Eastman SB59V - A proper Les Paul alternative 

Hey Patrick. Thanks for the comment. If you are after a very high end contemporary take on a vintage style instrument. Definitely try one of these out. Very impressive.

I feel u bro

I bought one a few months ago and it's my favorite guitar to play! Do it!

I recently pulled the trigger on one after thinking about it for a year and haven't been able to put it down. Hard to find anything about this guitar that's not outstanding. I'd recommend one without any reservations at all. Everything he covers in this review is spot on. Overall, it's a bit brighter sounding than a typical LP, but not too much so.

Thanks for loaning me the guitar mate! It’s a belter!

Thanks for the sub and the comment Doctor! This is a great guitar alright!

Thanks for that Danny!

Beautiful guitar. Enjoy.

It’s a peach of a guitar alright! Enjoy.

I have one. Amazing guitar. Amazing

Thanks Nik. Yeah it’s an amazing guitar. I’m definitely going to try and check out one of their 335 style guitars.

I bought (after buying the SB59V) A Eastman T185mx blonde top work of art, it is a hollow body thin line type guitar, hand carved maple top with hand carved mahogany back and sides, not laminate! A small block under the bridge but no full length body block, nitro gloss finish, SD 59 classics but l believe it's offered with Antiquities as well.. l bought it used for $1500 mint condition on Reverb.. the wood?? It is just stunning.. flame maple top to die for and the mahogany dances in light like no mahogany l have ever seen... A VERY high end instrument that would cost $5-6k if it was born in America.. check one out.. the 184,185 and 186 models are all the same but the 184 is a 14" bout, the 185 is a 15" bout and the 186 is the 335 clone with a 16" bout. I chose the 185 to not give up too much of that tone of the larger 186 but still be a lil more comfortable..l believe l made the right choice..they ARE forever guitars.. THAT good!

@@rachelkaiser8108 yeah I’m definitely gonna try and play one of the 335 Style instruments. I was very impressed with this.

I think a bit part of its sound being different to my LP is the finish. It’s a far thinner finish. But yeah I’d say the pickups play a massive part

Hey. Thanks for the comment. That’s their in between a 339 and 335 size. It’s pretty original I like that. This is the only one I’ve ever played but I was very impressed. Fantastic guitar.

Thanks Mike. I changed the tuners on my Orville LP to Schiller vintage tuners and it has solved the tuning problem.

That’s really interesting. I love the idea of a Les Paul with p90s. I’ve played 4 different brands of them but always found them to heavy on bottom end. I never really played a really expensive one though. Just the Gibson tribute model kind of thing. I think they work great on juniors and specials just never found an LP with p90s I liked. Does the Eastman one have a lot of bass?

@@TheGuitarEffect I haven’t found it to have overpowering amount of bass .... I do like myself a thick creamy tone and am nearly always playing it on the neck pick-up and rolling the tone and volume controls to suit, I guess it depends on many factors ... I’m not really an aggressive player, but man is it dream to play, get some good jazzy tones too. I love it. It’s sheer quality, I’m in England and bought it from a store in Exeter (South west) called project music, they gave it a set up and I haven’t had to fiddle with it at all. Try one out !

I must try and get my hands on one. I’d love to try one out. The guitar I demoed was very good.

@@TheGuitarEffect yeah I want one 😂👍

Hey Stephen. Thanks for the comment. I’m playing through a Koch Studiotone 20 head. Direct to the interface. No Cab. I’ve a video about the amp and a video about the entire recording setup of you want to check them out.

Hey Andy thanks for the comment. For some reason I think if I was going to get one of these as an alternative to a Les Paul I wouldn’t get this “violin” style finish it’s just so different from a Les Paul. Not lesser. But very different.

Hey sodacake. Thanks for the comment. To be honest it didn’t stand out to me as a thing. I’m not a big lead player (as I think most people can tell) so I wouldn’t really ever notice a neck joint unless it was a real problem. I’ve not got the guitar anymore so I can’t check it for you.

@@TheGuitarEffect no worries, thanks for your response! appreciate it.

Thx for the comment. Yep it really is a great guitar!

Hey Stanislav. Thanks for the comment. I’ve heard of 50’s wiring before I’ll check it out for sure.

@@TheGuitarEffect Try it on one guitar at first. And remember to get linear pots for tone AND volumes. Also the lesser is the real pot value(they all different cause of the tolerance) the lesser high end you will get. So the best course of action is to install pot with highest value on a neck pickup and vice versa. Good luck with all your endeavors, I hope you'll like as much as I do.

Hey mark. Thanks for the comment. So no. Absolutely no tuning stability issues. As I mentioned I borrowed the guitar and so haven’t played it for a while but it has definitely got better tuning stability than my old Orville. I don’t remember having any problems.

My T486 (335 but BETTER!!!) is fantastic in every way...no tuning issues...unlike my Gibson Traditional which has a 'String Butler' and it's still not staying in tune like my Epi or any other guitar in my arsenal. Bidding on an SB59 now on eBay....lefty GoldTop....don't need it....but damn....I want it. My GT Edwards with P90 is nice....but....but.... I need help....

Hey Bobby. Thx for the comment. The Eastman wasn’t mine. I only borrowed it for the review. A really wonderful guitar just not for me. I still have my Orville. It’s the only Les Paul I’ve ever really got on with.

Hey Rachel. Thanks for commenting. I don’t really get the 97 to 59 comment. The Orville is clearly a 59 LP copy and this literally is named 59, so to me they are both modeled after a 59 Les Paul. I’ve never played a 59 LP so I can’t really say either feels or sounds more like a 59 LP. However my Orville sounds, feels and looks more like an old Les Paul to me. I do however point out that this is a stunning instrument throughout the video and I was really impressed with it. The varnish thing is not for me. I prefer a nitro or even a poly finish. I prefer gloss finish necks on fenders for example. But I realize that today that’s not really en vogue at the minute: As I mentioned too I’m not a high end guitar guy, I like guitars that speak to me and make me write songs. While the Eastman is a spectacular piece of craftsmanship and engineering (and yes the case is special!!) my Orville just has way more mojo. But that is ENIRELY subjective.

@@TheGuitarEffect l missed you saying it was a 59.. l did get Orville which l have not ever played but have only heard great things about, your pickups def sound like higher wound more modern tone pickups which l prefer with higher gain settings myself and l really liked your neck pickup for those times much better.. we both know that Japan in the 70s were considered the "Chinese of the time, labeled inferior just because it wasn't born in America but times have changed and being honest many of the Japanese instruments are very sought after because they have tremendous pride and high QC that during those times America was slipping and dropping the ball, many 70s Jap tele's are getting crazy premiums to own that they could not hardly give away then.. l have great respect for your Orville Gibson.. l have been fortunate that the 2 Gibson's l own..a 2017 LP Standard and a 2018 SG HPII are flawless and are both exceptionally beautiful guitars..but l prefer the SB.. as you said "Mojo is subjective" and being l prefer satin finish necks, the Eastman crushes it.. l bought the LP because l have never had one and thought there must be something really special about them. After buying it honestly it did not grow on me as l hoped it would. It's very versatile tone wise but the nitro neck to me is a grabby surface to the point l have considered shooting satin nitro over it. Had l knew about the SB59V when l was buying the LP l would have never bought it, to me the SB has a mojo l can't really put in words, the neck was a bit thicker than l had always played but it really is a fantastic profile that sits almost in the middle. My favorite neck of my guitars is 2018 Elite Strat neck, satin, compound radius, C to D profile..for me it's the easiest to physically play, that being said the SB is simply far more inspiring.. maybe because l don't get that mojo from a new strat, l don't know but the SB is certainly out of 18 guitars my #1 go-to and l wouldn't give it up for any of the others. Have a great day..

Hey Rachel. Yeah I have a 97 Japanese Thinline tele that is the best guitar I own. I love the Japanese stuff. Video coming on that guitar soon.

Hi Ivan. I’m always very reluctant to offer up my opinion on whether people should buy or sell guitars. It’s such a personal choice. These are exceptionally well made guitars. They sound look and feel amazing. But I don’t have this one anymore. I borrowed it for the review. Given the choice I would 100% go for my Orville over this. But that’s my personal choice. I’m sure plenty would disagree. I’m not a fan of explorers visually so I e never picked one up to try one and therefor couldn’t offer an opinion on this vs an explorer.

Hey. It is 10 - 15% lighter than my Les Paul. Upper fret access is similar. Weight balance is absolutely perfect. It plays slightly better than my Les Paul and holds its tuning far better.

@@TheGuitarEffect thanks for your reply

Hey Kelly. Thanks for your comment. I’ll update the title. Important distinction alright. Fair play.

Very good! Your review was absolutely outstanding. This is exactly what an in-depth review of a guitar should be like. Thanks.

@@Chessdaddy ah thanks for that. Really appreciate the comment. I like to try and focus on the experience of playing the instrument rather than the specs.

Hey Robert. Thanks for the comment. Yeah I’m aware of the fact that Orville by Gibson was the better appointed range of guitars but to be honest I really just make a judgement on a guitar by the way I personally connect with it and my Orville is the nicest Les Paul I’ve ever played. I really don’t need another one. I’ve never actually come across an Orville by Gibson other than online though if I ever saw one I’d definitely try it out.

Hey Jimmy. Thx for the comment. I really liked this guitar (only had it for a week on loan) But I must say with the Orville I have I just can’t seem to find the need for another Les Paul. A custom with p90s maybe at some point but that’s it. The Orville is my favorite LP I’ve played. I got the current Epiphone LP junior and it’s pretty impressive for the money.

It’s closer to a 50’s profile baseball bat neck if I remember correctly. But not overly or problematically so

@@TheGuitarEffect oh ok thanks amigo.

It’s interesting. I’m new to the whole Gibson vibe. I’ve always been more of a fender chap. But I kind of got the bug when I got the Orville LP. I also don’t really consider myself much of a guitar player and am really more of a guitar playing songwriter. I’ve always found Gibson’s to be way overpriced. Mainly I always thought “it’s not gonna make me write better songs so why would I pay so much more than a fender” but a while back i had a guitar custom built and learned a lot more about the process of guitar building and I realized that Gibson’s are actually significantly more complex to make and a I sort of get the “Cadillac” vibe they have now. With that in mind I think the Eastman is every bit as refined and ambitious an instrument (if not more so) as any Gibson I’ve played and thus I think the price is completely justified. But I don’t think it’s as much a Les Paul as a Gibson Les Paul. It’s in the same camp, sure but it’s a different thing.

@@TheGuitarEffect Thank you for a great review, as always!

Hey Mark thx for the comment. There’s a good bit to digest there but first off I’d say I get that Zeppelin are one of the best bands of all time but they’re not really my thing. I’m more of an alternative kind of guy than a rock guy. 🤷‍♂️ Secondly I had an Agile les Paul about 10 years ago. A good top with p90s I was obsessed with p90 Les Paul’s at the time and tried a JHS Vintage one, an agile one and the Epiphone one. The Epiphone actually was significantly better than the other two. And the agile was the worst. Though I’m pretty sure they have different tiers of guitars and so based on what you are saying I may try one again. And lastly I totally agree there are many many many great LP style guitars for under €1k. I think a Hagstrom Suede would probably my personal preference they’re amazing guitars.

Hey. Thx for the comment. I guess that’s down to whether you already have a good LP Or for they matter a good strat right? The Eastman is a great guitar. I’m not a Mayer or PRS fan really so I’ve never played a silver sky. Couldn’t really give an opinion on one.

Hey Mark. Are you saying you are eating from a punchline from me?

@@TheGuitarEffect I'm not sure now. Ha! Anyway I definitely would consider an Eastman, say, over a Gibson even if I had Gibson money. So the Eastman's price was the punchline and I don't think I heard you say it. Around $1,800? Still a little pricey for me.

Hey Mark. I think they are fairly priced for a handbuilt guitar. While they are intended to be an alternative to a Les Paul, for me they aren’t Les Pauls. That’s why I like the Orville I have. It’s a Les Paul. Like, exactly a Les Paul. That’s not to say the Eastman’s aren’t great in their offense en right as high end hand built guitars. But it’s not a Les Paul. I’ve never been taken by Gibson’s really. I think they are way overpriced.

Hey. Thx for the comment. To be honest at this level of guitar I think better is entirely subjective. But a Les Paul sounds more like a Les Paul than this. Definitely

Any particular reason why? Is it the shipping or you don’t trust the quality?

you don't shop at costco?

Dude, you probably typed that on a device full of Chinese electronics