Great review! I love my Eastman T486 Classic and want to get an AR372CE as well. Excellent craftsmanship and beautiful tone and at a great price! Now subbed!
very nice structured playing was close to pushing the button on this guitar with a natural finish but now that I've seen the sunburst can't do it : ) also it would take a surprising amount of guitar to beat the tone on my epiphone dot 335 2002 and every time I get close to splashing the cash I just give myself a bit of a talking to
Another excellent review. Great presentation and with an open unbiased perspective. Unless stated otherwise. Short concise and your guitar skills are good. Cheers, Kim
Which pickups did you go with, and what genre's do you use it for? Also, strings? Just got a used 372 yesterday and it's strung with SHITTY extra light strings!!
@JillandKevin I have low output handwound pups from bloodstone pickups. I use 11s on this guitar . I used it for everything from bluesy stuff to Yes . Quite a range, really. I'm not a jazz player, though , so bit of a different guitar for me
Thank you so much Leonard for this very smooth and touchy playing. Do you use flatwound strings on this beautiful archtop ? I am a lucky owner of 2 Eastman guitars : a black beauty SB54 les paul with a staple P90 on the neck, and an archtop AR380 ce John Pisano. These handcrafted instruments are great for a reasonable price.
Well funny enough, I actually just set it up with my normal roundwounds since that’s what I had on hand. I do have flatwounds on my 51 Epiphone, which is a 17 inch archtop, but I replace the G with a plain steel string because of my playing style. Flatwounds would sound great on this Eastman. Thanks for watching.
Enjoying your playing and your reviews immensely Sir! Do you find this guitar comparable to the Ibanez GB10SE you've also reviewed here? They seem similar to my novice eyes and ears, but I like that these seem to take roundwound strings by default, albeit with a wound 3rd. Seems you have used regular roundwounds here, is that right? And are these guitars even comparable? Thanks!
Thanks so much. They’re both built quite well, though for me it’d have to be the Eastman. The GB10SE does a nice job with clean, popping bebop lines, but the Eastman has a much wider range.
I just sold a tele for $1300 and on the fence . I want a jazz box but they don’t carry Eastman at guitar center normally unless it’s used . I want to try this guitar so bad.
Yeah, unfortunately not every town has an Eastman dealer. In fact, the dealer local to me went out of business during the pandemic. I guess it’s either a road trip or order from someone with an easy return policy. Thanks so much for watching.
Lovely playing, perfect for my Saturday afternoon! Impressive instrument - never really considered a 175 style full body guitar altho I have occasionally played one. Steve Howe & Pat Metheny seem to have championed them for decades in their own unique ways - a bit intimidating really 🤣 Will see if I can try this next time I'm across the border in Shenzen (no dealer in HK) and I'm also keen to check out the Eastman 335 style semi-acoustic electrics. Cheers!
Thanks for this! I've been looking at full archtops but didn't want to spend 2k+ and this looks like a contender! Does the construction feel well-built overall?
It does feel very nicely made. That’s the first thing I noticed about Eastman compared to many imports. From the very first they felt more like solid, legit instruments suitable for pro use. And indeed, many professional musicians play them. I talk a lot more about the company in my earlier video on the T386. Thanks so much for watching.
First, thanks so much. As for your question, they’re very different animals. A 335 style, with its centerblock, behaves much more like a solid body than a full depth, fully hollow archtop. Semi hollows bridge the gap somewhat, and I love them. But a full jazz archtop is a very different experience, which I also love.
The Eastman prices have gone through the roof over the past few years cuz everyone on TH-cam raves about them. My 345 style Eastman T486 was like 900. I got them to comedown to jusz under 700.00 because it sat so long. Now that guitar is 1700.00 now.
Well, yes, prices have gone up. I’m not entirely sure how much TH-cam has to do with it and how much is just global economics. Eastman’s carved top, jazz archtops were never cheap for guitars coming out of China, and I think it’s because they started with those and developed a good reputation among jazz players before they began to compete in the popular guitar market. It took awhile for people to understand these weren’t like what comes out of the big outsource factories. Once that realization hit, of course it’s been reflected on TH-cam, but also anywhere guitar players were getting their hands on the guitars. Truth is, from a quality perspective, they’re still a fantastic value. As I mentioned to another person in the comments, Eastman competes with Gibson, not Epiphone. Hey, thanks so much for watching.
Leonard instead of 3.31K subscribers you should have 331K
Thanks so much. I guess we’ll see. I appreciate the support.
Great review! I love my Eastman T486 Classic and want to get an AR372CE as well. Excellent craftsmanship and beautiful tone and at a great price! Now subbed!
Thank you so much.
Just bought a used one....love it!!
Nice. Enjoy it and thanks for watching.
the best review of this guitar i’ve seen! you’ve definitely earned a subscriber!
Thank you so much. Appreciated.
very nice structured playing was close to pushing the button on this guitar with a natural finish but now that I've seen the sunburst can't do it : ) also it would take a surprising amount of guitar to beat the tone on my epiphone dot 335 2002 and every time I get close to splashing the cash I just give myself a bit of a talking to
Your self-restraint is admirable. 😆 Thanks for checking out the video.
Another excellent review. Great presentation and with an open unbiased perspective. Unless stated otherwise. Short concise and your guitar skills are good.
Cheers, Kim
Thanks Kim. I appreciate the feedback.
I have one of these Leonard, and I absolutely love it . Although I did put some handwound pickups in it but I do that with all my guitars.
Yeah they’re awfully good aren’t they. Enjoy it my friend and thanks.
Which pickups did you go with, and what genre's do you use it for? Also, strings? Just got a used 372 yesterday and it's strung with SHITTY extra light strings!!
@JillandKevin I have low output handwound pups from bloodstone pickups. I use 11s on this guitar . I used it for everything from bluesy stuff to Yes . Quite a range, really. I'm not a jazz player, though , so bit of a different guitar for me
I think you could make anything sound great, but I'm sold on this one!
Thanks so much.
It was very nice. Pretty much flawless.
Great review Leonard! Love this guitar.
Thanks my friend. It’s a winner for sure.
I have two of the one pickup style that they don't make anymore.. I love them
Nice. Shame they don’t make that model anymore. Well, they sort of do, but it’s an expensive version called the T49/v.
Thanks for watching.
Great jams, and Super Smooth playing!!!
That guitar comes alive in your hands!
Thx for yet another awesome demonstration of a quality instrument!!💥👍
Well thanks. It’s a super fun guitar.
Fantastic blues playing ❤
Thanks so much, and thanks for watching.
Thank you so much Leonard for this very smooth and touchy playing. Do you use flatwound strings on this beautiful archtop ? I am a lucky owner of 2 Eastman guitars : a black beauty SB54 les paul with a staple P90 on the neck, and an archtop AR380 ce John Pisano. These handcrafted instruments are great for a reasonable price.
Well funny enough, I actually just set it up with my normal roundwounds since that’s what I had on hand. I do have flatwounds on my 51 Epiphone, which is a 17 inch archtop, but I replace the G with a plain steel string because of my playing style. Flatwounds would sound great on this Eastman.
Thanks for watching.
Enjoying your playing and your reviews immensely Sir! Do you find this guitar comparable to the Ibanez GB10SE you've also reviewed here? They seem similar to my novice eyes and ears, but I like that these seem to take roundwound strings by default, albeit with a wound 3rd. Seems you have used regular roundwounds here, is that right? And are these guitars even comparable? Thanks!
Thanks so much.
They’re both built quite well, though for me it’d have to be the Eastman. The GB10SE does a nice job with clean, popping bebop lines, but the Eastman has a much wider range.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Appreciate your response- thank you Sir!
Great playing, Great review, The guitar sounds great. I bet et would be super killer with P90's.
Thank you. Sure, I’d love to see a P90 version.
Bought 371 in 2012 for $700, give or take. Excellent guitar.
That’s about when I first played one and was shocked how good it was.
I have this guitar the John Paesano model it is the least expensive arch top I own. Great guitar well well worth $.
Nice. Yes, they do a great job.
Thanks so much for watching.
I just sold a tele for $1300 and on the fence . I want a jazz box but they don’t carry Eastman at guitar center normally unless it’s used . I want to try this guitar so bad.
Yeah, unfortunately not every town has an Eastman dealer. In fact, the dealer local to me went out of business during the pandemic. I guess it’s either a road trip or order from someone with an easy return policy.
Thanks so much for watching.
Lovely playing, perfect for my Saturday afternoon! Impressive instrument - never really considered a 175 style full body guitar altho I have occasionally played one. Steve Howe & Pat Metheny seem to have championed them for decades in their own unique ways - a bit intimidating really 🤣 Will see if I can try this next time I'm across the border in Shenzen (no dealer in HK) and I'm also keen to check out the Eastman 335 style semi-acoustic electrics. Cheers!
Thank you. Well clearly this type of guitar won’t be for everyone, but you may never know unless you try one.
Thanks so much for watching.
Great sampling of styles, sounds great. I just wonder if might be too thick body-wise.
It is a traditional, full depth archtop, so close to 3 and half inches deep.
Thanks for this! I've been looking at full archtops but didn't want to spend 2k+ and this looks like a contender! Does the construction feel well-built overall?
It does feel very nicely made. That’s the first thing I noticed about Eastman compared to many imports. From the very first they felt more like solid, legit instruments suitable for pro use. And indeed, many professional musicians play them. I talk a lot more about the company in my earlier video on the T386.
Thanks so much for watching.
Thank YOU!
If I allready have a tv59 (335) is there any reason to get this one ? P.s. love the blues you play
First, thanks so much.
As for your question, they’re very different animals. A 335 style, with its centerblock, behaves much more like a solid body than a full depth, fully hollow archtop. Semi hollows bridge the gap somewhat, and I love them. But a full jazz archtop is a very different experience, which I also love.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 thanks !!!
The Eastman prices have gone through the roof over the past few years cuz everyone on TH-cam raves about them. My 345 style Eastman T486 was like 900. I got them to comedown to jusz under 700.00 because it sat so long. Now that guitar is 1700.00 now.
Well, yes, prices have gone up. I’m not entirely sure how much TH-cam has to do with it and how much is just global economics. Eastman’s carved top, jazz archtops were never cheap for guitars coming out of China, and I think it’s because they started with those and developed a good reputation among jazz players before they began to compete in the popular guitar market. It took awhile for people to understand these weren’t like what comes out of the big outsource factories. Once that realization hit, of course it’s been reflected on TH-cam, but also anywhere guitar players were getting their hands on the guitars. Truth is, from a quality perspective, they’re still a fantastic value. As I mentioned to another person in the comments, Eastman competes with Gibson, not Epiphone. Hey, thanks so much for watching.
What is the
Actual Price.
Depending on the dealer, between $1260 and about $1360 new.
Sssssssssssssssmokin'!
That came up with an offer to translate into English! LOL
Thanks my friend. Hope to get together before long.
I wonder what that translation would have been!
Yes, more music soon!
@@leonardgriffieblues5845
Stereotypical
No idea what you’re referring to, but if you watched the video, thanks.