Eastman ar503ce vs. ?

[shekie]

I'm strongly considering purchasing an Eastman ar503ce and if I'm willing to drive 200 miles roundtrip, I can test two of them out in the same store. I am curious as to what if anything competes with the Eastman at roughly the same price range, give or take $300-$400. I've only recently begun my jazz journey and anticipate using it to back vocalists, playing rhythm melody and dipping my toe in trying out some lead as well. I've heard good things about the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickup and as I am 7 months out from shoulder surgery, I like that the rim depth is only 2 9/16" and the width, 16".

But what else is out there to consider? I've always been a "buy new" purchaser but would consider something used if not too old if it sounded considerably better and/or was easier to play. I have seen online the Ibanez GB10se for a little less than the Eastman, smaller width though actually over 3" rim depth, two pickups, all laminate vs. the Eastman with a solid spruce top.

Any thoughts between these two or something else not on my radar but should be?

[Simon1234]

The Eastman 503ce is a lovely guitar, but I found mine a little bright and sold it onwards after about eighteen months.

I'd highly recommend the Comins GCS-16-1 (or a GCS-16-2) if you can get your hands on one for the right price; I'm very happy with mine.

Regardless, good luck with your search, and enjoy the journey.

[shekie]

Thanks for your reply. I actually had Comins on my radar and emailed him asking where I could find a GCS-16-1. He suggested jazz'n'guitars in NJ as the only dealer that might have one available but when I checked their website, they didn't. He said supply chain issues and the tariffs have made producing the GCS-16-1 and (GCS-16-2) difficult and he did not know when he would have them available for purchase again. But thanks for the suggestion.

[fep]

I'm not sure where you're at, but if San Diego is in range I have a Eastman 503. I haven't been playing it, as I don't really play jazz boxes anymore. Mostly solid bodies is what I play. So I would consider selling it.

[BreckerFan]

Check out the 90s Guild X-150s, available used for around the same price or a little cheaper. 16" all laminate but USA made. I haven't played an Eastman in a while, so I can't directly compare, but I'm really happy with my X-150. The consensus does seem to be that the stock pickup is weak, and mine came secondhand with a Benedetto (which I'm now swapping for a KA haha). Also full depth which may not be ideal for you. But as far as build goes they're solid, and really good looking guitars too.

[Bflat233]

If you can find one play the Eastman AR480 - John Pisano. It is an extremely versatile guitar. It has very good acoustic projection unplugged and its warm and dark when plugged into an amp.

[HeatGreen152]

It’s very hard to beat the Eastman, especially with the Seth Lover pickup and solid top construction. If you can test two of them side-by-side, do it

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Thanks for your reply. I actually had Comins on my radar and emailed him asking where I could find a GCS-16-1. He suggested jazz'n'guitars in NJ as the only dealer that might have one available but when I checked their website, they didn't.

It’s Guitars ‘n Jazz, and I suggest calling them. The website is not always completely up to date. Lou and Marc will discuss your needs and may well know of upcoming availability of something perfect for you. They’re also Eastman dealers and may have a good one for you in stock or incoming. I’ve bought 2 new ones from them and I couldn’t be happier.

[nyc chaz]

If you can find one play the Eastman AR480 - John Pisano. It is an extremely versatile guitar. It has very good acoustic projection unplugged and its warm and dark when plugged into an amp.

I'm a big fan of the 480.For the price,it's a great value.That being said Eastman just raised their prices..There are dealers still selling at the lower price online but Guitars'and Jazz is not one of them.

[John A.]

I'm strongly considering purchasing an Eastman ar503ce and if I'm willing to drive 200 miles roundtrip, I can test two of them out in the same store. I am curious as to what if anything competes with the Eastman at roughly the same price range, give or take $300-$400. I've only recently begun my jazz journey and anticipate using it to back vocalists, playing rhythm melody and dipping my toe in trying out some lead as well. I've heard good things about the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickup and as I am 7 months out from shoulder surgery, I like that the rim depth is only 2 9/16" and the width, 16".

But what else is out there to consider? I've always been a "buy new" purchaser but would consider something used if not too old if it sounded considerably better and/or was easier to play. I have seen online the Ibanez GB10se for a little less than the Eastman, smaller width though actually over 3" rim depth, two pickups, all laminate vs. the Eastman with a solid spruce top.

Any thoughts between these two or something else not on my radar but should be?

The GB10se does not have not over 3" rim depth. Ibanez's "depth" spec is for the full depth of the guitar from the back to the top of the bridge. The rim depth on these is actually around 2.5". I've played a GB1040thII (same thing as an SE, but with a different tailpiece). It's definitely a lot thinner than my 3-3/8" archtop. They're very nice guitars IMO.

The 503 is kind of a unique thing. There really aren't any other guitars spec'd quite like it at anything close the price point (everything else I can think of has a laminated spruce top). It's also a unique sound. It's quite bright sounding and has a distinct resonant peak in the upper mids (what some people describe as "nasal"). Just based on spec's and value, it struck me as the the ideal guitar, but when I actually tried a couple I didn't much like the way they sounded. Obviously, plenty of other people feel differently and like the 503 very much, but a fair number of people have similar reactions to mine when they play them. I think that makes it very much a "try before you buy" guitar. I've also played the 403 (same dimensions and appearance, but with a laminated top), and found it to be a lot warmer sounding and more to my tastes, So I'd recommend trying a 403 as well.

Other 16" archtops with similar depths I've tried:
D'Aquisto Jazz Line (I don't think they make them anymore, so you have go used)
Comins GCS-16 (Rudy's is a dealer. I'd suggest calling them to see if they one or can get one; their website inventory is usually not very up to date)
Godin 5th Avenue series (non cutaway with a single P90 or cutaway with 2 P90s. Ridiculously cheap for the how good they are and easy to find).
Peerless Gigmaster Jazz (I think they're also out of production, but they come up pretty often used)

If you want to even thinner, I'd suggest checking a Guild Starfire III.

[shekie]

I think I've narrowed it down to between the AR480ce and the AR503ce, both from Eastman. From what I can tell, the 503 has a solid carved top, the 480 is all laminate, the dimensions are almost identical, the 480ce has a slightly shorter scale, they have the same nut width. One thing I notice is the strap button on the AR480ce is on the side of the upper bout rather than on the back of the guitar, does that assist in keeping the guitar from trying to pitch forward, away from your body? It might matter to me as I'm still recovering from major shoulder surgery and would like to minimize the effort required to keep the guitar from tilting forward and away from my body.

On the other hand, I can try out the AR503 as there is a store carrying two of them in stock if I'm willing to make a 200 mile roundtrip. The AR480ce would be a blind purchase, nobody has one in the New England/New York area that I can find.

Any final thoughts that might help tilt me in one direction or the other?

[Nicc]

I'm not sure where you're at, but if San Diego is in range I have a Eastman 503. I haven't been playing it, as I don't really play jazz boxes anymore. Mostly solid bodies is what I play. So I would consider selling it.

Hey there! I’m actually also from San Diego and currently in the market for a 503. First time using this website (just created my account in order to make this reply haha). If it’s still for sale, I’d love to get in contact with you!