PSA: Eastman 7-string - AR810CE

[Rob MacKillop]

Not mine. It's on the UK eBay site:

Error Page | eBay

Ignore the "Error Page" - it's a quirk of this forum. The link is safe.

[Jimmy blue note]

I have one. It's an incredibly fine instrument at any price; built light for a wide range of sound and response. The Eastman builders of this era struck out to become the top independent luthiers in China.
A 7 string is even more notable because around 2020, Eastman stopped making 7 strings, at least for the top tier acoustics.
They also have a consistently comfortable neck contour. If I'm not mistaken, the 810 series is the top of the line with a comfortable 17" lower bout and a depth that imparts a good balanced bottom end. That listing doesn't give a lot of specs but these guitars are built with X bracing and mine has a "cello like" response rather than a big deep boom of the Gibson type guitar. It's the closest guitar to the sound of my Jimmy D' if that gives you an idea.
Somebody's going to wind up with a keeper for life if the match is right.
Thanks for sharing this listing Rob.

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Jimmy. I'm tempted myself but don't have the readies. Plus I don't really want a 7-string! But I know what quality this will be, and I actually think it is priced too low. It will be an absolute bargain for someone - just ask our own nevershouldhavesoldit who loves his.

[Jimmy blue note]

Cheers, Jimmy. I'm tempted myself but don't have the readies. Plus I don't really want a 7-string! But I know what quality this will be, and I actually think it is priced too low. It will be an absolute bargain for someone - just ask our own nevershouldhavesoldit who loves his.

Have you tried a 7 string? You know that once you get into that range of dropped D used so often in classical transctiptions, the instrument comes into a range that no 6 string can voice. Plus, it gives you the ability to extend your melodic and harmonic span without shifting positions. I think mine is perfectly suited for classical transcriptions, with a low B, it lets me reach fully into piano and cello transcriptions. Low D without giving up the familiarity of standard tuning.
At this price, it'd be an investment. If it's in good shape, it'll only increase in value even within that rarified demographic.

[Rob MacKillop]

Yes, I’m aware of the possibilities a 7th string brings - I’ve had 7, 8, 10 and even 13-string guitars! But I don’t like playing steel strings with the flesh of my fingers, and I play classical guitars with gut trebles, plucked without nails, just flesh. So when it comes to steel (in the widest sense) -strung guitars, I restrict myself to plectrum playing. Man, it’s tempting, though!