Eastman T386 vs Ibanez AS93 or some other model

**cantstoplt021** · 08-08-2014, 10:41 AM

I'm looking to sell my Godin 5th Avenue and get a semi hollow. I've been looking at these two and have heard good things about both. I don't think I'll be able to play either before buying so I'll have to go on faith. Which would you recommend? I'm looking for versatility, but it needs to work for jazz cause that's what I will need it for, but if it can work also for rock, blues, funk even better. Thoughts?

I know the eastman is about 300 dollars more, but that doesn't matter. I'm looking for something that I'm not going to want to sell in a couple of months because the guitar doesn't work for me. I've lost some money with guitars because I'd go with the cheaper option instead of shelling out the extra cash first.

**monkmiles** · 08-08-2014, 11:01 AM

I recommend the Eastman T386 myself. Love mine. You can find some great deals on used or B-stock ones too which would lessen the price difference I imagine. I use my T386 for rock, funk, and jazz with no problems. It doesn't get as fat of a jazz tone as my hollowbody (Eastman ar403) but it's fatter than a solid body jazz tone. It is VERY versatile, as 335 type guitars are.

**cantstoplt021** · 08-08-2014, 01:52 PM

Do you use flatwounds or round wounds for it? Can you get a good jazz tone with roundwounds on it? I'm sure it also gets a good blues tone too. Also does it sound like a 335 in a way? Maybe not exact, but a little similar?

**monkmiles** · 08-08-2014, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by cantstoplt021

Do you use flatwounds or round wounds for it? Can you get a good jazz tone with roundwounds on it? I'm sure it also gets a good blues tone too. Also does it sound like a 335 in a way? Maybe not exact, but a little similar?

I use roundwound 11s on it because it works well across rock and jazz for me. I do prefer my ar403 for jazz but for its versatility to do multiple styles of music, the t386 is awesome. It also depends the type of jazz tone you go for.

It is very similar to a Gibson 335 to me, though it has a thinner finish and therefor might resonate a little more.

**cantstoplt021** · 08-09-2014, 01:14 AM

Do you have any clips you could share of the Eastman? Most of the videos on youtube that I've seen don't show its versatility very well. I'm curious to see how it can sound.

**monkmiles** · 08-09-2014, 07:51 AM

Sorry man, no clips of my t386. But there's a few on YouTube. There's at least one where he shows clean and dirty tones. I consider it like a 335 myself, while its certainly not exact, that's obviously the t386 inspiration.

**asf1187** · 08-10-2014, 08:10 PM

I have an AS-103 that I love. The fretwork is immaculate and it is very versatile. If you're interested in buying one, pm me. But I would definitely say it's worth saving up for the 103 or the Eastman because there is a noticeable improvement in quality. But with a semi-hollow, you never really get the same "full" tone you get from a hollow body.

**monkmiles** · 08-12-2014, 02:56 PM

FYI, Bernunzio Music (where I got good service from the two Eastmans I've bought from them in the past) have a B-stock T386 marked down in their weekly email newsletter specials: Bernunzio Uptown Music

You just need to use coupon code E3A8M6 and it is only $599. It's on sale through Sunday. They run different sales every week in their email newsletter.

**cantstoplt021** · 08-13-2014, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Would you say that the eastman is good for blues too. I read somewhere that it was good for jazz/jazz-blues but not for blues. I'm not sure if this is true though.

**monkmiles** · 08-13-2014, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by cantstoplt021

Thanks for the heads up. Would you say that the eastman is good for blues too. I read somewhere that it was good for jazz/jazz-blues but not for blues. I'm not sure if this is true though.

No problem, it's a great price and having bought my T386 and AR403 from Bernunzio, I can say they are a good shop. I would recommend calling them and asking about this specific guitar if you're interested in it. I worked with Robbie both times. They would accept the coupon code via phone too. He/they will pick up and play the actual guitar and try to answer all your questions on the spot but not pressure you. I took my time on both occasions. Sometimes a B-stock is labeled as such for a stupid, minor thing. I had them play a few of their T386 they had in stock at the time beofre deciding on mine and they worked with me on the price.

As for the T386 ability for blues... Definitely. I don't see a genre it can't do actually and don't understand why someone would say it wouldn't good for blues. That's the beauty of a 335 style guitar. I have used mine in my rock band covering Led Zeppelin to Phish and everywhere in between. I have used it in my jazz organ trio as well and regularly use it at home for most of my jazz practice. It has good sustain, which is a plus for blues especially. After I got mine, I felt like slapping myself for not trying a 335 style guitar earlier because it's a perfect fit to cover all the styles I play...while not only having the ability to play those styles but truly sounding good at each of them. If I could only have one single guitar (gasp - that would suck), I would choose a 335 style guitar. I never got quite this versatility from other semi hollows I used to have, an Ibanez AM50 and AM93 (which are sorta in the 339 style).

**cantstoplt021** · 08-14-2014, 01:21 PM

So I called and spoke to Robbie and he was really helpful. He sent me some pictures of the blemishes on the guitar. Think these would be a problem at all?

http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/cantstoplt021/media/WP_20140814_004_zps38c163a2.jpeg.htm

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/...s605b5776.jpeg

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/...s31e6f9d1.jpeg

**cantstoplt021** · 08-14-2014, 06:11 PM

Turns out he sent me pictures of the wrong guitar. These are the new ones. Its in even better condition.

http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/ca...bc31.jpeg.html

http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/ca...tml?sort=3&o=2

http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/ca...tml?sort=3&o=0

http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/ca...tml?sort=3&o=1

**monkmiles** · 08-14-2014, 11:19 PM

Hard to get a good look at these pics from my phone right now but seems like minor flaws to me. Especially considering the price.

**Falling_leaves** · 08-15-2014, 02:03 AM

Hi Hallpass,

I have read many posts from you for your AR403.

I realized you have done some modifications on your AR403, which you upgraded the pickup with 57 classic. I wonder how important is the rewiring and others electronics (Pots and capacitor) in improving the jazz tone from original configuration.

I have an ar680, which has excessive acoustic sound and I don't like it. Do you think it is a good idea to change the pots and cap as well as rewiring to achieve a better jazz tone? But I intend to keep the Kent Armstrong 12 poles pickup, since everyone recommend it.

I am afraid that if I change the pots, I have to give up the beautiful wood knobs.

Regards,
Angus

**monkmiles** · 08-15-2014, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Falling_leaves

Hi Hallpass,

I have read many posts from you for your AR403.

I realized you have done some modifications on your AR403, which you upgraded the pickup with 57 classic. I wonder how important is the rewiring and others electronics (Pots and capacitor) in improving the jazz tone from original configuration.

I have an ar680, which has excessive acoustic sound and I don't like it. Do you think it is a good idea to change the pots and cap as well as rewiring to achieve a better jazz tone? But I intend to keep the Kent Armstrong 12 poles pickup, since everyone recommend it.

I am afraid that if I change the pots, I have to give up the beautiful wood knobs.

Regards,
Angus

Well, firstly I'm not an expert on guitar electronics. But I'm happy to give you my opinion.

If you're not already changing out your pickups then it's not worth changing them. Unless there's a specific issue with them you're trying to fix. But their effect on tone is very little to none in my opinion. Even changing a pickup to the same type is only a minor effect on tone...like me changing the stock kent Armstrong paf clone with a Gibson classic 57. So don't bother changing only your electronics is my opinion.

**Gitfiddler** · 08-15-2014, 10:39 AM

Not to take away from your two selected choices, but have you considered a Comins GCS-1 semi-hollow?

I love mine, and it covers everything from jazz, blues, rock and funk with ease. Check out the videos.

Good hunting!

GCS-1 | Comins Guitars

**cantstoplt021** · 08-17-2014, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the Comin suggestion. It looks nice, but it is a lot more expensive than the eastman t386. Plus I wanted a 335-esk guitar and double plus I already got the Eastman. It came yesterday and I got 300 dollars off for very very minor finish flaws. It was an excellent deal. Hall Pass I have a question for you. Does your shoulder ever get sore from strumming while sitting down with the Eastman? Mine was today, but its probably because I'm used to the smaller size of a strat and I was strumming a funk song way faster than I'm used to so I'm sure I had a lot of extra tension. I probably just have to get used to it. Other than that I love it.

**monkmiles** · 08-17-2014, 06:26 PM

Congrats on the guitar. You got an amazing deal on it. No, I don't get any soreness. But I'm used to the size and my ar403 is just as wide but thicker. Other than that, I was never a steat player. More of a Les Paul player when it comes to solid bodies. So it wasn't a transition for me.