NGD: Eastman Blonde Bombshell

[fuman]

Originally Posted by Beakybird

Eastman just aced it. That maple is museum grade. Really impressive abalone inlay.

This. Wow. Congrats.

[SpruceTop]

Gorgeous, Tasteful, Elegance! Congratulations & Enjoy!

[rwmct]

My tastes run to less bling. But if one was to do bling, it would be hard to do it better than that. I like the pick guard shape, a slight nod perhaps to other Jumbo builders, but not a copy.

[Featherknife]

Just two days ago I pulled the trigger on one of these amazing works of art from Eastman. I had been agonizing over a Gibson J-200. Having owned a Guild F-50 rosewood backed jumbo years ago, I have been really wanting another jumbo, and preferably maple. Then I saw your pictures, and your post. At about half the price I was expecting to fork over, I will shortly be having one of these beauties in my hands, and just trying not to drool on it too much. I have seen, owned, and played some extravagantly beautiful guitars, but this one is beyond most of them. I have a Bedell, with quilted Honduran mahogany back and sides. Yes....from that "tree". It is incredible as well. But, I hardly know what to do with it since StewMac has begun selling sets of it for $6000 each. It's in a case in a safe place, where no harm will come to it. I certainly am not going to take it to the bar for an impromptu friday night set. It will outlive me. This one, even for the hefty price tag, is going to be my daily player. I don't know what I ever did to deserve these two guitars, but, I might as well get used to it, because they will never belong to anyone else as long as I am still breathing. So, thank you for the inspiration, and the beautiful pictures. I assume you are still enjoying yours, and I wish you many happy years of pickin and grinnin. This, by the way, is my first post. After I bought this incredible guitar, I figured it was time I joined the ranks of the Acoustic Guitar Forum. God has surely smiled on all of us, having given us music, and these amazing instruments to play it on. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

[darylcrisp]

Stunning!
Love the inlay colors and shapes.

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by Featherknife

Just two days ago I pulled the trigger on one of these amazing works of art from Eastman. I had been agonizing over a Gibson J-200. Having owned a Guild F-50 rosewood backed jumbo years ago, I have been really wanting another jumbo, and preferably maple. Then I saw your pictures, and your post. At about half the price I was expecting to fork over, I will shortly be having one of these beauties in my hands, and just trying not to drool on it too much. I have seen, owned, and played some extravagantly beautiful guitars, but this one is beyond most of them. I have a Bedell, with quilted Honduran mahogany back and sides. Yes....from that "tree". It is incredible as well. But, I hardly know what to do with it since StewMac has begun selling sets of it for $6000 each. It's in a case in a safe place, where no harm will come to it. I certainly am not going to take it to the bar for an impromptu friday night set. It will outlive me. This one, even for the hefty price tag, is going to be my daily player. I don't know what I ever did to deserve these two guitars, but, I might as well get used to it, because they will never belong to anyone else as long as I am still breathing. So, thank you for the inspiration, and the beautiful pictures. I assume you are still enjoying yours, and I wish you many happy years of pickin and grinnin. This, by the way, is my first post. After I bought this incredible guitar, I figured it was time I joined the ranks of the Acoustic Guitar Forum. God has surely smiled on all of us, having given us music, and these amazing instruments to play it on. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

Wow! Welcome to the AGF, Featherknife. I'm humbled by your kind words and wish to you congratulate you on your upcoming AC630-BD. It's an absolutely beautiful guitar, and the build quality is excellent. I had neither owned a Jumbo nor a Maple body guitar before, so it was quite an adjustment to my playing style. But at 10mos. old, it's opening up nicely and losing some new edginess in favor of a sweeter, deeper tone that I'm really enjoying. In fact, I was just on my way upstairs to play it, when I saw your post.

When it lands, we'd love to see your photos and read your impressions, so drop a reply here. Eastman gets a lot of love here, and there are a few other Jumbo owners over on the Eastman forum. Thanks again, I hope you enjoy your AC630-BD as much as I love mine!

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by darylcrisp

Stunning!
Love the inlay colors and shapes.

Thank, Daryl! The abalone is real and color matched. Eastman just a great job with their inlay work.

[David Rance]

Goodness me that looks lovely. I'd been thinking about a non-electric jumbo. Think I might just have found it! Instant love. Well done and thanks for making us aware.

(Currently one in Peach Guitars in Colchester for £1917. Where are the car keys! )

[Brucebubs]

I have a SJ-200 coming. I'm sure it will be great but I doubt it will be that pretty.

[EZYPIKINS]

There is nothing quite as fun as a big fat blond

[MBee]

What a beauty! Congratulations!

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by David Rance

Goodness me that looks lovely. I'd been thinking about a non-electric jumbo. Think I might just have found it! Instant love. Well done and thanks for making us aware.

(Currently one in Peach Guitars in Colchester for £1917. Where are the car keys! )

You're welcome. Hope you get it! I've been enjoying mine, and it keeps getting better.

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

There is nothing quite as fun as a big fat blond

Let's say "curvy" or "voluptuous."

Originally Posted by MBee

What a beauty! Congratulations!

Thank you!

[Pura Vida]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I have a SJ-200 coming. I'm sure it will be great but I doubt it will be that pretty.

Any update on your SJ-200? I know that you ordered it right when the pandemic struck. Hope it makes it to Eden soon! What strings are you playing on your Jumbos?

[jklotz]

I keep running across that guitar every time I look at the LA guitar website. I have zero need for a jumbo, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't oogle it every time I saw it. Can you imagine what Gibson or Guild would charge for that guitar with those appointments?

I'd love to hear one. Any demos floating around?

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Pura Vida

Any update on your SJ-200? I know that you ordered it right when the pandemic struck. Hope it makes it to Eden soon! What strings are you playing on your Jumbos?

Due here late September/early October.

My relatively inexpensive laminated maple Epiphone EJ-200 sounds amazingly good with round-core DR Sunbeam lights.

My lightly built and super responsive maple Huss & Dalton MJ Custom spat them out - prefers John Pearse Pure Nickel lights.

My maple Guild F-412 honestly sounds great with any strings I put on it!