Seeking info about an Eastman Archtop

[Vin1]

Hello Everyone!

I’ve been wondering about an Eastman archtop, model AR603CED-15.
They seem to be pretty rare and there are none advertised in the New England area where I live.
If anyone has any experience with this model I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!
Vin1

[nyc chaz]

I got to play one of these a few months ago.Terrific guitar.The sound of this guitar is less bright than other Eastmans probably due to the mahogany back ,sides and neck.Can't go wrong with it's Seth Lover pickups.One of my favorite guitars is my AR910 but i really liked the warmth of the 603 in contrast to my 910.If you are considering getting one,now might be a good time to buy considering tariffs might hike the price of these guitars soon.

[Vin1]

I got to play one of these a few months ago.Terrific guitar.The sound of this guitar is less bright than other Eastmans probably due to the mahogany back ,sides and neck.Can't go wrong with it's Seth Lover pickups.One of my favorite guitars is my AR910 but i really liked the warmth of the 603 in contrast to my 910.If you are considering getting one,now might be a good time to buy considering tariffs might hike the price of these guitars soon.

Thank you, chaz, this is very helpful!

Best regards,
Vin1

[Freddels]

This looks like the John Pisano model with two pickups instead of one. These are great guitars but they usually need a professional setup once you get it.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

These are great guitars but they usually need a professional setup once you get it.

Welcome! That depends on where you buy it. Without knowing your location, dealer recommendations are not practical if you want to go there. But a good dealer should deliver it set up to your specs. I bought 2 new Eastman archtops from Guitars 'n Jazz (Summit, NJ) in the last 5 years (and love them both). I picked one up at the shop and the other was shipped to me, and both were exactly as I asked them to be on delivery. I specified the strings, action, and relief and the luthier there (Marc Tappan) did a perfect job on both of them. Marc maintains all my guitars and has done a stellar job on everything I've needed. So if you're either in the mid-Atlantic region or are willing to buy sight unseen and have it shipped (which I do without hesitation from them), I can recommend GnJ with great confidence. I've had nothing but great experiences there.

According to their website, they have 2 new 603CED-15s available. I think they're great little guitars. If I needed a 15" 6 string archtop, I'd gladly have one. If you're interested in one, call and talk to Lou or Marc. You'll get a very fair price. Your guiitar will be properly set up for you as you specify, and everything they've shipped me has arrived well packed and completely intact.

I wouldn't buy from a dealer who won't or can't deliver a guitar as you want it. You may save a few $, but you'll spend it on a setup. A long term relationship with a good dealer / luthier / tech is worth a lot. Quesstions and little issues will inevitably arise, and you want to know that you can get answers and useful responses if you need them. If you have a good dealer near you, maintain a relationship. Good dealers and luthiers are like your teeth - you only have to take care of the ones you want to keep around

[Ukena]

Good info to know about Marc Tappan – thanks, nevershould.

[Freddels]

I had purchased a John Pisano model off Reverb back at the beginning of Covid. It was from a seller who sells a lot on Reverb. However, it arrived pretty much unplayable as the nut slots weren't deep enough so the action was very high. I eventually brought it to a local luthier and he set it up perfectly. It's a great playing guitar. As a bass player my whole life, I'm new to guitar so I'm still learning.

[Vin1]

Welcome! That depends on where you buy it. Without knowing your location, dealer recommendations are not practical if you want to go there. But a good dealer should deliver it set up to your specs. I bought 2 new Eastman archtops from Guitars 'n Jazz (Summit, NJ) in the last 5 years (and love them both). I picked one up at the shop and the other was shipped to me, and both were exactly as I asked them to be on delivery. I specified the strings, action, and relief and the luthier there (Marc Tappan) did a perfect job on both of them. Marc maintains all my guitars and has done a stellar job on everything I've needed. So if you're either in the mid-Atlantic region or are willing to buy sight unseen and have it shipped (which I do without hesitation from them), I can recommend GnJ with great confidence. I've had nothing but great experiences there.

According to their website, they have 2 new 603CED-15s available. I think they're great little guitars. If I needed a 15" 6 string archtop, I'd gladly have one. If you're interested in one, call and talk to Lou or Marc. You'll get a very fair price. Your guiitar will be properly set up for you as you specify, and everything they've shipped me has arrived well packed and completely intact.

I wouldn't buy from a dealer who won't or can't deliver a guitar as you want it. You may save a few $, but you'll spend it on a setup. A long term relationship with a good dealer / luthier / tech is worth a lot. Quesstions and little issues will inevitably arise, and you want to know that you can get answers and useful responses if you need them. If you have a good dealer near you, maintain a relationship. Good dealers and luthiers are like your teeth - you only have to take care of the ones you want to keep around

nevershouldhavesoldit,
Thanks very much for your post, very informative!
- Vin1