Eastman Thinline - T184MX or T185MX?
 

I've been looking for a (semi)hollow body with a 15" or under lower bout and a 1-3/4" nut, and a scale length of around 25".

I have narrowed it down to either an Eastman T184MX (14") or T185MX (15"). I tried an Eastman T486, and while the neck is comfortable, it has a 16" lower bout, and that's not comfortable for me. It looks like all the Eastman laminates are 16" and 24.75" scale.

I play mostly rhythm guitar - blues, rockabilly, country, old rock.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried both, and what difference they think there is in tone. It's hard to find either one of them around here.

Thanks.

Update
 

I gave Eastman a call and had a long conversation with their product specialist, who told me that, given my playing style, he would suggest the T184MX, either the standard one or the LS (Lil Smokey).

I found a NOS T184MX-LS on Reverb and got it for a good price. I should have it in around a week (I ordered some DR Pure Blues 11-50 strings and had Amazon ship them there so that they could set it up the way I like it).

Had the T184MX, beautiful guitar perfectly put together, nicest neck that I've ever played in decades, and although the Kent Armstrong pickups were "good", I probably would have preferred humbuckers. I believe most of these guitars to come with HBs...just be aware of this as it's not commonly mentioned in reviews or fora.

Thanks for the reply. The Lil Smokey comes with Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 in the neck and Seymour Duncan JB Sh-4 in the bridge, which (I've been told) is a good, versatile combination.

Just curious why you decided to let yours go.

Congrats on the upcoming T184MX. I've been looking at these for a while, but can't decide whether to go T486 (lam) vs. T184/5 (solid). Can't wait to hear about yours (and see pics!).

To answer the question, I really liked the 184 but a trade for a very nice strat became available and I made the move. This eventually led me to a deal on a Gretsch 6122-1959, because it was that old Chet tone that I was after all along. Can't say enough about the 184's quality of build and neck though. Would have cost me about 600 to buy and install TV Jonses on it, and I probably should have done that, as I find the thinner body and lighter weight...just more comfortable to play even while sitting.

Eastman from the beginning has been making awesome guitars and it sounds that the build quality is only getting better. I am very anxious to try out their les paul style model. It looks like they hit a home run with that. I regret selling the Eastman oval hole jazz guitar that I had when they first came to the US (it was number 62!) Maybe someday ill get another.

I posted an NGD here. After a few days, I'm very happy with this guitar.

Hey, pax238. I just purchased a used T185MX, which is shipping today. I'll let you know what I think and post an NGD here and the EGF, once it arrives. Hope you're loving your T184MX-LS!

That's great. I look forward to hearing about your impressions and seeing your T185MX in your NGD post. And, yes, I'm loving my T184MX-LS.