NGD! Eastman AR805

OddManOut · #1 03-21-2019, 05:45 PM

As promised, here are a few pics.

This guitar is definitely a keeper! She has the bark, clarity and snap one would expect from an archtop. However, she has more acoustic presence, harmonic depth and a good bit more sustain than many I've tried (including pricey examples). She's as loud as my custom flattops w/ lots of headroom...overall an aggressive axe with a sensitive side. It came with a nice hardshell case, as well.

I had a nice Godin 5th Ave a number of years ago (bought it used and nicely set up). This Eastman has everything I liked about the Godin and so much more. Same level of acoustic presence, but more refined and resonant.

I have to say this guitar has much more depth and nuance to its voice than ANYTHING I played recently in the $500-$800 range. The playability is far superior, as well.

I'm a happy camper...

EDIT: The neck profile is very functional...sort of a medium D or C with a 1 3/4" nut. Feels very natural to me as a flattop player. Definitely not a baseball bat, not a crazy vintage V, nor a low profile shredder (Eddie Van Archtop?).

This guitar is definitely going to have me brushing up on my flatpicking. Love the picking *snap* of this guitar! I've been concentrating on flattop fingerstyle (so much to learn!) for several years.

I have to put in a plug for Django Books and Michael Horowitz...great guy with whom to do business. He has a lot of knowledge and experience to share, and is very helpful. I called him a few months back thinking about a Gypsy Jazz guitar, but after he gave me the ins and outs of of both GJs and Archtops, I decided an archtop was a better fit. He put no pressure on me, let me take my time. I finally pulled the trigger and feel good about it.

29er · #2 03-21-2019, 08:06 PM

That is a beautiful guitar. Like a lot of flat top players, I have tried to warm up to arch tops with not much success. This seems like an option that I should look into. Enjoy!

Livingston · #3 03-21-2019, 08:55 PM

Gorgeous guitar! Congratulations! Enjoy your new axe!

Silly Moustache · #4 03-22-2019, 04:56 AM

A Wise Buy Oddmanout!

I bought my first AR805(e) in 2007 and it had that classic finish.
It sounded wonderful as an acoustic and very nice amplified.

I traded it in 2016 and immediately missed it

Last year I saw a 2008 sunburst version on ebay and now it is mine!

Notice how the logo has changed!

I am convinced that these guitars are the best quality/value on the market although destined to become classics as Eastman no longer make this model.

Prof_Stack · #5 03-22-2019, 10:44 AM

Very pretty guitar! Congrat's.

I've been to Michael's Django Books residence in Seattle and, too, was impressed by his nature and the quality of the guitars I played.

Bernieman · #6 03-25-2019, 12:27 PM

Looks real nice : congratulations !

Bernie

Pura Vida · #7 03-25-2019, 04:27 PM

Congratulations! That's a beautiful guitar.

Steve DeRosa · #8 03-25-2019, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

...I am convinced that these guitars are the best quality/value on the market although destined to become classics as Eastman no longer make this model.

Not so - here's the current listing from their website:

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/ar805

Prof_Stack · #9 03-26-2019, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Not so - here's the current listing from their website:

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/ar805

I noted that the back is carved maple, but that the top is just listed as solid spruce. Does that imply that the top is pressed?

Steve DeRosa · #10 03-26-2019, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prof_Stack

I noted that the back is carved maple, but that the top is just listed as solid spruce. Does that imply that the top is pressed?

The master page lists three varieties - solid carved wood (all-carved), solid carved top (lam sides/back), and (all) laminate:

https://www.eastmanguitars.com/electric_archtop

The AR805 is listed in the first category...

Kerbie · #11 03-26-2019, 07:08 PM

Wow, that is one pretty guitar! Congratulations. I'd like to play one of those.

Livingston · #12 03-26-2019, 09:05 PM

Happened to visit my local shop on the way home from work today (Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto). They had an AR805 on display. Out of curiosity, I played the AR805 for the first time ever.

Wow! I can see why everyone raves about it! Very responsive guitar from the lightest touch to heaviest strum. Might have to put this guitar on my guitar bucket list.

Congratulations again!

tdq · #13 03-26-2019, 10:59 PM

Congrats! Super jealous!
Every time I see one of these I do some mental gymnastics to see if I can just wrangle a sale/trade/loose change... one of these days!

Cal_Native · #14 04-01-2019, 06:46 PM

Congrats.

Great looking guitar.

OddManOut · #15 04-02-2019, 03:23 PM

Thanks for the compliments! She's a sweetie.

Quote:

Happened to visit my local shop on the way home from work today (Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto). They had an AR805 on display. Out of curiosity, I played the AR805 for the first time ever.

Wow! I can see why everyone raves about it! Very responsive guitar from the lightest touch to heaviest strum. Might have to put this guitar on my guitar bucket list.

Agreed! I will, in fact, be taking her into Gryphon to get a super dialed-in set up. It's a bit of a drive, so I'll have to plan to get it done...but well worth it!

Thanks again for all the compliments!