Eastman JB Caberet Owners

[jaco1]

Any out there? Just curious on your thoughts especially the Baggs LB6 vs. James May Untratonic pickup. These guitars are incredibely hard To find. I spoke with James and he can't even get any....Thanks

[bmw2002]

I’ve also been (unsuccessfully) looking for one as I can’t, at my skill level, justify a new John Buscarino Cabaret.

Speaking of which, my sense it will be difficult to find someone who’s played both versions: perhaps a call to the Buscarino shop itself would be a good next step, since they seem to be the impetus for the pickup change.

Good luck with your search.

[nyc chaz]

I have one and like it but i am not blown away with it.In my opinion it is way overpriced at $3000 dollars.I paid $2200 for a new one and that should be the list price.I like it for pop and bossa nova but it does not have the tradiional classical guitar sound.Mine has the the ultra tonic pickup which i absolutely love and to me is the best acoustic pickup i have heard to the point where i am thinking of having one installed on one of my steel strings.

[Mark M.]

I have one and like it but i am not blown away with it.In my opinion it is way overpriced at $3000 dollars.I paid $2200 for a new one and that should be the list price.I like it for pop and bossa nova but it does not have the tradiional classical guitar sound.

This was my impression of the two that I demoed when they were for sale here awhile ago. I didn’t plug them in, but I was not impressed with the acoustic sound. They certainly didn’t seem to be worth the money.

[RJVB]

With a lattice-braced spruce top and a carved, maple arch-back it is not very surprising that it doesn't have a traditional classical sound I'd say. I'd love to try one as I like what I've heard of the sound despite that that was undoubtedly with the stock strings. Its appearance doesn't push me very hard to look for one though - it looks squat like the bastard of a classical with a dreadnought (the oval soundhole doesn't help).

(If I was into instruments that don't invite me to pick them up, I'd probably be playing piano or double bass )

EDIT: about the Buscarino original/example:
Buscarino Cabaret - Classical Guitar

[NSJ]

I don’t have this guitar, but the Ultratonic pickup is the best under-saddle mic there is.

James May lives near Nevada City, in the Gold Country section of the Sierra. Very nice guy. I drove to his workshop to have an Ultratonic pickup on my 8 string Brahms guitar. Coupled with his other great invention, the ToneDexter, it can transform the “electric” sound of an acoustic guitar.

Mr. May also did engineering consulting for Buscarino’s new powered cab and pre-amp, the Chameleon. It’s head and shoulders the best amp out there, covers every thing I need for a jazz box and for acoustic guitars.

[Cunamara]

I played Gene Bertoncini's (Cabaret or Grand Cabaret, not sure). It does not have a conventional classical guitar sound. It is much more mid focused and very good for jazz playing. As I understand it, that was the intent of that design. Since Buscarino consulted with Eastman about their instrument, it would not surprise me at all if it is designed with similar intent. That might mean that it could be the wrong guitar for someone looking for a classical guitar sound.

[m_d]

It's either cabaret or cabernet , but not caberet.

[Cunamara]

That clarets it up.