NGD: Eastman AR371CE (ES-175)

[Terrygh1949]

So I'm in Oahu for work (tough gig), and I decided to stop by the local GC. They had almost nothing that interested me, but then I spotted this Eastman.

Having never played an Eastman, I picked it up and wow, it's a pretty dang good guitar, though the setup was rough and it had 11s or 12s on it. What struck me was the resonance, more like a flattop acoustic guitar than the recent make hollowbody electrics I have. I have five other archtop hollowbodies, and this thing rings like a bell compared to them. That said, it has a pretty chunky neck and wide fretboard, so I couldn't make up my mind until I lowered the way too high action, but then I was sold.

People on here have said they got GC to come off the price of used gear, so I asked, but this guy gave an immediate and firm "No" when I asked for a bit of a break. The price was pretty dang good, so I didn't walk, but then the guy says, "actually, I think this comes with a case". He goes to the back and comes back with the factory hardcase.

So, for $640 OTD I got the guitar, hard case, a set of strings and a couple of other minor accessories. Looking at the tag, I'm pretty sure they started at $999 on it but it has been sitting for months/years, as evidenced by the incredible layer of dust on the case. I could write my name in it with my finger. A weird thing I have noticed about Hawaii is more guys play acoustic than electric. At this very moment in my hotel, there is a band that is drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and singer. Every night is a different band, and almost every one of them doesn't feature an electric guitarist. It's weird to me, but I suspect that is why a good deal on an archtop sat on the shelves for who-knows how long.

The guitar looks almost brand new, but the case has some miles on it, so it is well cared for. I always wanted a ES-175, and I think this will scratch the itch. It's definitely next level from my Ibanez and Epiphone archtops.

The only problem is now I have my Casino and the Eastman to drag back to Florida...

View attachment 1030543

Very nice. Haven't played one, may have to.

 

[Edgar Allan Presley]

If you got a good one, it may be better than an average real ES-175. The Eastman like yours that I played was more lively than most Gibsons I've played.

 

[tele_player]

I like mine a lot!

 

[El Marin]

Needs a Bigsby

 

[cleantones]

So I'm in Oahu for work (tough gig), and I decided to stop by the local GC. They had almost nothing that interested me, but then I spotted this Eastman.

Having never played an Eastman, I picked it up and wow, it's a pretty dang good guitar, though the setup was rough and it had 11s or 12s on it. What struck me was the resonance, more like a flattop acoustic guitar than the recent make hollowbody electrics I have. I have five other archtop hollowbodies, and this thing rings like a bell compared to them. That said, it has a pretty chunky neck and wide fretboard, so I couldn't make up my mind until I lowered the way too high action, but then I was sold.

People on here have said they got GC to come off the price of used gear, so I asked, but this guy gave an immediate and firm "No" when I asked for a bit of a break. The price was pretty dang good, so I didn't walk, but then the guy says, "actually, I think this comes with a case". He goes to the back and comes back with the factory hardcase.

So, for $640 OTD I got the guitar, hard case, a set of strings and a couple of other minor accessories. Looking at the tag, I'm pretty sure they started at $999 on it but it has been sitting for months/years, as evidenced by the incredible layer of dust on the case. I could write my name in it with my finger. A weird thing I have noticed about Hawaii is more guys play acoustic than electric. At this very moment in my hotel, there is a band that is drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and singer. Every night is a different band, and almost every one of them doesn't feature an electric guitarist. It's weird to me, but I suspect that is why a good deal on an archtop sat on the shelves for who-knows how long.

The guitar looks almost brand new, but the case has some miles on it, so it is well cared for. I always wanted a ES-175, and I think this will scratch the itch. It's definitely next level from my Ibanez and Epiphone archtops.

The only problem is now I have my Casino and the Eastman to drag back to Florida...

View attachment 1030543

That is a very nice guitar that I hope you enjoy a lot. I have a T386 (335) and an acoustic that I love. Eastman guitars are best bang for the buck.

 

[LP26]

So I'm in Oahu for work (tough gig), and I decided to stop by the local GC. They had almost nothing that interested me, but then I spotted this Eastman.

Having never played an Eastman, I picked it up and wow, it's a pretty dang good guitar, though the setup was rough and it had 11s or 12s on it. What struck me was the resonance, more like a flattop acoustic guitar than the recent make hollowbody electrics I have. I have five other archtop hollowbodies, and this thing rings like a bell compared to them. That said, it has a pretty chunky neck and wide fretboard, so I couldn't make up my mind until I lowered the way too high action, but then I was sold.

People on here have said they got GC to come off the price of used gear, so I asked, but this guy gave an immediate and firm "No" when I asked for a bit of a break. The price was pretty dang good, so I didn't walk, but then the guy says, "actually, I think this comes with a case". He goes to the back and comes back with the factory hardcase.

So, for $640 OTD I got the guitar, hard case, a set of strings and a couple of other minor accessories. Looking at the tag, I'm pretty sure they started at $999 on it but it has been sitting for months/years, as evidenced by the incredible layer of dust on the case. I could write my name in it with my finger. A weird thing I have noticed about Hawaii is more guys play acoustic than electric. At this very moment in my hotel, there is a band that is drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and singer. Every night is a different band, and almost every one of them doesn't feature an electric guitarist. It's weird to me, but I suspect that is why a good deal on an archtop sat on the shelves for who-knows how long.

The guitar looks almost brand new, but the case has some miles on it, so it is well cared for. I always wanted a ES-175, and I think this will scratch the itch. It's definitely next level from my Ibanez and Epiphone archtops.

The only problem is now I have my Casino and the Eastman to drag back to Florida...

View attachment 1030543

I just ordered an AR603CED, a 15" solid mahogany/spruce archtop. I'm not a big guy so the small size greatly appealed to me. By this time tomorrow it should be sitting on my lap plugged into a Brownface Princeton.

 

[drmordo]

I just ordered an AR603CED, a 15" solid mahogany/spruce archtop. I'm not a big guy so the small size greatly appealed to me. By this time tomorrow it should be sitting on my lap plugged into a Brownface Princeton.

Be sure to post a review. I suspect it will be VERY NICE.

 

[LP26]

Well, it's here and in the brief time I've spent with the Eastman AR603CED it has exceeded my expectations. The quality of materials and construction are quite high and the tone, both unplugged and plugged, is exceptional. The only shortcoming of the guitar has nothing to do with the instrument itself, but with the case. Not that it's shabby, it's not. It is a nicely made case, but not as ruggedly built as the TKL that holds my Martin Custom Shop 000 nor the G&G's that came with my Custom Shop Telecasters. OK, granted, this new Eastman is somewhat less expensive than the aforementioned guitars. Still, I would have some hesitation to travel with the guitar in its provided case. It would not endure the indignities imposed on it by baggage handlers. OK, back to the guitar.

As previously mentioned, the guitar's tone is a delight. I have three amps currently; a Fender Custom 57 Champ, a Fender 62 Princeton Chris Stapleton (I've swapped out its stock 12" Eminence speaker for a Tone Tubby Alnico Orange Crush 12") and a Henriksen Bud 6. The tone of Eastman AR603CED simply shines through each of those amplifiers. I primarily play chord melody jazz but do take excursions into more rhythmic strumy songwriter stuff like Dylan, Tom Petty, the Grateful Dead and Neil Young. The guitar's capabilities are quite versatile.

So yup, I know that it's a new guitar and I'm in that first blush that arrives with a new instrument. I will say that I trust that over time it will prove to be a guitar I want to play with frequency. It is beautifully constructed of high quality materials and delivers that comforting warm round jazz tone I hoped it would.

 

[papa32203]

I bought one of those (AR371) for $250 in perfect condition w/ a case. I ended up selling it for $450 two years later in a CL transaction. Ironically, the guy and I met for the exchange in a GC parking lot.

Never should have sold that guitar, but it was not getting played much.

 

[Engine Swap]

Bought one in 2014. Like the wide neck and have flat-wounds on it.

 

[39martind18]

Ha, I thought I got a good deal!!!

Ya did- inflation you know.

 

[CinPA]

So I'm in Oahu for work (tough gig), and I decided to stop by the local GC. They had almost nothing that interested me, but then I spotted this Eastman.

Having never played an Eastman, I picked it up and wow, it's a pretty dang good guitar, though the setup was rough and it had 11s or 12s on it. What struck me was the resonance, more like a flattop acoustic guitar than the recent make hollowbody electrics I have. I have five other archtop hollowbodies, and this thing rings like a bell compared to them. That said, it has a pretty chunky neck and wide fretboard, so I couldn't make up my mind until I lowered the way too high action, but then I was sold.

People on here have said they got GC to come off the price of used gear, so I asked, but this guy gave an immediate and firm "No" when I asked for a bit of a break. The price was pretty dang good, so I didn't walk, but then the guy says, "actually, I think this comes with a case". He goes to the back and comes back with the factory hardcase.

So, for $640 OTD I got the guitar, hard case, a set of strings and a couple of other minor accessories. Looking at the tag, I'm pretty sure they started at $999 on it but it has been sitting for months/years, as evidenced by the incredible layer of dust on the case. I could write my name in it with my finger. A weird thing I have noticed about Hawaii is more guys play acoustic than electric. At this very moment in my hotel, there is a band that is drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and singer. Every night is a different band, and almost every one of them doesn't feature an electric guitarist. It's weird to me, but I suspect that is why a good deal on an archtop sat on the shelves for who-knows how long.

The guitar looks almost brand new, but the case has some miles on it, so it is well cared for. I always wanted a ES-175, and I think this will scratch the itch. It's definitely next level from my Ibanez and Epiphone archtops.

The only problem is now I have my Casino and the Eastman to drag back to Florida...

View attachment 1030543

I won one of these a few years back. I’ve played it less than an hour total - I just can’t get used to the single pickup and through my SS amp it just does nothing for me. I’ve considered having a bridge PU installed or maybe selling it. I’m also holding out for a tube amp and maybe that will help. Until I make up my mind it sits in its case