fact that the money saved can go into a better Bill Of Materials.
I might be totally alone on this...BUT...I much prefer "The Eastman Look" over anything else out there.
Naked Fretboards are aristocratic and pure.
Just my opinion.
Even the noble L-5 CES is looking a little "dated" with it's Block Inlays.

[bluewaterpig]

I have a question.

So the Gibson 175s have a trademark "tubby" jazz sound, yet they sport the same Classic 57s that nearly all of the Gibson high end models use.

Does that tone really come from the unique body shape?

[Retroman1969]

How did I miss this one? Love it, and I'm sure it will be a quality example among 175-style guitars.
Overall though, my favorite jazz archtop look is turning more and more to the classic Eastman look, clean fretboards, understated pickguards, rich violin-like finishes, etc...

[jorgemg1984]

Gibson uses Classic 57 in lots of guitars. The old ones are supposed to be great, the new ones are OK, they certainly don't deserve the money Gibson asks for them.