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I'm in the market for a new guitar and am currently deciding between these two instruments. The T186 is a 16" 335 style thinline carved from solid woods with 2 pickups. It has a wood block under the bridge, but does not extend to the neck the way a 335 would.
The 803CE is a 16" solid carved archtop with a single pickup mounted in the neck position. It is a bit thinner than the 805, and closely resembles the Pisano model.
Those who have experience with either or both guitars please give me your opinions as to which you would choose.
I am leaning toward the T186 because the specs make it out to be very similar to the 803 with the added benefit of thinline comfort.
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09-20-2012 03:37 PM
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Talk about different, though. One pickup vs. two; wood bridge/floating tailpiece vs. TOM/stop tail. Even with the carved woods and mostly hollow construction, it's still a 335 style vs a smaller X-braced L-5 Wes type.
These will not sound the same, obviously.
So all I'm saying is that don't you think the fundamental differences are more important to your decision than the shapes?
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How would the differences in bridges and tailpieces affect the sound? I thought that since both were fully hollow (or mostly hollow), had mounted pickups (I won't use the bridge pickup), and had 16" bodies, they would sound more similar than different.
Of course, I wouldn't ask your opinions if I thought I had all the answers!
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I can see where the string vibrations will get to the top in the first model. The second model looks like the top will be clamped down pretty good with blocks, pups, and switches. Also isn't one a maple top and one a spruce? Seems like there are more differences than similarities.
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Apples and oranges...
Different pickups too...expect higher output from the 186's. That block, even though it doesn't go all the way through, will give you a good deal more sustain.
The 803 will play much more like a thinner jazz box, and have a good deal more unplugged volume...the 186 will be very 335 reminiscent.
No better or worse here, just very different...what are you really looking for?
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You could consider the Eastman T146: T146SM Thinline Electric
It is more or less a thinline 803CE. I have one and it is also pretty loud acoustically.
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I have a T186 and an 805CE (floating PU). I much prefer the play-ability of the 805CE and I have not yet been able to get the tone I want out of the T186, but have it nailed in the 805CE (pretty much a classic jazz tone).
If I was gigging though I would have to go with the T186. The 805CE is pretty fickle about climate changes and you never know quite what you are going to get when the temp/humidity changes significantly.
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I believe Jim Soloway recently acquired on of these and recorded a few tracks using it. He gave it very good reviews, but ended up getting rid of it because he prefers small solidbody guitars.
Originally Posted by rgiaccio
Originally Posted by Jim Soloway
With all of my personal guitars tuned below standard pitch, I've been looking for a while for a guitar that I could use for teaching. This one caught my eye on eBay and thanks at least in part to 2bornot2bop, I was able to snag it for a ridiculous price.
It's a discontinued model with solid woods and a thin-line 16" body. It was the 1 3/4" body that made me think that it might work for me. I hate fighting the feedback on a full sized archtop and I too accustomed to playing planks to get comfortable reaching over the top of the large body. At just over 5 lbs, I thought the weight would also be a plus.
It arrived this afternoon and I put it through a few paces straight out of the box. Feedback resistance is excellent and it is more comfortable than a full sized archtop. I'm still struggling a bit though with the 16" body size and it's decidedly head heavy. I'm a bit undecided on the pickup but Ill wait a while before I do anything about that. It came with round wound strings so I'll definitely with hold any serious judgement until I get some GHS Brite Flats on it. If I decide to keep it (always a bit if with me a guitars), I suspect I'll make a few changes (pickup and tuners). I'm a bit concerned about the size of the body but I definitely think the guitar has some promise.
Here's a link to a short clip recorded using my Pod Hd and a few photos.
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This is exactly my guitar: I am the one that bought it from Jim. Originally Posted by Klatu
I put a set of Thomastik Swing 012 on it and for me it is just perfect.
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It's beautiful and sounds great with the added benefit that if someone asks for pics or a soundclip, you could post Jim's stuff!
Congratulations
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That's why I bought it: it was the only way to have good soundclips of my own guitar on the forum.
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You can partially thank me for that one. I originally had the option to buy her before Jim as she was local to me. I was knee deep in archtops at the time, but still curious, and chose to pass to Jim once I learned he was also interested in her. And a few weeks later passed again when Jim sold her. You couldn't have found another new one anywhere at that price. You scored. Beautiful Eastman 4 sure! Originally Posted by rgiaccio
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I have a T186mx, it's a lovely guitar. It's super easy to play and nicely resonant too.
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Many partial thanks! You have a very good taste for the guitars you pass on. Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
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Wow, that's a pretty one, Gabe!
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That 186 looks terrific. If you don't mind me asking, what do you think a good price would be on one of these both new and used?
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In the UK the going rate new is around £1500 and used £1000, but you can get some good deals if you're patient. I bought mine for around £6-700, I can't quite remember the exact amount but I got a good price.
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There is a nice T186 here in italy being sold new for 1199 Euro: Originally Posted by Klatu
EASTMAN T186MX SEMIACUSTICA T 186 MX - #1776901 | su MercatinoMusicale.com in Chitarre elettriche Hollow / Semi
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