Looking for a similar guitar as the Eastman ER4

[Bengeejump]

I am looking for an archtop guitar with a similar mindset style as the Eastman ER4. I really like the modern feel of the ER4, but my teacher told me eastmans are not that good quality. Are there any brands/luthiers that have a similar modern style?

[339 in june]

As far as I know, the El Rey design is quite unique (Otto d'Ambrosio)
I've never seen a similarly styled guitar

As a happy owner of an Eastman AR503CE, i don't agree with your teacher's statement about Eastman quality.
And I would be happy to buy an Eastman ER4 if one comes in the neighborhood

If you like the ER4 and find one, buy it and show your teacher what it's worth !

[rlrhett]

Unless you are comparing it to a boutique built guitar costing multiple times the cost of the Eastman, I don’t think you will be at all disappointed in the Eastman quality.


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[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I own and gig with a 16" Eastman archtop and a 17" Eastman archtop (both 7 strings). I've played several other 6 and 7 string Eastmans over the years. They are absolutely among the best sounding, best made, best looking, best feeling production guitars available today at any price. Even at their steadily rising prices, they remain great value for both pleasure players and gigging musicians. There were some quality control issues about 20 years ago as they expanded production to meet demand. But those were fixed long ago, and my dealer (one of the largest volume Eastman dealers in the US) tells me he hasn't had a single problem with them in at least 15 years except getting enough new ones to meet demand.

I have a little experience with good guitars. I've had long term relationships with several Gibsons, including a 345, a 175, and an L5CN. I've owned several high end Ibanez guitars from the Fujigen factory, a Guild X500, a Vega archtop, various Martins and Taylors, a first run Fender CS relic Strat, etc. Anyone who tells you that an Eastman is not a high quality guitar either hasn't actually played one made in the last 15+ years or doesn't know very much about quality. I've been looking for a 7 string El Rey for a long time and will buy the first decent one that comes along. I urge you to find and play an Eastman or 3 before making judgments based on unsubstantiated opinion.

[nyc chaz]

Quite frankly,your teacher couldn't be more wrong.I own 5 Eastmans and they are all top notch.There's this thing where people say that Eastmans are good value,but thay are just great guitars,period,fullstop.I own an ER4 and i couldn't be happier with it.Besides sounding and playing great,everyone that see's it says how beautifully it is made.Your teacher is probably one of these guys that hear it is made in China and therefore it has to be bad.

[Sam Sherry]

I am looking for an archtop guitar with a similar mindset style as the Eastman ER4. Are there any brands/luthiers that have a similar modern style?

As far as I know, the El Rey design is quite unique (Otto d'Ambrosio).

The El Rey 1 and 2 are a nice take on the Benedetto Benny.
The El Rey 3 is not a Les Paul clone but it was Eastman's first step toward a Les Paul model.

The El Rey 4 is, as far as I can tell, a copy of nothing. It has elements of other guitars: The long-bottom / short-top shape nods toward Steve Klein and Erich Solomon's Phidelity but Klein did not make archtops and Solomon's models are all different from the ER4. The way the binding stops short of the cutaway reminds me of Ken Parker. James D'Aquisto's "Solo" model had four oval tone-holes but Otto's are different.

In short, like any good guitar the ER4 is more than just a list of its influences.

. . . my teacher told me eastmans are not that good quality.

I've owned at least half a dozen Eastmans. They have ranged across the full quality spectrum from "lifetime keeper" to "packing crate." I understand why people praise the line up and down. I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade but that hasn't been my experience.

The El Rey 4 is my lifetime keeper -- and this from a gearhead who spins guitars all the time.
If I had to pick one guitar the ER4 would be that guitar.
Heck, I played it at Sunday's rehearsal and I will be playing it at tonight's session. Six other nice guitars are sitting at home right now.

All the best with your quest.

[rob taft]

I own two ER4s. Some very early Eastman guitars had finish and fret issues. Stick with guitars made after 2015 and you should be fine.

[coyote-1]

I own one Eastman, and have played others. So far I’ve never encountered one that has issues that are standard on, say, Gibsons, such as fret work required upon delivery. So don’t shy away from Eastmans as viable options.

[st.bede]

Everyone has experiences. How well we can generalize from them is tricky. My experiences suggest that for the price, Eastman tend to be excellent.

[ccroft]

I'd venture to say this teacher has never owned an Eastman. Talking out his arse.

I have one from 2007. I'll never part with it. My Luthier thought the workmanship was better than some of the high dollar gibsons that've been on his bench. Mine does have a fragile finish, but that was solved 10 years ago.

[Woody Sound]

I REALLY wish they would make a 15" El Rey.

[Pierrot]

Just change your teacher.

[John A.]

The OP joined the forum 2 days ago, posted 2 messages saying something odd about Eastman, and disappeared. Make of that what you will, but I doubt his/her intent was to stimulate constructive discussion.

[Jimmy blue note]

I am looking for an archtop guitar with a similar mindset style as the Eastman ER4. I really like the modern feel of the ER4, but my teacher told me eastmans are not that good quality. Are there any brands/luthiers that have a similar modern style?

Eastman guitars are handbuilt guitars built to the highest standards. You might not like the feel (everyone's needs and response is different and that's why you have to find the type of guitar that matches you), but as far as quality, it's just not true.
What does your teacher base his pronouncement on? Does he have one? Has he had a bad experience? I'd bet not. I have a really nice 7 string and as a luthier myself, I can definitely attest to the fact that there is nothing second rate, nothing that isn't built to the highest cleanest and most detailed standards.
I have been shocked for the bang you get from the buck. It's a professional grade guitar, no qualifiers.

Heh, maybe your teacher has a Jimmy D'Aquisto or a D'Angelico and he doesn't thing Eastman measures up. Or maybe he doesn't really know. Just because he's your teacher doesn't mean he knows everything. 'met plenty of teachers who don't know what they're talking about. It happens. Find an Eastman, try it and decide for yourself. I'm not your teacher but I do know what I'm talking about.