$2500 Archtop Question

[SierraTango]

Eastman AR910CE Natural | Reverb

If you are in NC, take a road trip to Richmond and check this out. You would have some $$'s left over for that carbon fiber Colnago frame!
Seriously, I think Eastman CAN be a really fine instrument, I own and gig out with a '05 JP880. Truthfully not much in acoustic department though. The 910 is their flagship model.

Also, I see recommends on Gibson and Heritage in the replies. I once owned a Golden Eagle I bought from Jay Wolfe in the mid-nineties, it was a outstanding instrument. I would also encourage you to take a look at the other "G" option-Guild archtops are usually undervalued and the Artist Award model can usually be found at reasonable dollars.

[mr. beaumont]

I don't personally prefer Eastmans' feel but this is flat out false

I would say "different" sound quality. Not poor.

Personally, it's not what I'm after...it's that Benedetto sound, stringy, somewhat nasal, more "acoustic."

If the sound you want is a old Gibson, for example, the Eastman is the wrong guitar for you.

As for feel, they're really well made, I'm surprised anybody would be down on that.

From what the OP writes about his style, I think he should definitely give the Eastman sound a try.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I've had a few Guild archtops, X-500 and CE-100. I wouldn't recommend these in any way as an acoustic instrument. An Artist Award is going to be awfully hard to find for $2500.

[omphalopsychos]

I would say "different" sound quality. Not poor.

Personally, it's not what I'm after...it's that Benedetto sound, stringy, somewhat nasal, more "acoustic."

If the sound you want is a old Gibson, for example, the Eastman is the wrong guitar for you.

As for feel, they're really well made, I'm surprised anybody would be down on that.

From what the OP writes about his style, I think he should definitely give the Eastman sound a try.

I own both Eastman's top of the line acoustic archtop (AR910 non-cutaway) and a 1936 Gibson L7. The Eastman has a different sound from the Gibson but certainly not a bad one. The Gibson sound is warmer with more of a lower midrange focus. The Eastman has more clarity and a more open/even frequency response and perhaps more sustain. The Eastman sound is slightly less pronounced in the lower mids, which to many ears makes it sound nasal. One trick I've learned with the Eastman is that if I want it to sound more 'vintage' (i.e. reminiscent of 1930s guitars) I put on D'Addario Nickel Bronze and it gets me a warmer tone that is still unique. I've been thinking of doing a demo comparing the sounds of 80/20 Bronze, Monel, and Nickel Bronze on the Eastman. Might get around to that today, as I had to take a sick day and feel like recording something.


Oh, and to make my tangential comment relevant to the OP's post. You can usually find a 910 or 905 (the 16" variant) non cutaway on reverb or ebay for about 1800, though they may be becoming scarce since Eastman stopped making them.

[SierraTango]

I've had a few Guild archtops, X-500 and CE-100. I wouldn't recommend these in any way as an acoustic instrument. An Artist Award is going to be awfully hard to find for $2500.

Agreed, however I paid 3K for my 92 Artist Award in mint condition. There was a special circumstance-the seller was a fan and brought it into the gig. He felt he "couldn't do the guitar justice" and wasn't using it. I sold it for a tidy profit after giging with it for a couple years to help fund my Benedetto Cremona purchase.

And OP-some of those "vintage" steel framed Italian bikes like Colnago, CIOCC, DeRosa, bring some pretty hefty prices at least out here in Cali.

Here's a photo of my old AA.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Agreed, however I paid 3K for my 92 Artist Award in mint condition. There was a special circumstance-the seller was a fan and brought it into the gig. He felt he "couldn't do the guitar justice" and wasn't using it. I sold it for a tidy profit after giging with it for a couple years to help fund my Benedetto Cremona purchase.

That was a hell of a deal.

[jads57]

Was re-reading this useful thread and have a question. What is special about 2008 WRT Eastman? Thanks.


2008 and beyond Eastman got a lot better with their finishes especially their durability!

[BigMikeinNJ]

Don't know why I didn't think to mention this one. A little hard to find but really fantastic guitar:

Epiphone Elitist Byrdland

Not the super skinny necks of the old Gibson Byrdlands, more of a normal width. Remarkably versatile guitar with 2 set in the top pickups (Classic 57s). So well made that it dented Gibsons sales too much for their liking (there were other truly outstanding models in that Elitist line that kicked butt).

Start looking around. They really hold their resale value AND are truly amazing instruments. If I remember correctly made in the Terada factory in Japan, home to some amazing guitars built for Fender, Gretsch and the like.

Good luck.

[ThatRhythmMan]

You're right, Big, the Elitist hollow and semi-hollows were all made at Terada. The problem with the Byrdland and the Broadway models it that the set in humbuckers kill a lot of the acoustic properties. I have had 3 each of the Casinos and Broadways (still have two Broadways for sale). I believe that all of the Casinos functioned better as acoustic guitars than any of the Broadways.

All of that said, the Broadway Elitists are very competitive with the L5 CES in my opinion.

[DaveLeeNC]

From what I learned doing a bit of research this is basically an Aria guitar with a pressed/formed top (not carved), and laminate sides. While functionally this one really hits my "sweet spot" the pricing just seems badly out of line for what it is (or at least what I think it is).

Comments or thoughts on this. Or maybe my research has led me astray here. I stumbled onto that one before I even started this thread, so I don't recall exactly what left me with those 'facts'.

dave

[omphalopsychos]

not an eastman. poor sound quality.

Yeah totally.

[Bluedawg]

Since there are two recommendations/suggestions regarding this one...

From what I learned doing a bit of research this is basically an Aria guitar with a pressed/formed top (not carved), and laminate sides. While functionally this one really hits my "sweet spot" the pricing just seems badly out of line for what it is (or at least what I think it is).

Comments or thoughts on this. Or maybe my research has led me astray here. I stumbled onto that one before I even started this thread, so I don't recall exactly what left me with those 'facts'.

dave

I looked at one of these new a few years ago ...

as I see it there is an upcharge for the D'Aquisto label and this is also based on one of D'Aquisto's more popular designs ... thus the price

[2bornot2bop]

Agreed, however I paid 3K for my 92 Artist Award in mint condition. There was a special circumstance-the seller was a fan and brought it into the gig. He felt he "couldn't do the guitar justice" and wasn't using it. I sold it for a tidy profit after giging with it for a couple years to help fund my Benedetto Cremona purchase.

And OP-some of those "vintage" steel framed Italian bikes like Colnago, CIOCC, DeRosa, bring some pretty hefty prices at least out here in Cali.

Here's a photo of my old AA.

Let me guess, 10 or 15 years ago?
Although I did buy an AA for $3100 4 years ago. It's not an easy find for an AA at that price today.

[BigMikeinNJ]

.You got a brother, right here in the forum selling an Elitist Byrdland with Lollar 50 winds (P-90 shape). It's got the Gibson headstock shape, it's a NT finish. That Gibson headstock shape on the Elitst Byrdland was VERY rare and only for the Japan market where Gibson couldn't really cry foul too much.

[DaveLeeNC]

BigMike - thanks for the pointer. But that dual/fixed pickup situation is a real show stopper for me (amplification is priority #2 here) without being able to play the instrument.

dave

[Woody Sound]

not an eastman. poor sound quality.

That's a very narrow-minded non-productive personal opinion. Just because you Jack prefer that thunky heavy midrangey electric sound. I've owned a few Eastman archtops, and the f-hole models have a wonderful acoustic archtop sound, maybe exactly what the OP is looking for, including a 1-3/4 nut.

[Max405]

Try to find an L7c or a Gibson solid formed Venetian. Both GREAT acoustically. The solid formed is an extremely under rated guitar. I wish I never sold mine.
JD

[ThatRhythmMan]

Try to find an L7c or a Gibson solid formed Venetian. Both GREAT acoustically. The solid formed is an extremely under rated guitar. I wish I never sold mine.
JD

FWIW, that solid formed is very well loved by its new owner. I still hear about how great it is on a regular basis.

I'll second JD's opinion on the Gibson solid formed. They are excellent acoustic instruments and VERY underrated. If you're lucky, you might even find one in your price range.

[Max405]

And OP-some of those "vintage" steel framed Italian bikes like Colnago, CIOCC, DeRosa, bring some pretty hefty prices at least out here in Cali.

Ahhhh.. The DeRosa.. I rode a Pink one in LA a while back at I Martin's. What a ride. Best bike I ever rode.
I think it was $10,000 back in 87. Full campy record gruppo.. Memories.. oops. Sorry

[Cunamara]

So please don't convince me that I am wrong or I am liable to just trade up my darn good 1996 Bianchi EL/OS steel road bike (with serious wheel and gearing upgrades) for some carbon fiber monstrosity.

dave

ps. If you think it is hard to sell an archtop guitar, you should try the market for 'high end in its day' steel framed bikes.

LOL! Which is why I still just ride my 1996 Rivendell All-Rounder, my mid-90s Ritchey fillet-brazed road classic and my custom randonneur... why sell 'em? They are great bikes, it's not like I'm really going to get one that is better for the kind of riding I do. In the same vein, that's why I still have my 1978 Takamine F340S flattop that was the first guitar I owned and my second guitar, a 1981 GB10 that I've had for 30 years.

If I was really brutally honest, those are the only two guitars I need. And the randonneur is the only bike I'd need. But it's fun having those other things.

[jads57]

I will say I prefer the same midrange Gibson tone over the Eastman, in Jacks defense. But I think my old 810CE was a great guitar,especially for a low entry price!

[dconeill]

If you're looking for a guitar to be played acoustically, skip the archtop. Particularly for only $2500, you won't get much of an acoustic archtop. But more to the point, archtops were developed to play rhythm accompaniment to a big band - they're sound cannons, not delicate sensitive flowers. You'd be better off with a flattop, and there are lots of nice ones available for $2500.

[DaveLeeNC]

If you're looking for a guitar to be played acoustically, skip the archtop. Particularly for only $2500, you won't get much of an acoustic archtop. But more to the point, archtops were developed to play rhythm accompaniment to a big band - they're sound cannons, not delicate sensitive flowers. You'd be better off with a flattop, and there are lots of nice ones available for $2500.

Yeah - the choices at that used price point in flat top land are immense. I just don't care for the flattop sound and it is probably my classical guitar bias as the archtop (to my ear) attacks and sustains more like a classical. I have a tough time damping bass notes while doing anything else at the same time (getting better). And I find that flattops shove all kinds of 'additional damping situations' at me where archtops and my classical are similar.

dave

[DaveLeeNC]

This is one additional guitar that has hit my radar that hasn't been discussed. And that is the Hofner Jazzica (which seems to carry a typical online asking price just under 2K).

NGD: Hofner Jazzica Custom

dave

[mr. beaumont]

Yeah totally.

Sounds nice.

Is there an issue with the sustain on the upper notes, though, or is the player just not paying enough attention to the melody so he can do his little chord moves?