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  #1  
Old 03-19-2019, 07:47 AM
OddManOut OddManOut is offline
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Default Bought An Eastman AR805

Well...after 2 years of waffling on an archtop purchase, I pulled the trigger on a new Eastman AR805 pure acoustic (Maple/Spruce w/classic finish) from Django Books.



I spent the last few days in Bay Area shops trying to find something decent in the $500-$800 range. Uhhh...no. I was also eyeballing several Godin 5th Avenues and Gretsch New Yorkers on Reverb, but I haven't had much luck with used guitars on Reverb. In the end I decided the extra $$$ for the Eastman would be money well spent.



Michael at Django Books was very helpful, he answered the many questions I had. He certainly has a good reputation and instilled some confidence in me as a buyer in a "real" way (with info rather than pure sales pitch). I'm not a fan of buying sight unseen, but I'm confident it'll be be OK even if she's not a keeper.


Anyway...we'll see what the guitar has to say when she's in my hands. Hoping for the best.
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Last edited by OddManOut; 03-19-2019 at 09:23 AM.
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Old 03-19-2019, 08:31 AM
Mandobart Mandobart is offline
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Michael Horowitz is great. I went to his place in Seattle to test out several guitars before choosing my Altamira several years ago. He is highly regarded in the gypsy-jazz community as a player, teacher and scholar.

I have an Eastman MDC805 mandocello that I converted to guitar a couple years ago. I really like the sound with Martin retro monel 013's.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:04 PM
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Livingston Livingston is offline
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Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing a photo and hearing more about your guitar, once it arrives.

On a side note, I purchased an Eastman AR603CE-15 from Django Books. Was very happy with their service and especially pleased that the guitar was as described.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:11 PM
mr. beaumont mr. beaumont is offline
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Eastman makes very high quality instruments, I think you'll be pleased.

If you were mainly a flattop guy before, you might find the "stringy," X braced modern voice of the Eastman very pleasing compared to a parallel braced vintage-voiced instrument, which can come across as a bit "in your face" to some folks.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:43 PM
OddManOut OddManOut is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. beaumont View Post
Eastman makes very high quality instruments, I think you'll be pleased.

If you were mainly a flattop guy before, you might find the "stringy," X braced modern voice of the Eastman very pleasing compared to a parallel braced vintage-voiced instrument, which can come across as a bit "in your face" to some folks.



You hit the nail on the head here...I am a flattop guy. There was a vintage Gibson archie available locally at a very reasonable price...loved the feel, but not the voice. I like an archtop with a warmer, fuller voice rather than pure midrange "poke", if that makes any sense.


Quote:
Looking forward to seeing a photo and hearing more about your guitar, once it arrives.

Will post.
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Martin 00-18G; Waterloo WL-S; Furch: V1 OOM-SR, Green G-SR, Blue OM-CM; Tahoe Guitar Co.: OM (Adi/Hog), 000-12 (Carp/FG Mahog), 00-12 (Carp/Sinker Mahog), 00-14 (Adi/Ovangkol);

In the night you hide from the madman
You're longing to be
But it all comes out on the inside
Eventually
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Old 03-19-2019, 03:14 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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Hi Oddmanout, I think that you have bought wisely

You might be interested in my comparison of my three archtops - a '60s Harmony Monterey, a '34 Gibson, and my 2007 Eastman AR805.

The archtop came to me last summer and it has a beautiful, rewarding tone.



The Eastman comes in at 9.40ish.


Here is my first one - also an AR805, but the "e" model - which wasn't really my style.

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  #7  
Old 03-19-2019, 03:31 PM
OddManOut OddManOut is offline
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Actually...I did watch both of these videos when I was seeking info on Eastman archies. Thanks for making them available!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
Hi Oddmanout, I think that you have bought wisely

You might be interested in my comparison of my three archtops - a '60s Harmony Monterey, a '34 Gibson, and my 2007 Eastman AR805.

The archtop came to me last summer and it has a beautiful, rewarding tone.



The Eastman comes in at 9.40ish.


Here is my first one - also an AR805, but the "e" model - which wasn't really my style.

__________________
Martin 00-18G; Waterloo WL-S; Furch: V1 OOM-SR, Green G-SR, Blue OM-CM; Tahoe Guitar Co.: OM (Adi/Hog), 000-12 (Carp/FG Mahog), 00-12 (Carp/Sinker Mahog), 00-14 (Adi/Ovangkol);

In the night you hide from the madman
You're longing to be
But it all comes out on the inside
Eventually
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