2003 Eastman John Pisano - buy now or wait until later?

[docsteve]

My father passed away two months ago and left me a little money. Some of it (2000-3000 €) I'm willing to spend on a guitar, as he was a jazz lover, and always very supportive of myself making music. Besides, it would be one thing to have and cherish that reminds me of him, so it should be special in a way, and better than my current instrument.

On Saturday, I thought I'd start to do some shopping, basically just to see what's around at the moment.

Lo and behold - I found a used Eastman John Pisano from around 2003 in very good shape. An excellent instrument with stunning looks, great playability, and of course a great jazz sound. Somebody sold their collection to the store, and this guitar is part of it. Asking price is 3000 € and it's worth it.

The person at the store said I'd better get it as soon as possible, since he's going to put it on the web soon, and at the price it's likely to go fast. I don't have ready money at the time, and it's not quite clear yet how much money will actually be left when all the bills are paid (it's going to be enough for several guitars, though).

Now what would you advise me to do? Spend the money now, live with the overdraft for a month or three - or risk it and wait? Or just wait till I have the money ready and another one comes along?

[spencer096]

sincere condolences on your dad's passing.

it's a loaded question, since a lot of the value here is psychological/sentimental. is the used market for mid-to-high level archtops relatively deep in your area? or are them coming around a rare occurance? in either case, there isn't a scenario where i'd be comfortable with any type of financial liability coming from a guitar purchase. id personally wait til you know what you have, then seriously start looking for a permanent keeper after that. things are moving galacially slow on the archtop market as it is...id be comfortable calling their bluff, knowing there's going to be another pisano out there down the road too.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Each of us might answer your question differently, because there are so many factors to consider. First of all for me would be how much I love the guitar in question. Your personal and family finances are a strong consideration, and if / how much you need and would play it are also important.

The 880CE is a gorgeous, carved solid instrument that’s a wonderful guitar. I see them on the used market from time to time, so another will come along if you pass on this one. Condition is obviously very important. If this one is outstanding, the asking price sounds fair to me (from what I know of its market). But you should think a little about what you’d pick as a lasting memorial to your father. If this guitar is truly something you’d treasure anyway, it seems like a fine way to keep your dad’s memory alive. But if it’s just the first interesting one to come along, think hard about whether it’s really special to you.

Deficit spending is something I avoid, but that’s one of those personal issues.

[nyc chaz]

I have zero knowledge of European Eastman prices,but here in the states that price would be high for a used Eastman,especially from 2003.I would never advise anyone to go into debt to buy a guitar

[Sigmund451]

Im also sorry for your loss.

I find that to be quite a high price. I also would look at later Eastmans. I dont have experience with them myself but overall the impression I get from the web is that they really started to impress after 2009-10.

The person at the store wants to make a sale. Almost no archtop sells fast, especially when overpriced. If they are a Gibson and a bargain they will move. An overpriced Eastman will be there next year. Eastmans flagship (the 910) will sell for that price or less in the EU. Id take my time and shop.

Also being in the EU and having had to deal with estates...dont count on the estate closing and paying off quickly. Those who handle estates make lots of promises but you could be looking at much more than a couple of months. I wouldnt go into debt on a guitar that isnt especially unique.

[Aiq]

FWIW I recently got a 2018 priced at $2977.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

FWIW I recently got a 2018 priced at $2977.

Out of curiosity, I just checked the current Euro to USD exchange rate, and I didn't realize where our currency is on the scale. The asking price on this one is a bit over $3400 USD, which is pretty steep even if it's absolutely perfect.

[2bornot2bop]

A 2003 Eastman John Pisano?!

That’s a rare bird? According to Google Eastman began building the Pisano guitar in 2003.

And that guitar looks nothing like the later guitars. It’s suggested the 2003 model was 17”, opposed to the 16” guitars later built by Eastman.

As it has been said, in America $3k would be ridiculously high.

I’d stay away until I could actually pay cash for something, and I’d pass on that specific guitar.

My buddy Steve bought this 2003 Pisano a few years ago. it’s 17”

[AllanAllen]

The Pisano is one of their top models, it's not an AR503.

[SierraTango]

I've owned my Pisano 880 since 2006, it's a 2005 build. I've done hundreds of gigs with it, it's got one of the most comfortable neck profiles I've ever played. As I have posted before, after a bad experience with a Eastman 7 around year 2000, each time I went to NAMM I followed the progress of the quality. Around 2003 everything seems to take a giant leap to world class-my understanding is/was that Mark Lacey (RIP) was hired as a consultant and helped improve the products.
I also think that the one the OP is considering in way above market, at least in the US. It won't sell quickly at that price, and if you truly love it and are inspired by it, make a reasonable offer-I'd start at $1750.
Also, if you are looking for a "legacy" instrument, wait until you get all the readies in your account and look very hard into Guild guitars. They can be really superb and are generally underpriced. Yeah, yeah I know only the X700 and AA are fully carved. Or just get a Gibson-money in the bank.

[nyc chaz]

Just want to say to the OP,if you really dig the sound and feel of that 880,you might want to check out the 680 if you can find one.It has a mahogany back instead of maple on the 880 and gives the guitar a warmer sound in my opinion.