Eastman AR503CE - alternatives?

[thirdspace]

Hi all - my first post - go easy

I recently tried an Eastman AR503CE - kinda fit the bill in several areas including:
Acoustic volume/sound - important as I play in a big band and other scenarios where Freddie Green style is required
Body shape and size (I liked the slightly shallower depth, and am a person of smaller size)
Build quality
Price point

But - not keen on the neck (I know some are so apologies) - way to clubby for me, I do like the necks on the Eastman centre block thinlines and my Ibanez AS50 for example - I guess they are more like a regular electric guitar.

So - are there any alternatives you would recommend? I see Godin do the 5th Avenue model but don't know much about it - I see it has 2 p/u's so presumably that limits acoustic volume? Anyway - all suggestions considered - and thanks in advance

[2bornot2bop]

I’ve seen great buys for used AR503’s hovering around $1k. In today’s market that’s very tough to beat. The only guitar I believe eclipses the 503 is a used Epiphone Premium ES175. Those are as close to an actual ES175 as you’ll find. And they too can be found for $1k.

Many here are unfamiliar with that guitar, while many others here swear by it, and several threads here attest to it’s greatness.

If you’re curious about it, there’s 1 available for sale here. For $900, that guitar is as good as you’ll find anywhere.

2014 Epiphone ES-175 Premium - Atlanta / Local Pickup - $900 OBO

[Donnd]

For an archtop with a solid top and single (floating) pickup perhaps consider the Peerless Monarch. It is visually similar to the AR503 and there are a couple for sale on Reverb for less $ than a new AR503. The nut width is 1.69” so it’s slimmer than the 1.72” on the Eastman.

[2bornot2bop]

For an archtop with a solid top and single (floating) pickup perhaps consider the Peerless Monarch. It is visually similar to the AR503 and there are a couple for sale on Reverb for less $ than a new AR503. The nut width is 1.69” so it’s slimmer than the 1.72” on the Eastman.

I’ve owned several Monarchs, and several Cremona’s. They perform very well. But I couldn’t jell with their Polyester finish.

The Epiphone is finished in Nitro lacquer, which allows the natural tone to shine through.

[Tom Karol]

...But - not keen on the neck (I know some are, so apologies) - way too clubby for me. I do like the necks on the Eastman centre block thinlines and my Ibanez AS50 for example - I guess they are more like a regular electric guitar.

It's funny - and this is not a criticism - the neck on my Eastman AR403ce (one of the 1st ones made - 25" scale / 1.75" nut width) is to me about the most comfortable I've ever played. I don't know if it's the same as later AR403/503's. FWIW, my 2nd favorite is on my Godin Montreal Premiere (24.75" scale / 1.72" nut width). Different folks / different strokes!

[John A.]

Hi all - my first post - go easy

I recently tried an Eastman AR503CE - kinda fit the bill in several areas including:
Acoustic volume/sound - important as I play in a big band and other scenarios where Freddie Green style is required
Body shape and size (I liked the slightly shallower depth, and am a person of smaller size)
Build quality
Price point

But - not keen on the neck (I know some are so apologies) - way to clubby for me, I do like the necks on the Eastman centre block thinlines and my Ibanez AS50 for example - I guess they are more like a regular electric guitar.

So - are there any alternatives you would recommend? I see Godin do the 5th Avenue model but don't know much about it - I see it has 2 p/u's so presumably that limits acoustic volume? Anyway - all suggestions considered - and thanks in advance

I suggest looking at the single pickup, non-Cutaway version of the Godin 5th Avenue (aka "Kingpin"). I had one of those for a while. If you put roundwounds on it (especially Martin Monels) it has a pretty big acoustic voice, and the electric sound is great. The neck is less chunky than an ar503, but the radius is 16" (which is flat for an archtop). The lack of cutaway isn't really an issue on this guitar. The fingerboard is significantly higher relative the body than on most other archtops, which allows for pretty good upper fret access.

The P90 sounds great, but it's a P90, which means single coil hum. There are solutions to that (e.g., EHX Hum Debugger), but it's something to be aware of. FWIW, when I was looking to replace my Kingpin I tried a couple of ar503s. I really wanted to like them, but I preferred the Kingpin. IMO, it has almost as much acoustic volume as the 503 and a warmer tone.