Is Eastman my only option?

[Prof Silverhair]

I've been on the hunt for a bigger body (16-17") hollow jazz unit with an ample neck profile, ebony board, and a nitro finish. I realize that if price was no object, this is a pretty easy list of requirements. I'd prefer to find a reasonably priced (under $2K) option but not compromising the list (I'd prefer a floating pickup but that may be a really tall order). Any other options I should consider? Recommendations?

[Spook410]

What is the overall sound you're looking for? Brighter and more acoustic or darker and more jazz traditional? Or maybe a player that has a tone you particularly like?

[AllanAllen]

My Eastman isn’t a nitro finish. The finish doesn’t feel much different from my Broadway. The carved top is acoustically louder, and more feedback prone. Not unplayable, but I do have to manage it.

I’d suggest you compromise and also try a modern Epiphone Broadway, but I’m biased because I love mine.





there’s only a handful of options under $2k.

[Spook410]

Eastman stopped using nitro finish?

[jazzshrink]

Eastman stopped using nitro finish?

From a few years ago:

At Eastman we are tirelessly looking for new and better ways to handcraft the best guitars and mandolins in the world. In this pursuit, no detail is too small and no idea is too big. It is with this mission in mind that we are excited to share with you the creation of a superior and environmentally friendly finish called Truetone. Just as thin and great sounding as our previous nitrocellulose finish, this new topcoat offers maximum protection for the fretted instrument while consciously minimizing the footprint it leaves on our planet.

The most difficult challenge we faced when developing this new finish was finding the delicate balance between hardness and flexibility that didn't compromise the resonance or signature tone that makes an Eastman. By implementing a two part modified urethane topcoat we emerged with Truetone - a finish that never sacrifices the sound of tradition.

Effective immediately, we now offer Truetone on all Eastman gloss and satin finished acoustics, electrics, and mandolins, completing our new lineup of signature finishes:
Truetone Satin
Truetone Vintage Gloss
Truetone Gloss
Antique Varnish

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your Eastman Sales Representative. We look forward to hearing this evolution of sound in your shops soon.
Thank you,

the Eastman team

[deacon Mark]

I've been on the hunt for a bigger body (16-17") hollow jazz unit with an ample neck profile, ebony board, and a nitro finish. I realize that if price was no object, this is a pretty easy list of requirements. I'd prefer to find a reasonably priced (under $2K) option but not compromising the list (I'd prefer a floating pickup but that may be a really tall order). Any other options I should consider? Recommendations?

Eastman would probably fit that requirement better than anything else. However, if I were in your shoes, I would really consider finding and older Gibson L7 if you are looking for acoustic sound too. That is cost more and would be a non-cutaway to keep the price reasonable. I would not worry about finding one in top shape, only one that is a player.

The other option is a Vestac D'angelico from the earlier years. Something like this they are fine guitars. I have an NY4 18 inch from 2001 a killer guitar in all respect. Sounds great acoustically with solid pressed top. It sounds better than many carved tops I have played too.
D'Angelico NYL6 Vestax Special 2002-2005 Sunburst | Reverb

[ccroft]

For a carved archtop with floater and ebony board, a used Eastman may not be the only option but it might be the best.

I love my 880. Mine's a fairly thin neck front to back and I love that as well. Not sure all of them are like that, but thought I'd mention as it seems OP may be looking for something different.

Guitarists love nitro for some reason. There are other options besides thick, tone killing poly. Not a deal killer in my book, though I've never seen this new finish.

[garybaldy]

Would a Loar 700 cover your requirements?

[Prof Silverhair]

What is the overall sound you're looking for? Brighter and more acoustic or darker and more jazz traditional? Or maybe a player that has a tone you particularly like?

I'm definitely looking for a darker, traditional jazz tone. I have an Epi 175 Premium and love the tone but can't stand the thin neck.

[Prof Silverhair]

Eastman would probably fit that requirement better than anything else. However, if I were in your shoes, I would really consider finding and older Gibson L7 if you are looking for acoustic sound too. That is cost more and would be a non-cutaway to keep the price reasonable. I would not worry about finding one in top shape, only one that is a player.

The other option is a Vestac D'angelico from the earlier years. Something like this they are fine guitars. I have an NY4 18 inch from 2001 a killer guitar in all respect. Sounds great acoustically with solid pressed top. It sounds better than many carved tops I have played too.
D'Angelico NYL6 Vestax Special 2002-2005 Sunburst | Reverb

That's an interesting option I haven't seen before, I'll have to investigate a bit. Thank you!

[Prof Silverhair]

My Eastman isn’t a nitro finish. The finish doesn’t feel much different from my Broadway. The carved top is acoustically louder, and more feedback prone. Not unplayable, but I do have to manage it.

I’d suggest you compromise and also try a modern Epiphone Broadway, but I’m biased because I love mine.





there’s only a handful of options under $2k.

I've had my eye on a Broadway. I was considering hunting down an older Korean version. How did you find the neck? Is it a fuller profile? The Epi's I've played (only a handful) have all been too slim a profile for me.

[Prof Silverhair]

For a carved archtop with floater and ebony board, a used Eastman may not be the only option but it might be the best.

I love my 880. Mine's a fairly thin neck front to back and I love that as well. Not sure all of them are like that, but thought I'd mention as it seems OP may be looking for something different.

Guitarists love nitro for some reason. There are other options besides thick, tone killing poly. Not a deal killer in my book, though I've never seen this new finish.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm not a big fan of thick poly and really love the feeling of the guitar gradually changing over time as I play it. So specifically, it doesn't have to be a nitro, just not wood encased in plastic.

[Gitterbug]

Alhough I have had one (NYL-2 from 2006), Vestax D'Angelicos are confusing in their nomenclature - or I just haven't studied them carefully enough. The "L" is supposed to mean laminate, but mine was claimed to be pressed top. I took "S" to mean solid carved, and a NYS-4 I tried at Mairants next to the NYL-2 was a much livelier and acoustically louder guitar. Alas, the price was totally different. Somebody once said something to the effect that something happened to the Vestax D'A's around 2005 - an inferior PU perhaps. I'm sure there's people here who know all this 100X better.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Guitarists love nitro for some reason. There are other options besides thick, tone killing poly. Not a deal killer in my book, though I've never seen this new finish.

My 16" Eastman Jazz Elite is an early Truetone, and the finish looks like nitro. It's not at all thick and glossy looking like my Epi Les Paul. I'm away from home this week and can't check the COA, but I'm pretty sure it was made in October or November 2022. I've only had it a year, but it's still unmarked and looks brand new despite daily playing and some gigging.

I'm pretty sure my 17" 810 was made in the fall of 2020, so it's French polished if I understand Eastman's statements about the transition to Truetone. It also still looks new, but I don't gig with it. I baby it and I only play it 2 or 3 times a week for an hour or less. I'd be just as happy with it if it was finished with Truetone, and maybe even a bit more since (like the Elite) it's a keeper.

[Spook410]

There is the option of going with a Wu or Yunzhi. I don't care for thin necks. With a 43mm nut width and thicker carve, all of mine are near perfection. Of course that's more adventurous and takes longer than a nice used Eastman. And if China invades Taiwan, no telling what happens.

If you want a jazz electric guitar tone (Gibson ES175 and L5 being emblematic of this sound) you may not be happy with the acoustic brightness of a guitar based on Benedetto designs. Kind of apples/oranges.

My recommendation would not meet all your parameters. I would start looking for a Gibson ES175. Especially since you like the Epi except for the neck. The later 175's don't have the skinny necks of the earlier ones. Wish the VOS models were cheaper. Still, on my 2001'ish model, the neck if fine. If you get a good one, you'll have it for life even if you branch out into other designs.

[Prof Silverhair]

My 16" Eastman Jazz Elite is an early Truetone, and the finish looks like nitro. It's not at all thick and glossy looking like my Epi Les Paul. I'm away from home this week and can't check the COA, but I'm pretty sure it was made in October or November 2022. I've only had it a year, but it's still unmarked and looks brand new despite daily playing and some gigging.

I'm pretty sure my 17" 810 was made in the fall of 2020, so it's French polished if I understand Eastman's statements about the transition to Truetone. It also still looks new, but I don't gig with it. I baby it and I only play it 2 or 3 times a week for an hour or less. I'd be just as happy with it if it was finished with Truetone, and maybe even a bit more since (like the Elite) it's a keeper.

The Jazz Elites seem like a really interesting guitar. Do they sound as much like a Gibson as I've read? I've been tempted to buy one unseen, unplayed but I've had little luck doing that in the past.

[Prof Silverhair]

There is the option of going with a Wu or Yunzhi I don't care for thin necks. With a 43mm nut width and thicker carve, all of mine are near perfection. Of course that's more adventurous and takes longer than a nice used Eastman. And if China invades Taiwan, no telling what happens.

If you want a jazz electric guitar tone (Gibson ES175 and L5 being emblematic of this sound) you may not be happy with the acoustic brightness of a guitar based on Benedetto designs. Kind of apples/oranges.

My recommendation would not meet all your parameters. I would start looking for a Gibson ES175. Especially since you like the Epi except for the neck. The later 175's don't have the skinny necks of the earlier ones. Wish the VOS models were cheaper. Still, on my 2001'ish model, the neck if fine. If you get a good one, you'll have it for life even if you branch out into other designs.

If they weren't prohibitively expensive, I'd jump on a Gibson ES 175. I have an Epi 175 Premium and love the fit, finish, and sound. The neck is just too slim for me to get used to.

[andrew]

There may be some less-ornate players grade Heritage guitars on the second hand market that will come close to your budget (If you're patient, you can find them under $2,500) like this example (no affiliation). USA made, all carved, nitro, floating pickup

Heritage Eagle Spruce Top 1995 - Almond Sunburst | Reverb


USA made Guilds from about the 70s-90s are not hard to find in that price range. Although they may not meet all of your desired specs, they can be some of the best jazz guitars in the sub-$2000 range in my opinion.

[John A.]

I'm definitely looking for a darker, traditional jazz tone. I have an Epi 175 Premium and love the tone but can't stand the thin neck.

Then you’re probably not looking for an Eastman, and definitely not one with a floating pickup. Eastmans in general are typically brighter than a 175, and the ones with floaters tend to be the brightest of all. For a max of $2k I’d explore (used):

Guild US-made X-150, X-170, maybe MIK X-175 (the US ones will be over 2K)
Ibanez FG100, FA100, 2355,
AF200 (or 2000)
Peerless Gigmaster Jazz
Seventy-Seven Hawk Deep or Hawk Jazz Deep (MIJ, not the Philippine-made “Japan Tuned” ones
Aria Herb Ellis
Various MIJ I75 copies from Greco, Archtop Tribute, Edwards, etc.

A similar quest for me ended with a Seventy Seven Hawk Jazz Deep.

[AllanAllen]

I've had my eye on a Broadway. I was considering hunting down an older Korean version. How did you find the neck? Is it a fuller profile? The Epi's I've played (only a handful) have all been too slim a profile for me.

The neck is not a fuller profile. It is actually quite close to the Eastman neck. So you might want to try before you buy if you want something thick like an old telecaster. I'm really not one to discuss this with. I just pick up a guitar and I like it or not, I don't know all the specs. I like the epiphone neck profile that's been on my casino, joe pass, and broadway. They all seemed close to the same, I think they were made in Korea, China and Indonesia respectively. I had a Gibson USA flying v that was really slim, it's not like that.

[Prof Silverhair]

The neck is not a fuller profile. It is actually quite close to the Eastman neck. So you might want to try before you buy if you want something thick like an old telecaster. I'm really not one to discuss this with. I just pick up a guitar and I like it or not, I don't know all the specs. I like the epiphone neck profile that's been on my casino, joe pass, and broadway. They all seemed close to the same, I think they were made in Korea, China and Indonesia respectively. I had a Gibson USA flying v that was really slim, it's not like that.

I've played quite a few Eastmans and their necks are plenty. I'm not one for lots of specs - it either feels and sounds right or it doesn't. I feel stuck between Epiphones and Eastmans. I like the specs and neck of the Eastmans but haven't found one that sounds good to me. On the other side, I love the sound of my 175 Prem but don't like how it feels. I was hopeful the Broadway is an economical way to split the difference.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

The Jazz Elites seem like a really interesting guitar. Do they sound as much like a Gibson as I've read?

Mine has a set KA 12 pole HW humbucker and sounds very close to the '60 175 with flats that was my only guitar for several years, if I roll the tone pot back about halfway. It'll do a wide range of tones from old laminated Gibsons with heavy flats (13-56) to a woodier and more acoustic archtop tone with the right EQ adjustments using slightly lighter RW strings.

[RJVB]

Would a Loar 700 cover your requirements?

An LH-600 would do just as well for less, but both will require adding a pickup, and both have a vintage-V neck profile.

A used LH-650 or even LH-350 would fit the bill perfectly though, and their parallel bracing might make them less feedback prone.

I'm seeing one LH350 on reverb atm but it's black and in Spain...

[garybaldy]

An LH-600 would do just as well for less, but both will require adding a pickup, and both have a vintage-V neck profile.

A used LH-650 or even LH-350 would fit the bill perfectly though, and their parallel bracing might make them less feedback prone.

I'm seeing one LH350 on reverb atm but it's black and in Spain...

This one sounds great with added DA1100RI

ps my 700 has an added jazzy joe type pup. I was lucky and got mine with the pup already fitted for quite a bit less than half the new price.

[Prof Silverhair]

After finding a very long thread here, I did something I've never done before...

I found a reasonably priced a 2012 Korean-made Broadway online at Guitar Center. Maybe it was rash, perhaps ill advised, almost certainly reckless but I went ahead and ordered it and the case that came with it. Worst case scenario, I return it to GC within the 45 day window. Best case, I've taken the first step into the wonderful world of big-body jazz boxes. Thanks everyone, appreciate the collective info and wisdom.