#16
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I've owned two (an 805CE-7 and a 605CE) and I loved both of them. I eventually moved onto a Benedetto Bambino which was a great guitar, but the Eastmans were an incredible value. I still own a couple of Eastman's, including my only acoustic and a mandolin. I do think they are an incredible value with really nice build quality. Both of my archtops required a bit of fretwork new from the shop, but I'd certainly buy another. They have a Frank Vignola model out that I'd love to own. Having played a real deal Thorell, they are a really neat design and fit between the Gypsy and jazz tonal aesthetic.
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#17
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Thanks all, for the comments.
I think Eastman's the way to go. |
#18
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This should be a good period for archtop builders (and manufacturers) as the equipment and tooling for this kind of building has really advanced a lot, particularly for factory-scale work. Those heavy rhythm machines can now be built much more lightly and stably; instead of manufacturers overbuilding them in order to avoid warranty claims (like the dreaded collapsing top) we can see lighter, finer tolerances, with great tonal consequences. I'll be honest -- I really dislike archtops, having never played one, including some vintage Gibsons, I would want to bother with as a pure acoustic. (I have never had the chance to play a luthier-built modern archtop; those might be great.) The only compelling archtop tones I have heard were either recorded or amplified. But I am really excited by the recent developments in archtop and semi-acoustic building, and look forward to hitting some shops where I can try out some of the good new offerings. With low volume music blessedly back in style, having a responsive archtop has become an asset, I think, not the liability it was in higher-volume sound environments.
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#19
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Quote:
I may be behind the times now - but last time I thought about this - Eastman archtops were still hand made - am I wrong now?
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#20
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#21
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I think Eastman archtops are very well done. I have had an Eastman Pagelli PG2 for 9 years now, it is a great instrument and has the most lovely, chimey tone to it.
Here it is, recorded on a Zoom video recorder, using the mics on the Zoom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwSIXrfMqA4
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Avian Skylark Pono 0000-30 Gardiner Parlor Kremona Kiano Ramsay Hauser Cordoba C10 Chris Walsh Archtop Gardiner Concert Taylor Leo Kottke Gretsch 6120 Pavan TP30 Aria A19c Hsienmo MJ Ukuleles: Cocobolo 5 string Tenor Kanilea K3 Koa Kanilea K1 Walnut Tenor Kala Super Tenor Rebel Super Concert Nehemiah Covey Tenor Mainland Mahogany Tenor Mainland Cedar/Rosewood Tenor |
#22
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Really nice performance, Jimmy. The guitar sounds great!
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#23
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I have an Eastman 905CE and it's a lovely guitar. I don't play it enough, but when I do, it really takes me away. As Silly Moustache noted, it's a very responsive archtop guitar, which is what I wanted, because I play with my fingers and have a fairly light touch.
- Glenn Here is a sound clip: https://www.soundpure.com/p/eastman-...op-guitar/2301
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My You Tube Channel |
#24
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I have an AR371, upgraded with a Fralin P-90. I use it primarily as an amplified jazz guitar (hence the upgraded pickup), but unamplified it is loud and responsive. Not as sweet as Eastman's carved-top models, but a rawer sound with more than a hint of old-time character. I like it.
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#25
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i have a ar605ce as well. beautiful guitar. great sound and build. i just switched to Rotosound RS-200 flatwounds from DR Jazz Tite's 12's roundwounds. the flatwounds seem a little boomy. the mahogany really gives this guitar a warm sound. Mine is Loud! i tried a AR800 last year. i sent it back because the neck wasn't right. It also didn't sound nearly as nice as my AR605ce... Rob edit: take it back about boomy with flatwounds... strings need to settle... love them!
Last edited by guildmann; 12-30-2017 at 11:19 PM. |
#26
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I've always wanted an acoustic, oval-hole archtop and was lucky enough to find a used Eastman 804 this past year. It's a great guitar for fingerpicking blues. It has no electronics and is intended as a purely acoustic guitar and works very well as one. It's heavy, but has a great blues voice and is also a really handsome instrument with a gloss black top and highly figured maple back, sides and neck. It's become one of my favorites.
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Bob DeVellis |
#27
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Thanks so much to all above for the many and varied comments.
Still in the market. Ce |
#28
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#29
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I had what I think was a limited production Eastman Archtop - an AR605. Carved spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides. No pickup or cutaway. 16". Just the right specs for me. It had a very fragile finish - which seems to have been common with Eastman until a few years ago.
In my frenzied, GAS-driven searching, I let it go. Wish I hadn't. Among other reasons, I can't find one in the price range I sold it. PS - nice cover of that Jerry Reed (underrated player) song, Jimmy B. |
#30
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I picked up an AR371 and it is a fantastic guitar. It is stock. I almost went down that pickup swap trail. I lowered the pickup down a bit and adjusted the pole pieces lower almost flush and found the sweet spot for my playing and it is now dialed in. I've got a diamond tolex style Polytone Mini Brute III that I play it through.
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