Eastman Frank Vignola

**JSanta** · 12-07-2016, 08:54 AM

Interesting picture popped up on my Instagram last night. The guitar looked exactly like a Thorell FV model, but it was on the Eastman page. Sure enough, Eastman has licensed the design from Ryan and is building a version of Frank's guitar.

Having spent a good deal of time with a real FV Thorell, the ergonomics and tone were superb (they should be for that kind of money!). I really like Eastman, so this is exciting to me!

**MarkRhodes** · 12-07-2016, 10:19 AM

Interesting. I love Frank's guitar but with a price tag over 8 grand, it's in never-never land for me.

**bananafist** · 12-07-2016, 10:19 AM

Hey, I like the look of that! Wonder if they'll ever get to the UK?

**djelley** · 12-07-2016, 11:45 AM

Does he play Gypsy-style on this guitar as well as "standard" jazz?

**WilliamScott** · 12-07-2016, 12:02 PM

This is one of my favorites:

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 12-07-2016, 12:07 PM

Very interesting. With all the specs they say nothing about the pickup.

**JSanta** · 12-07-2016, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by djelley

Does he play Gypsy-style on this guitar as well as "standard" jazz?

Frank plays EVERYTHING on this guitar. I've seen him play the most intricate Django tunes to crazy violin lines from Brahms on his guitar. Frank is a true master, and a super nice guy as well.

I doubt it's the same thing Frank gets from Lindy Fralin (I think that's what Ryan uses). But this guitar is probably going to fall under $2k. Swore I wouldn't buy another guitar, but I loved his Thorell, and the Eastman puts it in touch.

**Plectrum** · 12-07-2016, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by MarkRhodes

Interesting. I love Frank's guitar but with a price tag over 8 grand, it's in never-never land for me.

Eastman website says MSRP $2,495 so street should be below 2k. Still, not my thing, yet not totally unreasonable.

**MarkRhodes** · 12-07-2016, 02:57 PM

Frank and Vinny doing Beethoven's Fifth has been shown around here before but it's always worth another listen / viewing. It's nice to see mastery and fun together.

**Papawooly** · 12-07-2016, 02:59 PM

Wow, that Tico-Tico sounds alot like the version I have from my "Frank and Joe Show" CD...
Didn't know that they were the same Frank... That dude is a MONSTER!

**Papawooly** · 12-07-2016, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by JSanta

Frank plays EVERYTHING on this guitar. I've seen him play the most intricate Django tunes to crazy violin lines from Brahms on his guitar. Frank is a true master, and a super nice guy as well.

I doubt it's the same thing Frank gets from Lindy Fralin (I think that's what Ryan uses). But this guitar is probably going to fall under $2k. Swore I wouldn't buy another guitar, but I loved his Thorell, and the Eastman puts it in touch.

That was the best 2:52 I have ever spent!
I want to be these guys when I grow up (I'm 60)

And I echo this sentimemt...

"Swore I wouldn't buy another guitar, but I loved his Thorell, and the Eastman puts it in touch"

That is some delicious GAS

**mr. beaumont** · 12-07-2016, 03:26 PM

Strings: D'Adairro classical heavy tension

Whaaa?

**helios** · 12-07-2016, 03:38 PM

Frank would have to be in my top ten favorites of all time. I like his playing here (starts a 1.12 min):

**Woody Sound** · 12-07-2016, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Strings: D'Adairro classical heavy tension

Whaaa?

HA! Good eye there!

**2bornot2bop** · 12-07-2016, 08:48 PM

**richpiv** · 12-07-2016, 09:12 PM

Perfect timing. I am seeing him Thursday night in Sellersville, PA. Usually he's in the lobby after the show, so I see if I can get some firsthand info.

**Woody Sound** · 12-07-2016, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by richpiv

Perfect timing. I am seeing him Thursday night in Sellersville, PA. Usually he's in the lobby after the show, so I see if I can get some firsthand info.

Yes, a report please!

And a pic of you and FV.

**JSanta** · 12-07-2016, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by richpiv

Perfect timing. I am seeing him Thursday night in Sellersville, PA. Usually he's in the lobby after the show, so I see if I can get some firsthand info.

I got to meet Frank several times (he's good friends with the guitarist I took lessons from when I lived in MD) and I'm sure he'd love to talk about it. His personal Thorell is really neat, lots of signatures on the back and he had no problem letting me try it a couple of times. I'll be buying this Eastman in the future.

**MarkRhodes** · 12-07-2016, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by richpiv

Perfect timing. I am seeing him Thursday night in Sellersville, PA. Usually he's in the lobby after the show, so I see if I can get some firsthand info.

Tell him we all said, "Hey!" Wish him a Merry Christmas from Jazz Guitar Online.

**amyFB** · 12-08-2016, 12:05 AM

Frank and Vinnie are so much talented fun! Well worth the price of admission. I have one of their CDs that includes PDF tab but I have to supply the time to master...ah that'll be the day...!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Guitarbean25** · 12-08-2016, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by WilliamScott

This is one of my favorites:

Ok

That was NUTS, Jerry...!

**newsense** · 12-08-2016, 03:40 AM

I've just started following Frank's 123 Chord Melody course on TrueFire. Do you think Mrs Newsense will agree that I would progress much quicker with the new Eastman ?

**Rob MacKillop** · 12-08-2016, 03:57 AM

Okay, I'll be the detractor. I think it sounds crap :-) The sound on that Tico Tico video is of a cheap nylon electro-acoustic. No lust factor for me, I'm afraid. Frank is a monster player, for sure, and I love him on anything other than those nylon strings. Just not for me. He gets a much better sound with the D'Angelico he plays on those True Fire videos, or on anything else I've heard him play.

(runs for cover...)

**DanielleOM** · 12-08-2016, 06:55 AM

After realizing the strings classical, I am even more intrigued by the pickup. I really have no clue how this thing works with those strings.

**JSanta** · 12-08-2016, 09:06 AM

[QUOTE=DanielleOM;719455]After realizing the strings classical, I am even more intrigued by the pickup. I really have no clue how this thing works with those strings.[/QUOTE

I have a feeling that is incorrect (or rather I hope that it is). Frank plays roundwounds I believe.