Eastman AR905CC

[jads57]

Perception and Marketing are amazing things! Having owned many of Eastman's archtops as well as Gibsons vintage and newer. I will say both companies are capable of excellent products. Eastman is a newer company relatively speaking compared to Gibson's long track record and both have their share of growing pains.
My suggestion when buying an Eastman stick to 2008 and newer due to finishing and construction improvements overall. Also Eastman archtops are much lighter and thinner tops and backs compared to Gibson's offerings.
This can be a good thing or not depending on your choice in tone. For me I prefer the thicker tops and backs overall, But I oned a 2008 Eastman 810CE with a replaced KA handmade floater that was excellent and a bargain as well!

[Meggy]

The thing that immediately strikes me is the pickup position - that's a 22 fret neck, so the pickup is where it would be if at the end of a 24 fret neck. I know there are a few jazz archtops like that, but surely better to get the pickup located further from the bridge? I speak as the owner of an Ibanez JP20, and from experience the stock pickup location on that one is not ideal (I've recently fixed this by installing a CC style floater in the gap between stock pickup and fingerboard). Well, just my take anyhow, but I can't imagine this new Eastman model will be the best for a classic warm jazz tone.

[guido5]

The thing that immediately strikes me is the pickup position - that's a 22 fret neck, so the pickup is where it would be if at the end of a 24 fret neck. I know there are a few jazz archtops like that, but surely better to get the pickup located further from the bridge? I speak as the owner of an Ibanez JP20, and from experience the stock pickup location on that one is not ideal (I've recently fixed this by installing a CC style floater in the gap between stock pickup and fingerboard). Well, just my take anyhow, but I can't imagine this new Eastman model will be the best for a classic warm jazz tone.

So does a Gibson ES-175 have a classic warm jazz tone?

[omphalopsychos]

I'll never understand this kind of thinking: You've never played or heard one of these guitars but you have determined it's not worth the selling price because....? Someone on this forum a few months back bought an L5 and had to send back to the factory twice. I would expect he paid more than $3400 (if not double or more) but it says Gibson on the headstock. Could you please share with us disappointments you personally experienced with each Eastman guitar you've played?

This is a good point. I played the guitar back to back against a Collins CL Jazz with a Lollar CC Pickup. I much preferred the Eastman.

[Meggy]

So does a Gibson ES-175 have a classic warm jazz tone?

Of course I'd have to say yes, but then a 175 has a 20 fret fingerboard, and actually the pickup on that is further away from the bridge. No worries anyhow, I was just expressing a personal view, you have every right to disagree.

[Little Jay]

Of course I'd have to say yes, but then a 175 has a 20 fret fingerboard, and actually the pickup on that is further away from the bridge. No worries anyhow, I was just expressing a personal view, you have every right to disagree.

The pickup in the 175 is actually in the 'standard position' for Gibson the virtual 24th fret, same spot as on a 335 and a 125 for example (I have measured on mine). But you have a good point, pickup position matters a lot as I have noticed on my Ibanez AF55, that has a 20 fret neck with the pickup right at the end of the fretboard. It sounds rounder and warmer - actually the same effect when you move your hand up there to pick.

And if I count correctly in the picture the CC of the Eastman sits about in the 26th fret position (not the same as on an ES-150), so I would be inclined to say it will sound brighter than the same guitar with the same pickup further from the bridge.

[Meggy]

The pickup in the 175 is actually in the 'standard position' for Gibson the virtual 24th fret, same spot as on a 335 and a 125 for example (I have measured on mine). But you have a good point, pickup position matters a lot as I have noticed on my Ibanez AF55, that has a 20 fret neck with the pickup right at the end of the fretboard. It sounds rounder and warmer - actually the same effect when you move your hand up there to pick.

And if I count correctly in the picture the CC of the Eastman sits about in the 26th fret position (not the same as on an ES-150), so I would be inclined to say it will sound brighter than the same guitar with the same pickup further from the bridge.

Fair enough, I was being less precise - just that my own experience, for what it's worth, is that pickup at the end of a 22 fret board, or a bit of a gap from a 20 fret board (as on a 175) is fine for the kind of tones I like. But when you go to having a bit of a gap from the end of a 22 fret board (or indeed a 24 fret board) then that's a step to far - for me anyhow. It's subjective of course, and I do like the look of that Eastman otherwise, and indeed most of their models. And I'd be happy to be proved wrong - was just raising the issue for the purposes of a bit of friendly discussion.