-
glad to know that you are enjoying it, I'm still undecided between the 371 versus the PM2 aa.
-
02-14-2018 11:37 AM
-
Originally Posted by hagstrom
-
I'm still digging my AR910CE, AR610CE and AR371CE. Each has a unique voice and wonderful feel. Other instruments have come and gone but these keep making me smile...
-
Originally Posted by GNAPPI
-
I've been playing a non-cutaway 810 for a few years now and am really happy with it. I don't really play electric anymore but did for years. Had an Ibanez copy of an ES-175 back in the early 80's and later on had a GibsonEs-175. The Ibanez was a better guitar hands down. I know thqt's not what you asked about but just thought I'd mention to deter buying by brand alone. Good luck
-
Originally Posted by mwcarr
-
Originally Posted by hagstrom
-
Originally Posted by GNAPPI
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
-
I own an AR371 SB.
A wonderful guitar. Got 'better pedigreed' guitars for comparison, too.
If I wasn't upside-down with guitar debt I'd replace the pick-up just 'cause I could.
Mine is 5-1/2 pounds. This is a nice feature.
Good luck with your hunt.
-
I replaced the pickup in my AR371 too. It sounds so much sweeter with a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary...
-
The pickup on my T145 was meh, but a pickup change made a dramatic difference. With the Vintage Vibe HCC pickup it has exceptional sound. As mentioned above, it doesn't sound like an L5, but expecting that from a carved-top thinline, weighing less than 5 lb and with a single-coil pickup, is silly. A heavily-built Gibson is not the only acceptable sound, at least to me.
-
Originally Posted by GNAPPI
OR maybe most Players don't care...I have a thread on what looks a lot like a 2.25" deep version of your Guitar built by Eastman for GuitarsnJazz 5 were made I think ] called Jazz Elite SH .
Sounds very even all across to the high strings...long sustain but like a thin Archtop.- great sound IMO
I wonder why Manufacturers don't make the default thickness at rim 2" or 2.25" so we can actually hear the semi hollow effect . Parallel switch will make it tighter when needed....
-
Originally Posted by rexi
I understand that you prefer the T186MX -you are not saying it is ' better'.
Is it a bit warmer, beefier on the low notes or - generally - what quality does the 186 MX have that you like more than the Gibson and are you using 11s or 12s on it?
Thanks.
-
For those Eastman experts out there: if you were going to pick a full depth, single cutaway, single pickup instrument for pretty much chord melody (read 'dark and smokey') use only, what would you choose? Ruled out Peerless because of the scarf joint in the neck, Gibson because of price, and Ibanez because the only one I like is the GB-10 and I can't afford it, and Epiphone because all the necks I've tried have been baseball bats. Seems like Eastman might be the way to go but will have to buy online because there are none anywhere that I can try. I know I'm being picky but I know what I like and don't like. Budget would be in the $1500 range and used is fine but MUST have ebony fingerboard - no rosewood allowed. Other suggestions welcomed, of course
-
Originally Posted by Skip Ellis
When it comes to value in the Eastman line, I think the AR503CE is difficult to beat. (Laminate back and sides with carved top) Although definitely loud enough for home practice, they are not acoustic cannons like the full depth archtops.
There's quite a few videos on You Tube. You might want to do some listening.
-
I have an AR503CE winding its way to me as I write. Hopefully it will arrive soon. I had the 371, but feel I'd want the carved top this time round, and the inset humbucker as well. I'll do an NGD when it arrives. They've brought out a new version with a Seth Lover humbucker, but I got the older version with an Asian Kent Armsrtrong as they were selling it off cheaper, and I fancy upgrading to a Charlie Christian pickup at some point.
-
Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
-
So I've owned the following Eastman Archtop guitars.
810CE, 805CE, JP 880, 803CE with Humbucking built-in. EL REY 2
None have the Smokey Dark tone you describe looking for. Being carved quite a bit thinner than say Gibson, they tend to have a more modern brightness tonal wise. You might be happier with a thicker laminate like a used Gibson ES-175
The Eastman 175 copy is bright as well.
The only Eastman that might do what you are looking for might be the larger El Rey 3 model. But I have no hands on experience with one. Maybe another member who has tried or owns one can chime in?
-
Eastman guitars are built to the Benedetto specs. They read the book, and followed it as closely as they could. They sound far more like Benedettos than Gibsons. Dark and smoky does not describe either Benedetto or Eastman. They both sound very good, but are brighter than the typical Gibson. If you want the Gibson sound but cheaper, look at Epiphone. I would not describe Epi necks as baseball bats, not even close. But I haven't played every Epi in existence. The one I have has a very thin neck, thinner than I really like, but our tastes are probably different.
-
Not a expert but I own 2 Eastmans one is a ar610, the other a low end dreadnought. Both are flawless. I haven't tried the 175 clone but would buy one if someone would buy my 1968 Gibson ES175D for what is claimed it is worth.
I did have the first AR605 but it was stolen, recovered and sitting in evidence for the last 3 years.
-
I love my 2006 Eastman AR810CE for playing solo arrangements, mostly due to its acoustic voice and responsiveness and a neck/fretboard shape that feels like home. I like to play it at volumes where I hear about 1/2 acoustic and 1/2 amplified. I guess it can get “dark and smokey” by turning up the volume and rolling off the treble. But I only go for darker tones in band, and usually choose a smaller bodied laminated guitar and set-in pickup for those situations.
Edit: The AR805CE has a narrower waist and deeper body. It was also offered in a non-cut configuration. The 910 and 905 are basically the same guitars with more flame. I played a 905 non-cut a few years ago that had an especially sweet amplified tone, but the fancy wood pushed the retail price too high for me.Last edited by KirkP; 08-13-2019 at 08:35 PM.
-
Agreed with above post, probably the 810CE was the best Eastman I owned out of the lot. But it was a small ensemble low volume purpose instrument.
And again not Dark sounding acoustically. But a great guitar especially used.
Try to buy one of the newer ones used 2010 and later. The earlier models had finish issues.
-
As OP mentioned chord melody setting, and I have two Eastmans and also an Epi Joe Pass, so I took a big breath and created my very first YouTube demo. (do not expect too much, I am not a professional musician, just picking as hobby) Still, hopefully the sound of the instruments will came through.
The Epi has upgraded with a Benedetto PAF (just the neck) and tone control and switch completely wired out.
What I noticed after reviewing the video:
- There is a big "darkness" difference, it shocks in either way, so it worth to repeat the very same guitar to allow accommodating its sound, and found it lovable.
- IMHO both Eastmans have some mojo, but Epi lacks of it, despite the Benedetto upgrade.
-
Originally Posted by DanielleOM
edit - I've owned so many guitars many get lost in the memory mix. I've owned 2 Eastman Jazz Elites, previously posted here. Somewhat similar to a 503, and great guitars too. But most 16" arch tops are hard compare to a 17", nor would a 17" easily compare to an 18". Although I only own an ES175 and nylon guitars now, there was once a time big boxes were my preference.
But I'll add that when you've sampled/owned as many arch tops in a short time as I have one can develop sound preferences. The only Asian built guitars that I've previously owned, and I'm high on, compared to American built arch tops, are the former Japan built Vestax models, the 70's/80's built Aria PE180's, and the Peerless Cremona and Monarch models.
We each develop sound preferences. I don't wish to offend anyone who owns Eastman's for they're great guitars.
Last edited by 2bornot2bop; 08-15-2019 at 08:10 PM.
-
Originally Posted by Gabor
16" 1920s/30s L5
Yesterday, 08:44 PM in For Sale