It takes a bit to get used to the slight differences, but it plays very well! What do you think about the Eastman Solid Body Line Up? 🍭Have your New Guitar Featured on the Show! NGD: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/ 🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Reverb: tidd.ly/4aFiyhC 🐕 Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/
I was an Eastman dealer back when the sb59's first came out. Aside from the price, what made me want to sell these guitars were a few things: 1. Eastman used all solid woods for everything at that point; no lam's anywhere. Not even in the 335 type guitars. 2. their luthiers are actually violin makers who also build guitars. 3. All finishes were nitro or shelac violin rub back then. 4. They make great sounding instruments. I started out carrying their acoustic line (was also a Martin and Fender dealer at the time) and was so impressed with them next to other guitars in my inventory that I decided to move into the electrics as well. Are they Gibsons? No. Are they kind of their own thing? Yes. Are they the biggest bang for buck in a Gibson style guitar? I think so.
@@PNWJEEPER01 I think the kind of their own thing is key, they sound like Eastmans. Same way a PRS 594 sounds like a PRS and not exactly an R9. They are so a similar thing, but in their own way.
These are probably a great option as long as you plan to KEEP IT... I assume 'Eastman's' probably don't command nearly as healthy RESALE values as Gibson... And at over $2K they're not exactly a bargain import option. And I got a chuckle about the idea that they switched from traditional NITRO finishes due to environmental concerns... Because China is so well known for their respect to the environment! lol
@@StreetPreacherr Here in Europe the resale value is not bad, same for Maybach. Not as good as Gibson for sure but they do hold their value decently because nowadays more people know how fantastic they are. And if you find one used it's just fantastic value. I don't love the shape and upper fret access of the SB59 otherwise I'd own one. I do have an E20SS, their interpretation of a J45 I got used for 850e used with one or two dings. And holy shit it's incredible, especially at that price!
Regardless of country of origin and politics, I respect the skill and craftsmanship of a company that can produce a range of high quality instruments in a manner not dissimilar to the Gibson company of the 1950's.
I've played a 59/V. Those are the varnish finishes as they do on their violins. Lollar Imperials on it were great. Very high quality, light, and great tone.
A few points: 1. Eastman used to use a single acting, Gibson style truss rod but moved to the double acting one seen here used on many of their own designs in 2023. 2. For this about same price, you can get a hand rubbed varnish finish, the sb59/v which is their most premium version. That’s something that most folks don’t offer, it’s similar to a French polish 3. The Lollar Imperial in these are a custom wind for Eastman, only available to them, so the branding helps. 4. They used ebony as these models came out around 2017/2018 when rosewood had legal issues. The prototypes had rosewood fretboards. 5. The Trutone Finish is similar to what Dana Bourgeois uses and they collab on the Touchstone Series of his acoustic guitars. 6. Eastman necks vary a lot. Due to the hand finishing. There isn’t like an 50s run be a 60s run but I’ve felt ones that were almost slim taper all the way to early 20s R7/R8, and then there are ones that are more V vs. more full C profile. Really have to get them in your hand to compare.
Regarding point #1, this is a single action truss rod, not double - the TV is still spec’d as single on their site and all documentation. On point #2, the “/v” varnish isn’t any different than the TV aside from the finish and it is distressed as well as aged - which may be a sticking point for some. Personally, I don’t want a distressed guitar but am ok with aged, so the TV is in the perfect spot. The TrueTone vintage gloss is noted as being just like Gibson’s VOS finish.
It’s 100% difference, the varnish is what they use when they finish their violins and cellos and hang rubbed, Truetone is a poly made in conjunction with Burgeios
@@nvlddmkm1282 Specs on the website aren’t up to date. You can call Eastman CS to confirm. The varnish is also not the same as trutone with just aging. The varnish is a hand rubbed shellac French polish style finish that they don’t ship in summer months due to heat rash from cases, so they made the TV which won’t do that. The TV You a poly base with a top finish that feel like VOS-ish.
I have one of their LP double-cut, single P-90 models. My first and lasting impress was and is that it oozes quality. I say that with 50 years of experience, owning multiple Gibsons (including the Custom Shop). A great guitar is a great guitar, regardless of who made it or where it comes from.
I bought my 1st Eastman in 2019 a single cut Varnish. I loved it so much I bought an SB 59 Tobacco Burst in 2020. Both guitars I bought of Reverb for $1100. Talk about bang for the buck!
I'm a Gibson guy as well but I do like the Eastman guitars that have the "V" or varnish finish. It's their version of an aged guitar and I really enjoy mine.
I have a "335" from Eastman. I wanted to buy the Gibson version originally, but every single one I tried had one or two really bad QC issues. On the other hand the Eastman was flawless. With the ebony fretboard and the perfect semi-spherical fret ends it felt more like the Collings ones than the Gibsons I tried that day. I installed Lollar low winds and now it also sounds the part. (Mine came without lollars, but with nitro).
I own an Eastman Mandolin and Acoustic and looking at their semis today. Very good construction and a lot of instrument for the money. I have a Lester already but that is very impressive, I like their variations.
Absolutely! I don’t have a Gibson to compare it to, but I got mine a few months ago and it’s been nothing but reliable in gigging/recording situations. Stays in tune forever, and it’s so resonant/well balanced. The weight and Lollars aren’t so bad either :-)
I agree with you. Same for me and since i've got the SB 59V, my Gibson Les Paul Custom from the Custom Shop stay in its case. I'm seriously thinking about to sell it.
A proud owner of a SB59/V-GB Gold Burst with Antique (violin) Varnish here. Had mine for three years, bought it when that model was half the price of a Gibson Standard. Between the violin varnish, the very tasteful and subtle relic job, and the Lollar Imperials, I just couldn't justify buying anything else. Plus it's so much lighter than a Gibson, which certainly helps my back as I get older. I bought it from a store that is also a Gibson and Fender dealer, and the guy that sold it to me said he preferred that to a Gibson Custom Shop that would cost over four times as much as what I paid for the Eastman. Also bought one of their acoustic 12-string jumbo acoustics last year, and can't fault it. While some people swear by Gibsons, I myself can't see the difference in quality to price ratio to justify looking at the GIbson. I could take the price of a Custom Shop (which is A$12,000 or thereabouts here), and buy a SB-59V at its much higher current price (now approaching A$4,000), and then get a damn good amp and a full rack of boutique pedals and still have money left over. Way better bang for buck, especially if the name on the headstock doesn't mean a whole lot to you. Pretty sure my next guitar will be an Eastman as well, probably one of their ES-style guitars.
I have an Eastman T-386 (335 style) that I pulled the electronics and pickups and put new pots, wiring, and a set of Gibson Burstbucker 1/2 in it. It's my favorite 335. The quality is exceptional. Thanks for another great video!
I had a Tokai Japanese model, with my Eastman at some point. It was the entry level Tokai MIJ. Is a great guitar, but the Eastman was bbetter in that everything felt more premium and used nicer woods and electronics and hardware. BUT QC was amazing. The 2nd level Tokai LP I think would be more coparable, since they use nicer hardware, electornics and woods as well. You can't go wrong with either though.
That would be more akin to a gibson standard large production. The eastmans are hand crafted, small batch, they are more comparable to a custom shop. You really should play one and hear it first. They are putting lollars in these things.
Gorgeous Eastman with no nibs (yay), MOP, ebony and Lollars! Nice catch Eric! PRS can do popular, consistently great quality, "foreign" made SE guitars in Korea / Indonesia with consistent QC/QA. Eastman is a Chinese domestic owned manufacturer that shows China has no problem with good QC given it's priority in the manufacturing process. I'd buy an Eastman if I could find one used as good a deal as the used Gibsons I find and buy.
Eastman are making the best guitars coming out of China by a wide margin. However, I still wouldn’t want to pay Gibson prices for one. Or for a Gibson.
@@rbaeThere are points to be made there, but Eastman is also not sweatshop labor and are an authentically owned Chinese company vs. western exploitation of Chinese labor. Along with that, it’s not like Gibson is really lining the pockets of their employees with 6500 regular R9s and 20K Brazilian Murphy Labs when they are heavily owned by private equity.
Speaking as a player, not a collector here-Given that my Gibson USA looks like it was built by a toddler and QC’ed by a tween, while the Eastman looks hand built by luthiers, I prefer my Eastman when I need to use a big boy guitar. You should try a Novo next.
So you picked up a Gibson guitar that looks like “it was built by a toddler” and you still bought it? 😂 Gibson bashers crack me up. I particularly like this Gibson basher: “I bought four Gibson’s and they all sucked worse than my Epiphone “ 😂. Yeah, so you bought one, and it sucked so bad you bought 3 more. Clown shoes
@@Wargasm54 How is that "clown shoes"? People buy guitars sight unseen all the time now, and would assume that for $2,000, Gibson wouldn't send them a guitar with frets not seated, or cracks in the finish, gouges in the fretboard, etc. Now, I will agree that after you RMA 3 guitars with massive defects in a row, you should probably stop supporting the company and get a refund (same goes for ANY company of any product). The state of their QC department in 2024 isn't just unwarranted "Gibson bashing" - it's an actual serious issue that the majority of their customers are complaining about, which appears to be getting worse. So, targeting the consumer here, isn't the right play (if you're defending Gibson that is).
I glad that you broadened your horizons and explored eastman because they truly make exceptional guitars. You said that the eastman is not as good as the custom shop. However how does the eastman compare to a standard gibson?
I'm debating on getting one of the following - current LP Standard plain top 50s, Eastman 57 or 59, and Heritage Custom Core H150. I'm looking at black, so the flamed maple top really isn't a factor. My issue with Gibson is that I can't any less than 9 lbs. Almost all of the Eastmans and Heritages are in the 8.5 range. I'm leaning hard toward Heritage.
I own an Eastman SB 59/V in black, and briefly owned an SB 57 in black before hand. Both amazing guitars. Both around 8 pounds, maybe hair more, definitely under 8.5 pounds though. I’m a full-time musician. I gig and record a great deal, and both guitars were extremely resonant and stayed in tune like a dream. To me, these are the most important factors, regardless of what the headstocks says. Both guitars were great and it’s purely personal preference between the two. I prefer the feeling of a single bound guitar in my lap if I’m teaching or practising for a long period of time, so this is what made me move the SB 57 on in favour of the 59/V. I also really like the varnish finish on the 59/V. I gigged the SB 59/V a few times this summer, and honestly barely had to tune it in one case. I tuned it before the gig, packed it in my gig bag, brought it to the show, played the entire show, then brought it home and just had to tweak it slightly to get it back in tune after all the transport/playing. It’s one of my best guitars when it comes to sympathetic feedback and all the things we want electric guitars to do in live situations. Anyhow, all this to say, give one a try if you can.
Eastman's look really nice IMO. I actually like the rounded bottom cut, nice difference from the LP but wish they'd kept the top shape going into the neck exactly the shape of the LP. Pick ups both sounded fairly thin to me though. Love the dark/ebony neck. Hate Gibson's with the light brown rosewood necks. But a Beijing made guitar at $2300? Nope, pass. I don't trust them either saying it's all master luthier made, sorry. And I keep thinking of Mark Farner's old green Eastwood when I see the logo, which is cool to me nice logo I like it. Headstock too. I think EX - VG Eastmans are much less on ebay or Reverb.
I've owned an Eastman SB59/V LP, and SB55DC/V LP Jr, and a T486 Semi Hollow. All were great playing and and sounding guitars, but I eventually sold them and got Gibson or Heritage guitars. I still own an Eastman acoustic which looks plays and sounds great!
Probably because he'd have to go through 6 Standards to find one that doesn't have major QC issues like frets not being seated, gouges in the fingerboard and binding, cracks in the finish, etc. :D. I believe the comparison to custom shop was because most everyone that has played one of these Eastmans finds that it's just as good as Gibson custom shop when it comes to quality, so it being $2,000 makes that the most interesting comparison with the craziest gap in price - because for all intents and purposes, you're getting the parts and craftsmanship of a custom shop more so than a production guitar.
Got news for y’all - Eastman acoustics come within a cat’s whisker of smoking Martins, Taylor’s and Gibsons for a 1/2 to 1/3 the price. The build and craftsmanship on these guitars is phenomenal. Not a giant fan of their swipe at the Les Paul, but the craftsmanship and value can’t be denied. Just might have to throw a pair of those Lollars in one of my Pauls. 😎
That's the perfect mindset to have imo. Gibson loyalists are too hellbent on something competing with the trademarked body shape and head stock, and aren't looking at the guitars from an objective/unbiased POV - they hear "Gibson killer" and "made in China" and immediately discard them as trash before understanding where or how they're actually made. Sure, might not be up to a Gibson fan's taste, but you can't deny they're probably the only company on the market delivering this level of quality at that price point.
I’ve got a Variax JTV 59 made in Korea. Probably about 12 years ago. Yeah it does fancy tunings etc. But, one thing it does well, is sound better than a Gibson Les Paul without anything plugged into it, or a battery etc. The pickups are awesome. The top is a full 5/16” thick maple. An awesome mahogany back. I love Gibsons. But admittedly, there are some guitars out there that sound pretty darn good.
I have an Eastman SB59/v that weighs a mere 7.5 lbs. The frets are exquisitely manicured. In fact, the construction of this guitar is immaculate -- as good (and probably better) as any guitar I've owned and I've been fortunate to have owned some very nice guitars. If I'd never heard of Eastman and you told me the guitar was built by the some relatively obscure luthier known only to guitar aficionados who builds only 10 guitars a year and each one went for $10,000+, I'd believe it. There isn't a single feature that needs improvement. Perfectly executed. I have Gibsons and while I love them, they have nothing on this Eastman. It's just THAT good!
I actually was in a music shop the other day and played a couple Eastman 335/355 copies. They play pretty nice and sound good, apparently the models I was playing came with antiquities in it however, if I’m paying what Eastman is asking, I’m going for a used Gibson. I’m actually more of a fender guy myself so I don’t have a dog in the fight really
I've been a fan of Eastman for ages now. 1- I would really suggest you to try an SB59/v , the anitque varnish finish. That one is very nice. They do little of them now cos is very time consuming. But feels awesome on the hand, I love mine. I had the Truetone gloss before nd the Antique varnish makes it feel for me more premium and nicer for sure. 2- The truss rod access, mine is an Early 2002 Antique varnish, and the truss rod access is just like a regular gibson. For some reaosn they changed it later, and looks weird for sure. But they didnt do it like that before so you know. 3- I had a CS R8 Gibson, a 2009 Gibsoon LP Traditional, a Heritage H150 Aritsan aged and my current Eastman SB59/v. The best were the R8 and the Eastman. The Heritage was in between, close though, and last the usa gibson. I still like the Gibsobn USA, and would be happy with any of them, but the Eastman and CS just were another thing. Since I like the eastman and the CS the same, I kept the Eastman and sold everything else cos I really am happy with just 1 LP guitar. Never missed them. I just swap pickups on the Eastman, not because the lollars were bad, on the ontrary, very good pickups. Just are a bit polite to what I wanted. Are very clear and balanced, but I wanted something with more girth, nd something like the cusotmbuckers gives that. I put some Heritage 225 pickups I got for cheap that are same vibe as the Custombuckers, nd damn! yeah, those things rock, and now my Eastman is perfect for my taste hehe. Now has more that tele on steroids thing. 4- My Eastman had 0 QC issues, no details at all. And for me This Eastman are superior instruments than the USA Gibsons for sure. On the same level as Gibson CS, or PRS as Quality. You may prefer the Gibson USA for sure, cos are not the same guitar, the Eastman is its own thing, but it is a superior quality instrument no doubt. 5- In my personal experience never had issues with the heel joint myself. I played between heritage, gibson and eastman and never notice something weird in that aspect. 6- when I play my Core PRS or USA schecter and then I play the Eastman, the Eastman feels in the same league. When I play my Gibson sg standard 2021 (that feels similar in quality as various Gibson Les paul USA I played in the past) they are solid but not in the PRs or schecter level. The quality of the wood and the QC details and fee on the hand yeah, is not comparable. Gibson USA is what like PRs S2 is, where you notice they cut costs.
I have this exact model. Absolutely love it. The pickups are extremely articulate. Neck is not to big or small. Setup on mine was great straight out of the box.
Very cool! The body shape/dimensions remind me a bit of a DeArmond M66. Thanks for the NGD purchase, always fun to see other brands sprinkled in amongst all the Gibsons.
As I'm sure you're aware, ebony fretboards are used on Les Paul customs and many players prefer ebony to rosewood. It has a sharper attack, a smoother feel, better highs, and is more durable over time. It's an upgrade from rosewood. It's all Madagascar ebony since african black ebony is endangered and protected.
@@IAmTheIsland agreed , if it’s about you on stage play an Eastman or a heritage, if it’s about what you own play the Gibson. I love Gibson but they get things right then get too big for their britches then go under like every other decade. I’ve halted my Gibson purchases since they fired Randall Smith. On to Heritage and Eastman
I was looking at Les Paul’s for months and months. I didn’t connect with any of them, tried many models. I played the Eastman purchased it right away. It’s a fantastic guitar. I highly recommend them.
I have an older Eastman AJ-816 it’s a jumbo acoustic and honestly it’s stunning. The guitar is extremely well made of very nice materials. They had been hand making violins, cellos, mandolins, and mandolas for a long time before approaching the guitars and my experience has been wonderful.
I really enjoyed this video. As someone with three Les Pauls from Studio to Investment, a PRS, and a few Fenders, and a Squire, I have to say that in my experience the setup is what makes a guitar. I can setup kinda ok, but a few bucks spent at a luthier MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. The $700 Studio after a pro setup can feel and sound better than the $4k that didn't get the same treatment. Same with a Squire. Les Paul Standards are way over-priced, and so are the Eastrman offerings. Unless you're looking for ROI, pretty much any electric is amazing after a pro setup.
Totally agree. A good guitar tech can turn an underwhelming playing guitar into a fantastic instrument. I always send any new guitar I come across to the same guy. For me, it's well worth the investment.
I gotta add to some of the other people's comments. I have an acoustic Eastman I wouldn't trade for ANYTHING! I can't get over the quality of the guitar and the way it sounds and plays is second to none. This may not be a Gibson killer, but it should scare the cr** out of them. When I was in the 6th grade I had an Eastman violin. It was an exceptional instrument then and any of their products are exceptional now. I would seriously buy this guitar. And then when you look at the price, it's really a no brainer. Thanks for the review, very informative
I own five Gibson’s, so I obviously like the brand but I can honestly say I’ve never heard or seen a negative write up or demo on Eastman. Also, the fact that they use Ebony on their fretboards amongst other nice features I’d probably like one just as much if not even more. I do my best to buy American stuff however the companies like Eastman make it harder and harder hah…..
They are awesome guitars with top notch craftsmanship. I always wanted a 54’ Les Paul Custom reissue. Eastman did a very limited run of their take on a 54’ LP custom. They’re known as LTD models. It’s done in their lightly aged varnish finish with a flamed maple top hiding under the ebony finish which isn’t traditional for a custom. It has Duncan custom shop staple/p90 pickups that sound fantastic. Eastman has their own unique designs as well their version of vintage designs.
I have an Eastman SB59. I have also owned and currently own many Gibson LPs. Let me tell you...the Eastman SB59 is top notch. Mine has an ebony fretboard, Seymour Duncan 59 pickups, bone nut, Gotoh tuners, and bridge. Eastman has been around a very long time. They have historically produced orchestral intrumemts. They are NOT cheap Chinese junk.
I used to have a stable full of Gibsons. Then I acquired an Eastman SB59/v. And that was followed by several more /v version (varnish finish) Eastmans, solid body, semi-hollow (335 type), and hollow (330 type). And guess what? They all beat out my Gibsons (Standard, Custom, Junior, 330, 335). And now I have no Gibsons because they absolutely do not stand up to the quality, playability, tone, and feel of Eastman. I don't care where they're made... they absolutely are better instruments all the way around.
I liked their T58V which was similar to a Gretsch with TV Jones pickups and a USA Bigsby. The "violin" hand lacquered finish was beautiful. Wish I had bought one when I had the money.
I have a Eastman T486 guitar that plays and sounds awesome. The T486 is Eastman's 335 style guitar which comes with Seymour Duncan Jazz and 59 pickups. I would pick the Eastman over any of the Epiphones and many Gibson as well.
I got a big surprise from GC, I bought a Custom Shop SG 3 pu from the Agusta store and used the 48 months no interest financing. A little over a week ago I got $430 in store credit from the points on the credit card and I used it to get a PreOwned Epiphone Nighthawk Custom ReIssue that only cost me $50 for tax and shipping! So stoked!
i like nighthawk, cool guitar ,i like the small body, light and comfortable to me, i think gibson and epiphone stop making them, hope gibson one day bring nighthawk back.
That's awesome congrats!! I had a Gibson Nighthawk back in the late 90s and early 2000s was a pretty cool guitar sometimes I wish I would've kept it. 2 pu model sunburst. Enjoy your two great purchases. Which SG do you have?
While I own two guitars made in China that are fantastic, an Ibanez IC420 and a Kepma Elite. There is just something about this Eastman that I couldn’t imagine myself playing it over my two Gibson Les Pauls, a Tribute and a Classic Player Plus. It just looks strange.
Trogly, it is as much about the reliability and value on resale as it is the prestige of ownership in a brand, whether it be Gibson, Fender, Gretch, or even a Rickenbacker.
The people at Eastman are wise for not making their LP models identical to Gibson. they surely would be facing a lawsuit if they did. I really think the guitar shown would be much better with a pickguard on. and their headstock is more similar to the newer Epiphone headstock. ESP basically does the same thing with there LP models. if I was only interested in the sound this guitar would do nicely.
I have the SB55 V/SB( Junior) and all I can say is what a great guitar. It's well built and there are no issues with it whatsoever. The Lollar dog ear P90 sounds immense through my Victory amp. Love the show, cheers from the UK :)
@@DoctorEnigma01 nitro was available from 2018 until mid-2021. Lots of them used for around 1250 range. The violin varnish version is the real step up above the rest. Sadly, this is the TV finish which doesn’t show off their most interesting work.
My only problem is people comparing apples/oranges. You can't get the same thing for the same price when U.S. manufacturers have to pay U.S. wages, U.S. taxes, follow U.S. safety and environmental regulations. I spent years building a semiconductor company with facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Expecting to pay the same price for the same quality here in the U.S. for U.S. manufactured product as you pay for product from nations that do not have stringent environmental/safety/employee/taxes/regs...is b.s.
Oh hey! That looks like the cases they used for the old Parker acoustic series! Have a P8E from that run. The way the case ages is kinda interesting-the suede-like texture (and brown color) seems to fade away to become more of a soft, dark leather.
I have an Eastman Juliet , a top quality axe. Quirky design, it’s one of Eastmans first attempt at their own design next to the Romeo guitar they also craft. I also like the new diambrossio range , which is made in the USA I believe? Great guitars and prices …at the moment. If the USA side out grows the Chinese side then we will have another Gibson on our hands.. The guitars will get pricier i imagine because of labour costs
I played a couple of Eastman at CME, right after playing a custom shop R-9. The neck doesn’t have the same Gibson feel but the build quality impressed me and I’d take it over a new Standard if I was buying a new instrument to gig with. Finish didn’t feel like poly. A used SB59 at around $1,200 would be a great buy.
Eastman = Epiphone They don't use Genuine Honduran Mahogany. Last I checked it was Okoume (cheaper and softer). They use "Truetone" finish which is urethane and Titebond adhesive not hot hide glue. What I can find the SB59 uses a single action truss rod. They are not the same as Gibson custom shop guitars. And why no mention of that poorly fitted neck tenon? I didn't even see any adhesive on it.
Got me confused with Eastwood... I was tempted to try out their clones of the old Charvel Surfcasters as I used to have an original 12-string one of those.
Yea it bothers me a bit when things are off just a bit like that lol. Especially the cutaway , that overly rounded shape just wont let my eyes pass. Having said all that i got a Heritage h150 and once i got used to its little differences that bothered me at first it turned out to be the best LP type ive ever had.
Probably not, the history of wood they use is up to par of not better than Gibson Custom Shop. Eastman make orchestral string instruments which require better woods than guitars so they get to pick some stellar woods dot their guitars
If I were a Single Cut guy...I like the no fret "nibs" much better, It has great tone, I think that I like the lower horn better than the Gibson L.P....just personal taste. Price....I'd grab the Eastman in a heartbeat without question.
There is plenty of competition outside the US for Gibson clones, in the US the used market really keeps Gibson on top. My best find was a $300 1993 Gibson LesPaul Studio in gloss black with an ebony fingerboard. The used market doesnt make Gibson money day to day but it does passively keep competition out of the market.
I usually don't care about a dent or a scratch. I ONLY care if the neck is well, the frets are even, and there isn't any buzz. I little nick here or there is totally fine.
Meeeh, the kind of guitar that might be good but after a while you move on to a real LP and have money burnt. Color doesn't look right. Played one of their 335s which played nice, but sterile., would prefer vintage Japan which have stood the test of time
By all accounts they make a phenomenal guitar, and as good a hardware spec as is possible, but a neck heel that's WORSE than Gibson's?!? I'm an LP guy too, but I would never buy another unless it has the Axess heel. I don't know why anyone would copy Gibson's regular heel when it's soo easily improved -I even did it myself. As far as looks go, it looks wrong until you strap it on (insert joke), then the small details disappear, and it's basically an LP, close enough for most of the audience to think you have the same guitar as Jimmy Page.
I love my slope shoulder Jumbo style Eastman. Love my T-185 solid wood hollow body electric! Love all the east men I have! Smoking hot guitars. I can afford one, Gibsons are so expensive! They are good but too expensive. They are changing custom shop prices for average guitars. The Eastman luthiers are doing a great job. I go to my Eastmans every time. Try one.
Been hearing a lot about these. The quality is there and they certainly know what Les Paul players want. I don't think that one sounds particularly special but I'd love to try one anyway.
That bump in the finish near the binding would drive me nuts. It takes away the main reason I would consider an Eastman over a Gibson, which is reportedly better QC in the details.
As others have said, this is very rare (and possibly the guitar shop's fault since it was a floor model for a long time). From what others are experiencing, Eastman's QC is miles ahead of Gibson's (ESPECIALLY Gibson's standard production line)
Yes they are. My T484 is amazing. Stays in tune, no stress on the headstock and key thing, no cosmetic flaws. They’ve gotten pricey, so I wouldn’t buy one now, or a Gibson.
Not liking the shape or the carve. Sounds good tho, and your saying playability is comfortable are also key factors. In the end, I'd by a Gibson USA production Trad Pro and get a few more features. I have a hard time believing they'll hold their resale value like the real deals do. Check back on reverb 2 yrs from now. I'll bet there'll be plenty to choose from at the $1200 -$1400 price range
