Eastman Jazz Elite 17

[Prof Silverhair]

I'm looking to trade my Eastman for a laminated hollow body. I know you might be thinking I'm a little crazy but here's the situation. I'm the second owner and played it almost exclusively at home. When I took it to our group rehearsal, we all agreed. It just didn't fit our ensemble and tunes. It thunks, strong mid range, and quick decay, with a sweet sounding, very transparent pup. I have other guitars to get us by but thought it might be fun to see about a trade.

Specs as best I know are as follows...

1.75" nut
25" scale
17" lower bout
2.5ish deep
Ebony 'board, bridge, tailpiece, and buttons
Lollar Imperial humbucker
OHSC & COA

What I'm hunting...

1 11/16 nut
2 humbuckers
Nitro finish

I know that's pretty general but I'm curious to see what folks want to unload. Also, I can add cash for something that really speak to me.

I realize I don't have any deals on this site so I'm happy to sync up by phone, video call, or meet in person to work something out.

I couldn't get pics to upload (probably user error) so I just put them in the folder below...

Eastman Jazz Elite 17

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I'm looking to trade my Eastman for a laminated hollow body. I know you might be thinking I'm a little crazy but here's the situation. I'm the second owner and played it almost exclusively at home. When I took it to our group rehearsal, we all agreed. It just didn't fit our ensemble and tunes. It thunks, strong mid range, and quick decay, with a sweet sounding, very transparent pup.

I love my Elite. I'm confused about your intention re: swapping for a laminated archtop. Thunk and quick decay are laminated or heavier topped "(C)ES" tonal characteristics. Admittedly, my set HB Elite has more of the classic ES tone than my 17" 810 with a KA floater. But classic thunk comes from the likes of an ES175, ES350, Tal Farlow etc. I'd think the things you don't like about the Elite's sound in your group would be even more prominent from most laminated top guitars.

I've played laminated guitars that sustained well, e.g. Dale Unger's American Archtops. Surprisingly, my Ibanez AF207 sustains pretty well despite a heavy laminated top and a thick poly finish. But be careful what you get, given your intent. I don't think that most laminated archtops in that price range will solve your problem.

[Prof Silverhair]

I love my Elite. I'm confused about your intention re: swapping for a laminated archtop. Thunk and quick decay are laminated or heavier topped "(C)ES" tonal characteristics. Admittedly, my set HB Elite has more of the classic ES tone than my 17" 810 with a KA floater. But classic thunk comes from the likes of an ES175, ES350, Tal Farlow etc. I'd think the things you don't like about the Elite's sound in your group would be even more prominent from most laminated top guitars.

I've played laminated guitars that sustained well, e.g. Dale Unger's American Archtops. Surprisingly, my Ibanez AF207 sustains pretty well despite a heavy laminated top and a thick poly finish. But be careful what you get, given your intent. I don't think that most laminated archtops in that price range will solve your problem.

You're probably right, I should just keep it and buy another guitar, ha!

Kidding aside, I enjoy the Elite 17. Although mine has a very dry sound, much like an older carved archtop. I think the dryness and quick decay is what's disagreeing with my group. I took my Epiphone Emperor F last week and it was a hit. To my ear, it's really big sounding but does retain some delicateness. All in all, I think it'd be fun to find an ES175/350 style guitar to give a go. There are plenty out there but seeminlgy hard to audition without a near endless cycle of buy, play, sell or keep.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

The Eastman T49 and 372 are very nice laminated 175 style guitars you might consider. But I'm still a bit mystified that your Elite isn't singing sweetly enough. I've had multiple laminated archtops ove the years, including 175, 165, Guild and Gretsch. None has had the smooth sustain and sweet voice of my Elite.

If you have an '80s MIJ Emperor F, you already have a very good laminated archtop. They had a great amplified jazz tone, although IIRC it was a classic CES style thunky tone. Why not just use that?