[Livingston]

Hi Scott,

Eastman guitars are a very nice value in my opinion, for the reasons you have already mentioned - solid, carved tops, good tone and low price. I've been eyeing the El Rey for a while, but probably won't splurge on a new guitar for a while.

The Benedetto with laminate top is a nice guitar. I believe you must have tried the Bravo. In my humble opinion, I think that the Bravo sounds better than the Eastman. Very light, responsive guitar. I don't know who presses those plates for Benedetto but they are pretty responsive and give an excellent amplified tone. Worth every penny in my opinion, but then again so are the Eastmans.

Btw, as you probably know that laminate Benedetto is about 1/3rd to 1/4 the price of a carved Benedetto. No doubt Benedetto and Eastmans are two different animals.