Eastman AR503ce ACOUSTIC tone ?

[sirbellog]

Hello, may some AR503 users tell me how they like the ACOUSTIC tone of this guitar ?

I am looking for an archtop which will sound convincing and full enough for happy unplugged practice sessions, with chord work as a central focus (so a harmonically balanced sound, which allows for a good hearing of all components in a voicing, and offers some sustain is what I'm after).

On youtube I found several videos with amped 503s, but almost nothing unplugged, except for one guy which plays 3 minutes of mainly single lines, so it's difficult to get a good idea of how it would sound for comping, and chord melody.

I was considering a 805 for which convincing examples exist, but it costs twice as much and I read that buying a highend Eastman online is a bit risky qualitywise, which is a bit scary at that price.

Thanks in advance !

[Socalbill]

Hi,
I don't have a 503, but I have been playing a 805CE for years, and like you I enjoy playing acoustically. The 503 is an interesting guitar with a set PU and solid top, but I bet it doesn't sound too different from my 805. Mine was a bit bright with anything but flats, but with flats it is very musical, not too loud and perfect for practice. My other main guitar these days is a Martin 000, and to be clear, the 805 does not sound anything like the Martin. BTW I bought my 805 about 5 years ago off Ebay without any troubles, but I agree it is scary out there.
Bill

[spiral]

I had an AR503. I wish I still did. To me, it's the best guitar they make other than maybe the Pisano 880.

It has a very sweet sound unplugged, just not too loud. The Eastmans with the floating pickups (600, 800, 900) definitely project more and have a much bigger sound.

You could record the acoustic sound of the 503 and be completely happy with it IMO. Since you don't need the volume in the studio when using a mic, it can sound very good. If you wanted to play at an acoustic jam, you would likely get lost. For practice only, I would be totally satisfied. In addition to the set-in pickup, the body is thinner so you have a much smaller box to make noise, but it also makes it a joy to play, and very light.

I think this is an AR503. Even though it is plugged in, you can really only hear the acoustic sound:

[eh6794]

Although not a 503, my 371 is pretty good unplugged. Its a bit quiet, but it is fine for practice. I actually like playing it unplugged. Its thicker then the 503, but the 503 has a solid top, where mine does not. I would recommend the 503, and if you wanted to save a few bucks, get the 371

[sirbellog]

Hello all,
Let me first thank you for your feedback (other people who know the 503 and/or the 805 are still very welcome to add their grain of salt).

From what I’ve been reading so far, the ar503 may be an OK compromise for “quiet” acoustic playing. But how much quiet, that’s the question….

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I’d like to enjoy the full sonic spectrum and vibes of a plain acoustic guitar, minus a few decibels in order to keep a nice relationship with my wife and neighbors….
The choice is made even more difficult because I really want to get a wider neck, not a 1 11/16, and possibly a 25’ scale, which limits the options a lot.

I even came to consider a The Loar LH650, which seems to sound very good based on a few Youtube videos But there is a “but” : it is only 24.75’ and the quality check seems very random.
Tough choice….

To Spiral : the guy on the video is the one who did the unplugged video I initially mentioned : unfortunately the way it was recorded, the things he was playing, and even his playing style made it difficult for me to get a positive feeling of the 503’s acoustic potential. And even in this other clip, there’s a disturbing “boxy” sound which would drive me away from the 503 (if this was the only available example)

[djelley]

I have a 503 and the acoustic it is a great guitar, but based upon what you've said, I think that you might be disappointed by the acoustic volume. My Eastman AR805 and 910's are much louder acoustically.

[sirbellog]

Hello djelley,

do you mean that to your ears the 503 is VERY quiet, or that the 805 and 910 are VERY loud ?

About the 805, would you say that (unplugged) it has as much volume as an "average" acoustic guitar, or is a bit quieter than a true acoustic guitar ? (in this case it might be the way to go)

[spiral]

How loud/quiet the 503 is will be hard to communicate with text. It's one of those things you just need to experience. It will be louder than a Gibson 335, or 175, but less loud than an Eastman 805 or Loar 650/700. Tonally it has all the clarity of other carved guitars.

re: 503 video
I agree about the boxy tone but I think much of that is coming from the amp filling up the room he is playing in. Since the body is more shallow you will get less bass, and more clarity. It's tonally much thinner acoustic-only.

re: Loar
Make sure you try one. They have a very "forward" 20's/30's type sound, which you either love or you don't. The Loars are parallel braced where the Eastmans are x-braced which gives you a more even or smoother sound. It's not a bad thing, just different. I love both kinds. The floating pickup on the Loar will be pretty different from the 503 as well: much brighter and less low end. The .25" difference in scale is inconsequential compared to those other factors.

Here is a good representation of the 650 sound:

[jzucker]

that loar clip doesn't sound good IMO. And the clip of the 503 is an illustration of what I don't like about the eastman guitars but I can understand why some do like them. To me the eastmans sound like acoustic guitars that happen to have a pickup. Not quite the same as something like a floating pickup gibson either. They have their own unique sound that is a bit middy and somewhat nasally to me but in the 503 clip above, it sounds more like a flattop than an archtop IMO.

I wouldn't mind having a fully acoustic eastman oval hole guitar for practicing though.

[mr. beaumont]

I'll just keep my Taylor for the more "polite" acoustic sounds. I really like the idea of the Eastmans...but that unplugged sound doesn't do it for me. Something like that 503 plugged in though, I could dig that...

That Loar clip doesn't sound good to me either, but acoustically, they're great sounding guitars...really have all that vintage bark and bite. They're very inconsistent, though, and the all acoustic models have a V neck that's definitely a "love it or hate it" shape. They're VERY loud, and completely lack the subtlety of an "old wood" solid archtop. Time will tell if they mellow out as they age.

[RClegg]

My favorite in the Eastman line is the 605 ce--really nice sound acoustically, and great plugged in as well. I am saving up and looking or a used one. I like them a lot better than the 805 for some reason. I don't know what the potential for feedback is, though, but at some point it is tele time.


Russ

[Eddie Lang]

I have an AR503-CE. Sounds good enough plugged in. Its 16" body and narrow rim really make it comfortable to play. I like it a lot.

I guess it can be okay to practice acoustic, by myself. It certainly sounds much better (for my taste) than the Godin 5th Ave. with no pickup that I had, and never bonded with (gave it to my daughter to learn on). OTOH, there is no comparison with any of my old Gibson acoustics in terms of tone or volume - but that shouldn't be a surprise for anyone. Different beasts.

[Klatu]

Here's a more electric recording of the 503. I think it sounds lovely and would never confuse it with a flattop.

[djelley]

Hello djelley,

do you mean that to your ears the 503 is VERY quiet, or that the 805 and 910 are VERY loud ?

About the 805, would you say that (unplugged) it has as much volume as an "average" acoustic guitar, or is a bit quieter than a true acoustic guitar ? (in this case it might be the way to go)

I would not say that the 805 and 910 are VERY loud, but don't know if I've found an archtop that I consider VERY loud acoustically. I have a Selmer-style flattop - that is VERY loud. The 503 is a fantastic guitar, but it is acoustically on the quiet side.

I have three Loars and they are pretty loud, but the quality is all over the place. I'm at the point where, if I find a Loar with no issues, I consider it quite a find.

[339 in june]

Found this on YT as I was looking for an idea of the acoustic tone
I'm considering an Eastman AR503 too

This corroborates what has been said before

[sirbellog]

Thanks Djelley.

If I sum up your comments, the 805 is MUCH louder than the 503, BUT there is no archtop you'd consider very loud acoustically.
So the 503 must be VERY quiet indeed, much closer to a thinline than to an acoustic....

It seems to discard the 503.
And you did scare me with The Loar quality problems....

In the meantime, I found some clips of the 605, which sounds good and migh be a good compromise between some loudness and a more affordable price.
Choice, choice....

[ESCC]

I suggest you contact Bernunzio Music. They stock the different guitars you are considering, new and used. I have found them extremely knowledgeable, helpful and competitive in price. Bernunzio Uptown Music

[djelley]

Thanks Djelley.

If I sum up your comments, the 805 is MUCH louder than the 503, BUT there is no archtop you'd consider very loud acoustically.
So the 503 must be VERY quiet indeed, much closer to a thinline than to an acoustic....

It seems to discard the 503.
And you did scare me with The Loar quality problems....

In the meantime, I found some clips of the 605, which sounds good and migh be a good compromise between some loudness and a more affordable price.
Choice, choice....

No, I wouldn't say that the 503 is closer to a thinline, just not as loud as I think you want based upon what you've said. It is a VERY subjective thing. Also keep in mind that I have flatwounds on mine, you will get more projection from roundwounds.


I just picked-up a Loar LH-700, which is VERY nice. But given my past experience, I feel very fortunate that there is only one minor blemish on it.

[marshall]

I have an acoustic non cutaway Eastman 805. Great guitar.

[AZanshin]

I have a prototype of the Eastman AR503ce I'll post a video tomorrow of the acoustic tone. Even when plugged in the acoustic tone is always present.

[sirbellog]

Thanks in advance AZanshin, this would be very helpful !

Just the acoustic tone... As I said, I don't really care about the amplified sound : I'm sure the AR503 is pretty good on that.

Really, what I'd like to make sure of is, would I be happy to play the AR503 unplugged ?

And this not so much because of a loud volume : I'll play for myself, not for the neighbors, so a decent volume is enough...
In fact happiness will come much more from a convincing, lively behavior of the guitar in all its frequencies, making one feeling the vibes of the guitar, and hearing all the notes in the chords.

If you do make a sample, please let us know how you did it : room size, mike distance, this sort of things.

all the best

[AZanshin]

Both videos were recorded on a sony Xperia Z2 mobile phone. The Eastman AR503ce I have might have slightly different specs than the current production due to it being a prototype.

The first video as recored in a large room with the phone quite close the guitar. *Sorry about the quality it is an old recording.*picking closer to the bridge hence the brighter sound*

This second recording was recored in a small room about 2.3m X 3.2m room

The guitar is definitely loud enough for home practice, sorry again for the quality in playing ability. I hope the clips helped with your decision on the acoustic tone. When playing with this guitar you can really feel the vibrations resonating through the body.

Once its day time over here(UK) I could take some higher quality recording through my interface and mic if need.

As it's Electric it's not really loud to be playing in a loud environment but for home playing and practice it will be fine. If you ever feel you need it to be loud you could pick up a micro cube and play through that as well.

Aaron.

** Following on from what jelly said your going to get better projection from round wounds. In these clips I was playing with my thumb with .13 chrome flat wounds which are about 4 years old. I should really change them soon.

[sirbellog]

Many thanks AZanshin,

so far your 2 clips are for me the best testimony of the 503 acoustic potential
Don't worry about your skills : okay, you're not Joe Pass yet, neither am I, and we all have to learn and improve !

In the 1st clip, one indeed can feel the "woodiness" of the guitar, and it sounds almost like a classical instrument. Good tone and presence.

In the 2nd clip, unsurprisingly since it is recorderd from a further point, the presence is not that obvious, but the sound remains balanced and warm, just a bit more "fragile".
I guess reality is something in between.

Do you have flats on the 503 ? The sounds is softer and darker (in a good sense) than on the above "unplugged video" where the fingernoise is very disturbing for me.

And yes, if you feel like it of course, a better quality clip would be great, if possible with the mike at maybe about 1,5 foot (50 centimeters) off the guitar, in order to get a close sound with some ambiance of the room.
If you decide to do it don't bother about making it very long or virtuoso, just do as you feel, but please throw in some sustained chords for us to hear the resonance of the body with several strings, and how the notes fade away.

And even if you don't go further, once again many thanks for these 2 videos, it's a valuable tool for decision and I will listen to them again and again !

[DanielleOM]

I have an Eastman AR503CE, an AR371CE, and an AR805CE. (Order listed is newest to oldest purchase date)

The AR503CE puts out the least amount of acoustic volume of the three. I find it is the one that is most mellow. I have flatwound strings on it. It's the guitar that is use these days and do practice with it normally at home unplugged.

If you are looking for a 16" archtop, with a carved top, 25" scale length, 1 3/4 nut, with a depth of approximately 2 1/2" rim to rim, without a heavy plastic like finish, at low cost, with reasonable weight, I would strongly consider the AR503CE. If there is another guitar with same specs at reasonable cost, I certainly have not found it.

The AR371CE to me sounds brighter to me, however with it's deeper body and 24.75' scale length, the feel and playability is very different to me. I prefer the 25" scale length myself. I find things start to feel a little cramped at times when playing chord melody pieces higher up the neck with the shorter scale. I certainly would not buy an AR371CE in lieu of an AR503CE just save a few dollars, as they are very different instruments?

There's a new AR580CE that looks similar and little more dressed up, however I believe it may come with a narrower nut.

If buying an Eastman I ask them to verify and specs critical to you as they apply to the particular instrument they have for sale. Eastman in the past has made models with variations in design without changing the model number.

Danielle

[sirbellog]

Thanks Danielle for your input about the 503.

I'm tempted of course by the 503 : the 25' scale is my preference too, and the 1.75 nut as well, so the 580 which is more expensive anyway, is not really a match.

In addition both AZanshin clips give a good feeling about this guitar.

Gilles