Newbie with an NGD Eastman Question

**Slaminsam** · 07-09-2022, 11:05 PM

Well as I advance in age, I find myself trying more and different styles of guitar. I have mainly been a 1,4,5 player but looking to expand into more chords and different scales than just the Pentatonic. So I wanted to give Jazz a try and see what I can learn. After all there is a lot of knowledge in Jazz that can expand the guitar experience. I have also taken the plunge into Mandolin.

I have attempted to get an answer from the Acoustic Guitar Forum and Eastman Forum, but no confirmation has been made. I have contacted Eastman but have not heard back from them yet. So I thought I would give this forum? So any Eastman AR experts out there, any help would be appreciated

Now on to the Guitar which I am having a hard time pinning down the model on. It's a great sounding and playing Eastman, However, I am baffled as to the model. Eastman said that there all AR403's have Maple tops. I took some more pics and it looks like a Spruce top. Also, I think this could be an AR603 as the 4 or 6 in the model number looks slightly different than the SN, but I am no handwriting expert. It is 16" and most of the AR603CE's I see are 15" models. If it is an AR 603CE then the back is possibly flamed Mahogany but the inside where the label looks light to be mahogany. I sent Eastman some pictures and we will see what they say. It is a 2014 per the SN and Eastman confirmed that.

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**citizenk74** · 07-10-2022, 12:39 PM

**2bornot2bop** · 07-10-2022, 01:57 PM

It looks like a standard AR403 with a laminated mahogany back in a violin finish.

Traditionally the AR403 has a laminated spruce top and laminated maple back.

The back appears as if it’s a laminated archtop, which is consistent with a AR403. It’s not a 603.

But Eastman has changed this model since 8 years ago. Today it’s their most modestly priced archtop.

A must see and hear is Rob’s AR503 featuring a Creamery Charlie Christian pickup!

Another Charlie Christian pickup to consider

**Slaminsam** · 07-10-2022, 02:40 PM

Thanks citizenk74 and 2bornot2bop

I am not saying that you are incorrect on this model being an AR403CE. I am also very aware that Eastman may have someone answering questions that is not fully informed. This a quote I received from Eastman "The AR403CE has always been produced with laminate maple for both the top and back/sides". If the top is laminated, then it is laminated on both sides with similar wood. A look inside confirmed the same grain pattern as the outside on the top. Which looks like spruce to me. I am not sold on the back and sides not being laminated due to the difference in the looks of the wood. The pickup is a Kent Armstrong. I have just found any AR403CE that looks similar to this. Even looking at specific years, they all have unbound headstocks and unbound fretboards with dots. Maybe I should take Iris DeMent's advice and "Let the Mystery Be"

**2bornot2bop** · 07-10-2022, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Slaminsam

Thanks citizenk74 and 2bornot2bop

I am not saying that you are incorrect on this model being an AR403CE. I am also very aware that Eastman may have someone answering questions that is not fully informed. This a quote I received from Eastman "The AR403CE has always been produced with laminate maple for both the top and back/sides". If the top is laminated, then it is laminated on both sides with similar wood. A look inside confirmed the same grain pattern as the outside on the top. Which looks like spruce to me. I am not sold on the back and sides not being laminated due to the difference in the looks of the wood. The pickup is a Kent Armstrong. I have just found any AR403CE that looks similar to this. Even looking at specific years, they all have unbound headstocks and unbound fretboards with dots. Maybe I should take Iris DeMent's advice and "Let the Mystery Be"

It's a great mystery to be certain!

I'd never seen a laminated AR403CE with a laminated Mahogany back. So, at this point, I'm thoroughly mystified!

I suggested it's not an AR603CE because that guitar had more bling, with an Ebony headstock. See below.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 07-10-2022, 08:24 PM

It looks just like a guitar at Guitars 'n Jazz that Lou's calling an AR603CE-15. If you measured it at 16", it's 16" - but this is the only Eastman model I know of that appears to be otherwise identical to yours. They may have made an AR603CE-16 but I've never seen one (which means exactly nothing).

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I suggested it's not an AR603CE because that guitar had more bling, with an Ebony headstock. See below.

As you can see from this picture, there's at least one 603 with the same headstock as the OP's.

Newbie with an NGD Eastman Question-eastman603ce15-jpg

**Slaminsam** · 07-10-2022, 09:04 PM

This one does measure 16 x 2 9/16ths. The AR603CE-15 is the closet in looks to the one I have, but I have found maybe one or two that left off the -15 but that does not mean those were not 15's just did not have dimensions. Sound Pure has a sold listing for a 2017 AR603CE that is a 16. The only thing different is the tuners, but those could have been replaced as they looked like Grover Keystone. It does have the Rosewood headstock Rosewood FB and KA pickup. That is why this guitar baffles me so much.

**nevershouldhavesoldit** · 07-10-2022, 10:14 PM

It’s a fabulous guitar that should bring you a lot of pleasure. If Eastman can’t or won’t identify it from the serial number, I’d just love it and accept it for what it is. My 810CE is my pride and joy.

**sgosnell** · 07-10-2022, 10:30 PM

I read the label as AR403CE. The 4 is identical to the 4s in the serial number. Beyond that I have no knowledge or opinion.

**339 in june** · 07-11-2022, 03:09 PM

I read 403 on the label, as you do.
I thought 403 were laminated spruce top guitars, but I checked on Eastman guitars site and they say "laminated maple top"
When I bought my 503 (carved spruce top), they had a 403 in the store, and I'm pretty sure that it was (laminated) spruce top. That was back in 2015
Maybe they changed the specs in between
Your top seems to be spruce from your pics
Anyway, enjoy your guitar, Eastman are good guitars (they have gone up nearly 50% in orice since I bought mine new) May she inspire your playing for the many many years to come
Last but not least : welcome to the forum !

**Endaro** · 07-11-2022, 06:32 PM

It may be impossible to know for sure; for all we know Eastman's records for serial numbers may be all goofed up and they don't know what it is.

One piece of evidence I can offer is we can see what Eastman was offering/advertising in 2014 with the Wayback machine:https://web.archive.org/web/20141205215943/http://www.eastmanguitars.com/16-and-17-archtops

You can hop around to different points in the year with the UI at the top. If your guitar is a 2014 model, it's unlikely it's an AR603-ce, as they didn't even make a 603 model yet!

The AR610/605 from that time also have floating pickups, not mounted humbuckers. Your options in 16" with a mounted humbucker for that year were an 803 (carved spruce over carved maple), a 503 (carved spruce over laminate maple), and a 403 (laminate maple over laminate maple. AR6xx's were the only archtops they intended to make with mahagony back/sides, and none of them were meant to have mounted pickups.

Perhaps you have a custom order? Maybe someone wanted a 403 but paid extra for mahagony back. Or if you're certain the top is spruce, that leans more towards a 503 with an unusual back. A mistake in the workshop perhaps? A test model of the 603 to come?

It shouldn't matter too much in the end. I hope you enjoy it; that's what really counts.

**Slaminsam** · 07-11-2022, 08:01 PM

Thanks for all the responses. Eastman did get back to me and this is their response:

"There are a few odd ball things that make this guitar unique. The top does appear to be solid carved spruce. Which would have been a total anomaly but makes the guitar pretty special. It looks to have an ebony bridge and fingerboard but rosewood tailpiece, pickguard, and head cap. All of this makes it hard to pin down exactly what is going on with this individual piece. But it is a legitimate Eastman that was sold to an authorized dealer. Every once in a while an oddball like this slips out and it makes for some fun guitars. We truly hope it brings you years of joy and inspiration."

So, it may be a AR4050603CE but not necessarily in that order

.

Reminds me of a CS Martin D I have, which is really an amalgamation of different Martin and models.