Great to see a video about two of the best Les Pauls at or around the Les Paul Standard price-point without including a Gibson Les Paul. For me, I'd go Eastman at that price-point. The Eastman SB59 exploits the difference between core Gibson LP Standard and Custom-Shop and punches well above its weight. The S2 is below the core 594, built in very well-controlled but in a production-line style, and then sent to PRS in the US for some finishing. I'd buy the Eastman over the S2 or core Les Paul Standard. They have personality combined with quality components and currently are a step above American competition.
I was once a Gibson purist I have almost $400,000 in Gibson guitars that I have collected 24 of them and I have collected them since I was 13 and got my first Eric Clapton number 38 of a run that was done in the early 90s That was a gift from an uncle of mine. I love Gibson as a company I am disappointed however, looking at these two guitars, I can honestly tell you because I have bought a few already and I’m using them in my gigs. I do pick up changes, but as far as build quality as much of a purist as I am, I am here to admit, without question Eastman is in my opinion, the best build, the most stable for tuning and overall once you replace the pick ups just as good as any PRS $10,000 guitar or $10,000.59 less Paul reissue as far as I am concerned I have played them side-by-side and there is no doubt in my mind The headstock is the major difference go to hardware is phenomenal, and I put better pick up than I got from Gibson, and certainly better than what is offered from PRS in my opinion, and in many Sound tests and certainly there are plenty of PRS users, all over RU-vid advertising pick ups and PAF style pick ups to replace these why would anyone want these pick ups at least at a pro level? I can’t imagine not even teaching I understand if this is what you can afford, but certainly upgrading the pick ups in this guitars, make it hole as far as the PRS is concerned And putting the S on the end does not explain. I have a lot of students do that. Do not know those pick ups are not American made young kids don’t look at those details and that’s exactly what they’re counting on and I think it’s pretty sad. at least Eastman is upfront the Duncan 59s are an A5, it’s authentic and certainly not a bad bass to start from but at least the bill quality is beyond question and Gibson nor PRS can say that
Watched these on the flight, couldn't comment then but now I remembered. I thought this was such an awesome comparison. Best import to be had vs a US production line.
I love PRS, and have several, but I love my Eastman guitars more. Much like in the video, the PRS sound a bit thinner and more compressed, while the Eastman sound more open, warmer, and richer, with great overtones.
Nice review nice comparison. I just purchased an Eastman SB 59 and I’m in love with it if I’m not playing I’m staring at it. I’m a guitar addict currently in therapy.
I purchased an Eastman T486B semi-hallow body with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90s last year. Without doubt Eastman is a top drawer manufacturer producing near boutique quality / custom shop instruments for working musicians and hobbyists alike. Based on quality to price, Eastman will smoke a Gibson ES-335 without breaking out into a sweat. In fact, the firm is quickly producing what many industry insiders consider to be "Gibson killers." (Just for the record, I own both Gibson and PRS and can attest that Alan's assessment is spot on.)
The most common criticism of PRS guitars is not build quality but that they lack character. They got their cookie-cutter production techniques down to a level where the guitar lacks soul. However, for a few hundred dollars, anyone can swap out their stock electronics and hardware and get vintage tones at a fraction of the price for a Gibson Standard.
It would be helpful to comparison play back to back; PRS neck clean to Eastman neck clean, etc, etc. The way done, jumping back and forth is needed. It would be nice to have a conclusion, if you only could keep one, which would it be?
Thanks for this - great, clear comparison! Eastman would be my preference altho the PRS is lovely - I would flip out the pick-ups and maybe try Monty's Underspun PAFs or the Underspun Lollar Imperials. I have a PRS SE 24-08 which is nice, versatile 'Swiss Army Knife' but not in the same league as some of my other 'grown up' guitars.
I had a couple of SB59s and loved them. Sold my standard (with the SD 59s in it) a couple of years ago, and I just sold my SB59 vintage (with SD Antiquities). Hated to see it go, but ... life happens, you know.
