How Good Are Eastman Guitars?

[@MrLespaul2000]

Got my Junior today from yourselves. All good, well packed. It's a really well made instrument, the frets are fantastic no sharps, the neck feels great perfect for myself. Nicely set up by DS. All in all A1 from me cheers Guitar Village pleasure doing business. :)

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Ah that's great to hear! They are such good guitars - I am very tempted by the juniors too I must say... Glad you're happy with yours! 🙏

[@waynevdk1]

@@GuitarVillageFarnham Also got my junior from you a few weeks ago and am very pleased with it. The first guitar I've ever bought without playing it in the shop first. A bit of a risk but my Eastman SB57 (also bought from GV a few years ago) remains epic to this day so I knew it would be good.

[@gergemall]

True

[@jamesmaddock259]

I have the Eastman T59V . Best guitar ive ever played . And I’ve played hundreds. Absolutely outstanding. No matter the price it’s a stunning guitar .

[@seanc.5310]

I was admittedly one of those lifelong Gibson guys who completely doubted Eastman until my local shop became an Eastman dealer. I now own an Eastman T486 and SB59/V and they are probably the highest quality instruments I've ever seen. The craftsmanship and fret work they do only comes from Gibson custom shop but at 3-5 times the price Eastman charges. The Lollar PUP'S are also amazing!

[@Adipsia1]

Totally agree. Much is said about Eastman offering the Custom-Shop quality at a fraction of the Gibson price. Frankly the two Eastman's that I own are of higher quality than any Gibson that I've ever owned.

[@jesussavesrick]

Eastman must be really freaking good if you’re having to compare it to a $7K Gibson. That in itself says it all.

[@Melonos]

Good point!

[@JAL-cc8jd]

I have 7 Gibsons and 4 Eastmans at the moment, hope to pick up another one or two of each. I think both are great and I love them equally. ❤

[@northernmonkey8652]

The Eastman jnr sounds brighter because of the ebony board and the tone bypass when on full. You can always turn the treble down. My SB59 is the best guitar i have ever owned including my gibsons.

[@pttrent123]

I bought a 2018 Eastman SB59 off Reverb recently and love it, I sold a Gibson Les Paul Tribute to partially fund the purchase. The Gibson was ok but I like the Eastman more.

[@grady9752]

With all due respect, the biggest difference between them is the customer's own perceived brand loyalty. There's nothing a Gibson guitar can do that an Eastman can't do. Be honest! In ten or fifteen years people are going to be shelling out huge sums of money for "vintage" Eastmans. I have already experienced their mandolins and I now have an SB59 on order, due to arrive in June 2022. If people want to see a G on the headstock, there's an old saying that a fool and his money are soon parted, but if you REALLY look at what Eastman is doing, you'd be hard pressed to defend a position that they are any less the quality instrument that Gibsons are.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Yeah you've got it! Like we said in the video, it's all about if you want the heritage which comes along with the Gibson brand. Both are great instruments regardless. Enjoy the SB59, that's a killer guitar!

[@charlesbolton8471]

I’m not going deny that Eastman makes a good quality (perhaps even better than Gibson at times). I truly believe that in the day and age the ability exists for any company in any field to manufacture a top quality product just about any place on Earth. I also agree with Guitar Village that the heritage of Gibson and other guitars companies like Martin or Fender (for electric guitars and amps) is a very strong selling point for many people including myself. The biggest selling point for me is that Gibson builds guitars in the US and keeps Americans employed (some of whom I know personally since I live close to Nashville and lived in Memphis previously). We are fortunate that the musical instrument industry still gives up the option to buy American made instruments, but with people now showing a willingness to pay over $2,000 for a Chinese made instrument those days of American made being an option are probably limited like so many other industries. I for one would like to avoid that outcome.

[@mskcrc]

I bought a SB55v on a whim. Now I also own a T386 and a SB55DC/v. I’ll have an E10 and a SB59 before long.

[@cooperlangford1833]

@@mskcrc Same here. I bought an SB56 a couple of years ago. Now I also have a T58v, a T486, an E6OM. They are all outstanding.

[@Adipsia1]

I had an original double-cutaway 1959 Gibson LP Junior that I sold during a moment of madness a few years back. Since then I've looked for a valid replacement but struggled to find one as prices have gone sky-high. Out of desperation I bought a Collings DC290 thinking that it would fill the void, but it lacked the feel of the original Junior. I then tried and purchased an Eastman SB55DCv and it's as close to the 59 Junior as I can remember. Interestingly both the Collings and Eastman use Lollar P90's, but the Eastman feels so much closer to the original. I no longer have seller's remorse at least in terms of feel and sound.

[@artprince9163]

I have owned a Gibson 335 and 339 in the past. Sold both. Bought an Eastman T484 which is comparable to the 339. Still have the Eastman, it holds tune better!

[@Melonos]

I’ve had both Eastman and Gibson. They’re both are great. At the moment I’m loving my Eastman SB56N. It’s my absolute favourite and I would say that I’m a P90 fan. But it’s changed my mind.

[@kyrandell3290]

Great video Sam. Another relaxed, friendly and very informative presentation. Great guitar choices from both brands for both the player or a badge buyer! Thanks, Ky

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Glad you enjoyed it Ky!

[@tomduckworth8335]

Good for you the best comparison I have seen so far on KZbin! Most don’t compare comparable models. They take a custom shop Les Paul and compare it to a standard sb59 and complain that it’s not the same. I’m lucky enough to have owned four different Les Pauls over the years and my current sb59 is the best one I have owned. I also have a t386 that stands up very well with some vintage 345s and 355s I have had. I think they are the best import guitars you can buy.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

That was a great comparison thanks for the time and effort. Proud Eastman T486 owner here 👍🇦🇺

[@pianotunernick]

Nice one Sam. Strangely, through my computer setup, the only one I could absolutely clearly hear the difference was the Junior, where I felt the Gibby had more presence. Another great video, Nick

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

On second listen we'd agree - In the room they sounded really similar! Glad you enjoyed the video though!

[@GuitarGearGyan]

The Eastman LP and ES335 were great and IMO better but that Gibson Junior had Mojo and clearly sounded warmer and less brittle that the Eastman.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

We'd agree on that one. The 55 LPJ definiteley had it's charm!

[@mikeaustin4138]

FWIW, I auditioned roughly a dozen 335s at my three local Guitar Centers and wound up getting the T50/V. The necks on the Gibsons were better - but not drastically so - but in almost every other way the Eastman is *at least* the equal of the 335. You really won't regret getting the T59/V unless you must have the "cool" name on the headstock.

[@riheg]

Nice demo mate. The Eastmans look and sound great!

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Didn't they?!

[@shobhachandra1975]

Good comparison, pls do the t484 and 339

[@Winterfell1066]

Great and useful review. Good Job.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

The best guitars for the money are being made in China now: Eastman for Gibson models, Shijie for Fender models. Shijie makes the best S and T guitars I've ever played, better than Fender models costing over twice as much. Necks are quarter-sawn, roasted, and have a carbon-fiber rod to make them stiffer, so they stay in tune better, and the neck carves are a chunky rounded C, but not too chunky - perfect (although they are all different). Bodies are light weight alder, usually 7 1/2 to 8 pounds. Pickups sound excellent, high quality hardware and electronics, CTS and switchcraft and Gotoh. Eastman is well known, but Shijie is not, they have a cult following for a reason!

[@Paul-D]

Great to see Eastman here. I got my 59 epi from you guys and it was the best store ive been too. And ive been to nearly all of the well known ones in the UK.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

That's so kind of you - The shop is definitley unqiue! Hope you're enjoying your Epiphone!

[@sharkair2839]

it is very east to tell them apart.the bridge is slanted on a gibson to help with the intonation.

[@rudisamborski5955]

I couldnt tell the 1st LPs apart. Good comparison test. I prefered the Eastman version of the LP Junior which had good definition. However, I prefered the Gibson in the 335 test for its cleaner warmer tone. Great job in presenting the Eastmans Sam.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Glad you liked it Rudi!

[@PODIE100]

I thought the Eastman Junior was far brighter! It would be interesting to hear it with a Gibson P90 in it.

[@jjmuni]

It has a bypass on the tone control. If you turn it down a bit it’s sounding great.

[@talkychris]

I used to live in Farnham. Is it a village, or a town? Either way nice comparison video. There's really a lot to like about Eastman guitars. I think a SB56 might be added to my collection in the near future.

[@53merlin]

Have an Eastman Romeo S/C. I absolutely love it.

[@gacharlton6566]

Better Call Saul lol. Brilliant, mate!

[@iansnyder274]

I bought a SB55. Great guitar. Very well made! Shockingly so...Its a bit lighter than i prefer, but i am a tinkerer, and i am going to try an ABM bell brass bridge to give it a bit more heft...we'll see. I also do not care for the lollar pickup. I know many love it. It sounds brittle and cold to me, and i play thru some old bf fenders that are dialed in too. I just had a Ron Ellis P90 delivered. Psyched to try it.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

That's going to be a killer guitar with those additions!!!

[@iansnyder274]

@@GuitarVillageFarnham yup..tks..also VIP pots with pio Vcap too! The acoustical foundation is surely there, so im confident🙂

[@jjmuni]

Just turn the tone knob down to 7

[@iansnyder274]

As a follow up, i installed the Ellis P90. Big improvement! Much rounder tone now. The lollar sound good unless pushed then it had a brittle bark to it i did not like. I may try and aquire an old P90

[@markhill9275]

OK, I have the Eastman 59 gold top. Yes, it is a great guitar, mine has the Semour Duncans, which i'm going to change out for the bryan Williams Jimmy 73 MSG, best pups around for the God tone. I have an Eastman T486, again a great guitar, everything you want of a 335 style. But my Agile LPJ will blow both the Gibbo and Eastman out of the water, just spectacular, cleans up so well, very articulate, but crank it and does it growl! Absolutely great action, just an awesome guitar, and i got it 2nd under 300 spudoolies! Nothing to do to it, except i changed strings and set the action. My Agile 3010 and 3100 are every bit as good as the Eastman, in fact the 3100 really is very Koss like in tone. You DO NOT need to be paying huge dollars for a Gibson to get a great guitar, as for the 335, i'm going with the Sire Larry Carlton, tried one, Awesome neck!

[@paulchamberlain6284]

I've recently bought an Eastman T486 after having had 335's in the past. The Eastman is every bit as good as a Gibson, if not better!

[@joec942]

Will you ever do a comparison between the Eastman SB 59/V and the Maybach Lester? Would love to hear your thoughts on that.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

When we get one in we'll give it a go!

[@KenshinZZ]

The Jrs: Eastman sounded brighter/tighter to me. But that’s just a flavor that depends on the players preference.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

We agree, in the room they sounded practically the same but on second listen the SB55 sounded brighter. Like you say - depends what you prefer!

[@snotmale]

please tell us the amp or signal path for these vids.

[@Richard_Lush]

I agree great guitars for the price point

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

The Eastmans are very goid undeed but the "Mickey mouse" ears and finish on the 335 are beautiful. Eastman did good making a 330 style but it looks a bit narrow on the upper bouts. The ild 330 in cherry red with black p90s is a supermodel ES guitar! I admit to not having had an opportunity to try an Eastman , maybe they could "Lend" me that 345 looking model?

[@Winstonrodney6989]

Out here in internet land I could definitely hear a difference between the two juniors. I preferred the sound of the original because it’s a little less harsh and has a bit more bass. I also prefer the Gibson les Paul over the Eastman just in terms of the overall look but The Eastman is of course a better monetary value. Fortunately I have a 58 reissue to fill my les paul needs and Luckily got it at a great price point before all of the prices skyrocketed a few years ago. Now I want a 335 style guitar in my collection and I’ll have to say it’s going to be the Eastman! The price, playability, build quality and sound make it a no brainer for me. Sorry Gibson your starting to price people like me out of your market.

[@Winstonrodney6989]

Damn, I made my comment before I saw that sweet tv64 at the end of the video. Now I want that too! I guess I could get both for the price of one Gibson!😁

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

If you come and buy both we'll do you a package deal ;)

[@stylo90]

Les Pauls: The Gibson cuts more while the Eastman has more low-end, raunchier sort of tone, see 1:10. I actually like that better. Junior: The Gibson has more low-end while the Eastman has more high-end jangle. 3:06 335s: The Gibson has more of a whiny sort of quality while the Eastman is almost a bit muffled in the top end. I like the Eastman better, again like the LPs. 5:30 330s: These sound the closest to each other. Eastman maybe has a little more top-end clarity, but you have to strain to hear it. 7:35 I don't know what it says that you have the exact opposite takes of me, I am listening on decent speakers over here and recently had my ears checked. Lol.

[@MrLespaul2000]

Glad I found this. I'm just wondering if the Eastman Junior is the one I have just purchased. The Eastman sounded a bit brighter to me. Cheers :)

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

If you purchased it through us it most definitley could be! You're right, the Eastman was brighter. Sounded great though!

[@fsteddy6576]

IMO, where archtops are concerned, the value of the Eastman's comes in with their carved solid wood variants. For around the $4K CDN mark you get a solid carved top, where Gibson is still giving you paper laminates at that price & higher. I'd say the Eastman laminates are of similar value to any other brand making guitars out of paper and glue, most of which are priced better than a Gibson. I don't know why reviewers keep doing sound comparisons when discussing value; the sound of an electric is coming from the pickups & amp. Gibson's are made with 3 sheets, where Eastman uses 5; I expect that with 5 sheets your getting more glue than wood.

[@chrispile3878]

I have 2 Eastman archtops, and I would put them up against any Gibson archtop.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Keep an eye on the channel! Eastman Semi hollow video on the way....

[@victoresarey4036]

Trade my d18v for a lp style guitar please!!

[@23skidoo46]

sorry, that Lollar dogear blows the Gibson p90 outta the water. an y Lollar p90 is tops for me.

[@musicbyclay4919]

Gibby is definitely the left one..👌🏼

[@lordPix3lUK]

So are they better than gibson?

[@jhkuno88]

For the price sure

[@1969MARKETING]

The Eastman is a bit brighter but still sounds awesome. A Les Paul is pretty dark anyway so it being brighter is a positive. That Eastman logo though. It's terrible. They need to redo it.

[@seamusbrowne4909]

That EASTMAN!!! - COMEFUCKINGON- Gibson and Fender been Dinning Out on their PAST LONG ENOUGH.😂🤣😂

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

The Eastmans sounded wicked!

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Any Lefties

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

We don't currently have any in unfortunatley! 😭

[@Greg-rd8qr]

@@GuitarVillageFarnham Why are us Lefties always forgotten about?! It's absolute bullshit you don't carry 1 frigging Lefty! Complete discrimination against us Lefties! Absolutely disgusting!!

[@FF-so3su]

The Eastman standard sounds very similar to the Gibson

[@craigoog]

The Eastman Jr was way brighter sounding

[@thebendu33]

The LP Jr had a warmer tone, and the Eastman was brighter

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Yeah you're right there!

[@23skidoo46]

yea, fist giveaway is the slanted tailpiece of the Gibson. lol

[@Robowx]

The Eastman 55 sounded brighter.

[@antoonhermans8953]

there is an another top notch made in china guitarbrand wich are even cheaper then the eastman guitars ( wich still are pricey ) and that's stanford guitars . These are the "overseas made " guitars from maybach ( the german top notch guitar brand ) , there made in the same factory in china as where B&G ( the topnotch guitarbrand from isreal ) let there "overseas made " beeing build . So one can understand this factory must produce some fine guitars if two major brands in the guitarmarket let there cheaper range guitars beeing build there . Most brands opt for companies like Cort ( indonesia ) to make there cheaper range guitars , but not these 2 brands , this say's a lot .

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Interesting, I hadn't heard of them!

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@GuitarVillageFarnham yeah , there not that well known , yet ! : ) , there are some yt vids , website ect though . and thomann in germany and kauffmann in holland sell them , there more known for there acoustics ( from wich some off them are made by furch guitars , if i'm correct ) , i guess all these brands are under the hood off the iMusicnetwork company in Germany . Form what i undertand these german guitarcompanies let there guitars beeing made in the czech republic so save on cost ect.

[@staggs5034]

I’ve played a couple Eastmans. Thought they were ok. Thought they were kinda spendy. IMHO a Japanese Tokai is a better guitar and a better value.

[@yantomanuel6919]

This show was sponsored by Eastman. 😅

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Nope! We just think they're great :)

[@idiotburns]

Gibson all the way, never thought Id say that

[@billwinter6417]

Left is Gibson…compare tail pieces

[@NeverGoBack2]

I think a guitar like this is an instrument of choice. Don’t ruin this experience but purchasing a guitar made in a Chinese sweatshop by little children’s hands by a dictatorships that brings so much misery to its own people and the rest of the world. Vote with your money, there are lots of better countries to buy from…

[@peterwu8471]

How absurd to age an instrument... so weird.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Pick up an aged guitar vs non aged guitar and i'm sure you'll understand why they do it!

[@peterwu8471]

@@GuitarVillageFarnham maybe - I just like my stuff to look nice.

[@23kyd49]

Eastman is really freakin expensive. There’s no additional value to buying an Eastman.

[@JamieDuran-hr3bp]

So it's a copycat,

[@leifpaul]

took me 1 second . never understood why you would prefer copies of the real thing . doesnt look good either that eastman

[@neilgordon8145]

95% as good and less than half the price? Some copy! It’s a shame that people buy guitars and cars because of the badge, not the quality and value of the product.

[@muletsag300]

@@neilgordon8145 exactly, never understood that. Only the collectors or snobs would ever care for that.

[@MrLespaul2000]

Exactly. I have just purchased a junior from Guitar Village. I also own Gibson and PRS. The badge does not matter to me if it plays and sounds good. The guy commenting obviously not looked at the specs of these guitars. Faber hardware and Lollar pickup I would say they are very much high quality parts.

[@kmatax9237]

Because it's just as good or better for less? People love a bargain...

[@marnix6801]

Eastman is a fraud, using cheap timber oukoume, which they use on these models. I can hear the difference. The Gibson has a much more complex sound. Eastman has for many years claimed to use genuine mahogany in their guitars and this does not seem to be correct. Sure it is easy to get a one piece "mahogany" guitar. Easy to claim your guitar is cheaper like this. Probably not treating their working (Chinese) staff fair too.

[@NeverGoBack2]

There is always a reason when something is too good to be true! Eastman are made in Chinese factories under dreadful conditions for the workers, if you ever saw how they are treated you would never include an Eastman again.

[@brianbranch7133]

Videos show pretty decent working conditions actually

[@kmatax9237]

Where did you see Eastman guitars being made in dreadful conditions? Proof would help...

[@mooseymoose]

The Eastman workers look absolutely happy. Go spread your lies elsewhere.

[@adamwoo1239]

Working under dreadful conditions and still make good guitars? Eastman must be genius!!

[@neilgordon8145]

Really good demo, thank you Sam. I have been wondering about the Eastman « 335 », and seeing it demoed against the Gibson has persuaded me it’s the one to buy. Also happen to like thé thé finish.

[@GuitarVillageFarnham]

Cheers Neil, glad you found it helpful! The T59/V is such a cool guitar!