Played an Eastman T386 today

**monkmiles** · 02-24-2014, 10:05 PM

I've started to think about a T386...

So is it equally comfortable playing jazz or rock? I would be looking for it do be an in between of my archtop (ar403) and my solid body (les paul). Meaning it could step in for either well. I was originally thinking about an Epiphone Casino cause I wanted p90s for a change.

**jzucker** · 02-24-2014, 10:36 PM

i think so. It's not as tubby sounding as a 335 though. It's got a jazzier voice. Doesn't have the sustain (or weight) of a 335. The 335 sits a little more to the les paul side and the T386 sits more to the hollowbody side. But just a tad. It can get a nice fusion or blues tone.

**jzucker** · 02-25-2014, 12:35 PM

I got this guitar yesterday and it's really fantastic. You can find them used in the $700 range. Ridiculous. The guitars aren't perfect like the samick based (south korean) instruments are. Unlike samick instruments, these are pretty much hand-made, hand fitted instruments. Eastman still seems to have some problems fitting bindings and in doing finishing . The binding is a bit sloppy on the neck on this instrument but it sounds amazing. For jazz at loud volumes, it's hard to imagine a better sounding instrument for the price. IMO, it's got the sound and playability of a $3k custom shop guitar but you have to be willing to put up with some finish defects...

**monkmiles** · 02-25-2014, 09:46 PM

Appreciate the feedback about the t386. Sounds like there could be a used one in my future. Just need to sell my current semi first.

Jack, I feel similarly with my ar403. To me it's better than any archtop at its price range and better than other Eastman's I've owned (ar805ce, el rey 2). Certainly makes me want another Eastman.

**jads57** · 02-26-2014, 04:20 PM

Eastman seems to be offering the best bang for the buck all they around laminates and carved tops. I just wish they'd offer a fatter neck shape as standard.

**monkmiles** · 02-27-2014, 11:28 AM

One more quick question about the T386...

Is there any differences in the current production model versus models produced in the previous few years? I'm just curious if there are since I'm likely to buy used or older stock that is priced right. I actually don't know when the T386 started in production but I think it's been a few years now.

**jzucker** · 02-27-2014, 12:00 PM

i don't know hallpass but i don't think this model has been out for more than a year. The 186 has been out for a while though.

**jzucker** · 02-27-2014, 12:45 PM

i don't know hallpass but i don't think this model has been out for more than a year. The 186 has been out for a while though.

**monkmiles** · 03-01-2014, 10:11 PM

Well, this happened really fast for me... I ordered a T386 today and it should ship early this coming week. It's in the classic violin finish I like so much.

**Silentwiz** · 03-01-2014, 11:36 PM

These are all 1.75" nuts right?

**jzucker** · 03-02-2014, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Silentwiz

These are all 1.75" nuts right?

yes, which IMO, it not an issue. I go back and forth all the time and never even think about it.

**monkmiles** · 03-12-2014, 05:16 PM

I got a new Eastman T386 late last week! It all came together surprisingly easy. After seeing alot of praise for them and how reasonably priced they were, I was able to quickly sell my old semi (Ibanez AM93) and then I had another great experience dealing with Bernunzio Uptown music out of Rochester, NY. They worked with me on the price, were easy to deal with and include good setups (it probably helped that I bought my ar403 from them too). So I recommend checking in with them for new Eastmans. Anyways, as most know here, it's a ES335 type semi hollowbody and mine is in what Eastman calls their classic (or classic violin) finish. I'm a sucker for thier classic finish and my ar403 is the same finish. I got to use it at a jam with some bandmates last Friday night and am just floored with it right now!

I play in a couple separate bands/styles, one being a rock/funk/jamband type of thing and the other being a straight jazz type of thing. The T386 can easily cover all of it with it's own flavor. Though I haven't brought it to a jazz jam session just yet (but will next week). While I'll likely continue to prefer my AR403 for straight jazz stuff, I can use the T386 as a jack of all trades since it can rock through some Zeppelin and move on through to some Grant Green type tones.

Why hadn't I tried a 335 type guitar before?! I guess I used to think the 16" body was too big for me (at least in a rock/funk format) and had always leaned toward a Les Paul or a 339 (aka Ibanez AM size) sized guitar. This guitar is very comfortable and I'm a smallish guy. I am long used to my ar403 anyways now.

More later, so here's some pics:

**nosoyninja** · 03-12-2014, 07:39 PM

I have an AM 93 that I am half loving half not. How would you compare the sound of the two? I followed your recent posts on the matter and it sounds like what drew you was that it's a bit more hollowbody sounding. Did it sound like you expected?

K

**monkmiles** · 03-12-2014, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by nosoyninja

I have an AM 93 that I am half loving half not. How would you compare the sound of the two? I followed your recent posts on the matter and it sounds like what drew you was that it's a bit more hollowbody sounding. Did it sound like you expected?

K

Yes, a little more hollowbody sounding...it sounds fuller and woodier than the am93. The am93 sounded a little brighter to me and felt more stiff in comparison. I did like the am93 and it also is a great bang for the buck. But given good time, I could never quite dial in the tones I was looking for out of it. Seems the 16" body of the t386 is more up my alley.

**Jehu** · 03-12-2014, 09:10 PM

I'm not normally one for the 335 shape, but... damn.

**RonD** · 03-12-2014, 10:42 PM

Hey Hallpass, I thought you might like it.
I've been loving mine for close to a year, now.

The only Ibanez I can compare it to is the AS200 that I owned during the 80's.
I much prefer the sound, the playability, and definitely. the weight of the T386.

I agree with Jack about the pickups. I love 'em!

Congrats on your new guitar.

Cheers, Ron

**JSanta** · 03-13-2014, 10:50 AM

Love the finish! Had that on my 610 and I have to say it looks even better on that body style. Congrats!

**Frank67** · 03-13-2014, 11:32 AM

It looks gorgeous - I am completely with you on the finish! I had a T386 in my hands a while ago in a musicstore and it felt really good. Did not plug it in though. Enjoy your new guitar!

**monkmiles** · 03-20-2014, 11:52 AM

So last night I took my T386 to a jam session with a buddy of mine who plays the B3. It was just the two of us (until we find a drummer to add).

It sounded great but very different than the jazz tone I'm used to out of my ar403. The T386 sounded brighter and not as thick. Whereas my ar403 sounds fatter and darker. One big difference (besides the obvious body differences of semi versus hollow and the depth) is the strings I have on them. I have roundwound 11s on t386 so that it can be very versatile. I have flatwound 13s on my ar403.

Anyways, I'm super happy with the t386 and it will get a lot of use from me in various styles. My ar403 will still be my goto jazz box however, it just gets the tone that's in my head for the straight ahead jazz stuff I do at least.

**ESCC** · 03-20-2014, 12:56 PM

Hallpass, try TI Bebop 11s on the T386, it might give you a slightly better jazz tone while still having enough bite for blues and rock. I use TI 13 Swings on my archtops and TI 11 Bebop on my semihollowbody (that is one word isn't it?)

**Klatu** · 03-20-2014, 01:04 PM

One point I'd like to add is that I think it was a wise move for Eastman to leave behind their fiberglass cases and move their current traditional ones. IMO they are better than their TKL equivalents.

Congratulations on the new instrument.

**monkmiles** · 03-20-2014, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by ESCC

Hallpass, try TI Bebop 11s on the T386, it might give you a slightly better jazz tone while still having enough bite for blues and rock. I use TI 13 Swings on my archtops and TI 11 Bebop on my semihollowbody (that is one word isn't it?)

Ah, good idea. I might do that when I switch strings. They still get a good rock tone? I use the TI Swing 13s too on my ar403.

Originally Posted by Klatu

One point I'd like to add is that I think it was a wise move for Eastman to leave behind their fiberglass cases and move their current traditional ones. IMO they are better than their TKL equivalents.

Congratulations on the new instrument.

Thanks. Yea, I had an ar805 that had that fiberglass case and I did not like the case. The case for the t386 is fantastic! The case for the ar403 is a VERY tight fit as Eastman reused another case rather than make a specific one for the ar403.

**monkmiles** · 03-20-2014, 02:27 PM

Oh, here are my T386 and AR403 meeting and living in harmony!

**callouscallus** · 03-21-2014, 12:53 PM

I received my t386 a few days ago. I bought a blemished one, got a great deal. I really am liking this guitar. I might eventually do a couple mods, but luckily it's set up nicely including straight neck and no weird fret issues. Amazing considering all the work I had done to my gibson 335 and still ended up hating! I seriously like this guitar more for about 1/5 the price!!!

**monkmiles** · 03-21-2014, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by callouscallus

I received my t386 a few days ago. I bought a blemished one, got a great deal. I really am liking this guitar. I might eventually do a couple mods, but luckily it's set up nicely including straight neck and no weird fret issues. Amazing considering all the work I had done to my gibson 335 and still ended up hating! I seriously like this guitar more for about 1/5 the price!!!

Congrats! Yea, it's crazy how good it is especially for the price. B-stock ones make for a steal.