Opinions on Eastman AR503

[John A.]

I managed to free up some ducats via some herd thinning, and am now obsessing over youtube videos, which is giving me more questions than answers.

The pluses
- Has a good unplugged sound, which matters to me (evident in videos and from what people say here)
- Perfect form factor (16" lower bout, 3" or under depth. are my preferences)
- Widely available and at a price that corresponds to available ducats.
- Have not been able to try one, but having tried other Eastmans, I know I like the neck (more than my current Godin's neck, TBH)
- Very nice looking; recent Eastmans are well made
- has a cutaway (my Godin does not)
- Single humbucker, which is what I want, and the recent ones come with a Duncan Seth Lover which is generally a great sounding pickup

The minuses -- there's really only one. I can't for the life of me tell how they sound plugged in. A couple sound really nice, such as

and

.

But most of the others just do not sound good for example,

and

And/or have so much of the acoustic sound picked by the phone/camera you can't really hear the plugged in sound.


So, has anyone here played one, and are you able to dial in a reasonable amount of midrange warmth (and if so, do you have a link that demonstrates this) There are other directions I can explore, but this does check a lot of boxes., and I'd really like to like it.

Thoughts/Comments?

John

[Rob MacKillop]

John, I have one. These days it's my main jazz guitar, but that doesn't mean it's the best I've had, but for the price it is an excellent buy. Acoustically it is not loud, certainly no rhythm cannon, but more acoustic than a laminate. As for plugged in, I can't help you much as I changed the pickup to a Charlie Christian style from The Creamery in Manchester, England (highly recommended). I don't think the stock pickup was bad, I just wanted a CC-style pup for a change.

Unfortunately, the only video I have of it shows my playing at its worst! Or, rather, I'd been away from jazz for a while, and my brain couldn't come up with anything worth hearing. But here it is, through a Yamaha THR10:

[Joeontheguitar]

I had a 403, also with a Creamery CC pickup. I didn't bond with it. Plugged in it sounded too acoustic for my taste. Almost like a flat top, a bit nasal almost. I bough an Ibanez LGB30 that I liked much more.
Recently I sold all guitars that I didn't love and kept 4 good ones. All thin lines and a solid body.

[Tom Karol]

I have a 403 (coated roundwound 12's, stock pickup) that plays wonderfully (after a post-purchase going-over by my tech) and sounds gorgeous through my Henriksen amplifiers. Acoustically, it's not particularly satisfying, but I suspect that the 503 with a solid - not laminated - top would be better but perhaps also more susceptible to feedback.

I did a quick sound sample of it on YouTube right after I got it over 8 years ago - one of the 1st production models:

[John A.]

John, I have one. These days it's my main jazz guitar, but that doesn't mean it's the best I've had, but for the price it is an excellent buy. Acoustically it is not loud, certainly no rhythm cannon, but more acoustic than a laminate. As for plugged in, I can't help you much as I changed the pickup to a Charlie Christian style from The Creamery in Manchester, England (highly recommended). I don't think the stock pickup was bad, I just wanted a CC-style pup for a change.

Unfortunately, the only video I have of it shows my playing at its worst! Or, rather, I'd been away from jazz for a while, and my brain couldn't come up with anything worth hearing. But here it is, through a Yamaha THR10:

Hi Rob, I had seen this video before and think it sounds really good. Can you describe the difference between the Creamery and the original humbucker? Do you think the guitar's tone changed dramatically as a result of the swap?

John

[fep]

I have a 503,

Here's a short sound sample: Box

[Rob MacKillop]

Hi Rob, I had seen this video before and think it sounds really good. Can you describe the difference between the Creamery and the original humbucker? Do you think the guitar's tone changed dramatically as a result of the swap?

John

The Creamery CC is a lot louder, more dynamic, but has less tonal variety. However, the tone it has, I am completely happy with. I tend to prefer single-coil pickups, as they have more of a punch. The stock humbucker was mellow, but lacking punch, and a little quieter.

[John A.]

The Creamery CC is a lot louder, more dynamic, but has less tonal variety. However, the tone it has, I am completely happy with. I tend to prefer single-coil pickups, as they have more of a punch. The stock humbucker was mellow, but lacking punch, and a little quieter.

Thanks.

[John A.]

I have a 503,

Here's a short sound sample: Box

That sounds quite nice. I could definitely live with that tone.

John

[DanielleOM]

I have two. The older one purchased at a road show when the model was first introduced seems warmer unplugged than the newer one. On that one I did change the pickup to a Benedetto A6. I like the Benedetto more than the Seth Lover that came in the newer guitar. Both guitar necks feel very similar. I have several Eastman guitars here. I recall seeing two AR371CE guitars at a road show and the necks were extremely different. AR805CE, AR371CE, AR380FV. I also have a Benedetto Bravo. I find I play the AR503CE guitars the most out of the bunch.

[Max405]

Hi John,
I had a 580CE if that helps. It was a nice guitar. Not a very warm sounding guitar. The Pickup wasn't very good. I used it at one of the Pool parties I played at and quickly ran to the car to get my Tal. Because they are hand made, they vary in quality. Particularly in the cosmetics. Although I loved the color, the burst looked to me like it applied with a paper towel. Also, the center seem in the back was poorly executed. Lots of glue and not enough scraping and sanding to get it right before the color was applied. I bought it new. The case it came in was way too tight. I feared that it would cause the finish or the guitar itself to crack. So I reached out to the dealer who connected me with an Eastman rep who sent me out a replacement case which was too deep. And I had to pay shipping on it.. On the plus side, it took low action very well. It had beautiful Maple bindings. It was a very comfortable size.
So, if you buy one, just look it over 1st. If you get one without the issues my guitar had, You just might have yourself a winner.
Joe D

[John A.]

Thanks Joe.

[Gitterbug]

A good thread. I've been gassing for a 503 lately, as it's a tremendous value among carved-top archtops. However, I already have a 175 -59VOS and a Benedetto Bravo, which are great (and largely overlapping) for playing electric - all I do these days. A carved top would make more sense in the 17" format, but there my Peerless Emperor Regent stands ready for the occasional swing comping mission. It's from -99, and the years have certainly not been harmful for the tone. I guess I'm a laminate guy.

[339 in june]

I'm the happy owner of an Eastman AR503CE, sunburst, that I purchased new five years ago

I play this guitar exclusively unplugged at home, so that it is now strung with Phophore Bronze 12's for 3 or 4 years
That is the best fit I found for the acoustic sound (and the worst for electric sound !)
This is my go-to guitar when I want to spend some time with a guitar without having to use an amp or when I don't want to make too much noise ! That means, in these pandemic times, that itr gets 80% of my playing time.
In fact, I can't remember how it sounded plugged in, that was probably not too bad
It's prone to feedback, as you can expect from a thin carved top, but as far as I remember, that remained manageable.
I notice that they sell this guitar new for 25% more than what it was 5 years ago
Fit and finish are very good. Perhaps you've heard about finish problems on the early Eastman, but mine was, and still is OK
It has aged quite good and is very stable (never had to tweak the truss-rod)
Very confortable to play with the 2 3/4" rim and the 25" scale and the 1 3/4" nut.
Perhaps one day I'll string it again with TI's and plug it in ?

Let us know if you pull the trigger on one.

[John A.]

A good thread. I've been gassing for a 503 lately, as it's a tremendous value among carved-top archtops. However, I already have a 175 -59VOS and a Benedetto Bravo, which are great (and largely overlapping) for playing electric - all I do these days. A carved top would make more sense in the 17" format, but there my Peerless Emperor Regent stands ready for the occasional swing comping mission. It's from -99, and the years have certainly not been harmful for the tone. I guess I'm a laminate guy.

You sound pretty well set for archtops! If you need someone to look after your 175 for a while, let me know :-)

John

[Humbuckr]

Just updated my thoughts on a recently aquired AR503 here: Eastman AR503CE (and bridge question)

Great guitar. Takes some dialling in...then again it could just be that my DRRI isn’t the best amp for the jazz tone I’m after!

[Gabor]

John, I have one. These days it's my main jazz guitar, but that doesn't mean it's the best I've had, but for the price it is an excellent buy. Acoustically it is not loud, certainly no rhythm cannon, but more acoustic than a laminate. As for plugged in, I can't help you much as I changed the pickup to a Charlie Christian style from The Creamery in Manchester, England (highly recommended). I don't think the stock pickup was bad, I just wanted a CC-style pup for a change.

Unfortunately, the only video I have of it shows my playing at its worst! Or, rather, I'd been away from jazz for a while, and my brain couldn't come up with anything worth hearing. But here it is, through a Yamaha THR10:

Sounds great for me!

I am wondering, how this Creamery PU compared to Lollar Charlie Christian HB, which is double price?

[Humbuckr]

I've knocked a Soundcloud demo together using a Grant Green style lick. Im just a home player...aware its a bit rough and possibly nothing like Grant Green .

The first run through is my AR503CE. The second is a stock Ibanez AKJV90D for comparison. Pickup heights are the same and volume & tone knocked back to around 8 on both guitars. Recorded with a Helix Stomp into GarageBand.

I'm surprised how similar they sound on playback. In the room while playing its night and day- the Ibanez sounds boxier, less bright and more muted, I guess due to the laminate top. The Eastman is louder acoustically which influences perception and makes it seem brighter while playing than on the recording

Grant Green-ish Eastman AR503CE vs Ibanez AKJV90D by Tinman | Free Listening on SoundCloud

[Rob MacKillop]

Sounds great for me!

I am wondering, how this Creamery PU compared to Lollar Charlie Christian HB, which is double price?

I've no idea. The new Creamery version is the same but in a more recognisable CC blade casing. The Creamery is one guy, Jaime, and his reputation in the UK is very high.

[John A.]

I've knocked a Soundcloud demo together using a Grant Green style lick. Im just a home player...aware its a bit rough and possibly nothing like Grant Green .

The first run through is my AR503CE. The second is a stock Ibanez AKJV90D for comparison. Pickup heights are the same and volume & tone knocked back to around 8 on both guitars. Recorded with a Helix Stomp into GarageBand.

I'm surprised how similar they sound on playback. In the room while playing its night and day- the Ibanez sounds boxier, less bright and more muted, I guess due to the laminate top. The Eastman is louder acoustically which influences perception and makes it seem brighter while playing than on the recording

Grant Green-ish Eastman AR503CE vs Ibanez AKJV90D by Tinman | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Yes, they do sound very similar. Both strike me as on the brighter end of the spectrum, but that's often how direct recordings come out. I usually use amp sims in Garageband, and it takes a lot of tweaking of the settings, plus some compression and reverb to get it sounding realistic. I'm actually going to make the pilgrimage to Guitarsnjazz to check out an ar503 (among others).

John

[Humbuckr]

Yes, they do sound very similar. Both strike me as on the brighter end of the spectrum, but that's often how direct recordings come out. I usually use amp sims in Garageband, and it takes a lot of tweaking of the settings, plus some compression and reverb to get it sounding realistic. I'm actually going to make the pilgrimage to Guitarsnjazz to check out an ar503 (among others).

John

Indeed. The patch I used is actually called “jazz bright”, I copied it from
a YouTube video. It has an EQ pedal within the patch. I should probably have included a darker patch too.

I just got a 6 band EQ pedal for my DRRI and bumping the low mids and cutting highs makes for a warmer tone. Should possibly look at a compressor too. Digital/ solid state could be the way to go for jazz though, rather than a scooped blackface style amp.

[John A.]

OK, so I finally got to try one of these out (two, actually). I am unclear as to whether this is something I want. It's definitely not as bright sounding as most of the youtube demos make it seem. But it does have this strong (for lack of a better term) "nasal" resonant peak that reminds me of a floater or a flattop with a sound hole pickup. That complements the way some people play, but I don't know that I'm one of those people.

It's also not as loud unplugged as I expected given what people say about it.
My Godin Kingpin is as loud and "acoustic" sounding (maybe more so). Overall, I'd say it's prettier and more nicely made than my Godin, but the Godin sounds better to me.

I was really hoping this would blow my Godin away, because there are some things about it I'm not in Iove with (lack of cutaway, neck shape, cheap fit and finish) and I do want something else. But this probably ain't it. I guess I'm a "thunk" guy after all.

I also tried a Peerless Gigmaster and a Cremona. Gigmaster was OK (better sounding than the ar503 to my tastes), but had some buzzes.3 Cremona struck me as similar sounding to the ar503. But neither left me drooling.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.

John

[339 in june]

John,
I understand that Eastman 503 sound is not to your liking. It is very personal and nobody can argue.
But I'm quite surprised you state that it's not as loud as your Godin. Something must be wrong with this particular Eastman.
Was it a new one ?
Do you know which strings were on it ?
How was the set-up ?
Your description of the guitar doesn't depict mine
But once again, it's your $ and you decide :-)

[John A.]

John,
I understand that Eastman 503 sound is not to your liking. It is very personal and nobody can argue.
But I'm quite surprised you state that it's not as loud as your Godin. Something must be wrong with this particular Eastman.
Was it a new one ?
Do you know which strings were on it ?
How was the set-up ?
Your description of the guitar doesn't depict mine
But once again, it's your $ and you decide :-)

I actually played two of them, both new with roundwounds (I'd guess 12's). The setup was fine (I didn't measure, but it was definitely high enough for the strings to ring out). I didn't have the Godin with me, so maybe I'm wrong, but it did not strike me as crazy loud for an archtop electric with a set pickup. And the Godin is exceptionally loud for a plywood guitar.

Anyway, none of this is meant as a knock on the ar503. I can see its appeal, and it's a beautifully made instrument.

John

[Humbuckr]

I think you’re right about the slightly nasal resonant peak, as that’s how I’d describe it through my DRRI. However I’m increasingly thinking mine has a dud tone pot. It’s either on or it’s off (off being around 2-3) with very little effect on tone until you hit that point. I’m probably going to upgrade the pots and maybe consider a new pickup, as I’m not sure the Seth Lover complements this guitar.