Post by grayn on Aug 3, 2014 9:15:07 GMT
I've been playing a lot of surf, over the last few years but more recently I've been getting into vintage Rock'n'Roll. I'd checked out a nice Gretsch or 2 but in my mind, they are more Rockabilly. Great music but I'm more into Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran etc. More rock and less billy. Anyways, after checking out a couple of nice Guild semis and a very nice Godin, I decided to go for a 335 style guitar. Round my way, for new guitars, that pretty much means Epis £300 to £500 or Gibbos at £1500 plus.
Lucky for me, I found these Eastmans then. I'd owned an Eastman acoustic before and was really impressed how it punched miles above it's price tag. And I have to say, their semis do just the same. For only a few hundred more than an Epi, I've landed a really good guitar. Not that Epis aren't good, they are, but IMO, this Eastman takes things up a level or two.
The quality of build and finish is just superb. I've really scrutinised the finishing and can only find one tiny flaw, which is a weeny bit of mottling on one side of the bridge pickup. The off-white binding is excellent, with black and white purfling to the front and a single black line, to the side, that makes the binding look even classier and stand out. The translucent red overall finish shows the wood grain and again, makes this guitar even more beautiful.
It came set up with very low action and the neck is a pleasure to play. I may put some very slightly heavier strings on, next time. I like the pale green tuner buttons but the vintage tuners look a little cheap to me, though they do work well and the guitar stays in tune very consistantly. With the body and neck bound so beautifully, I think it's a shame the head wasn't also bound. But hey ho, it still looks good.
Played through my Peavey Classic 30, with a little, valve overdrive, it just hits the spot, very nicely. After a couple of seesions at home, This guitar is feeling very comfortable and sounding even better. It was a great purchase.
Lucky for me, I found these Eastmans then. I'd owned an Eastman acoustic before and was really impressed how it punched miles above it's price tag. And I have to say, their semis do just the same. For only a few hundred more than an Epi, I've landed a really good guitar. Not that Epis aren't good, they are, but IMO, this Eastman takes things up a level or two.
The quality of build and finish is just superb. I've really scrutinised the finishing and can only find one tiny flaw, which is a weeny bit of mottling on one side of the bridge pickup. The off-white binding is excellent, with black and white purfling to the front and a single black line, to the side, that makes the binding look even classier and stand out. The translucent red overall finish shows the wood grain and again, makes this guitar even more beautiful.
It came set up with very low action and the neck is a pleasure to play. I may put some very slightly heavier strings on, next time. I like the pale green tuner buttons but the vintage tuners look a little cheap to me, though they do work well and the guitar stays in tune very consistantly. With the body and neck bound so beautifully, I think it's a shame the head wasn't also bound. But hey ho, it still looks good.
Played through my Peavey Classic 30, with a little, valve overdrive, it just hits the spot, very nicely. After a couple of seesions at home, This guitar is feeling very comfortable and sounding even better. It was a great purchase.
Jo whoever he is.
