Eastman T145

bwashabaugh · #1 09-04-2011, 07:37 PM

Anyone own one of these and care to comment on the sounds that the guitar can achieve? I have been eying a few of these at Bernunzio music but am a bit nervous about dropping all of my guitar budget into something I haven't held in my hands.

I am also curious if anyone knows why Eastman has discontinued this model?

Thanks,
Benjamin

Loobs · #2 09-05-2011, 05:25 AM

Try to play one. I'd never drop serious $ on a guitar without first playing it.

Bflat · #3 09-05-2011, 06:15 AM

Hi,

My guitar teacher has one. Plays very nice. The sound is very mellow and sweet. You could get the tone of a full bodied archtop out of it. He did have some issues with it though. There was some buzzing due to some fret problem. He also had to get the bridge changed (the radius didn't match the neck radius). I certainly could't tell by playing it; i thought it was fine. He is pretty particular.

I was considering to buy a used one from private seller last year. When i checked it out it had some serious buzzing on the frets and the action was way high. Sighting down the neck it was almost twisted and bowed. He wanted about 900 for it but i felt these issues may not be able to be fixed so i passed.

To make a long story short, try one if you can. If not, try to get a discount for a thorough set up by a pro and a money back guaranty.

Hope it works out!

PS. I have an eastman 803. Bought it on line. It took $60 worth of tlc to get it playing the way it should.

BigMikeinNJ · #4 09-05-2011, 07:04 AM

I had a T146smd that I bought used - the guy had had J Hale Music install new wiring, push pull pots and SD Seth Lovers in it. Having had a Byrdland or three I can say the T146 comes very close in sound to what a Byrdland will give you. You can rock and roll, play blues or jazz easily.

The T145 is only one inch narrower at the lower bout. Look around online for one used and save yourself some money, maybe you'll find one already upgraded which is a plus. Most people take pretty good care of their gear so with a used Eastman maybe you'll be looking at a little nick at the headstock or back, who cares ? I have purchased 3 used Eastmans just by looking at them online in ads. Never had a single problem with any of them. I love the Eastman neck profile...

Good luck deciding

the T146 is on the right, these are very highly underrated guitars.

Loobs · #5 09-05-2011, 07:42 AM

I played one last week with the single pickup. It was very nice. Sounded very close to a big box.