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NGD - Eastman AR372CE
A few months ago, I bought a used Ibanez archtop from a fellow AGFer - an AF95FM-SB. It’s a lovely guitar, and amazing for the price. They’re about $700 new, and consistently recommended by those in the know as a good ‘beginner’ archtop.
After playing this for a while, I found myself wishing for something with a little more real estate on the neck. I’m usually pretty agnostic about such things, but I can play things on my Emerald X20 with a 1 3/4” nut that felt a tad cramped on the Ibanez (which is 1 11/16”). After doing some research, I found that Eastman specifies most of their archtops with a 1 3/4” nut. I’ve always had a fancy for the ES-175, and homed in on the Eastman AR372CE. Again, great reviews. Then the fun began - actually finding one. None in stock in either of the two local Eastman dealers. I found a couple of new ones on Reverb from dealers I’d never heard of, and then cast my net a little wider from home. To my delight, Dave’s Guitar Shop in La Crosse, WI had one; I ordered it on Thursday last week, it shipped Friday and was with me Saturday. I left it overnight (temp is single digits here right now) and opened it up today. It’s an absolute beauty. It appears to be flawlessly made, and the neck is exactly what I was looking for. Only demerit is the strings - why on earth Eastman would put D’Addario NYXLs on an archtop is beyond me, but that’s easily remedied. I’m delighted. My fingers are sore. My ears are happy. IMG_2748.jpg IMG_2749.jpg
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo Last edited by David Eastwood; 01-30-2023 at 06:31 PM. Reason: Update title |
#2
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That’s one good looking guitar Dave! I hope it is everything you hoped it would be.
frank d.
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I love playing guitar |
#3
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Wow that is a beautiful David. Congrats and enjoy it!
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#4
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Noice and congrats. I picked up a Romeo and am a convert. Looking for an arch top as we speak. Um, type...read...
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Beard Radio R Squareneck Hipshot | Martin 000-28 CA 1937 | Collings OM1 JL | Collings I-30 LC | Anderson Raven Rob Allen, Fodera, Fender basses 2022-2023-2024 albums | nostatic site “Sometimes science is more art than science…” - Rick Sanchez |
#5
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Wow, David!
Congratulations! What a pretty guitar! I love that finish! Have fun!!! - Glenn
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My You Tube Channel |
#6
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Lucky Chap
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Malcolm Auden Chester 45 Eastman AC322ce Sigma SDM-SG5 Deering Goodtime Leader O/B banjo Epiphone IBG SG (in cool dude black) |
#7
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I found an AR-371SB locally via the OfferUp app. The finish has some dings, checks, and swirls, but I love playing it. With the single neck pickup I can get my inner Metheny on.
Congrats! |
#8
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Thanks, all! ‘Tis a lovely object, indeed - and, more to the point, a very good guitar.
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Seriously impressed with Eastman, however, on this first acquaintance. The friend I bought the Ibanez from has one of their Frank Vignola models, which he is very happy with. As he’s just bought one of my other guitars from me, maybe I’ll end up with it one day
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#9
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Congrats on a beautiful guitar. I played a T486 at my local shop on Saturday, and it felt great. Looks like you’ve got a keeper there.
Eastman specs the nut width on the T486 I played as 1.72”, just a hair shy of 1-3/4”. But I can confirm that the tiny bit of extra width between 1.685” (1-11/16”) and 1.72” is noticeable. |
#10
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Very nice! Congratulations on your new addition. Thanks for sharing pictures. I always love seeing others NGD! Keep us updated as to how you get along with her.
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2023 Martin GPC-11e 2023 Fender Players Tele Limited Edition - Oxblood 2022 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60’s - Unburst 2021 Fender Strat American Pro II - Black 2014 Gibson ES-335 Memphis Dot - Cherry 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50’s Tribute P90 - Tobacco 2012 Yamaha FS720 TBS |
#11
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About the only issue I’ve found with it is the headstock/tuner alignment - the 3rd and 4th strings make gentle contact with the 2nd and 5th tuners on their way past, but I can’t believe it makes any difference to playability or sound. The tuners themselves are ‘Pingwell’ brand, and they’re ok. Not the best I’ve encountered (that honour goes to Gotoh, by a long shot), but they do the job. I’m a very happy camper.
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#12
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Oddly enough, I watched this Tim Lerch video yesterday, where he talks about the 175 that he had sold many years ago, and have recently found a replacement. He talks about swapping out the flats that the previous owner had installed for round wound strings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h348gjglP4I |
#13
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I bought my Martin 000-18 from Dave's. I saw your 372 on his website but didn't pull the trigger. When I finally decided to buy it, it was gone. I searched the dealers on Eastman's website and found one at the Guitar Guys in Ohio. It was delivered yesterday and I just opened it today. Here she is:
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#14
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo |
#15
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Since we both missed out on the Pisano that was recently listed here, I think that we're both pretty happy with the outcome.
They are a couple of beauties and I'm really happy with mine. I wonder how close yours and mine are by serial number? Mine is L2200495. |