Eastman Antique Series

[neatomic]

eastmans done a tweaking of their ar 371 (es-175 inspired guitar) ....under the antique series name...the t49 has "antique varnish" finish and comes with a sd seth lover..(instead of the asian made kent armstrong hb)





specs @ Archtops T49/V-AMB ? Eastman Guitars


cheers

[cmajor9]

There's also an antique version of the semi-hollow, also with Seth Lovers... I think its the T59/V.

[newsense]

We are seeing more and more of this in archtops - first Ibanez and now Eastman. Why do people knowingly buy "fake antiques" ? I really don't understand this fashion.

[neatomic]

well in the case of eastman i believe the antique finish has more to do with using an old style varnish as opposed to poly...

as i stated ^. they are calling it "antique varnish finish"..whatever that entails?

epiphone did similar with their premium 175's..."lacquer" finish and real gibby pickups

"relic-ing" is a completely different thing..i'm no fan of that!..deliberately marking up a guitar dings and all..phooey

cheers

[newsense]

Looking at the picture, there appear to be deliberate patches of warn varnish and the tailpiece is tarnished - not sure whether the pickup covers are the same. These were the details that led to my comments.

[neatomic]

????

you may very well be correct!..

here's another pic



more pics @ Eastman T49-V Antique Finish Archtop from Ivor Mairants Musicentre

cheers

[Dedalus]

We are seeing more and more of this in archtops - first Ibanez and now Eastman. Why do people knowingly buy "fake antiques" ? I really don't understand this fashion.

I don't understand the trend, either. At least Ibanez and Eastman have stopped short of offering "relic'd" archtops.

[Archtop Guy]

I know one guy that "relics" luthier made archtops. Thinks nothing of refinishing (just for change of color) top of the line stuff.I could understand it if someone was paying a higher price for it. Does anyone here think aging their guitar will make it easier to sell and at a higher price?

[mr. beaumont]

These finishes look pretty nice. It's the fake dings and dents like Fender does that I can't abide.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Any of you guys that have not owned an Eastman, step back from the monitor a bit. I remember some of my favorite guitar colors were the Eastman classic finish and the vintage age. Real hand applied stain with a very light lacquer that is then almost completely buffed out. Light, delicate, resonant. Have to see them to appreciate them. I need another guitar like I need a hole in the head, if Eastman ever came out with the AR380 Pisano in that finish I'd tumble... Give them time, seek one out in person.

My 2 Cents


Big

[Longways to Go]

If only they could relic tone . . .

[neatomic]

If only they could relic tone . . .

that takes dings, scrapes and bangs of a different sort!

cheers

[BigToe]

The execution of a good finish is a difficult art. It has to be subtle. Eastman doesn't do finishes well imo. I have a 605 with that red stain and it's not good. Way over done. Maybe their blondes are better. I actually love my Eastman. Great sound and the neck is fantastic, but the finish looks tacky. This aged finish looks like what the red finish will look like in 40 years.

[newsense]

Guys ! Look carefully at all the pictures on the Mairants' website. These are not just the hand applied Eastman Classic finish (I used to own a 430 in that finish) - they are deliberately made to look worn - in my view that is still fake and totally unwelcome.

[David B]

Stopped in at Ivor Mairant's this morning for strings and, having read this thread, checked out this guitar. The finish feels very thin, with a nice semi-gloss finish. The "worn" areas don't feel rough or bare - as if the guitar has been buffed after the finish work has been done. The back of the body had some very light dings around the "worn" area. Again, barely noticeable under the fingers.

[Woody Sound]

Ever notice how nobody relics frets, at least not to the extent of dents and serious wear. All the 'naturally' relic'd guitars I've ever owned seemed to have that problem. Go figure...

Or relic'd tuners that stick and slip on purpose.

[superdave]

You are right they do blonde finishes much better. My 503 natural is very nice !

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I say this too much, but that's one sexy guitar.

[ESCC]

What has my attention is the Seth Lover and 24.75 with 1.75 nut, love that at a reasonable price.

[vinlander]

Antique style guitar by a maker who started making guitar in 1992 make me smile, but there is a market for that kind of mojo real or look alike.

[TedBPhx]

How do I buff out a finish like that. My Washburn J600 has that look. So far I've been hand rubbing it with a soft cloth for a couple of minutes after I play it. I have managed to somewhat smooth out some of the rougher areas. Would some sort of buffing pad on an electric drill be too aggressive? Is there some sort of compound? Not looking for a high gloss just something, uh..., richer?

[Jabberwocky]

Meguiar's Swirl Remover.

[TedBPhx]

Thanks!

[2bornot2bop]

How about that for some on the ground in 'real time' thread reporting!

Stopped in at Ivor Mairant's this morning for strings and, having read this thread, checked out this guitar. The finish feels very thin, with a nice semi-gloss finish. The "worn" areas don't feel rough or bare - as if the guitar has been buffed after the finish work has been done. The back of the body had some very light dings around the "worn" area. Again, barely noticeable under the fingers.

[Woody Sound]

Ever notice how nobody relics frets, at least not to the extent of dents and serious wear. All the 'naturally' relic'd guitars I've ever owned seemed to have that problem. Go figure...

How about relic'd pickups?

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