Eastman AR805CE replacement pickup?

**DMgolf66** · 06-23-2021, 10:43 PM

I know, another "what pickup you recommend" thread.
Apologies, but wanted to see an updated thread with maybe
a few new/updated responses.
So, I picked up a 2006 AR805ce with the black floating pickup that has
"Eastman" inscribed on the cover. I was told these were their standard, overseas made, Armstrong pickups.
I know a great many folks like to upgrade to the 12-pole custom Armstrong (which I have on another guitar), but was wondering if anyone
has tried anything a little more off the beaten path......maybe a floating Charlie Christian, a Dearmond reissue, etc.
Would love to get some recommendations from Eastman owners.

Thanks!

**Woody Sound** · 06-23-2021, 10:51 PM

Depends on the sound you want. Do you want a CC sound? A DeArmond sound?

**Esport** · 06-23-2021, 10:58 PM

I’m a huge fan of the Biltoft floating CC. It’s articulate, sounds lush and looks great. The Creamery CC from the UK sounds amazing as well. Rob has a video up doing a very nice demo of his on an Eastman, I believe. Really nice sounding.

**DMgolf66** · 06-23-2021, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Depends on the sound you want. Do you want a CC sound? A DeArmond sound?

Ha, yes, that does seem to be an important question.
Not sure I have an answer yet. I know the Eastmans have a certain profile
in their sound that is,in general, a bit brighter. So maybe something that might be on the warmer side but still clear?

**Woody Sound** · 06-24-2021, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by DMgolf66

Ha, yes, that does seem to be an important question.
Not sure I have an answer yet. I know the Eastmans have a certain profile
in their sound that is,in general, a bit brighter. So maybe something that might be on the warmer side but still clear?

I have an Eastman carved top, yes they are bright. My own opinion (and only moo) is that the DeArmond sound would work great. Kent Armstrong makes a floating single coil that is supposed to sound like the DeArmond 1100 but better shielded. And it has 3 connectors so you can select your impedance, or even install a mini switch under the guard to have both. AND it looks closer to your original.

Scroll down on the page below just little bit to "Armstrong Handmade Floating Single Coil -Versatile Vintage Tone"

ac accessories

**Gitpicker** · 06-25-2021, 09:26 PM

I have both an AR810 as well as an 18" AR910, I have had great results with either the Duncan or Lollar made Johnny Smith floating humbuckers. I really can't say one has an edge over the other, they're both great. Pete Biltoft can build you a great pickup too, I have one of his CC floaters on another Eastman and it sounds great too. I can really recommend any of them over the old stock pickup.

Doug

**Jx30510** · 06-25-2021, 11:47 PM

Interested also. I would like to change the floating pickup on my Peerless Martin Taylor Virtuoso.
It's not horrible, but the overall acoustic quality of the Virtuoso deserves a really good pickup in my opinion.
Like Eastmans, I have one, it's a little on the bright side, so a warm sounding floating pickup would be better.
The best option I've found is maybe the Lollar Johnny Smith.
I would also like to add a tone + a volume pot (the MT as only a thumb wheel volume) + a cap, that I would mount on the top.
What pot values and cap are better suited for that kind of pickup?
(Excuse me if I'm a bit off subject here)

**PickingMyEars** · 06-25-2021, 11:55 PM

I like my AZ49 (?) Shadow Pickup.

It's always in need of boost pedal to clear the mud, but once it's got that special combination--nice tone while still allowing the acoustics to breath and blend at lower volumes.

I have an AR803, so it's a mounted pickup. Eastmans are a little tricky to get right, but once you do... knocks all the listeners away. I always get compliments on my tone live, not sure if it comes through in my recordings.

I also use heavier strings--mixed set. 14 up top, 52 at the bottom. All round wound.

My Eastman is a kind of a Frankenstein's Monster of a guitar, but it does what I want it to do well enough to keep it around for years to come.

**PickingMyEars** · 06-26-2021, 02:03 AM

Gutted the electronics. Put in a AZ49 Shadow Pickup, because of Jimmy Raney. New wiring with "vintage" paper caps and better pots, forgot--I did a lot of this work over a decade ago. Have to look it up again...

Biggest change on the tone of the guitar came down to two additions:

1. Refret--had John Carruthers put in taller and thicker gauge frets.

2. Boost Pedal -- allows me to "clear the mud" and really utilize the volume knob as the tone control of my guitar--the tone knob stays totally open (?) and maxed out.

**DMgolf66** · 07-14-2021, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I have an Eastman carved top, yes they are bright. My own opinion (and only moo) is that the DeArmond sound would work great. Kent Armstrong makes a floating single coil that is supposed to sound like the DeArmond 1100 but better shielded. And it has 3 connectors so you can select your impedance, or even install a mini switch under the guard to have both. AND it looks closer to your original.

Scroll down on the page below just little bit to "Armstrong Handmade Floating Single Coil -Versatile Vintage Tone"

ac accessories

As luck would have it, I found this on Reverb an hour after it was posted. It was meant to be!
Will arrive Saturday.

Kent Armstrong Handwound Series Resin Cast P-90 Floating Archtop Pickup Kent Armstrong Handwound Series Resin Cast P-90 Floating | Reverb

**DMgolf66** · 07-27-2021, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I have an Eastman carved top, yes they are bright. My own opinion (and only moo) is that the DeArmond sound would work great. Kent Armstrong makes a floating single coil that is supposed to sound like the DeArmond 1100 but better shielded. And it has 3 connectors so you can select your impedance, or even install a mini switch under the guard to have both. AND it looks closer to your original.

Scroll down on the page below just little bit to "Armstrong Handmade Floating Single Coil -Versatile Vintage Tone"

ac accessories

As I mentioned, I was lucky enough to find one new on Reverb for a great price. I have the guitar at the luthier to install, but was hoping for some feedback on the "pros/cons", differences, qualities of the 2 different impedances (8 vs. 13) to choose from. I don't think I want to have a toggle switch installed. Its just me playing at home thru an amp and would like to keep costs down if I can.

**garybaldy** · 07-27-2021, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by PickingMyEars

Gutted the electronics. Put in a AZ49 Shadow Pickup, because of Jimmy Raney. New wiring with "vintage" paper caps and better pots, forgot--I did a lot of this work over a decade ago. Have to look it up again...

Biggest change on the tone of the guitar came down to two additions:

1. Refret--had John Carruthers put in taller and thicker gauge frets.

2. Boost Pedal -- allows me to "clear the mud" and really utilize the volume knob as the tone control of my guitar--the tone knob stays totally open (?) and maxed out.

I had a factory fitted Zoller neck mount on my Fenix EER - a - like. The top e string was so quiet with that pickup it was unusable so, just as an experiment, put on a cheap lbanez ceramic mini HB. It's so much better. I have an Alnico version to try when I get round to it.

**Woody Sound** · 07-27-2021, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by DMgolf66

As luck would have it, I found this on Reverb an hour after it was posted. It was meant to be!
Will arrive Saturday.

Kent Armstrong Handwound Series Resin Cast P-90 Floating Archtop Pickup Kent Armstrong Handwound Series Resin Cast P-90 Floating | Reverb

That's a good price, congrats. Even if you don't like it, you should be able to flip it.