Eastman T64V T | Hollow Or Semi Hollow?

[@ianhenkel7157]

Thank you. you've found a way to review guitars that actually sheds light in the differences ... not just adulation for all

[@Paul-D]

Thanks dude

[@ottolohr]

Just ordered my T64V; I have had my T59V for about 7 months. After getting the T59V and falling in love with it; I have started selling all my other guitars and vintage amps to help fund the purchase of the T64V. Can't believe how many different sounds the T59V can make; sure I will love the T64V also. Thanks for the excellence reviews; your was one I watched several times while deciding on buying the T59V Eastman electric. Had an Eastman acoustic guitar years ago so knew the amazing quality and workmanship this brand has. Never owned or played any custom shop "G" ES style guitars but the T59V beats any non-custom shop "G" ES style guitar I have ever played. Love that violin finish these V series guitars have.

[@Paul-D]

Congrats man having both the T59 and 64 will be awesome! You’ll get sooooo much out of them. what colour T64 did you go for?

[@sidweazel2883]

Yet another great video Mr P, I’m with you all the way on Eastmans. Unable to afford every single model I’m now in the process of fitting bullet connectors in the pickup slots of my 486, SB59, and 484 so I can hot swap Phat Cats, Lollars, Antiquity, Gibson 490’s and the SD jazz, 59, and Seth Lover. Pearly Gates in the SB59 will be first call, I think that will work really well. I figured this is considerably cheaper and would give me plenty to do instead of just drooling over what I can’t afford, plus I might just hit the sweet spot with each of those guitars. What I now realise after this video is while Antiquities in a 486 might give me 95% of a T59/v, Phat Cats in the 486 will only give me a teaser taste of the 64/v. That hollow body really truly sounds awesome. The T series 184’s and the T185 will go up for sale soon as to be honest I prefer the laminates. I barely touch the tele or strat these days, it’s just Eastman all the way for me. Keep up the good work and keep the vids coming. All hail the Eastman 👍

[@Paul-D]

Man thats such a good idea on the pickups! Never thought of it that way. I might do the same on my sb59! Yeh the properly hollow body really does bring something else to the sound, a sb59 and a 486 is still a mighty top class combo though just those alone.

[@JuddLofthouse]

After watching you I got a t-486 and your right it’s the best guitar a own an£ I have Gibson’s 10/10 from me 👍👌👌

[@Paul-D]

Awesome! Thanks for trusting the review!

[@stratsw]

Thanks so much for the video, I’ve just bought the T64v with bigsby and awaiting its arrival. I recently got the 59v and am blown away with its tone and playability let alone the feel, finish and fit. Eastman guitars are impeccable. Thanks once again for a great video

[@Paul-D]

Have fun!

[@hughcameron]

What never gets mentioned is the necks are 3-ply laminate. (5 if you count the headstock wings) This makes them very strong and you will not get a headstock break like with a Gibson one-piece neck. That is the way better-made old archtops were done before truss rods were common. One-piece necks might sound if they are superior, but they ain't.

[@Paul-D]

I did mention this on my own T59v vid :)

[@jamesmaddock259]

I agree I played both these and actually preferred the sound of the 64 but I ended up buying the 59 because it just looked so cool !! That said the 59 sounds absolutely amazing and I couldn’t be happier

[@Paul-D]

I think i preferred the sound of the T64 too but im in denial after already owning the 59 hahahah. I have to say my 59 being heavily used as it is, its warming up and playing in so nicely and is already a better guitar then the one i filmed when first got it. Madness

[@jeffroq]

I ended walking away with both this week. My local shop had both in lefty. I didn't pay a penny I traded 6 guitars and still have a shop credit of 150 quid. Cheers Paul for the great contents.

[@Paul-D]

Thats awesome!!! Im Hoping to get a t64 (after 3 failed attempts since this vid) within the month. (Birthday shopping haha)

[@Paul-D]

Also - what store was that? Im willing to travel basically anywhere in the uk for the right one

[@jeffroq]

@@Paul-D Back Alley Music in Mold north wales. Great guys, Steve and Chris. Just looking at their website they have a couple in stock. Their px terms are good as well. They will generally give 2/3 of what they think they can sell stuff for.

[@Paul-D]

ive seen them online - one of the few bigger Eastman stores I haven't been too - will definitely keep them in mind for my trip - it seems they have the exact one im looking for in too!

[@trevorclarey3336]

They are all great guitars Eastman , good price & quality.

[@richmacgonigle1776]

Thanks for the side-by-side comparison. I have been debating which one and this review helped!

[@Paul-D]

Which one you leaning towards? Its a veryyyy tough choice

[@richmacgonigle1776]

I'm thinking the T64/v is the one for me. Thanks again for your video comparison Rich

[@gbrt9569]

I recently spent a whole day in a big store where I live, I must have tried 15 different hollow/semi hollows including some murphy lab custom shops...I ended up walking out of the shop with a T64/v-T (the trapese one)...my god it plays so good...Ive never owned a P90 guitar and it wasnt my intention to buy one...but this guitar blew everything I played out of the water, including all the Gibsons, plus a bunch of other Eastmans (T486/t59v/Romeo etc )....Its hard describe but it feels really 'woody' or ' earthy' ....I feel like I can hear the wood in the guitar..It gave me a feeling that none of the others did...and now its home with me 🙂.....Great videos Pauly, get yourself a T64 for the collection

[@Paul-D]

ooh man that's awesome! And believe me, ive spent the last few months trying to line everything up to get one including considering selling my SB56 for one haha.

[@ianhenkel7157]

Other reviews is spot on. unpolished reviews where the tonal differences are actually apparent. not smashed and polished in post. THANK YOU!

[@Paul-D]

More coming within the next week on eastman 😃

[@SteveTong22]

Fantastic review. I am lucky enough to own both these guitars. I agree these are both very different, and the T64 is easier to play and lighter. The T59 is an incredible guitar. The T64 was my first Eastman and got onto it after having a casino. Like you love the T59 and T64 and cant really separate the guitars in terms of preference. What are your thoughts on potential feedback issues? Great playing BTW.

[@Paul-D]

Awesome! Id love to have them both - when i can get my next one ill be very torn between the T64 or the SB56n lol. I figured it would feedback alot in my little room especially when i tried layla sat 3ft from a loud marshall lol. But unless i dangled the guitar infront of the cab i wasnt getting barely any feedback here, was pretty suprised

[@SteveTong22]

@Second Note that is my experience too hardly any feedback. I am thinking of a solid body p90 guitar for my next Eastman guitar and looking at the sb56 goldtop or the juliet with p90s. Agree with you 100% Eastmans are just a joy to play.

[@skeres01]

​ @Pauly's Guitars & Gear Thanks so much for this review. I was tossing up between the T59 and T64 also. I bought the T64 today with the Bigsby and have already falled in love with it. So many beautiful sounds and very easy to play. It immediately felt like a guitar I was familiar with, and I've been playing a Tele for the past year. How wierd is that. Anyway, just wanted to thank you for the review. Keep up the great content.

[@Paul-D]

Awesome i hope you enjoy it for years to come. They are the future great guitars people will look back on im certain of it.

[@mikeaustin4138]

With my short-ish fingers, access to the upper frets would be restrictive to me. I've got - and love - a T59/V, so I might have to go with the SB56? (the double cutaway) for my P-90s

[@Paul-D]

I did a video on the sb56. The one thing the neck is atleast twice the size in feel as the T59v haha

[@viper2148]

I'm curious how your Eastman T-64v T (at about half the price) stacks up against the USA made Epiphone Casino. I was also hoping you'd do some John Lennon riffs so at least I could somewhat gauge the difference.

[@Paul-D]

Ive never tried one so i guess i cant say really, but of all the guitars ive ever played including many 3K plus instruments this T64 could be the best one. I do have a Beatles vid coming in January and hoping to borrow back this T64 for it.

[@viper2148]

@@Paul-D a Beatles vid would be so awesome. Lennon and Harrison did so much great work with the Casino and that T64 has almost identical looks and specs. I really enjoyed this vid. Thank you.

[@Paul-D]

Looking forward to it, getting someone in whos farrrrr more knowledgeable then myself to show the ropes.

[@paulborg9239]

Loving your content Pauly, am poised to push the button on a P90 T64, although require a Bigsby for my style - any thoughts / insight as to how much impact this will have upon tuning? Gretsch also deploy a B7, but I think its a more stable design.. not sure?

[@Paul-D]

Thanks man appreciate that, far as the bigsby thing goes its definitely possible to have one that barely effects the tuning stability at all. First thing is the hardware is of high quality, and eastman will tick that box for you so thats a win, next thing is to make sure the saddles, nut etc is perfectly set up which is where you make sure the store knows your going to be on it, or your good enough at set up yourself to finesse it if needed. In all if you want one and prefer it to be the bigsby version go for it, its a hell of a guitar and genuinely a tool for life, right now eastman are making guitars that arent cheap for sure but are of excellent standard and far as im concerned there isnt really anyone in the same price point able to match them.

[@paulborg9239]

@@Paul-D Cheers Pauly, kinda confirms what I'm feeling here. Only just discovered your channel - like your style, easier to relate as a fellow Brit.

[@rodwatson9718]

The unplugged sound comparison is really useful as some around here's seem to get played more without electricity! The inlays on that 64 fretboard look (to my eye) so much better than the 59. The spacing on the 59 just looks weird, sorry about that.

[@mortonwilson795]

Great comparison! Seems like the T59V is leaning more towards the Casino - fully hollow, neck join a bit closer to body + P90's. Sounds lovely. I put Lollar P90's and 50's wiring into my Epiphone Casino and the pick-ups are excellent. Need to get my hands on some Eastmans - HK stockist only carries their acoustics . . . go figure 😐

[@Paul-D]

Lollar seems to be about as good as it gets far as pickups go. I checked out some more on jason lollar and the knowledge he has seems world class. Thanks for watching 🤘

[@cameraramblings4107]

I’m a fan Eastman just sound great

[@AussieEnglishPodcast]

Man you're making it hard to not want to buy one or both of these Eastmans lol

[@Paul-D]

Track down the varnish ones and get them while you can 😅

[@DJCJ999]

I bought an Epi Casino and I love the hollow body and feedback... The T64V is the dream.

[@Paul-D]

Yup id still love to have one

[@Paul-D]

This one exactly lol

[@ajsmith4181]

I am really wanting to pull the trigger on the T64 but I am nervous about feedback with overdrive/distortion pedals. Have you had any issues being that it is completely hollow?

[@Paul-D]

I tried to get issues on purpose and was totally fine.

[@ajsmith4181]

Wow that’s impressive! I may stick with the T64 then. I was set on the T59 but your video made me think otherwise.

[@Paul-D]

Yeh i was pretty surprised how well it stood up to feedback. I guess if you were to stack 5 drive pedals and stand next to the amp it would become a problem… but that would be expected lol.

[@ajsmith4181]

lol! Luckily for me I’m not a metal player! Thanks again for your help, I was torn between the 64 and 59 so I may have made up my mind now.

[@plantagenant]

They look nice...but I'm not sure about that 1 3/4' nut width. Why have they gone for that? I've bought guitars "blind" before and was considering ordering one but I'm reluctant to with such an unusual neck size. How does it feel to you?

[@Paul-D]

This is something that comes up on these vids from time to time, i honestly barely notice it and i bounce between Eastman, Gibson/Epi, Fender every day. So long as the nut is cut right its all good.

[@plantagenant]

@@Paul-D Good to know....I actually like 1 5/8 inch nuts so I'm weird that way!..

[@teallynch12]

This is an interesting point because I own both guitars and the 64 has a 44.5mm nut width (1.75 inches), but the 59 has a 43.5mm nut which does feel a lot different. Eastman's website now has them both listed as 1.72 inches so I really don't know what's going on 🫤. Best to get one or both in your hands if possible and see how they feel.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

Really enjoying your videos, thankyou! The T64 being hollow, would feedback be an issue if you are playing in a louder band?

[@Paul-D]

Well i thought it would feedback feedback loads in my little room especially when i tried abit of layla through the marshall sat about 3ft away from the cab. But it really didnt 🤷‍♂️

[@audiomurphy]

Does the high E need to be shifted on the nut ? my T49 needs to, just a hair, like yours did. thanks. great video. great guitar.

[@Paul-D]

Hi man, no this was one was perfect on day 1 of delivery. I dont even think the owner has ever had it set up! My SB59 was also bang on. Seems to be only the recent builds that have had some minor QC issues creeping in. I hope Eastman catch it (not that im on their radar at 2k subs lol) but ive seen on the facebook groups a small handful of people with nut slot issues.

[@audiomurphy]

@@Paul-D Sorry, I meant T486. It was late. I was at work and very tired. I think you know which guitar i was referring to. lol Thanks. Rock on !!!

[@andremook3665]

My Eastman journey started with an Eastman Md614 mandolin. I bought it for Liz Jones & Suzy Cargill to use when they perform in the Netherlands. Suzy loves it thank goodness as i can't play 😂 . I then got the bug and now have an Eastman Sb57/b and especially after this review an Eastman t64/ v Goldburst. Must stop watching these wonderful guitars, or learn to play besides just lending them out 😂.

[@Paul-D]

Is the SB57 and SB59 necks the same do you know?

[@andremook3665]

@@Paul-D I am sorry I do not know. You would would have to Google that as I can't play guitar, yet 😂

[@Paul-D]

Well, youve got a great guitar to crack on with and enjoy. And it doesnt matter if you can play or not far as im concerned. If you appreciate music and the craft of a good guitar your good enough in my book haha

[@williamlaven]

What is the song you're playing at the beginning? It's an Allman Brothers song, isn't it? Argh, my memory...But what a great review. I just bought a T64V-T and love it and also have an Eastman T-486. Both are great guitars. Thanks for your reviews.

[@Paul-D]

Im eyeing a T64v as we speak haha - trying to make it happen! & Need your love so bad by peter green (atleast as well as i could play it haha)

[@williamlaven]

@@Paul-D Ahh, yes, Peter Green and I loved your playing. TheT64v is such a sweet guitar.

[@Paul-D]

Yeh its everything the T59v has going for it but somehow just more of it haha. I was amazed how different the SB56 is given it has the same pickups as this - this loves to be pushed and driven the SB56 is far happier just clean haha

[@williamlaven]

@@Paul-D I was contemplating the T59v, but decided on the T486 instead to save a little $. I didn't do a side by side comparison, but the specs are similar for the body, etc. though the finish is different (which didn't matter to me) and my T486 has the SD Jazz & '59 pups while the T59v has the SD Antiquity pups. Maybe I should have done a side by side, but I saved a bit of moola and love the T486 so shouldn't have any buyer's remorse, HAH!

[@Paul-D]

Ive had both and the T59v is massively worth the upcharge for the antiquities. The unpotted vs potted thing in a semi hollow makes a hugeeee difference. But - the T486 is still a wonderful guitar.

[@guitaregy9746]

I have the ar372ce. I'm really tempted to get a T486 with the phat cat p90s. Never had p90s and thought it would give me a different sound. I'm a gibson man at Heart and was going to get another LP, but the eastmans are just so much guitar for the price . I love my ar372ce

[@Paul-D]

thats the funny thing, im a Gibson man too - but your right its soooo much guitar for the money. It sets your sights on customshop gibson only to get something ahead of these lol. The T486-B with the phat cats in black has been on my radar too. But I still haven't got a T64 yet and still want one just as much as I did here haha

[@guitaregy9746]

@Paul-D I'm liking the t59 with antiquity pickups to now, thanks to your videos, lol. 👍

[@Paul-D]

Still my favourite one today 🤘🤘

[@Dave4291]

Great review think it’s the t64 for me, nice sofa guitar I think

[@Paul-D]

Honestly the lengths ive gone to to try and get an aged T64 this last few months 😅

[@michaelyolch79]

Eastman is just starting to really blow up here in the United States! Especially since Sweetwater just began carrying them!

[@Paul-D]

Yeh they have come along way pretty quickly thats for sure. I didn't know sweetwater were doing them too

[@zacharywatson885]

For any folks on the tall-ish side … I actually find the 59 far more comfortable at 6’2.

[@Paul-D]

Yeh good point tbf, im 5ft 9 so.... figures haha

[@teallynch12]

I currently own both guitars, both amazing, but I too (at 6' 6'') find the 59 much more comfortable to play. This is due to where the neck joint is and as a result the bridge. My 59 is actually the best electric I've ever played.

[@antoonhermans8953]

yes , hocus pocus from focus , me beeing dutch and a fan of jan akkerman , that was nice to hear 😀

[@MrRockstar1968]

The T64V definitely sounds better.

[@albaxter8711]

Sold my 1967 gibson es330 which was lovely but too expensive to gig or take out of the house! My new t64 in goldburst with bigsby is unbelievable..and half the price of the Gibson..these are proper handmade instruments...far superior to the new Gibsons or even the vintage ones imo...and being reliced you're not worrying about constantly cleaning it or panicking about it getting a ding!! Couldn't be happier channelling my howlin wolf vibes (he played a 65 casino with bigsby...try buying one of those and see how much it costs!!..dearer than a vintage gibson...thank the mop tops for that!!

[@Paul-D]

Brilliant - im (as we speak) looking for my very own T64 to add along side the T59. This video got me wanting one ever since haha. Theres a nice one with a bigsby available im just not totally sure if i want the trapeze or bigsby model

[@albaxter8711]

The guy who owns the company couldn't find a good casino..he then found a 64 with a bigsby which he loved...hence its called the t64...sort of based on the one he found...he said the bigsby increased the break angle and improved the sound....it makes the guitar tbh...I've played loads of guitars with crap ones but this is amazing...never goes out of tune...I'd recommend it.....Great playing by the way..Al from N.Ireland.

[@cameraramblings4107]

I like them both

[@Paul-D]

Me too :D Both very different

[@graemero5532]

Great review

[@antreb15]

A good comparison would be with the new Sire, Sire Larry Carlton H7V Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar in Vintage Sunburst. Ebony fretboard, rounded frets, P90s that sound awesome and only £599. Amazing.

[@Paul-D]

yeh for sure that guitar in black caught me eye big time

[@matthewchristian8274]

Has anyone compared the lower budget Casino, the Sire, and the T64V. I expect the Eastman to shine the brightest, but was wondering how close they all are being on a tighter budget myself?@@Paul-D

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Puurty 😍

[@phillseagram]

Hocus Pocus - Focus, hell yes!

[@Paul-D]

Love that riff haha

[@MrRockstar1968]

I've played some top end Gibsons before which sounded terrible and I ended up purchasing an Epiphone.

[@gcalisti]

Both

[@Paul-D]

Yes haha

[@tbeau6663]

I reckon he prefers the T64V

[@Paul-D]

and its so annoying he thinks your right lol

[@tbeau6663]

@@Paul-D 😂 ......and so do I.

[@OuttaHere7]

The T64/v comes with a Bigsby…

[@Paul-D]

Not all of them.

[@Coolbeans1492]

Gibson should rly open an epiphone custom shop done in the same way as these eastmans… with full open book headstocks… those would be amazing instead of those shit jb guitars.

[@Paul-D]

Wow that is actually an obviously amazing idea to be honest lol

[@stevejewett3650]

Has your better half punished you for this video? 😊

[@Paul-D]

🤣🤣. Actually afterwards she said she thought the T64 sounded better and why didnt i want that one first 😅😅

[@stephentool1316]

You barely touched the '59. Not a comparison at all.

[@Paul-D]

I own the 59 its all over the channel to hear it more, the vid was mainly about the 64

[@j.j.riverhill2831]

Actually really good comparison trading riff for riff!

[@stephentool1316]

Not really. Even the poster said it was mainly about the 64@@j.j.riverhill2831