Unusual Eastman AR805ce

[jim232777]

This isn't exactly a normal NGD post, as I've had this since January. Since I had to buy based on reviews and comments from JGO forum (almost zero hollowbodies to be found in my area), I wanted to play it for a while before commenting.

Since I got the itch for a hollowbody, this is the 5th hollow I've had. I just didn't find one I bonded with...until now!

I won't go much into the construction, fit/finish, etc., other than to say it is consistent with the vast majority of posts here on the forum...very nice guitar, and incredible value for the money. I purchased it used through the forum so got a price I was very pleased with. It's a 2017 and in almost new condition. (As an aside, a thank you to Ric Lee, who was great to deal with!)

A previous owner had replaced the floating Armstrong mini-hum with a Lollar Johnny Smith, and through my TMDR, it is wonderful. The ability to play without amplification was important to me, and this carved construction body works very well for that, with nice volume and good tone. In fact, my favorite sound is the blend of the amp and acoustic together. I'm happy I got one a couple years old, because the floating pup is a plus, and Eastman has moved to a set-in humbucker for this model. All in all, I love it!

My OCD does kick in a little, as the Lollar pickup didn't quite fit into the pickguard cutout. The pickup touching the end of the neck forces it to a slight angle. In actuality, I think it lines up the pole screws closer to the strings, but every time I look at it, I notice!

But to the interesting part, it seems to be non-standard for an AR805. On the Eastman website and in old catalogs/etc. I've found online, the 805 should have a one piece maple neck and no fret marker inlays. This one has a 3-piece neck with dot inlays. The only current archtop I find with 3-piece maple and dot inlays is the AR403ced. So it appears to be an AR805ce body with an AR403 neck (although I do have the 805's Gotoh tuners). Does anyone have insight to share as to what might be going on here? I sent the serial number to Eastman but they offered no info.

A couple pics included, naturally. (After attaching, I see these quick-n-dirty snaps are not very sharp. Need to take some more!)

[nyc chaz]

You could try calling Eastman.I did this 2 years ago and surprisingly i got an actual human on the phone that looked up my guitar from the serial and was able to answer my query.Enjoy your new guitar.

[Rob MacKillop]

Great guitars for their price, looks beautiful too. Congrats on your purchase, and I hope it inspires you, Jim, for years to come!

[jim232777]

You could try calling Eastman.I did this 2 years ago and surprisingly i got an actual human on the phone that looked up my guitar from the serial and was able to answer my query.Enjoy your new guitar.

Thanks for the idea. I hate talking on the phone, so that's never my first choice. I previously filled out the online form, but got the "no other info" reply. But hey, I'm willing to take the next step. I don't find a phone number listed on eastmanguitars.com. I'll have to poke around the web a bit and see what comes up.

[jim232777]

...and I hope it inspires you, Jim, for years to come!

Thanks. It certainly is in 2023. The combination of the AR805, the Lollar JS, and the TMDR is is exactly what I was looking for. (I just didn't know it until I found it!)

[nyc chaz]

Thanks for the idea. I hate talking on the phone, so that's never my first choice. I previously filled out the online form, but got the "no other info" reply. But hey, I'm willing to take the next step. I don't find a phone number listed on eastmanguitars.com. I'll have to poke around the web a bit and see what comes up.

Try 909-868-1633 but of course wait until monday and take the time zone into account.Good luck.

[coyote-1]

Nice guitar! Enjoy!

Yeah, there seem to be some Eastman factory “one-offs” or nonstandard guitars out there. My AR610ce has all ebony appointments (fingerboard, bridge, headstock veneer, tailpiece, pickguard) where most of ‘em have rosewood. It’s good to have something that’s unique.

[jim232777]

Nice guitar! Enjoy!

Yeah, there seem to be some Eastman factory “one-offs” or nonstandard guitars out there. My AR610ce has all ebony appointments (fingerboard, bridge, headstock veneer, tailpiece, pickguard) where most of ‘em have rosewood. It’s good to have something that’s unique.

Thanks, that makes me feel a bit better. As much as I like the guitar, it just seemed strange to be configured like that. Swapping out woods to see how it sounds makes more sense than "downgrading" to a lesser neck. I'm speculating someone wanted dot markers, and it was just easier to install an already made AR403 neck than inlay an 800 series neck.

[coyote-1]

Mine was acquired new just a few months ago. It’s a discontinued model (the new ones have the pickup and controls mounted in the top instead of floating). I don’t know whether it was a special-order item the dealer had ‘hidden’ in their stock room for years or was just a freak thing, but they specified that the appointments were ebony. And the price was great. So I jumped at it.

I’m guessing that when the time comes to sell it a couple decades down the road, the non-stock aspect will make it sell for a bit more than a ‘standard’ version. I’d imagine the same will hold true for you.