Eastman AR805 For Blues?
 

I know, you can play blues on any guitar :) But like many flat top players, a nice arch top has always caught my attention. To my point: I'm a finger style blues player and enjoy my Martin 000-15S, Taylor 614ce and Farida OT-22 for different reasons but mainly blues picking. I have my eye on the AR805 for something different in my quiver. If I pull the trigger it would be for the non cutaway full acoustic model with no pickup. I know they are good instruments, but does anyone out there use them for this kind of playing style?

Hi, I have one, and whilst I wouldn't normally use it for the style you propose here is a sample of some stuff I've done on it :

Be great with a pickup for some "uptown" blues...

It would not be my first choice for a gutbucket acoustic blues sound. It's just too "polite" sounding. That's kind of the Eastman archtop tone, they're like baby Benedettos.

Thanks, guys. I agree that the 805 maybe is not the best choice for low down gut bucket stuff and I think that's what the attraction is, for me at least. It might lead me into a different thing. Silly Moustache, your playing is great and kind of what I have in mind with this guitar. Thanks again.

I used to have an AR805e - with a floating pick-up. I traded it because it seems a shame to have a p/up on a great acoustic,

I'm a recent AR805 owner and find it delightfully impolite compared to my flattop guitars.

29er, I suggest you play one to decide if the 53mm bridge string spacing works for you playing fingerstyle. I play with a pick, so not an issue for me.

Never a bad thing! Go for it.

Eastman makes some really nice guitars.

I bought an Eastman 805-an awesome guitar-a few months ago and would offer the following assessment:

I can fingerpick blues and folky stuff, but this guitar comes alive with a stiff pick. I moved away from flatpicking and have been primarily fingerpicking and finger strumming my flattops for a number of years. I do play my 805 this way. It gives a warm, fairly mellow tone when fingerpicked...it's nice, responds well, but is somewhat restrained. It becomes a brash, aggressive beastie under a flatpick. It sounds good under my fingers, again at its best under a pick.

Overall these guitars have a strong acoustic presence. My 805 raised the eyebrows of a guy with whom I jammed recently. He was expecting a more restrained midrange "pokey" character common to archies. Even with a finger strum I hit a E7+9 chord and the guy simply said "Woah!". :D They're cool guitars!

https://i.imgur.com/NYRMH1wh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HBkrR5hh.jpg

Thanks again for the input. I have decided to take the plunge and just purchased a 2015 model and should have it early next week. Looking forward to an expanded tonal palate in my little collection!

Post pictures!!! (when it arrives)