Eastman AR 503 Tone ?

[Fear the Reaper]

Just curious if you own one how is the tone with the solid spruce top, laminated maple back, 3 piece maple neck, and seth lover pickup? 16" lower body and 9/16" rim width.

[jazzshrink]

Have you reached out to fellow member AllanAllen? He has one for sale here.

[Fear the Reaper]

Not sure about buying currently as I am interested in the AR480 model also. About the same price for both. But different configuration for some aspects.
Also, with Sweetwater I can try both,when they are back in stock and return within 30 days.

Have you reached out to fellow member AllanAllen? He has one for sale here.

[nyc chaz]

I have played the 503 and i own a 480.The 503 sounded better played acoustically to me,if that is important to you..Plugged in they sound slightly different but i can't say one is better than another.The 503 has a solid top and the 480 is all laminare.I will say i love my 480,it's a lot of guitar for what it sells for.

[339 in june]

I own an Eastman AR503, but I play it unplugged only, so that I string it with Phosphore Bronze
I bought it new ten years ago or so, and at that time, pick up was Kent Armstrong not Seth Lover. I have not been impressed by the plugged in sound then, but I love the acoustic sound and volume
And playability is top !

[Bflat233]

I have the 480 - it’s got good acoustic projection, which is great for the practice room unplugged. But it’s an electric guitar. It is rich plugged in. List to Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night at Birdland - late 2023 shows to see what it’s capable of.

[Fear the Reaper]

Thank you. Just what I was looking for.

I have played the 503 and i own a 480.The 503 sounded better played acoustically to me,if that is important to you..Plugged in they sound slightly different but i can't say one is better than another.The 503 has a solid top and the 480 is all laminare.I will say i love my 480,it's a lot of guitar for what it sells for.

[AllanAllen]

The 503 is acoustically louder and woodier than my modern laminate Epiphone Broadway.

If you like a 25” scale and 16” body you can’t go wrong with an Eastman.

Plugged in, I dunno, the amp colors this so much. It’s a Humbucker, sounds like a Humbucker to me.

[2bornot2bop]

This!