I own various Schecter's, Gibson's, Fender's, cort's, but my go-to guitar is my T486B, I'm in love with it.... I think Eastman are going to be big, everything about them is what we all want and expect from a guitar maker, Gibson could learn a lot from Eastman....
My T486 is the best guitar I've owned of several dozens, mostly USA. I only have about 17 guitars (investments mostly) now...and my son asked me which I'd grab in a fire...the T486...and use the Gibson LP Traditional to ax my way to safety. Their finish QA is not Gibson level...but their tone, look, materials, assembly, and playability is equal. I had a Heritage 535 (335 equivalent for sure)...sold it...it was great, just not 'special'. Got a very nice D'Angelico DC Deluxe last month..$1900 (got deal on B-Stock)...my $1200 T486 does circles around it.
Thank you for the review Rafael. I'm an older beginner and still working out what I like in a guitar but became a T486 owner about 18months ago and it's wonderful. I was really pleased that the local shop pointed me towards this guitar when I went looking for something a bit less agricultural feeling than the Epi' 339 that I started with. (It was the right choice for me to start with). Only had one hiccup in the relationship with the T486 at about the 10 month mark when a mark developed on the back of the neck that had me worried but the local shop took care of it and repaired the paintwork. Most likely a QC issue with handling the wood just prior to applying the Nitro finish. So some of the other comments about the occasional QC issue may have a point so make sure you have a good dealership or they have a good relationship with Eastman. Though from the quality of the guitars I've seen you'd be unlucky to get one with even a blemish they have been so good.
I think I might have a touch of the old OCD, I looked with a Magnifying glass all over my T486B just to see what a handmade guitar looks like, and I could not find a single fault, which in itself is seriously impressive....
thank you so much for taking the time to watch my video, indeed, these semis cover a lot of different styles, and you demonstrated how beautifull they can sound in jazz :)
Great video mate, I've just ordered the T59/V which is basically the same but slightly different pickups and varnish finish. I actually prefer that you played songs, it gives a more familiar reference point to hear.
Two months ago I walked into a local shop to buy a new Gibson Les Paul Standard......a cherry T486 caught me and today, for less money, I have a killer semi hollow and just got a pristine sb59 from 2017. I love the 486 and the sb59 blows my freaking mind. These things are stand outs amongst American guitars. I almost feel disappointed in my other guitars after playing these. I know we're not talking Mexican Fender money but Eastmans really are amazing.
Really enjoyable video - some lovely tones from it and sounded great unplugged too which was nice to see in a video :) Seems like a great quality instrument and is certainly a looker too! Hope you keep and enjoy this one :)
Thanks Ian, I don’t know if it will be my forever guitar like your firebird, but at moment unless for a financial reason I have no reason to move it. Great all around
@@MrRafaztar yeah absolutely - is great to have guitars you love but like you say maybe it will still be a stepping stone to a guitar you wanna keep forever - which will be exciting to see what that ends up being :) but great to have and play different brands and a great vid so I'll give one of these a try when I can!
Second hand I pick one of these up for around 800 bucks!.. a bit more than and inspired by Epi but truly a better made and spec'd instrument... Fact, the hardest decision when it comes to buying an Eastman is which one! I'd love the p90 hollow body one too!
I like your style of channel because its low key without losing the message. Black is the perfect Eastman semi hollow color. Ive got an acoustic Eastman. I love the feel. Eastman understands guitar necks so well. If i have any suggestions for Eastman it would be to offer more rosewood fingerboards.
Thanks, yeah, it’s mostly ebony, could it be because of the restrictions rosewood has ? I actually sold this guitar but when I look at pictures of it I miss it 🥲
Awesome vid man. I just got an Eastman Sb59 and its awesome. Ive started to eye one of the semis to maybe replace a Sheraton II i have that weighs a metric ton.
There is a lot to comparing one guitar to another, in fact a person could play 10 of the exact same model but one will sound or feel better than the rest. Eastman is no different. The first one I purchased had minor flaws, so Eastman sent me a replacement, the replacement had even more flaws then the first. Plus it had scratches in odd places. A few years later I bought the one I have now, and its absolutely Flawless in every way, Obviously built with great care, from start to finish. The "tone block" in both of the first two, had slight separation from the top, I could see it through the F holes. I have had and played many many guitars over the last 30 years, and even had too many, but all I really wanted was 1 guitar that was easy to play, and I could get just about any sound from it. Which is why I choose a hollow body. In fact many hollow body guitars just dont sound "hollow" So a semi would never work, plus most semi hollows are very heavy, which is one thing I didnt want. And acoustics are great but fragile. I once played a PRS that was a great example of what all PRS guitars should be, and despite it having incredible play-ability and setup, the face of the guitar had a slight blemish, which I could not get over. Clearly didnt affect the incredible guitar. But I played a few others of the exact model, and they just didnt compare. I love my Eastman for a few reasons, its all black, NO inlays on the fretboard, and its flawless. The sound is ok, or above average, , and unique to Eastman, but that it not why I choose it. I do like the smaller body. and yet its thicker than an Ibanez semi hollow. I never play it, its still in the case, brand new. Im just happy to own it.
The Eastwood Astro Cadet Bill Nelson model is very, very good. Access to the 'dusty end of the neck',is limited but actually for what I play, it's not really a problem. As for build quality sounds and adaptability I find it hard to beat. Look beyond Gibson and Fender... Eastwood are making guitars based on wacky retro designs that are very playable. Great video.
Thanks David , I have seen them , I even played a Rivolta that is made alongside them, at least is sold on their website. Not really my choice of guitars, but it is really cool that they are making retro guitars that are super playable and accessible to contemporary players
prs se hollow and semi hollow are worth looking at (esp if used) if you are just trying to get rolling, but honestly its all about how the guitar feels at the time you are there to play it. just my ending thoughts with your questions. cheers friends.
Thanks, this is the indicator you actually watched till the end :D good shouts too, are more widely available too. LTD 1000 (EC, SN, PS...) series also seem to be widely regarded great no-mods-needed sort of thing guitars.
Boas! Ora essa. Eu gosto e acho que é uma coisa excelente escolha para o tipo de guitarra que é. Atenção só que tem uma nut width mais larga que uma típica Les paul por exemplo 👍🏼
Are those the Full solid body, carved, not bent semi hollows? I don't think those were as popular but really unique well constructed instruments!! Would love to play one one day
@@MrRafaztar My Eastman T184MX is a carved top, 95% hollow, with just a "tone block" below the bridge. I have actually owned 3 of this exact model, The first 2 had flaws. Truly handmade. The one I have now is Absolutely Perfect in every way.
that's a fair stand if you're American but you do realise most parts in American guitars have components or parts made or sourced from china, such as paint, pots, copper wire, magnets and plastics. I recognise it is good to help your fellow man's business. Nevertheless that doesn't mean this guitar is junk. You opinion does not translate to facts.
Agree on resale value, but certainly not quality. It's common known fact that Gibson has struggled for years now with poor QC and they show no signs of caring in the least - but their prices keep increasing. Gibson prices are absolutely ridiculous for what you actually get (a mass produced guitar with poor QC).@@VoodooDewey69
