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#1
07-23-2018, 12:42 PM
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NGD: Eastman T185MX
Edit: Original photos replaced with better ones!
________ Over the weekend, I received a new-to-me Eastman T185MX. This guitar has a hand-carved maple top, solid mahogany body and neck, ebony board, and flame maple wood binding throughout. The hardware is mostly Gotoh (tailpiece, bridge, and tuners) with a pair of Duncan 59s for sound (note: older versions had gold hardware and Kent Armstrong pickups). The build quality is simply excellent. This is all solid wood construction with a 15" lower bout (they also make 14" and 16" versions). Unlike their laminate models, which are designed closer to an ES-335, this guitar only has a small 2x3" center block under the bridge / tailpiece, which makes it more resonant. I am so impressed with the hand-carved top and body, which leverages their builders' background in making string instruments. I ran it through a variety of sounds, and it performed very well. The resonance and sustain are unlike any guitar I've previously owned (this is my first semi-hollow), and it just has a really cool vibe that makes it so much fun to play. Also, while I didn't blow the roof off of my house, I did crank it up and experienced no feedback issues (which I read could be an issue with solid body semi-hollows). Overall, I could not be more pleased with this instrument. There aren't very many of these guitars in the wild, and there's not much info online, so I encourage any discussion about them here. Here are the obligatory NGD photos (apologies, they turned out a little grainy... may try to take some new ones later this week):               
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"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young Last edited by Pura Vida; 07-28-2018 at 02:34 AM. Reason: Improved photos 
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#2
07-23-2018, 02:11 PM
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Eastman makes good guitars. That’s a beautiful one.
So this model is not made of wood laminates? That makes a significant difference in tone. Enjoy!
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Left handed guitar players unite!
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#3
07-23-2018, 03:59 PM
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Thanks --- I'm an Eastman fan, and I own several of their acoustic guitars.
And that's correct. The Tx86 models (386, 486) are laminate, as are their antique varnish models (T64/v, T59v). But the T18x models (T184, T185, T186) are 100% solid wood. I really love the tone and sustain on this guitar. I've played this through an amp, into a small PA system, and even a pair of headphones. Totally impressed!
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"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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#4
07-23-2018, 04:36 PM
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Congrats! I'm a big fan of the SD '59 but I've never played them in a hollow / semi-hollow body before. I bet they sing.
Are you saying that the arched top of your guitar is solid and not laminate? I just checked the specs, it's solid maple top. Looks like Eastman is going to have to add your pic to their list of Artists on their spec page  .
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#5
07-23-2018, 05:09 PM
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Yep. Solid top, solid body. Lots of air in between!
They can add me to their Artist page, if I can get a discount on my next purchase (maybe a solid body, LP style electric). Gotta sell my early 2000's Brian Moore and maybe one acoustic first.
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"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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#6
07-23-2018, 05:20 PM
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Congratulations on the T185MX. That's one fine looking guitar (it looks like they matched the wood on both the top and the back really well, unlike quite a few that I saw). From what I read when I was looking at them (before I bought my T184MX), the SD 59's really make it shine.
I hope you enjoy your new Eastman as much as I'm enjoying mine.
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Barry
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#7
07-23-2018, 07:06 PM
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That 15" body is a nice size for someone wanting/needing a more "compact" semi, without going down to a 14-incher - I've got an Epi Ultra 339 that's just a little bit too small for this old-time jazzbox player - and since she's been doing more electric work with our band lately I just might need to, um, buy one for my wife...
 Use it well, often, and LOUD... 
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased)
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#8
07-23-2018, 08:01 PM
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Quote:
Glad to hear you are enjoying it!
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Left handed guitar players unite!
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#9
07-24-2018, 07:29 AM
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Quote:
__________________
"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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#10
07-24-2018, 07:36 AM
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Quote:
__________________
"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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#11
07-24-2018, 06:43 PM
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Quote:
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Barry
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#13
07-28-2018, 02:35 AM
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OP updated with improved photos. The original photos turned out dark and grainy, but these ones are better!
__________________
"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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#14
07-28-2018, 05:17 AM
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It looks lovely!!!
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website)
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#15
07-28-2018, 10:46 AM
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Thanks, Bob. It gets me back into the electric world, as I've been playing almost exclusively acoustic for the last few years. I'm planning to add a LP style solid body later this year (probably after I sell an early 2000's Brian Moore). I was drooling a little over your recent NGD post.
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"It's only castles burning." - Neil Young
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