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I'm looking to purchase a new semi-hollow. I've been able to play a couple of Eastman t186's and a used t185. I thought they were both great, but I was leaning towards the t185 ($1200). However, there are some used t386s floating around for around $750 that are really tempting, but I haven't been able to play one. I like the more acoustic/woodier sound of the t18x, but always looking for a better deal, the t386 is tempting. My gut is telling me, "Go with the one you've played!" My brain is saying "Save the money!"
Anyone here have experience with both?
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01-27-2015 11:33 AM
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Thank you for stating the obvious in your reply
you like the more acoustic/wordier tone
youve played the 185 (seems like you bonded with the slightly smaller body, many of my friends did too)
the 38x series is great for the bucks, they're real 335 killers
but the 18x series set up with 11 or 12 flats and top flight pickups are truly awesome. I got a white 186mx and put Seth Lovers, Duncan Triple Shot switches and new CTS everything, truly a killer all purpose rock, soul, gospel guitar now.
good luck deciding
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T185 is my main jazz guitar since several months. I am very happy with this instrument. I had the same thoughts as you before purchasing it regarding various models (and I could not try these guitars as I am in Europe and very few shops carry this brand). I wanted a T186 but could not find one used with a good price. Was also interested by 386/486 serie for the price (new).
The size of T185 is perfect and the pickups are great ! Maybe the T186 could better soundwise for jazz (different Seymour Duncan pickups / larger body), but I think that I would regret the size of 185..
If I find a T186 with a good price I may buy it, compare it thoroughly with my T185, and keep the one I prefer.
What is your opinion between the T185 and T186 that you tried ???
I would not buy the T386 because it doesnt have the Seymour Duncan pickups that I like so much in the T185. But have never played a guitar with Kent Armstrong pickups. Maybe they are great in T386.. You could check for the T486 that also has SD pickups . Other forum members have expressed mixed feelings with the Kent Armstrong.
Hope this helps.
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The KA p/ups actually sound very good in the T-386. And that's comparing them to Duncans, as well as Boutique PAF's.
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The T386 is a fantastic guitar, love mine! That said, if I was going to use a semi strictly for jazz, I might opt for the solid top, hollow versions.
Last edited by monkmiles; 01-28-2015 at 10:27 AM.
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I've seen a lot written here concerning the solid top and pickups, but I would argue that the 186s fully hollow construction is just as crucial to the end result. Imagine the difference between a Gibson 330 and a 335 and you are in the ballpark.
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Thanks for the feedback everyone!
I'm looking for a mostly jazz but capable of rock/blues. It sounds like a t18x is the ticket. As to the 185 vs. 186, I'll go back and play them both again and see which one I bond with more. The Duncan Triple shot looks like a great upgrade, regardless of where I end up.
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Kaltu is spot on about the hollow vs semi hollow thing. It might depend on what "mostly" jazz means to you. I think you'll prefer hollow for jazz. But for versatility of other styles like rock/blues, I think you'll prefer semi hollow, especially if you play those styles at loud volume. The reason I like my T386 is for its versatility to do rock, blues, funk, jazz, etc. But when I want a pure jazz tone, I use my hollow Eastman AR403 instead.
Originally Posted by boognish23
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Thanks again for everyone's input. The seller ended up offering a pretty good deal on the t185mx, so I jumped on it. Should have a lot of fun this weekend.
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Boy that thing is gorgeous, it's got 59's in it right ?? Always a fan of the violin finish, it's far nicer in person than it photographs. Good score !!
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What's the story with the binding? The binding on my 186 is plastic and looks exactly the way plastic is supposed to look, while yours looks like wood binding up and down the neck and body. If I got plastic and you got wood, who do I have to call to remedy this injustice?
It looks gorgeous, by the way. What I love most about the 186 is that while it looks like a rock and roll machine, it does the fully hollow jazz tone as well or better than any comparable sized instrument on the market.
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Very nice, enjoy it. I'm a LNG tine (old) Fender, Gibson player, bought an Eastman in 2013, absolutely love the guitar.
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It's a 2008, so I'm assuming it has the Armstrong designed pick ups. It takes me a while to get comfortable with a guitar, so I'll wait a bit to decide on a pick up upgrade. Whoever had this originally must not have played it much because everything on it looks pretty much cherry, especially compared to other used Eastmans I've seen.
I don't know the story behind the binding, but I freaking love it. I've been wanting a woody guitar in sound and apperance, and this totally fits the bill. Couldn't be happier, but I'm riding that NGD high
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I got a too good to pass up deal on a 2008 T186mx ($700.00 shipped), it's white and doesn't have flame maple binding, but instead has this ivory looking material, every time I try to take photos of it it just doesn't show. I upgraded the designed by KA pickups to Seth Lover 4 wires and the Duncan Triple Shot switches, it's a veritable screaming everything guitar. Yet I got some serious guitar envy when I saw a buddy of mine work an amazing deal for a T185mx with a gorgeous blonde flame maple top - that and the flamed binding, aaaahhhh I was wetting my pants. He tired of it quickly, was in buy and flip mode actually, and I had more than a couple chances to grab it up.
There's a point in time where Eastman switched up to using Duncan 59s or Seth Lovers in these and those are a wee bit more desirable in my eyes. So he then finds a T184mx which is more to his liking because of the smaller body in CHERRY red, yeah the Gibson cherry color. Flamed out top, natural flame maple binding and 59s... he got tired of that too (this cat is always working uber long night shifts and shops his brains out) and I had to pass on that because our dog needed eye surgery.
Yet I love my T186mx and figure one day I'll score one of the T18* models with the flame maple top visible. My guitar really does articulate nicely and for it's size is really light and comfortable (I'm a big guy and always worry the smaller 185 or 184 models might feel a little toy like while playing). If you get a chance to play one please try it, they're really knocking it out of the park with these if you ask me.
Last edited by BigMikeinNJ; 01-31-2015 at 09:10 AM.
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BigMike,
Did you have to drill new holes to mount the Triple Shot, or was it a drop in replacement? Did you upgrade the pots as well? I don't feel any pressing need to upgrade anything at the moment, but being able to switch to single coil and parallel is something I would like to add in the future.
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Well I'm a little hamstrung answering your questions, because I had my tech do it - but I believe one of the selling points of the Triple Shot is they are direct replacement for most pickup frames. They sell a model for a arch top guitar (they call it the Les Paul version) and one for a flatter guitar, I'm assuming the Strat style. Really so inconspicuous, no mods made to the top, yeah I had them gut the whole guitar, all new wires CTS pots and switches and output jacks. Years a go I got a Eastman T146smd (spruce top, maple back, double pickups) that had Seth Lover 4 wires and push pull pots, J Hale had done the work, I got it used for a grand and I STILL kick myself because for such a skinny guitar it had amazing loud sit on the back steps and play volume. So I knew the tonal thing the Seth's would give me plugged in. Closest thing to a normal scale Byrdland that Eastman makes.
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