First Jazz guitar Heritage? Eastman?

[keith7940236]

HI to all, I have enjoyed reading posts and especially appreciate opinions that everyone has on gear. I am new to jazz guitar, after 30+ years of folk guitar.
I want to purchase an electric guitar that I can get the nice warm jazz sound that I like.
I was wondering if anyone has an opinion that they would like to share regarding my purchase. I'm thinking of picking up a Heritage 575 as it seems to be the shape that I like and make the sound that I am looking for. I have seen a lot of talk about Eastman guitars. I notice that they have an AR803CE-16D on their web site that looks like it may be along the same lines.

Does anyone have any experience with that particular Eastman? Perhaps there is another in that general price range that I should also consider.

Thanks for the input.

[Jazzophobe]

That's my 575 in my Avatar...
I have 30 guitars. My 575 is the jewel of my collection (I also own Gibsons, Guilds, and Ibanez archtops).
I have flatwound 11's on my Heritage and it sounds wonderful. It is solid maple so the sound is somewhat different from that of, say, an ES 175 (for which it was originally patterned after). It has a very full tone for the size of the lower bout and sustains very well. I have had no issues with feedback (however, I do keep the gain down when I play it). I also own a 550 model...larger with a great sound, but there is just something about my 575 which keeps me playing it more than any of my others.
I cannot speak for the Eastman, but I have played a few and they are fine guitars also. Just my two cents...