£2K 'Les Paul' Comparison.... Gibson, Maybach, Tokai, Heritage, & Eastman 🎸 Which Will You Pick?

[@theguitaristas]

My Reverb Shop: tidd.ly/3RIRwNs Support the channel and help keep it sponsorship free at: theguitaristas.tv

[@hkguitar1984]

Each one of those guitars are exceptional, looking forward to watching this, thank you for the content. I purchased my first Gibson Les Paul back in 1977, since then I've owned many. Looking forward to your review/comparison.

[@WayneMills-k7q]

If you ever want to sell that eastman sb59 - you let me know - they're far superior to most gibson les Paul's standards I've ever picked up- that eastman you've got is basically a custom shop gibson - they really are - if you ever want to sell it ide be seriously interested

[@aliengrey6052]

@@WayneMills-k7q they are not superior to a les paul standard. In fact they are not a copy of one. Nothing to do with anything from 1959. If you like em fine, but you can’t say they’ve got anything to do or match up to a les Paul. It’s like saying a strat is better than a les Paul.

[@WayneMills-k7q]

That's fair enough - but having played a les paul standard and having played an eastman 59 I just personally liked the eastman 59 better than the les paul standard wether it was the lolar pick ups don't know- just thought the eastman felt lighter - just preferred it much more to a standard les paul - there's a lot off les paul copies out there - but when you find a copy you personally find superior to the real thing - then that's a keeper

[@WayneMills-k7q]

But it's all personal preference at the end off the day

[@colgrey438]

Quite a collection for not being a Les Paul guy 😂

[@AndrewAHayes]

Im a Telecaster guy and I have 4 Les Pauls, I love them, just not quite as much as my Telecasters!

[@peterhall4852]

@AndrewAHayes I'd love to see Col' collection of guitars he loves? Or was that the SG collection.

[@1969Donovan]

@@peterhall4852 I don't know how many SGs he has, a lot.

[@aliengrey6052]

lol 😂😂😂 I was thinking that. He sold his lemon burst custom shop. That was a cracker!!!!!!!!

[@Ottophil]

I’m an SG guy too. But i got a les paul or 3 laying around.

[@teodelnorte]

Colin, I'm with you mate. Always been a Gibson guy. I have an ES-335 and a 70s Deluxe reissue. Both excellent guitars but I have an Eastman T-386 - got it secondhand off a chap in Wales for 750 quid. The quality is outrageous and that isn't even close to their top of the line ES-style guitar, the T59. The T-386 is not an inferior guitar to the Gibson ES-335, at a third the price or so. I do prefer the Gibson fretwire and more narrow nut width though. The SB59/v has my eye now, looks amazing, and as far as I know, nut width and frets are the same as a Gibson

[@Robguitars1]

Afternoon Col, long term channel viewer here! I have been fortunate enough to get my first Gibson Les Paul recently - what an instrument it is - absolutely love it! If you watch the rest of the gear channels on KZbin most are biased through sponsorships and free gear - so great to see the unbiased perspective as always! Keep up the good work, your editing and style of film is A1!

[@AndrewAHayes]

Which Les Paul did you get Rob? its a slippery slope, you could end up with more!

[@michel333100]

I absolutely love your channel. I am am 72 and still playing blues. Something about English guys playing blues is great. Keep the videos coming. Great playing. Michel from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Michel!

[@briandevitt6903]

Not a bad Guitar among them in fairness. I'd buy an Eastman personally although they aren't the great value they used to be.

[@aliengrey6052]

@@briandevitt6903 avoid at all costs. The ones now ain’t that great.

[@NoName-gz2kk]

Maybach sounded nicest to me.

[@nellayema2455]

Good one! I can see why you would keep the Eastman. It's different, hand crafted, and sounds good! You have your Holy Grail Gibson LP, so you're all set for now. As old and kind of clunky as the LP design is, there is something special about them, for sure.

[@wlkalong]

Excellent video. Hard not to like all of them, but the Gibson cherry burst is my least favorite aesthetically. I do like dark cherry burst, but that is just too light for me. To my ears, the Tokai has the best high end tone, almost a sweetness to it, though less crunch than the others. Most likely, the higher output. I like the Tokai basic wood, not as fancy as the others, more of a workhorse guitar, beautiful in its simplicity. I also like the fact that it is punching well above its weight. The Maybach is great as well. Much better cherry burst than the Gibson and sounded better to my ears. Eastman also really nice, but I feel the finish is just too easy to relic. After a few years of hard playing, I think it will look beaten down - just my opinion though. I have looked at the Heritage, but they are expensive compared to other single cuts, and not sure if really worth it. So many choices, but I'd take the Maybach and the Tokai.

[@KozmykJ]

That Clear to Red burst was my least favourite Ricky 4001 colour as well ...

[@AuntAlnico4]

"Most likely, the high output." 😅 That's the craziest incomplete sentence/thought I've ever 😮

[@WayneMills-k7q]

The eastman sb59 v very hard to find here in new zealand 😢 I played one in a guitar shop they are amazing , but they always out off stock now - and the prices are going threw the roof - you certainly bought at the right time- they're definitely a keeper

[@baabaabaa-El]

Same for Oz mate.. Soon as a new batch come in.. they're gone!

[@neoquest2012]

@@WayneMills-k7q You can buy direct from Eastman, cut out the middle man fella 👍

[@roberte03915]

That's crazy - I think the prices are going down in the U.S. (at least they're not going _up,_ like everything else, and on the used market they're often downright cheap). But, supply and demand, I guess.

[@WayneMills-k7q]

Oh really I don't know if they deliver to new zealand though- Australia definitely and there's a lot more availability regarding the different type off eastman electric guitars - but I will do some investigations on that - thanks for the information 🙂

[@FrankJmClarke]

I wish I could sell some of my guitars, but I can't face it. Even the 45 year old Columbus plywood thing :). Have a good sale!

[@timrhodes8618]

I had Burstbucker Pro pickups in my Les Paul. I never really connected with that guitar. Replaced the BB Pros with Seymour Duncan '59s, WOW! Those '59s really brought that guitar to life. My goto, most played guitar I own.

[@nickyp8708]

Yeah I agree. The Bbuckers sounded very ‘hard’ - I put Lollar imperials in mine for a much better overall tone.

[@shaft9000]

I have a 2013 LP Traditional with the mellower 'Classic 57s. The bridge is suitably period correct, relatively band-limited and low output. The neck however is PHENOMENAL clear rich airy and dimensional - far more appealing than the all-too typical (heard all over this video) boomy compressed Burstbucker and 49x sound that flattens all sense of dimension and wants to "distort itself" before signal touches anything else.

[@usagi2988]

I *just* refreshed my bourbon stock... what an absolutely perfect video to crack open a new bottle and sip away this day. 🤘

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@kylemoran4343]

Eastman & the Tokai ! The best two looking and sounding guitars. Sell the other three. Very easy choice !

[@RealROCKnROLLA]

Looked at the reverb shop right away - already knew Eastman's gonna win this one🤘😎👌

[@francescodefendi3201]

😕🤫🤫🤫

[@rocktorrocks]

Les is more 😎

[@richfiryn]

Keeping that Eastman was a no brainer for certain. Send the other 4 to their new happy homes and snag some more fun guitars to keep yourself amused with for a while. Cheers!

[@robshog]

Checked the reverb site seems like a lot more releasing than catching Col. lol but now you have a reason to continue on with more catching. Great vid col, glad you kept the Eastman sir

[@marcozarattini1854]

GREAT MY FRIEND:a Special Friday for a LesPauliac like me...thanks a lot and cheers from Italy...your "afecionado" friend Marco👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️🍷🥂🍻🙏

[@theguitaristas]

Ciao Marco!

[@thepeetjournal4469]

The Maybach is the best. Very versatile and great in the mix.

[@scratchpadski9094]

What a great episode, thank you for the hard work you put into this as always :)

[@nieko3038]

Another video from Colin. Weeks flying by so fast. Les Paul videos are always good 👍🏻

[@edwardsmith9801]

I think the Tokai sounds better than the Gibson personally. Great video, great playing...

[@AbstractZombie-ed8fj]

Pound for pound my vote goes to Tokai...I wouldn't hesitate to get one, but with the current shipping,customs fees it's cheaper to buy a used gibby in America right now..

[@aliengrey6052]

@@AbstractZombie-ed8fj you my friend are bang on the money.

[@GavinIrish]

What a line up, some nice les Paul's there, like to see if the tokai can hold its own against some of the big guns, had a couple myself, good guitars. Quality again my friend. 😊

[@jimmykowalksi]

Great video. Eastman and Maybach for me.

[@RobbieF]

If you feel the Gibson is the best LP Standard you have played, then IMHO you should keep it. If you don't care for the pickups then replace them, while keeping the originals "just in case".

[@martintaylor1758]

Glad you kept the Eastman. I have an SB59/V and it’s a beaut. Definitely do some custom shop reviews. The affordable guitar reviews are brilliant but it would be amazing to hear some deep dive reviews of the expensive beasts too.

[@thelolguy007]

It’s good to see other companies are still making better Gibsons than Gibson

[@jeffroq]

Awesome show Col. I got a Gibson 50s goldtop this week. Well happy with it. Sits alongside my Black Eastman 59v and Ebony LP Classic. I'm also in the middle of buying back a 2008 standard I traded in to get the Eastman. Budding problem developing. Much like yourself if I could only have 1 it would be the Eastman.

[@Zefi8125]

Before even watching it… I love your intros, they are always so intriguing. Keep up the good work!

[@peterhall4852]

I know this is very subjective, but to me the Love Rock sounds best. I wonder how many sales have been lost by not being nitro.

[@mortonwilson795]

Yeah, I wonder . . . I'd like to get my hands on some of their top of the line models - I do get to Japan every year or two so may hit Shinjuku next time round and see what's what. I'm also actually keen to try out some '70s L6S Gibsons that they seem to have in stock over there at not unreasonable rices (Ishibashi).

[@wlkalong]

I think one of the problems with Nitro is most manufacturers lay it on very thick. Super shiny, which is a dead giveaway. I had an Epiphone Elitist made by FJN in Japan and the finish was very thin compared to others. I think the Japanese do a really great job with Nitro, other countries, not so much.

[@Kazwell111]

I have that exact Heritage H150 same Amber burst color. I have a Seth Lover in the bridge which I think really sounds great, and I have tried at least a half dozen PUs, I have a Gibson PU for the neck,, which actually works perfect. Mine is heavy as well, probably more like 10 pounds. Luckily I just use it in the studio too heavy and pricy to take on stage.

[@calogeroavanzato398]

Great review as usual, Eastman a definite keeper, the more you sell the more new guitars to review for us

[@fb6382]

Thank you for the great video, I like a lot when you switch the pick while playing at full volume because I can hear how much microphonic the pick ups are, compare one to another !

[@DrTomoculus]

I don't know man. You got a Heritage that you love, that lives up to its plaudits, and whose resale value may go up in time. And a Gibson that you leave in the sun because you don't like the colour, and the neck is sticky, and you just don't enjoy it as much. SPOILER / ADDENDUM I just checked your shop. You are selling the Gibson. Good choice! Me? I would've kept the Eastman and the Heritage. ;)

[@DaveArksey]

Excellent comparison Colin and they all sounded terrific. The two that I would keep are the Tokai and the Heritage. The Maybach and the Eastman were great but I'm not a fan of artificial aging.

[@Poppy-tw1ve]

I always look forward to your playing. Great job as always! And I was inspired to buy that first SG! The Epiphone special just like the one hanging behind you! Absolutely love it. Thanks again for doing what you do. It keeps guys like me inspired to learn about guitars in detail and to keep up the battle of learning to play. Cheers

[@colhutchins]

For anyone who has watched your channel for a while the eastman was a given that you were going to keep and as soon as I saw the plaintop on the Tokai, I knew that wasn't going anywhere :-) . Another great vid, thanks mate

[@telestratblues]

I like the Eastman. Had a Epiphone 1959 with the Burstbuckers, but I didn't gel with it.

[@kiragina.7152]

My SB59 is gloss sunburst with Seymour Duncan '59 pickups, bought used for $1250. All the Les Paul(ish) guitar I'll ever need.

[@olimon63]

You've really got a great price!! I've just check for SB59s in Reverb and you cannot find any below 1500€. And there are really scarce... It seems that most people do the same as Colin and keep the SB59s.

[@michaelbennett376]

I do like the sound of those Lollar Imperials!

[@kylelerfald163]

Really a well-thought-out comparison, I really like the thoughtfulness that went into your decision-making. I couldn't afford any of these (not to mention they'd be somewhat wasted on as green a beginner as I am), but it gives me a lot to think about when I do look at guitars I'd be more comfortable with. These videos are one of the treats in the week- I'm glad you're doing them. Cheers!

[@dragonheartstudio]

Was really impressed how the Heritage sounded compared to the Gibson and Tokai, as an Eastman owner, you made a great choice!

[@charlesflint9048]

My favourite guitar was a ‘Les Paul’ style guitar I acquired in the 1970s; it had the classic LP style body, but had an ‘Eros’ neck grafted on. The thing was that the previous owner didn’t get the neck screwed on accurately, so I had to re-position the neck. We learn as we go on. I really enjoyed that guitar for years, particularly with a Pearl Overdrive and a delay pedal. Now I’m spoilt, with an SG, Tele, PRS etc. and a whole load of effects pedals. Today it is like being a kid in sweet shop.

[@msuurd1979]

I own a couple gibsons, but more recently picked up an eastman t59v and an sb57v, they are outstanding. Great vid, keep up the good work! Peterbrough, Ontario Canada :)

[@birdman316]

As brother dave simpson would say....all 5 are disgustingly gorgeous! I personally like the tokai and the eastman ones the best.... Its not catnip...its gibnip hahaha!!

[@timothydurkin6800]

Greetings my friend, I’m back after a bit of a hiatus, but I’m a sucker for your higher end gear. I saw this episode come across and immediately let my assistant know I would not be coming in this morning, and I’m glad I did.

[@theguitaristas]

😁👍Good to see you again!

[@PatrickDieterKlavier]

Ahhh, another great one. Thanks so much. Never ever thought Eastman and Tokai is so good. By the way tasteful playing👏Keep on rocking, Patrick

[@videomove]

tokai looks the best (for whatever that’s worth…)

[@aliengrey6052]

I also have a tokai japan LP. It takes pride in my collection next to my gibsons. It sounds like a les Paul.

[@ApeLikeCreature]

Excellent comparisons! I love the way you breakdown all the bits that matter. I, like you, do not like the pinkish centered clown burst color. I actually loathe that look, no matter how beautiful the flame. So I’d dump it asap. The other bursts in this group are beautiful. And since you do not prefer the Burst Buckers, it seems like a no brainer to me. Unless you are planning to play a long set, the weight thing really has no bearing imho.

[@bigtorrisi]

I was buying Tokais in the 80's and they've always been spot on.

[@FransJCMartins]

Tokai Rocks! I have a LS95 pink paisely, LC132, LS132 and top of the range custom built LS420. All stock pups, all exceptional guitars.

[@nicoo19guitar]

Hey Colin! Amazing video as usual. I have a question for you: after years of owning your gibson standard 50’s, do you think is it much of a difference compared to the epiphone equivalent? I watched your comparison between the two from a few years back but just wanted to get an update of what you think. Cheers from Uruguay!

[@theguitaristas]

For playability and sound not so much at all but for the ambition to own a ‘real’ Gibson that will never be overcome 🤷‍♂️

[@nicoo19guitar]

@@theguitaristas hahaha great answer! Keep it up mate! Cheers

[@jermebs]

The top on the Eastman is amazing! Looks like table from an old smokey pub! Love it! Tokai sounds and looks great too. Reminds me of my first guitar. It was a Japanese made, early 80's Vantage LTD les paul copy. Keep those two!!

[@renmad0078]

Buff what a collection when i think i have only one small gibson at first price a tille midtown limited edition custom sunburst. A smallest version of the es-335. But it's a very cool and with a very good sound with burstbuckers inside. A very polyvalent guitar. But i have 2 Tokai bought in seconde hand an Ls- 129 les paul with a gorgous maple top where you can see all the veins of the wood with a wonderfull sound. And a Es-166 equivalente to es-335 gibson. Wonderfull video you make me dream. 🙏🙏👍

[@HazelFreke]

To be brutal, and this won’t go down well, if it wasn’t for the brand name Gibson wouldn’t shine a light on the others. For me the Eastman is the star of the show. Although I wouldn’t have glanced at the Tokais before your video, for me it was the best of the rest.....which begs the hard question ‘Are American guitars the ‘best’ on the market anymore, or just the best resale value?’ For me the jury’s out.

[@aliengrey6052]

Totally wrong. I’ve owned my gibsons. They are sublime. I’ve got 3 Eastmans, 1 sb + 2 acoustics, sold the sb, got 2 gibsons and a tokai les Paul. The sb always fell short of the mark. The tokai and Gibson trounced the sb.

[@HazelFreke]

@aliengrey6052 perhaps I’ve just been unlucky 🤷‍♂️ I’ve had three Custom shop Les Paul’s, a J45 (which my well known guitar maker deemed unplayable and I send back), a ES339 and two SG’s which I use for slide. One of the CS Les Paul’s was so badly built it wouldn’t intonate and one was so badly finished it had an orange peel finish which Gibson eventually refinished for me. I eventually swapped out the Gibson pick ups on the ES339 for Bare Knuckle picks because the Gibson pick ups were just underwhelming...granted that personal preference. Taking my original question ‘Are American made guitars still the best?’, and bearing in mind the price point of the two guitars you mention Tokai and Gibson....it appears you’ve made my point for me...always assuming of course your Tokai isn’t a one off American made guitar 😂

[@aliengrey6052]

@@HazelFreke well, I have had a couple of custom shop gibsons. 1 I regret selling to this day. It was a 1960s plain top dark back tea burst. Ouch! Short of money I was!!!! Fool!!!! A custom shop 1959 heavy as hell and built awful!!!! Sent back!! I now have a lesPaul classic 2020, a les Paul tradition standard from 2018 and a tokai Japan from 2022. All are great guitars but the gibsons sound different from the Tokai. The Tokai has a great but very slightly different sound. Tokai has been making these hand made instruments a very long time, and they have an original Gibson 1959 in their factory safe for specs. Every bit of those Tokai Japanese Paul’s are period accurate. I’m very pleased to have the Tokai in my collection along with an sg of the same quality. I do love my gibsons though. Gibson have greatly improved their standards at least. 2017 until late are now fantastic instruments.

[@AuntAlnico4]

😂 I can see problems with Gibson quality control, or lack of said quality but I have to say my best guitar is an old Gibson Les Paul JR Melody maker from 2003 and the other best Gibson is a 2002 ES-135 but my Dean guitars are far more consistent and cost way way less money than those new Gibson guitars. There's a reason Gibson sued Dean and the reason is DEAN guitars import select series is blowing Gibson USA range out of the water and that's the only reason they sued in 2017 and not in 1979 😂

[@baabaabaa-El]

Excellent unbiased review Col.. as always. The Maybach snarls like a gdun, but so did the Tokai and the Eastman (when you cranked her up!).. Glad it's you choosing which ones to offload mate!!

[@gerrygreen1]

Great video as always, thanks. What a conundrum to have. The Tokai is a beauty and I’ve lusted after one for ages but that Eastman is a stunner as well in both sound and looks. Good luck with the sale and best wishes on the forthcoming regret 😂

[@davidhamilton7780]

Thanks Colin. Good luck with the sales... somehow I'm not surprised to see the third guitar on your listing.

[@plantagenant]

It's like the semi finals of the Champion's league.

[@pauleuro123]

It's a penalty shoot-out 😎

[@guitartoneSA]

Well, we know who wins that, Manchester City and Tokai. 🥇🥇💙

[@plantagenant]

@@guitartoneSA Japanese Tokai's....nice build quality but usually too heavy ( for me).

[@jamiebritton6781]

Love your black lp custom! Great show.! I've been gassing for a Neil yung black p90 lesPaul.

[@GROCK619]

The comparison we've been waiting for ! Thanks again .. Cheers

[@ToddHavel]

Up front, You let us know it’s subjective to the player. They are all quality manufacturers, just small nuances with the finish and neck profiles. Really notice how the KZbin reviews are all pro Lollar pick ups as the best! You have my dream job! I under stand your speech and enjoy your aesthetic descriptions and passion of guitars and music. Thank you for giving me a break of my stress and worries. May God continue to bless you!

[@stevegroves]

When is a Gibson not a Gibson? Well its a Tokai....generally. Closest guitar to a genuine Gibson LP I have ever played was a Tokai and man that baby sang. That said not played the others, but they have the look and reckon the feel and kinda the awesome LP sound? What we have to remind ourselves is that before we mock the Gibson LP for any reason at all, every guitar here is a copy of the Gibson LP, and that is for a reason. The late great Mr Les Paul designed and made a legend. Awesome vid Colin as always, and just love your playing and the banter, its what us nerds need mate! Well hard decision as they all sound great! That said mate the custom , at the end well yeh!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers mate another awesome vid my friend!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate have a great weekend! 😁👍

[@Phil.Indablank]

Great episode! I recently picked up an H-150 built in 1995, got a good price on it, for me it's a keeper.

[@jamesdalgleish9389]

Wish i could afford a Gibson LP. However i do love my Epiphone LP’s to be fair. Great vid as per usual

[@seanprice2634]

A suggestion for a video.... Can do some tips and hints for beginners.....i.e recommended guitars, where to start the practice journey and such. I'm a beginner. Got 3 chords under my belt but cant change them quick enough to play a tune. All ready have 3 guitars and 3 amps thanks to this channel. My main one being the gretsch g2215. Have modded a epiphone Les Paul special 2 to look like a more expensive model and changed the stock humbuckers to a pair of bucker sized p90s. Would love to hear about your beginner learning journey and any tips you may have.

[@neoquest2012]

I can’t watch all of this till later, but my guess is you’ll keep the Eastman for sure and the Tokai or Maybach 🤔 can’t wait till later fella 👊😎

[@madnobby8301]

Hi Colin, I feel for you. It's hard to make a decision without regretting this decision later. That's why I end up keeping almost all of my guitars. LOL Cheers Nobby

[@dannygreen1964]

I really think of The Guitaristas as the Top Gear of guitar equipment review channels.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers I like that! 😆👍

[@davepatterson4774]

Nice one, Colin! Quite the quandary, and I feel it. I have a '75 Greco EG800 that sounds and feels/plays amazingly, but it has a neck that's just a bit too thin for my wide hands and the burst on it isn't really my cup of tea. I recently picked up a Gibson Trad Pro that is ticking all the boxes, so it's on the chopping block. Catch and release is on the mark.

[@sergemoreillon1236]

Very nice video! Much job and... good choice! Thank you very much ! I love Gibsons (I have a ES359 from the Memphis Custom shop and a 2004 LP Studio). I played on a Custom in the end of the 70's... I like these Eastman guitars. I'd love to see a LP special (but NOT YELLOW PLEASE ) with P90's... It could be a good sonic complement... But I hear you saying that a good SG special with those pickups could do the job 😊 OK, I still like Black Sabbath from time to time ...

[@udonk2705]

Hey Colin! Thank you for the smiles, you are so very entertaining. I’m doing research for my 16 year old’s first guitar. He picked one up 2 weeks ago and hasn’t put it down. Trouble is, he’s left handed & struggling with chords. He too is a SG fan, so we’ve narrowed it down to a new Epiphone standard or Vintage version. Do you recommend one over the other? Or something else entirely for around $500?

[@theguitaristas]

Hey that’s great to hear! Is he learning right handed? That’s best if he can… I am one of many lefties that learned to play right handed so check that out as there are many of us and it solves many guitar choice problems in the future. Everyone struggles with chord changes at the start so practice and perseverance will overcome! 👊 I really like the Epiphone SG Standard or black SG Custom for a beginner… cool thing for a 16 year old! 👌🎸

[@chrisunger2476]

@@theguitaristas Hey I'm a lefty who learned to play righty too. Never knew the difference. My 8th grade guitar class teacher played righty along with the other students plus my parents prolly never thought about it when they bought me my first nylon-stringed guitar. I'm glad bec it opens up so many options for buying guitars.

[@paulsworld2]

I have plenty of les Pauls Colin but let us know when you start thinning the herd of your SG Juniors LOL. Probably cost as much to ship it to New Hampshire USA as the price of the guitar though. Keep up the good work look forward to watching you every Friday Morning before I start working. Cheers!!!!

[@carlhungus2521]

one of the only channels on you tube that can give you an accurate sound of the guitars. Almost every other guitar channel is so over produced and over processed that everything sounds the same. Even some of the good ones that everybody loves and heap praise on, are very guilty of this but people are too busy kissing their ass to ever be honest.

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks man that’s really appreciated! 😊🙏

[@lukesteverything627]

Great vid. I am surprised you listed the Heritage because I thought it shone out. I wasn't surprised that you listed the Gibson!!

[@ScottLaneMusic]

Awesome video! I am partial to 70's-80's MIJ LP copies but those all sound very good. I love Tokai and Greco - sold all my Gibbys a while back - Cheers!

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

Thank you for making the effort, enjoyed watching and listening. I was hoping you would sell the Tokai and get a higher spec one, with nitro finish, fret nibs, etc. and then see how you like that one. I am fan of of Japanese made guitars, hence my suggestion 😊

[@mattc1176]

I own 3x Eastmans and know what you mean… But I would equally class my SB59 as a Les Paul copy. It’s a very good one. It’s a beautifully made instrument, has vibe and personality - but it is in essence a Les Paul. Good call on keeping it, may it bring you many years of joy (as I hope mine do for me)! Thanks for the great video

[@sjarman]

That black Les Paul Custom is lovely. Definitely my holy grail guitar too.

[@robbie471]

Just bought the Maybach Lester '59, '60s Slim Taper, Midnight Sunset Aged, to be honest I think they're great guitars. Ther weight of the Lester is a big attraction for me!

They're all nice, but none of them really float my boat. But then I've got a 1978 The Les Paul because I love the walnut and simpler look. Not surprised you kept the Eastman, though. You've loved that one since you got it.

[@MikeOria]

Great video. Not surprised you love that Eastman!

[@Po1itica11yNcorrect]

As mentioned previously on your channel, I bought an Eastman SB59V about a year ago based on your Eastman vs Gibson video and your recommendation. Now, of the 14 guitars I own, that Eastman is the one I reach for about 80% of the time. Just a joy to play. I'm glad to see you still feel it's a keeper as well.

[@theguitaristas]

Nice one! 😁👍👍

[@RonH-tf7gi]

Damn it Colin! I love your channel!! I really hope you continue to knock it out of the park. I love that your show is real! Go get um killer. See you next week!!!

[@El_Padre_Guitars]

I'm a Les Paul guy, and by extension, a single cut guy, so I loved this vid. I too have a love hate relationship with Gibson and agree with all your comments at about 30 mins in. Equally drawn to Gibson Les Pauls and some of their other models, whilst simultaneously being dismayed and frustrated at the elite releases with elite price tags! Insert the usual moans about QA, where they seem to be positioning Epiphone guitars, leadership and all that, but I do bloody love them, warts and all! I'll look at the wider single cut offerings based on this vid - Great Stuff Colin (Beverage = morning coffee, snack = a cheeky choc chip cookie!)

[@zedwarddogg]

Great video, very thorough. I've been GASsing for an Eastman for a while, might take the plunge now. Cheer, pal.

[@wesleykoch550]

Great video. All these absolutely rock but I’d have to stick with the Eastman and the Tokai. Those two absolutely blew me away!

[@chrisvsmusicny]

Thanks for another great one, Col'! My wife and I watched this while eating pizza and drinking sparkling water. ☺️ And speaking of Les Pauls - My wife bought me my dream guitar: a Gibson R9 in Lemon Drop. I could never justify the price, but she knew that it's something special to me. She and I watch your videos every week, so she's really come to understand the GAS and why guitars are so exciting to buy. I attribute this purchase largely to your videos, so cheers to you, mate! 🍻

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Chris, that’s great to hear! 👌🎸that one sounds like a keeper mate!! And obviously you’ll never sell the guitar either… 😆👍👍

[@LucasHaneman]

Picked up an Eastman SB 59/V this year and it’s absolutely awesome. The resonance., the tuning stability on long gigs, the balance between neck and bridge pickup, The overall weight/balance, I could go on and on. I’m not surprised in anyway that you’re keeping yours. Mine is certainly inspiring, but it’s sturdy as a gigging/recording instrument to, so to me it’s the whole package

[@willsutton3767]

Col, great job. I bought a Maybach ‘54 Lester Bigsby based on your video. I love it! Well mostly… the neck is exactly as you describe. When I first held it, I thought, “umm… not so sure about this.” Now, it’s my favorite neck. And you’re right about the wiring - not great. They put such high quality hardware on it and then wire it with strange pots and Chiclet caps. I’ve got an Emerson Custom harness ready to go in. Finally, those Amber pickups are HIGH dollar (or pound for you!). I think the Spirit of 59s go for close to $500 a set. They should sound good! Good luck with the sale!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Will, that new wiring should fix things… I shall do something similar to my Black Velvet too 👍👍

[@jw_au]

Oh my you also added the --- I wasn’t surprised though, I would have too!

[@groovedoggy]

Never seen your channel before and I'm trying to get back into guitar. I love everything about this even though I'm in the market for a bit of a different beast. "Catch and Release" is the best term I've heard in ages and I've already used it about a dozen times (about guitars and other things) since I started this video yesterday (it's long, I had to break it up lol). You've entered a term to the lexicon. If it's not in the Oxford Dictionary by 2027 they've missed out. I had a hunch at the outset that the Eastman would be a keeper; if they did stainless frets and locking tuners they'd still be out of my budget... but I tend to go out of that budget (and pench pennies elsewhere) when I see a good thing. Some of the craftsmanship out of China is really exceptional these days, huh? "Some" is the key word. I don't know if you like more modern guitars but I'd really like to see Shijie (and they've proven that they can...) compete more in the semi super-strat range (no Floyd, stainless frets, good electronics, locking.... and give us an option some full thickness pretty hardwood tops for 100 more, isn't the cost of business supposed to be less in China?). I digress: great video man, I listened on headphones while I cooked for my family. I'm not that much of a visual guy but your description of "Clown Burst" was pretty accurate when I took a peek; I wouldn't want one either. Your sentiments about Gibson were spot on and we'd all have a lot more to say about that if they weren't watching lol. I don't usually subscribe or like videos (and I "watch" way too many) I can't count how many times I actually laughed out loud when you criticized yourself or went introspective or whatever.... In a good way... I think a lot of us neurodivergent (I learned, very very recently, that I am one of those and I guess it's ok) people tend to wonder (too much) how other people view our own opinions. We don't want to hurt the other party or be taken advantage of by them but we shouldn't have to hide the way we think... If that makes sense to you? You did marvelous at this. Pure objectivity (and I hope you recoup a couple hundred quid for the Heritage). I really liked the way you used a data sheet or table for measurements/stats at the end (didn't even peek though; I was busy in my kitchen) but when you were talking about the Gibson neck (you certainly already had the idea for a stats sheet or whatever)... I'd be a bit more straightforward about the fact it "felt" different as soon as you played it. And since you already told people they were ok to skip around if that's what happens... Say something "Gibson advertises this as a 1950s (60s?) neck profile but as soon as I started playing this guitar I had my doubts this claim. It just wasn't chunky enough for me to get that feeling. .... So I took neck dimensions So I decided to measure all the neck dimensions in this comparison to make sure it wasn't just me... Ill include a chart of these measurements at the end of the video if you'd like to see "I have a data sheet towards the end of the video so you can skip o know why I feel that this isn't exactly true to the 1950s neck that Gibson advertises on this neck

[@francescodefendi3201]

Wow! What a comparison! Thank you! Now I watch the video 👍🏼👏🏼😊

[@TimB335]

That Eastman is a great guitar!

[@seanprice2634]

Great video yet again. Beyond my budget unfortunately. Would love you to do a full in depth review of a gretsch G2210 or the G2215. You did video of the G2210 when the channel was young. I think they offer amazing value for money at sub £300 level with great build quality.

[@JohnBurdette-or7if]

Beautiful Ashfall at sounds fantastic. Great demo as always.

[@Ulysses-t2c]

I have a Les Paul custom and not 100% comfortable with it and many other guitars Love your program and your character 🎸