Eastman T59V After 18 Months: The Test of Time?

[@TechnicallyNotSteve]

Eastman makes such great guitars, I bought a red T486 in 2022 & immediately found an immaculate used SB59 from 2016 (Nitro Lacquer GB) I love both of them so much. Everyone who plays them is shocked.

[@Paul-D]

My next one is hopefully the T64v - ive tried to buy a few lately but fell short lol. But a T486B in black is a very close second! Glad you still enjoy yours dude :)

[@tster4181]

Thank you for using your time and talent to post this. I have the same guitar and it’s about 2 years old as well. I echo your sentiments. It’s definitely an instrument of fine quality and craftsmanship. I did not have any QC issues on the initial purchase. I’m in the USA and the brand is just starting to gain more traction here than it’s experienced overseas. I purchased mine new before most people were aware of the brand. Now major retailers have picked it up. My version is reliced very similar to yours. At first I was not enthusiastic about the relicing but the more I played it I became impressed. Will be interesting to see the value of our version in a few years as the brand grows and others fade out.

[@Paul-D]

It's the only Eastman I, or my friends have ever had with issues. It was what it was and glad I repaired it instead of sending back - as you say it will be interesting to see how these do versus the new ones, I suspect as time goes on and people become more and more aware these varnish versions will forever be going up.

[@B-DueceTre]

All love for Eastman. Superb playing Paul.

[@Paul-D]

Thanks alot 😃

[@danottley2627]

That Eastman sounds great. The varnish finish looks awesome and has aged very nicely. Nice video Paul, thanks. Don’t sell it!

[@Paul-D]

Thanks! Its a keeper for sure

[@chemo86]

Thanks man, I am thinking about buying one and this video is really helpful!

[@chemo86]

A few questions: -How does it compare to an SB59 when it comes to sound and neck profile? -How's the weight? -Does it feedback in rehearsals? Thanks in advance!

[@Paul-D]

The neck is slimmer on these but not tiny (thankfully) I MUCH prefer the sound of this to my SB59. Its just more musical somehow - and it wont feedback, even the fully hollow T64 i couldnt get to misbehave that badly. Of course - you can get the more fun rock n roll feedback with some gain but will never screech and squeal.

[@standingbadger]

Great recap, thanks! I got my T386 about the same time. Absolutely stellar guitar. Going in for a set up tomorrow and to have the really not very good pingwell tuners changed to locking Gotoh SD90s. My issue with the pingwells is that they can be very imprecise and has caused me a bit of a headache at times in a studio session, but then do seem to be crapping out anyway. It's a very well-used guitar. Btw, it was the Gibson 345 that came with those split markers - see Bill Nelson with Bebop Deluxe. The 355 had block markers like Johnny Marr's. Both had the varitone switch.

[@Paul-D]

Awesome. Its well worth going for the gotoh for sure. I think those pingwells are an odd choice given everything else is so good haha. Ahhhh soon as it come out my mouth i was like ‘or is it 345’ 🤣

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

Hi Paul. I have followed your guitar , over your various videos, since it was new. Back when you discovered the QC issues with the nut. Gotta say it really does sound rich. And kinda “old”, in the best way. I think that’s a keeper.

[@Paul-D]

Thanks Paul! Im glad i didnt send it back thats for sure - even though a dodgy nut is reason enough too. Hope you’re keeping well mate!

[@skeres01]

The T59V feels like it has a greater variety of sounds to me, but mine has the Seth Lover pickups so it sounds a little different to the antiquities. The T64V feels more specialised for blues mainly, but also does rock well. The T64v is much lighter and feels more comfortable to play for me. About a 2 pound weight difference for mine. Thanks for the updated review, and as I've said before, your initial reviews of these guitars were my inspiration to get them, so thank you again.

[@Paul-D]

Glad your still enjoying them too 🤘🤘

[@isohenflowil]

Great playing Pauly - shows the guitars off nicely. I have a T59/V very similar to yours (same finish, with some light relic-ing) and a T64/V in amber, also with light relic-ing. Both are superb. There is something about the tone of the Seymour Duncan antiquity pickups and the ebony board which is particularly sweet and keeps me picking up the 59/V. My only criticism of the guitar is that it is quite heavy and because of the 335-type design you have to reach a way away from your body to get to the low end of the fretboard. The different 330-type design of the T64 with more overlap between the fretboard and the body means that your fretting hand is closer to your body when you're [playing it, and that combined with the fact its a lot lighter as a hollow body does make it considerably more comfortable to play for extended periods. the lollar P90s sound amazing too. But I do keep coming back to the T59/V despite the back-straining ergonomics of it, because it sounds (and looks) so damn inviting. Eastman QC is up and down in my experience. I bought an SB55DC/V because of its incredible lightness and resonance, then discovered the bridge posts had been drilled in slightly the wrong place, meaning it was impossible to intonate the guitar correctly with the supplied Faber wraparound bridge. Fortunately Faber also make an intonatable wraparound bridge (their customer service is excellent by the way) and for £100 I was able to swap in the new bridge and solve the problem at a stroke. The sound of the guitar is as raucous and inspiring as it was with the old bridge, so all good. but the experience is a reminder that with Eastmans (as with Gibsons!) you need to play a few to find the really good ones, and check them over for QC issues. But they are such good instruments

[@Paul-D]

Agree with everything you said, my T59v is JUST under 9lb so its not so bad for a 335 but for sure heavier. My friends old T64v is just under 6lbs so a different experience all together and with the different neck join placement just feels totally different to play but incredible also.

[@jeffroq]

Million miles away one of my favourite Rory songs to hear and play. I had a T486 which I let go because the prospect of putting a left handed harness in it. I have an Sb59 and a 59v now. I might get the lefty one of yours. Cheers for the update.

[@Paul-D]

Thanks mate! The prospect of harnesses and pickup swaps in a semi hollow is a daunting DIY task indeed haha. Ironically the left handed T64v in the now discontinued varnish finish are abit easier to find at the time of writing - so maybe think about that one as they really are something totally unique

[@jeffroq]

​@@Paul-DHi Paul. After scouring the Web I found a lefty T59v in my local shop. They also had a lefty 64v. Well I guess I had to take both home. I traded a few guitars I had in on commission sale and even walked away with 150 quids worth of credit note. Cheers for the great videos and inspiration. 👍🤘

[@dimitris70]

Hi there 😊 Can someone tell me what are the differences between T486 and that 59?

[@pekkijp]

Nice playing & sounds! I also have t59/v and t64/v. The t64v is something special. I also bought the la romeo with goldo trem in gorgeous blue, just needed to…

[@Paul-D]

Awesome - fingers crossed i can finally get a T64v in august before all the older varnish ones are gone!

[@JasonWharton82]

Guitar Village have a load of eastmans in at the moment, really should give one a try at some point. What drive pedal are you using with humbuckers? I’m really struggling to find one that I like with buckers, you’re getting some great sounds with whatever you’re using!

[@Paul-D]

They actually have a handful of earlier varnish versions in too, and when there gone there gone for good. If I could get in there regularly I would live on beans and walk everywhere with the money I would spend haha! Its the Blue side on the Protein :)

[@BI-km6dl]

I’ve got two Eastman acoustics, one 12-string, one AC630 jumbo. Absolutely superb instruments. Looks like the electrics are just as tasty.

[@Paul-D]

Awesome, i do have an eye out for there E10SS

[@JanPanCygan]

This guitar sounds amazing

[@Paul-D]

I do love it 😊

[@nicfabrizio1776]

I just acquired a T486 and it looks almost identical to your guitar here but it’s not a T59V and not aged. it’s a 2022 and I traded some gear at guitar center was looking for amp and ended up with the T486 found it on the wall of the used section and it looked nice. my first interaction with Eastman and I’m still just blown away i played it against prs se hollow body piezo , my Dangelico DC, and i knew it was a good guitar it also easily as good as other Gibson 335 I’ve played in the past.

[@Paul-D]

Its 95% of the way to T59v. Amazing guitar.

[@nicfabrizio1776]

@@Paul-Dit’s a kick butt 335 style guitar for sure glad I stumbled upon it last week can’t wait to gig it

[@gbrt9569]

Hey Pauly, another question from me...What was your signal chain in this video?....You were getting some great crunch tones, so really interested to know what pedals and more specifically what amp you were using for the playing parts of this video?

[@Paul-D]

Sure thanks for asking - used my katana head into my marshall 1936 212. Pedal was just the protein (mainly blue side) and it was mic’d up with a Austrian audio OC16.

[@albaxter8711]

My t64 goldburst with bigsby is an amazing guitar....iv sold two 60s gibsons because they just weren't as good. Id definitely recommend getting the one with the bigsby..it makes the guitar. You're right the varnish reliced finishes will become highly sought after since they're no longer making them. Keep up the good reviews an great playing too! Al ..Northern Ireland

[@Paul-D]

Ive noticed even shops with the last few older varnish ones left are selling them for more money then the newer truetone V versions. I do like the idea of having a bigsby one - is it pretty stable on the fully hollow body? In my head it would be better mounted to a centre block?

[@albaxter8711]

Yeah...I thought the same..however apparently the inspiration for the t64 was a 1964 casino with bigsby the founder of eastman owned. The bigsby is the nicest I've ever played..never goes out of tune. As you said they just get better..I love mine. Al in Northern Ireland

[@mcmillanalex]

Really great tone. I'm still over the moon with my T64-TV that I've had for about 10 months. The funny thing about it is that although the guitar's finish isn't cosmetically aged, the Bigsby tailpiece is. I'm guessing Eastman had a surplus of distressed Bigsby tailpieces in the factory when they switched to the Truetone vintage gloss! What amp were you using in this video?

[@Paul-D]

hi dude! Im hopeful I can finally get my own T64 this August - still not 100% but very likely! Yeh that makes sense - they must of had alot more of the units probably still do even. Im using my Katana head into Marshall 212 cab

[@PedalScience]

Sorry if I missed it - which amp are you playing through on this? Sounds great! (trying to find the right pairing for my T59 😆 )

[@Paul-D]

For the longest time it was my board (whatever it happens to be at the time) and the katana head into a marshall cab. But i just sold the katana and about to find a new amp. Atm VOX AC15 is in the lead haha

[@PedalScience]

@@Paul-D Thanks! I've found it hard to do justice to these 'nicer' semi-hollows without the right amp - I used to have the big jubilee head but found it just sounds a bit too modern / scooped with my T59. Thinking Deluxe Reverb / SV20 et al might be best. Cheers!

[@Paul-D]

I was using the studio jubilee for quite a while too, lovely amp but often a little too bright for some reason. Id love a SV20 or JTM studio.... but with no master volume it's a dealbreaker for me :(

[@PedalScience]

@@Paul-D The SV20 + fryette power station combo is hard to beat! but £££ 😂

[@Paul-D]

Yeh for sure. Maybe the play is to buy a fryette first as a pretty ornament and then you know from that point on nearly any amp is fair game lol.

[@mattwilliams3104]

I’ve had a 486 for a little while and am looking to switch to the T59 because I have heard the neck is a little more “vintage” inspired by being a little more full but feeling narrower width wise even tho the specs are the same at 1.72”. Would you say this has been your experience? I also just looove the varnish finish. I have a SS22v acoustic and the finish is so incredible

[@Paul-D]

In my case i found the neck just that little bit fatter then my 486. But its still not big compared to eastmans other models. And some people have actually said to me their 59v was smaller then a 486 so i think they vary from guitar to guitar.

[@youmisterrob]

Sounds epic, I want one until I remember how big they feel, a 339 size one would definitely be tempting.

[@Paul-D]

They do the T386 which is that 😃

[@youmisterrob]

@@Paul-D Blimey so they do... think I just added one to my basket by accident 😄

[@toddwilson9311]

A T386 is the same size as the T59/V. The only thing Eastman makes that’s smaller are the t185mx and the t184mx

[@mattc1176]

I have the same guitar, and also the same SB59 as you. I love them both, the one area I would give the edge to the SB59 in is on the neck. My 59V is slightly thinner and flatter than the neck on my SB59 (which is perfectly chunky for me). How do the necks on your 2 guitars compare?

[@Paul-D]

Yeh i would agree there, the 59v is so slightly slimmer and flatter and i do prefer it slightly bigger. The T64v is bigger on the neck

[@SteveTong22]

Great video. Like you I love Eastmans. T59v, sb59v. 2 x juliets, an acoustic and a T64v. Love them all but T64v is my number one.

[@Paul-D]

You have the best of the bunch there congrats! When it comes time to buy an acoustic - im after Eastmans version of the J45. Just need to see if I can find a way to get a T64v first though haha

[@mattwilliams3104]

@@Paul-DI have the slope shoulder with adi top, walnut back/sides and it’s an absolute killer acoustic. So sweet sounding when fingerpicking but you can absolutely hammer it with the adi top without it getting mushy.

[@RacingwithKalan]

Hey when did they stop doing the weared down finishing? Ive been talking to some dealers and the ones they have brand new in stock appear to still have the distressed finish. Do the new ones not have any wear at all or just less?

[@Paul-D]

It stopped after the first quarter 2023 - so those guitars are still just about floating about in dealers - just getting less and less all the time! New ones have zero relic at all

[@gbrt9569]

Hey Pauly .. I know these Eastman hollows/semi-hollows come fitted with 11's (I have the T64v) ...but just wanted to ask what you are using on your T59V ? it sounds great !.... Im thinking of trying 10s as the 11's are quite fatiguing.....but everything Ive read says that 11s are the best it for that big semi acoustic sound ...just wanted to know your thoughts were and what you use?

[@Paul-D]

Do they, im sure the eastman website says 10s and all mine came with 10s. But i use hybrids 9-46 either ernie ball or d’darrio but i do find the d’darrios last longer with my very sweaty hands lol 11s would be way too uncomfortable for me for sure. I want to play for the rest of my life haha

[@Paul-D]

And btw - congrats on the T64v! Secretly/not secretly i think thats the one to have haha

[@jtd3421]

I’m thinking about one of these. I have a T486 in full gloss. I’ve played a couple and the antique varnish was a bit sticky on the back of the neck. Is this your experience? Did it become smoother over time?

[@Paul-D]

Well, im about as prone to the sticky neck thing as just about anyone can be I think, and mine has definitely worn in and past that pretty quickly. Although, The newest ones are not varnish finish anymore so..... Just have to know if its a varnish or newer True Tone gloss one

[@jtd3421]

They actually still make the antique varnish and the Truetone as well. The one I’m looking at is the new sunburst antique varnish (new for 2024). They do limit them though because of curing time and they don’t ship them in hotter months.

[@Paul-D]

Ahhh thats interesting - I thought the newest stuff was all True Tone and varnish was gone. Ive even been hunting down new old stock varnish ones ahaha

[@rondoyle4433]

I’m trying to decide if T59v or T64v is best choice for me. I mainly play classic rock and blues. I can’t afford both right now, plus I want to stay married. I’m leaning toward the t64v. If you could have just one, which one?

[@Paul-D]

It is really tough. I was in exact same situation and over 2 years finally got them both. If i had to keep one - and man its tough because they are both excellent but also quite different, it would be the T59V

[@BenStevens-k2v]

Is this the antique red or the antique classic?

[@Paul-D]

Classic

[@sadman11able]

Sad to say my Gibson desire got the better of me and despite having SB59v, just bought 6O's standard and I love it despite Eastman really being superior in most aspects

[@Paul-D]

I totally understand where that comes from mate, I would still not turn down a great gibson despite how much I love the Eastmans

[@sadman11able]

@@Paul-D Gotta say, it was the 60s neck which lured me and to fair to Gibson it is exceptionlly well made, fretwork and binding, and ONLY 9lb 2 oz lol, but find myself playing it more than the Eastman so I know how much heritage and marketing means sadly

[@Paul-D]

The 60s standards are abit small for what im used too but then again - the SB56 has the biggest neck of any LP ive tried haha.

[@brunoantony9257]

the headstock is too gumby-ish

[@Paul-D]

Gumby-ish? Thats a new one on me haha. But i get it, its gotta be right to you or its not.

[@Edward1312]

4 dead in Ohio

[@Paul-D]

Not sure exactly the right way play it but yeh glad you got it haha - awesome song

[@gavriloprincip11]

are you sure its not a "Am-eastman"? ( a cheap counterfit of the genuine quality Chinese Eastman faked by unscrupulous sketchy American factories that sell on Aliexprss with terrible customer service in broken Manderin)

[@Paul-D]

Definitely sure of that, all my Eastmans were bought new from either Peach or guitar village. Soooooo sad that theres even fake eastmans!

[@gavriloprincip11]

@@Paul-D there isn't .i was amused at the thought of the rolls reversed