|
Post by garyh on Jan 3, 2007 20:47:07 GMT -7
Just ordered this from the 12th fret in Toronto (the sunburst 16"): www.12fret.com/new/eastman_AR803-15_guitar_pg.html#AR803-16This picture is the actual guitar that's coming. For those who don't know about Eastman, these are made by hand in China by former cello and violin makers from scratch; all hand tools, all solid aged woods. They are fitted with hardware and set up in the States. The finish is one coat of spirit varnish followed by one coat of lacquer which is then hand polished until almost all of the lacquer is gone. The reviews are excellent and yeah, I can't wait 'till it gets here.
|
|
|
Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 3, 2007 21:37:50 GMT -7
Give us a report when you get it Gary . Looks like a fine entry level Jazz box . What do they price out at CDN ?
|
|
|
Post by tele1962 on Jan 3, 2007 22:11:51 GMT -7
Let's be careful of the Chinese, and I imean that in a good way. Those people are starting to build guitars to spec for a lot of companies and are doing better and better work. They will be a force someday soon.
|
|
|
Post by skydog958 on Jan 4, 2007 6:33:14 GMT -7
I plan to work over there someday, so I'll check 'em out firsthand!
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 4, 2007 8:10:06 GMT -7
Don't forget the Korean made guitars,their workmanship is superior to those Chinese made.Give them time,they will be as good as the Japanese made,just my observation.
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 4, 2007 8:12:49 GMT -7
They make some nice jazz and blues boxes.
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Jan 4, 2007 9:01:30 GMT -7
These Eastmans are very appealing. I hope they're using the quality of woods necessary for the long life of the instrument. When I've picked one of these up and played I said to myself, "I could see owning one of these!".
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jan 4, 2007 10:16:07 GMT -7
Wow, that is a very nice looking instrument. What a great time in history to be a guitar player, eh?
|
|
|
Post by Lefty on Jan 4, 2007 10:34:35 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 4, 2007 10:39:19 GMT -7
They are very appealing and the price is enticing as well.
|
|
|
Post by garyh on Jan 4, 2007 10:53:16 GMT -7
Give us a report when you get it Gary . Looks like a fine entry level Jazz box . What do they price out at CDN ? My Yamaha AEX 1500 is an entry level machine cut, laminate (plywood) jazz guitar. These Eastmans are supposed to be much more than entry level. The build quality and sound is supposed to be equivalent to or better than an $8,000 Gibbo L5. Mine was $2,000 Cdn. They go for c. $1599 US.
|
|
|
Post by garyh on Jan 4, 2007 11:01:42 GMT -7
Don't forget the Korean made guitars,their workmanship is superior to those Chinese made.Give them time,they will be as good as the Japanese made,just my observation. I wouldn't put these in the same league as Korean made guitars and yes you're probably right about inferior quality of a lot of Chinese stuff right now. But these are made by luthiers with 20 years experience building cellos and violins from hand (and guitars for the last few years). From what I've heard, the quality is on par with American boutique guitar makers. Here are some reviews from their site: www.eastmanstrings.com/eastmanguitars/artists/artists.html
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 4, 2007 13:34:34 GMT -7
These are excellent guitars that easily rivals some of the US custom made guitars.The workmanship are exceptional .They sound awesome and they are affordable.A friend of mine has two.I remember talking to Ed roman a few years back about Eastman guitars when they first came out.I was interested in getting one of the Jazz boxes,instead,I got a US made Tacoma Pre Fender Jazz box.I would love to own one of these Eastman some days. ;D
|
|
|
Post by dock66 on Jan 4, 2007 14:25:34 GMT -7
Just ordered this from the 12th fret in Toronto (the sunburst 16"): www.12fret.com/new/eastman_AR803-15_guitar_pg.html#AR803-16This picture is the actual guitar that's coming. For those who don't know about Eastman, these are made by hand in China by former cello and violin makers from scratch; all hand tools, all solid aged woods. They are fitted with hardware and set up in the States. The finish is one coat of spirit varnish followed by one coat of lacquer which is then hand polished until almost all of the lacquer is gone. The reviews are excellent and yeah, I can't wait 'till it gets here. [/quote Garyh, Congrats on the new acquisition,great guitar indeed. :C
|
|
|
Post by garyh on Jan 4, 2007 15:04:31 GMT -7
Thanks man.
|
|
|
Post by garyh on Jan 4, 2007 15:11:58 GMT -7
Let's be careful of the Chinese, and I imean that in a good way. Those people are starting to build guitars to spec for a lot of companies and are doing better and better work. They will be a force someday soon. Some have said that the 21st century is China's century. They have the fastest growing economy in the world right now. This is not something to be feared. They are a big market for our goods too, and as they become more industrialized, their wages will come up as well as standard of living and they'll be wanting to buy all the things we want (Route 66s, 6545s, etc.) to buy. So true Billy and yes, I am an economist.
|
|
|
Post by skydog958 on Jan 4, 2007 16:38:22 GMT -7
China should just privatize completely. To be honest they're not truly communist anymore. Should work on those human rights too.
|
|
|
Post by seaking on Jan 4, 2007 16:55:50 GMT -7
NICE GUITAR Gary!!! Never heard of Eastman's, but it looks absolutely beautiful and the specs are really good also. You must be anxious to get it in the house safe and sound. I'll have to stop over for a peek. Didn't notice you on the forum much through Christmas and wondered what you were up to. Now i know. So cash must be a little low with your new jazz machine on the way. Soooo... if a certain gold top comes on the market...first dibs. ;D Bill
|
|
|
Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 4, 2007 16:59:41 GMT -7
China should just privatize completely. To be honest they're not truly communist anymore. Should work on those human rights too. That's probably the big difference with China's economy VS the era of Japan in the 60's and 70's and then Korea . It will be interesting to see how it goes but I still try to buy North-am made goods when possable to keep our guys working . I fear that too much of our goods are coming from China already and we are selling out our labour force for cheap goods. Won't do us much good when everyone is out of work here . How many recall everyone slagging Made in Japan goods as being crap in the early 60's ? My how that changed . And Gary , when I said "entry level" I ment as compared to a $6K Gibson . Nothing wrong with a lot of these Guitars from China and the Blueridge acoustics come to mind....fantastic value and build
|
|
|
Post by skydog958 on Jan 4, 2007 18:11:59 GMT -7
I'll admit I probably won't buy a non-American guitar unless it's totally killer. I wonder if over in Japan if American guitars are considered any good.
But in defense of offshore gear, my first decent guitar was a Dean Evo Special, made in Korea. Totally dug it. The only knocks on it was the finish was pretty thick and it was HEAVY (but had great sustain). The coil taps on the pickups worked really well too. I just sold it about a month ago, the first piece of many to be sold.
|
|
|
Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 4, 2007 19:11:54 GMT -7
I think Japan and other places in the mid east regard American made very desirable . I've seen some heavy hitters from there ( Japan , Taiwan ) buy big ticket US guitars and amps on evil-bay . I think they consider their own as OK but there is still the desire to own an original made in USA item and lets face it , some of those guys over there have the $$'s to spend , in fact if I do recall I think one of the largest collections of vintage guitars is owned by a fellow in Japan .
And another item of interest from China . If any of you have seen the Blue ridge line of China made acoustics there has been a lot offered with Brazilian rosewood veneer and some solid too........well , guess who went back into the forests in Brazil and salvaged some of the stumps and other usable pieces that were discarded by the original harvesters ?.............you guessed it !! These guys ain't stupid and excel in using what others overlook.
|
|
|
Post by LeftyLang on Jan 4, 2007 22:05:49 GMT -7
These guitars are very, very good!! I have been tempted many times by this one.... Congrats on a great guitar Gary.
|
|
|
Post by taswegian on Jan 4, 2007 22:54:24 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Jan 5, 2007 9:20:12 GMT -7
Those do look nice. What's the exchange rate?
|
|
|
Post by JebusCrebus on Jan 5, 2007 11:06:32 GMT -7
Greetings from NB Gary, Nice Axe. I shop on the 12 Fret Site quite often, never bought a guitar from them but I did get a 59 Champ once before, excellent bunch of guys working there. Have you ever had any guitars shipped during the winter months? I never have, but I come close every now and then. I am wondering about lacquer checking and such during transit. Have you ever had a problem or do you worry about it? I worry about the transit time in unheated cargo trailers or cube vans and then the potential waits in warehouses or loading docks, where the piece could get cooled and re-heated multiple times during it's trip. How about any one else? [glow=limegreen,2,300]-J-[/glow]
|
|
|
Post by billyguitar on Jan 5, 2007 11:21:05 GMT -7
Standard advice on receiving a cold guitar is to not open it and let the case and guitar gradually warm. Consider this, all guitars are shipped to their destination all year long and we don't see finish cracked guitars hanging in stores in January, etc.. I recently had my Lentz shipped to me in KC from California right after Thanksgiving. I shipped it second day so that sitting time would be minimized.
|
|
|
Post by JebusCrebus on Jan 5, 2007 12:03:49 GMT -7
Standard advice on receiving a cold guitar is to not open it and let the case and guitar gradually warm. Consider this, all guitars are shipped to their destination all year long and we don't see finish cracked guitars hanging in stores in January, etc.. I recently had my Lentz shipped to me in KC from California right after Thanksgiving. I shipped it second day so that sitting time would be minimized. Thanks Billy, I have heard that too but I guess I've heard lots of horror stories as well. I guess those people opened them up too soon and the finish cracked in the heat. [glow=limegreen,2,300]-J-[/glow]
|
|
|
Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 5, 2007 12:57:22 GMT -7
If you don't open the package and let them come to room temp very gradual there should be no problem , if fact put it in one of the cooler rooms in your house if the temp difference is a lot . What causes the cracking is the finish and the wood expand at different rates .
|
|
|
Post by taswegian on Jan 5, 2007 15:08:46 GMT -7
Those do look nice. What's the exchange rate? Billy, the AU is just under 80c, so a $5000AU guitar is $3891US A Carmen Ghia is $979US + $250 shipping = $1229US=$1578AU + Tax=$1735AU + Import Duty = $1908AU = $1484US That's why it's a big decision for us internationals to buy a Z amp! www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi
|
|
|
Post by nitehawk55 on Jan 5, 2007 15:48:37 GMT -7
Those do look nice. What's the exchange rate? Our CDN $$ is on the downslide and I think you can buy one for around .83 cents US$ ;D
|
|