Eastman Guitar Fan!!

[@The_Christian_Influence]

You have some great guitars! God bless you!

[@starrynightguitars]

@@The_Christian_Influence - yes, I’ve been blessed with done wonderful instruments. It took the better part of my life to accumulate them, but I’m enjoying them now.

[@JillandKevin]

I love my Eastman! After 50 years of tons of high dollar name brands, I discovered that I actually preferred my Eastmans! I've had two AR805's, an AR803, two AR372's, a T186MX, an ER2, a Pisano AR880CE, and, after having to downsize & sell them all to hit the road in our Travel Trailer, another AR805CE. My 805 has become my #1 gigging guitar, as my old ones were thru 9 years in an 8 pc Western Swing Band. All my 805's are/were earlier ones with the floating pickups, which work better for me for acoustic Swing Rhythms. I just don't get why they decided to top-mount the pickup on the later 805's! Kind of defeats the purpose of a fully carved guitar!!

[@starrynightguitars]

@@JillandKevin - Wow! That’s quite a collection! I was just looking at an AR805. I totally agree with the pickups being floating rather than attached. Are you living full time in your travel trailer or just doing some traveling?

[@peterhaddock9754]

Hey Rich Thanks for your video. I just got my first Eastman a few days ago. I absolutely love it and I am an instant fan of Eastman. I went to the shop to try semi hollows and then I tried the T64V with a Bigsby. It was like some sort of magic it was so good I just had to buy it. The honeymoon is not over yet but I think I've found my new wife. I just hope the fascination lasts longer than my feeble attempts with actual wives.

[@starrynightguitars]

@@peterhaddock9754 - great to hear! Well, I can’t speak to the issue about the wife, but hopefully you have a long, happy relationship with the new guitar! 😊

[@stringbender57]

Very good overview of the Eastman guitars! After months of shopping for a new Gibson 335 I was very disappointed in the very poor build quality and outrageous price! I heard that Eastman made some 335 style guitars with excellent build quality at 1/3 the price of a new Gibson. So, I ordered an Eastman T486 Classic from Sweetwater Music. I was immediately blown away with the outstanding build quality, attention to detail and the easy playability. I have owned dozens of guitars over the past 50 years, many high dollar Gibsons, but I am now an Eastman fan, and my next purchase will likely be the Eastman AR372CE (ES175 style). It seems we think a lot alike, so I am now subbed!

[@starrynightguitars]

@@stringbender57 - thanks very much! My first Eastman was an AR 371. When it first came out, it was a single pickup. I let that guitar go but I’m kind of sad about theft now. Enjoy your guitar!

[@standingbadger]

Thanks for showing us your Eastmans from one unashamed Eastman fan to another. I use my three ‘Easties’ regularly. I recently picked up a beautiful E10d dreadnought in sunburst with an amazing flamed mahogany back for an incredible price second-hand here in the UK. It plays and sounds beautiful, especially after a set up. I love your T64v.

[@starrynightguitars]

@@standingbadger - thanks so much! You and I may be the only 2 people to watch this video! 😂 I had some free time yesterday and threw this together. Yes, buying a second hand Eastman is probably the way to get the best deal. I love this guitar as well. A real joy to play.

[@rickfisher9594]

I have two. E10SS and E10OOSS-TC. They are phenomenal. No question in my mind that Eastman is the best import guitar you can buy. Pro quality all the way!

[@starrynightguitars]

I haven’t played then but I’m sure they are great!

[@LucasHaneman]

Rich, this is awesome! I have had a similar experience with Eastman guitars. Was very very lucky to stumble across my T185MX about 13 years ago now before the prices got crazy. Traded in a Gibson semi Hollow for it and never looked back. Now I own, a couple more as well :-)

[@starrynightguitars]

@@LucasHaneman - Nice! I would love a T185MX but they were out of my price range! Yeah, I didn’t get hip to Eastman until about 10 years ago but still glad to have discovered them. My T64V is definitely a keeper!

[@LucasHaneman]

⁠ the T 64 is an excellent Guitar! I demoed one at a Music Store close to me for KZbin a few months back and really enjoyed it. Just checked the price of T185 currently and whoa, it’s changed immensely. I got mine back in the day for about the price of what the T386 is going for now. Because it was built in 2011 it didn’t have the refinements that the model got even just a couple years later, such as the smaller headstock or the Lollars, but I love it just the way it is. I would be very happy though with that T6 four. It’s an amazing instrument, and I wouldn’t say below the T185 in quality. Yes the T185 is a carved arch top from solid wood and all that, but it’s just a different type of guitar.. the thing that really brings all Eastman guitars together nowadays is the fantastic fretwork. It’s improved by leaps and bounds over the years, and now from my experience is as good as practically any of the boutique brands out there

[@starrynightguitars]

@ - Agreed, the T64 is an amazing guitar! My main guitar for Jazz has been my John Pisano 380 but this guitar sounds every bit as good if not better for Jazz. I love the Lollars and the weight of this guitar.

[@NormanJohnson-m6c]

So true I have a Eastman T486 GB that plays and sounds amazing. To me in MHO Eastman guitars have a better build quality than Gibson.

[@starrynightguitars]

@@NormanJohnson-m6c - Agreed. I’ve played expensive Gibson that were dogs. I’ve never played a bad Eastman.

[@marleneseely3509]

You were way smarter than me, a whole lot sooner. I've spent thousands searching for the right guitar.

[@starrynightguitars]

@@marleneseely3509 - Well, I had to do more digging because I didn’t have thousands to spend! 😊

[@nick_reiner]

Great video! I've actually been eyeing the Godin 5th Ave Kingpin for a hollow body but sounds like Eastman may be the way to go.

[@starrynightguitars]

@@nick_reiner - thanks! I have a 5th Avenue Kingpin and it’s a great little guitar as well. I wouldn’t say it’s as versatile a guitar but fun to play. I like that I can sit around and play it without plugging it in.

[@NormanJohnson-m6c]

So true I have a Eastman T 486GB that is amazing. To me in MHO I think the build quality of Eastman is way better than Gibson.