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Hello!
I think I'm ready to purchase my first archtop guitar and I've narrowed it - hopefully - to two choices:
The Eastman AR580. . .
. . . or the Archtop Tribute AT105m
Both have a 1 11/16" neck width, a set humbucker and are about 2.5 inches deep. I'm looking the best new, bang-for-your-buck traditional archtop that is a little less deep for comfort. The Eastman has a bit more bling with maple binding and ebony appointments but the AT105 has a pretty great build reputation. With either I'll probably replace the humbucker with a Lollar Charlie Christian pup as I really dig that brittle (crisp?) sound.
Anyway, I think I'm really sounding off just to talk through my thinking. I don't live in an area where I can test drive archtops other than the most entry level of the Ibanez brand. With NAMM coming up this weekend maybe there will be something else that catches my interest. Any thoughts, advice or feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Last edited by Soopanova; 01-21-2019 at 11:17 PM.
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01-20-2019 02:05 PM
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I have owned an Eastman and also tried several AT guitars, though not the models you are interested in. Both may be great, but if I were in your place I would go for the Archtop Tribute. In general better craftmanship, better hardware, more value for money. You could ask what the additional costs would be for a CC pickup. They make their own version which you can see on their AT Custom models.
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If nut width is a real concern for you, I would have the nut measured on the specific guitar you plan to buy. Eastman guitars are hand built and there is variation from one guitar to the next.
I have one Eastman specified as having a 1 3/4 nut, however it appears to be a very generous 1 3/4. When I measure it looks closer to 1 13/16.
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Dear Soopanova,
I had an eastman guitar 1 year1/2 years ago (see NGD), and I had to sell it last summer because of chronic tendonitis problems in both elbows. This problem was not due to the Eastman by itself but on the other hand I clearly had a lot more trouble playing on this guitar than on my old $120 Pacifica... (not the same guitar, and same sound, that's true...
)And it is true, as told by DanielleOM, that the neck was much wider than announced, it was given for 1 11/16", but in fact it measured 1 11/15". And on my side with my arm problems, it made a good difference, so I ended up selling it because it was beautiful but I hadn't bought it to look at it. Otherwise the lutherie was very well finished, the acoustic sound was, from my point of view, very good, but I found the pickup a little below what the guitar deserved. So for Eastman, I'll say they're very nice guitars but it's actually better to try the neck of the guitar before buying, the problem is that finding Eastman to try them is not always easy...For AT, sorry I've never tried these guitars. Good thinking!!!!!
(sorry for the bad English... )
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For sure it was a beautiful guitar....
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Wow . . . thanks for all your responses! The Eastman sure is attractive but the components and build quality of the Archtop Tribute seem pretty hard to beat. I will ask Walkin if they would perhaps consider putting some kind of P90 / Charle Christian type of pickup in the AT105m. They have a dogear P90 option for the AT105 but not the mid sized AT105m. The full sized 3 1/3 archtop tribute looks great but I just know it would be too big for me.
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They have a Mid Depth Version also 2.5" deep - check out the videos etc.
Archtop Tribute
Not mic'ed well but you can see the size he flips guitar over etcLast edited by Robertkoa; 01-23-2019 at 02:27 AM.
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Are you seriously considering an orange guitar.
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I think the Eastman looks nice - like a violin. However, I am leaning more towards the Archtop Tribute.
Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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Yup - that's pretty much what I want but maybe with the dogear P90 found on the AT105 Classic (I doubt they would put in one of their Charlie Christian pickups without a significant cost as it needs a different route ). Hopefully they will be able to hook that up for me. I can't pull the trigger until next month so we'll see. Originally Posted by Robertkoa
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With two pickups the Archtop Tribute AT 102MD is different from the AT105M you had in mind. Originally Posted by Soopanova
My estimate of the extra for the MIJ CC pickup would be 35.000 JPY, about 320 USD. If they are willing to do that worth the money. Whether you will need it is another question.
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See the difference in pickup placement. The AT would probably have a more "honky" tone. But I have no first-hand experience with them.
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Originally Posted by Woody Sound
I dig on that kind of tone - 'peaky' and a touch 'naked' ? (I've never been great at verbalizing sound). My fave guitarists in terms of tone are Jimmy Raney and Jesse Van Ruller.
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Well, if you like Jesse van Ruller's tone so much then you might also consider a Westville guitar. Jesse currently plays a Westville Aruba with a '57 humbucker. The Westville Aruba Crest has a CC pickup. Great guitar though a lot more expensive that an Archtop Tribute.
Aruba Crest — Westville Guitars
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I love that finish. Originally Posted by omphalopsychos
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So do I. I had an Eastman T146smd and a AR910 in that violin finish and in hand it is gorgeous... Some colors do not translate well onto computer screens.
Big
Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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I have an Eastman. An AR 371. A cheaper model than the one you are considering. It is very lightweight with a loud acoustic sound and I have to say the quality is really fantastic. I find it hard to believe it is so good for the money. I would imagine the Archtop Tribute will be flawless as Japanese things are usually superb quality, but if it is a faithful 175 replica, albeit with a body that is less deep, then it could well be a lot heavier than the Eastman with a much quieter acoustic sound. This would probably be worth checking out before making your final decision.
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I know this is 6 years later but to the OP did you ever purchase this guitar?
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