New Eastman Romeo, WDYT?

**Arnesto** · 12-09-2019, 09:55 AM

What do you think about the Eastman Romeo?

New Eastman Romeo, WDYT?-eastman-romeo-jpg

**David B** · 12-09-2019, 10:34 AM

It's a new model, designed by Otto D'Ambrosio. Announced at Summer NAMM 2019 and just now beginning to appear in stores.

Review: Review: Eastman Romeo - Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

**Woody Sound** · 12-09-2019, 10:37 AM

Yeah, they came out earlier this year. Solid spruce top, but we don't know how it's braced.

**Jim Soloway** · 12-09-2019, 10:48 AM

Guitars in this class depend a huge amount on all the variables that you cant see in a photo: interior design and engineering, neck construction, bridge seating, pickups etc. I'd have to hear a few reliable first hand reports before I'd consider it.

**sgosnell** · 12-09-2019, 11:53 AM

I like that headstock design much more than the traditional Eastman design. I like a relatively straight string pull, and the normal Eastman design results in a strong bend at the nut. If I were in the market for a semi, and I'm not, I would certainly consider this model, given my previous Eastman experience.

**arielcee** · 12-09-2019, 01:34 PM

It looks a little like a Samick Greg Bennett Royale.
Another semi-hollow thinline electric guitar. I guess it's good to have options....

**silvertonebetty** · 12-09-2019, 01:44 PM

Looks like an old harmony...

**GNAPPI** · 12-09-2019, 01:56 PM

Eastman is calling it "an original design"

I think Otto was influenced strongly by the Fret King John Etheridge except the FK has the controls more logically placed behind the bridge and it has a pickguard.

Also, The FK is about half the price of the Eastman.

**Gitfiddler** · 12-09-2019, 02:29 PM

I like the overall concept, but it needs a pickguard.

**lammie200** · 12-09-2019, 03:16 PM

Looks pretty cool to me. I wonder how much of the interior is blocked.

**Jabberwocky** · 12-09-2019, 03:31 PM

Looks too much like a Chuck P. Thornton guitar for my liking. I like CP Thornton and his guitars, and I hope Eastman does the right thing by the man.

Edit: I just read that it was designed by Otto D'Ambrosio. Oh well, still reminds me of a CP Thornton.

**Arnesto** · 12-09-2019, 03:31 PM

The problem with the Eastmans is the price, they're too expensive

**rob taft** · 12-09-2019, 04:37 PM

The Romeo has a small block under the bridge. This model from the specs I've read uses a 1 11/16 nut width vs their usual 1 3/4". I like what Otto had done with the headstock. I wish my ElRey's had the same. Pickups are Lollar Imperials with a low wind and they sound pretty good to my ears.

**mr. beaumont** · 12-09-2019, 04:42 PM

Not bad, a little generic looking. The f-holes look too "low" or something.

Not sure the world needed another semi hollow (or thinline hollow with a little block under the bridge) but here we are. I mean, they sell...see the 10,000 335 copies out there.

Personally, I wish Eastman would push ideas like the El Rey. That was a really cool design, with very little else out there like it.

**Hammertone** · 12-09-2019, 06:12 PM

Looks like a bad copy of a Collings SoCo, IMO.
Tragically wrong f-hole placement.
I'll check it out at NAMM - I'm sure it will play and sound fine.

**Woody Sound** · 12-09-2019, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Personally, I wish Eastman would push ideas like the El Rey. That was a really cool design, with very little else out there like it.

Yeah. But the first ER's were 14"(?), then the ER4 is 16". I'd be awfully tempted at a 15" model.

**rob taft** · 12-09-2019, 07:17 PM

Unfortunately for everyone who likes innovation or something different there are 20 others who want the status quo. Guitar players are in general a hidebound and dogmatic bunch. And while guitar players say they want new and different ideas, they don't vote with their pocketbook.

**marcwhy** · 12-09-2019, 08:17 PM

Kinda like this Scero:

New Eastman Romeo, WDYT?-scero-cavo-jpg

**Spook410** · 12-09-2019, 08:50 PM

Hmm.. when there are 5 different 'looks like one of these' does that mean it's an original design?

I do like it. Think it looks good in a conservative sort of way. I like slim hollow bodies with a block just under the bridge. And a solid spruce top. And the Lollar pickups. If I didn't have something similar would be looking into these. After all, a full block semi like the Gibson 335 is just a skinny Les Paul with wings.

**jads57** · 12-09-2019, 09:17 PM

Hard crowd to please,lol! I like it,but have to play one before making a final judgement on it.
I do wish that they would offer bigger neck shapes as an upgrade.

**Dadifan** · 12-10-2019, 05:10 AM

I got the Romeo 10 days ago and I love it. It has all what I want:
exquiste sound, less than 2,5 kg, 44 mm neck, looks beautiful and the price is ok.
It is my favorite electric guitar.

**Sam Sherry** · 12-10-2019, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

Looks like a bad copy of a Collings SoCo, IMO.
Tragically wrong f-hole placement.

Spot on, Hammer. Collings CL Jazz:

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I like that headstock design much more than the traditional Eastman design.

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Personally, I wish Eastman would push ideas like the El Rey. That was a really cool design, with very little else out there like it.

Agreed. One of the things I like about my ER4 is that it's not a knockoff of any particular instrument. You can see where Otto refers to elements of Steve Klein, Ken Parker and others but it's not "The xxx Model."

**Hammertone** · 12-10-2019, 02:13 PM

Perhaps a bit more SoCo than CL (given the block/tune-o-matic/stop tp), but the intent is there.
Great idea to knock off the Collings at a significantly lower price point:

**telejw** · 02-07-2020, 03:43 PM

I’m wondering if anyone has a review to share about this? It seems to check many of the boxes I’m looking for, albeit in a slightly higher price bracket. I’ve heard that availability will become a little better come April/May.