Eastman Guitars AR804CE

This is a follow-up to my previous review. The Eastman representative I was corresponding with responded with an offer to make the situation right (too bad he waited until after I posted my original review). I have to give Eastman credit for this. It's always best when a sale goes perfectly from start to finish but I realize problems sometimes arise so it's also very important for a company to recognize and attempt to fix problems when they do arise. Eastman has now done this in my case.

I won't recant my review of the Eastman guitar I purchased because it is an honest, accurate review. But I must now add that Eastman has offered to make it right. I only hope they've had a long talk with the dealer who sold me this guitar to avoid similar problems in the future.

2007 Eastman 804CE. Made in China. 22 frets. All solid wood top, back, and sides. This guitar came with volume and tone controls hidden under pick guard. It has a single "Eastman" logo Kent Armstrong pickup floating off the pickguard (the mass produced Kent Armstrong not the hand wound, of course). Top is "aged" Chinese spruce. Back and sides are flame maple. Gloss sunburst finish. Body style is traditional archtop (16") but with an oval hole, not "f" holes. I saw this design and fell in love with the vintage look. Ebony fretboard, bridge, pickguard, ebony fronted metal tailpiece, ebony fronted head stock. Bridge is a traditional floating adjustable archtop bridge. The tuners that came on the guitar were cheap, stamped "Jin-ho" tuners. Three piece "floating" maple neck, 25" scale. ~12" radius by my gauge. 1 3/4" nut width. ~2" neck width at 12th fret. ~2 1/8" string spacing at bridge. Neck profile is a shallow "C", ~1 3/4" deep up the entire neck. A well done, fast, comfortable neck. Frets are approximately 1 mm high x 2 mm wide nickel silver frets. Eastman fiberglass 6-latch locking case with keys and straps for carrying the guitar backpack style included.

I play solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements of jazz standards. I've played this guitar through a Polytone amp and I use a Fender Acoustasonic Junior DSP at home for practice without a lot of effects. I set the Fender on "Hall" and keep the FX level low so there is just a touch of reverb. The Polytone I play through is set dead flat. I string it with Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Swing JS112 flatwound strings. This guitar sounds very good through either amp and acoustically as well. The oval hole gives it deeper bass response than "f" holes. It has a very full, rich, warm sound. I don't need or want a lot of variety in sound. I just want a nice full fat jazz sound and this guitar has it. The pickup is quiet enough even at high volume but it doesn't have adjustable pole pieces. The bass was overpowering the mids and trebles which made the guitar sound muddy so I had to lower the bass side of the pickup by bending the tab to compensate. Mids and trebles sound very nice, clear, and well balanced.

I know this is a bit long but please read through it. The action was set up OK from the factory. Neck relief, action at the nut and up the neck were OK. I had to lower the bass side of the pickup as I stated above. The floating bridge was well fitted to the top. Top and back plates were nicely bookmatched. Unfortunately, the guitar contained NUMEROUS finish flaws. I couldn't find a sunburst model locally and since I heard good things about Eastman guitars I bought this guitar based on price without seeing it, and I trusted the authorized Eastman dealer for an in hand description. My mistake! During the in hand description the authorized Eastman dealer told me, and I quote, "The guitar is brand new. It has never even been out of its case. It is in brand new condition." When I got the guitar there were myriad finish flaws including scratches, dents, and spots where the finish was cracked along the neck binding. The frets were so sharp they felt like razor blades. This leads me to believe that either the dealer didn't bother to store the guitar properly or Eastman is having problems with climate control on the long voyage from China. I was told about NONE of these problems during the in hand description by the authorized Eastman dealer. I called the dealer immediately after receiving the guitar and then he said, and again I quote, "They all have scratches. Eastman guitars are known for their finish flaws." Funny thing, he didn't tell me that during his in hand description. He didn't even bother to address the sharp frets. Before I made my decision to purchase this guitar he told me it was in perfect condition but when I got it, it looked like a second (or even third). If he had been honest with me I never would have made the purchase. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. But since I had already paid $160 non-refundable dollars for dealer recommended overnight air shipping and I would be responsible for shipping charges back to the dealer I was sort of stuck with it, wasn't I? Again, my mistake for trusting the dealer. Never again. Don't even think about buying an Eastman guitar without seeing it and playing it first. The quality control just isn't there and therefore THE QUALITY OF EASTMAN GUITARS VARIES WIDELY! I was not satisfied with the finish of this guitar at all and there were several other problems as well. The volume and tone knobs under the pickguard vibrated and buzzed very loudly. Very annoying. Tightening them didn't help. I had to have felt pads installed between the plastic knobs and pots. As I mentioned above, this guitar has a floating neck, a very nice feature that allows the entire top to vibrate. Why then does Eastman use top damping foam pads to support the pickguard? These pads negate the effect of the floating neck. I got rid of the sound deadening pads and had a proper pickguard bracket installed for a few dollars. With a guitar of this supposed quality why does Eastman use low quality tuners and take such cheap short cuts? The bridge adjustment thumb screws were so dry I couldn't even turn them to adjust string height. A couple of drops of lubricant is all they needed. Why didn't the authorized Eastman dealer take care of this small detail? It looked as though this guy didn't even bother to open the case. IMO, he was nothing more than a drop shipper. The cheap, stamped Jin-Ho tuners couldn't hold the guitar in tune and have no place on a guitar in this category. I had Gotoh 510 tuners installed. The Eastman fiberglass case is flimsy and cheaply made. It doesn't even have a string compartment. It has a cheap removable thin cloth pocket instead, right over the headstock. Put anything in there and it will be banging against the headstock while you travel. The guitar plays easily and sounds good, but considering all the finish flaws, the cheap fittings, and cheap shortcuts, and the disingenuous authorized Eastman dealer, I am giving this guitar a low score for action, fit, and finish.

The finish on this guitar is so delicate my fingernails have left marks in it when I use the hidden volume and tone knobs. As stated above, the tuners were cheap stamped tuners and had no place on a guitar that is supposed to be of this quality. Expect to replace them because they don't work well and they won't last. And there are the cheap shortcuts like foam pads and extremely bad fret dress. I wouldn't gig without a backup and especially not with this guitar as it came from the dealer.

I finally contacted Eastman almost a year after purchasing this guitar just to let them know about their authorized dealer's dishonest sales tactics. I was angry because I had just finished playing and, instead of enjoying this guitar, every time I play it I think about being taken over the coals by this Eastman dealer. The Eastman rep responded that Eastman doesn't expect this type of behavior from their dealers but he offered NOTHING, not even a fret dress (even though he admitted the sharp frets were due to improper storage). He didn't offer to fix any of the other problems. I know I waited too long to contact Eastman. Another mistake. But I've purchased ten guitars over the past three years. I would think I'm the type of customer Eastman would want to keep. Judging by the reaction of their rep, apparently not.

I've been playing for many years. There is nothing I wish I'd asked before purchasing this guitar because I asked everything I should have asked. But when the authorized dealer you're asking doesn't tell you the truth it doesn't matter what you ask. If this guitar was stolen I'd collect the insurance money and buy a different brand. I like the way it plays and sounds but I can't deal with a company that allows their authorized dealers to treat customers as this dealer treated me without admonishing the dealer or offering any recourse to the buyer. I know I waited too long to contact Eastman and, as I said, my mistake. But I didn't make the first mistake. The dealer made the first mistake, and many others, during his in hand description. Since there are no decimals in the rating system, my overall rating is a generous average of all the category ratings above. POTENTIAL EASTMAN BUYERS PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK AND BUYER BEWARE!

I actually have the 804C -- cutaway, but no pickup.

It has a classic, dark sunburst finish, one cutaway and a center "O" hole instead of the usual archtop F-holes. Has an antique vibe. I would call the neck medium width -- it is comfortable. Ebony bridge and fingerboard, solid spruce top, maple back and sides, etc. -- you can see the specs on the Eastman website. Mine is a 2005. I give it an 8 since it would have been nice to include a fingerrest, otherwise it has all it needs for an acoustic jazz guitar.

Came with a black cello-like case. Seems adequate, but if I were travelling with this instrument alot I might invest in a heavier-duty case.

Here's where the love begins: the sound is warm, sweet, round and full. No high-end sizzle, again: think warm and sweet. It isn't terribly loud -- but it is loud enough. It has a beautiful, inviting voice for solo lines and jazz chording as well as fingerstyle folk and blues. It is so inviting and sweet sounding its hard to put down.

Currently strung with bronze strings, I may experiment with other types/materials.

The action is set a bit higher than on my other (electric) jazz guitars and can likely be adjusted down a bit, but that suits me fine on this instrument since its purpose is acoustic: practice, inimate gigs and recording.

I love the weight of the guitar -- it is light as a feather. I love guitars like this that weigh nothing and are "all sound".

Now and then I hear a little rattle in certain spots. If it were a $5000 custom guitar this would bug me, for 1/5 of that it does not. A good setup may remedy this.

I don't see any flaws, the workmanship is quite lovely. Not like a custom-built $5000 guitar, but still great.

Seems very well built, but I can't imagine rough-housing with it. I don't plan to gig often with it, so it should hold up fine. The finish is quite thin and I bet would scratch and scuff easily, but that's the price you pay for a lovely, vivid sounding and responsive top.

I haven't had any experince with Eastman. Used, so no warranty (I believe)

Been playing 30 years. I have a few other guitars (including another Eastman -- an 803CE), a laminate archtop, a Telecaster, and a flat-top acoustic. I mainly play jazz, swing and fingerstyle folky stuff (like: Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, etc.)

I would consider another if stolen, if I had to pay for a new one at full price I might look around at other options a bit -- at the same used price it would be a no-brainer.

I wouldn't mind if it had a fingerrest, it supports my right hand style better. I can get one installed cheap I suppose.

Overall, Eastman guitars offer outstanding tone, playability and value.

Gorgeous finish on hand carved solid aged spruce top. This Eastman Uptown archtop guitar is finished with a hand-applied spirit varnish and then finished with two coats of lacquer on a very nicely done antique sunburst. The lacquer is then buffed back almost to the spirit varnish leaving the protection of lacquer and the luster of spirit varnish. 3-piece maple neck with a solid ebony fingerboard. Stock Floating Pickup which is very warm and balanced as is the articulation, and balance all the way UP AND DOWN the neck on ALL strings. X-style bracing. Heavy-duty tuners, a classically designed tailpiece, and a J.W. Eastman fiberglass case all come standard, which for me was an unexpected bonus.

I play mostly Jazz, Django Gypsy, Blues, R&B - but also original tunes as well as many other styles. This guitar is so well done it fits into any style well, but most suited for Jazz, Chord Melodies, Gypsy Jazz, Big Band and Solo work - an awesome guitar. I have a Roland Cube 60, and have played it through a Fender Blues Junior for a tube sound. It will sound fabulous in any amp. No Noise. This guitar is more round and robust, with richer tonality than any of the F Hole guitars made by Eastman. It sounds as good unplugged as it does plugged in - maybe better plugged in, but none the less excellent all round - one of the main attractions for me.

The guitar is best played with at least 12's. All set up was 1st rate. Maybe microscopic flaw in one instance of inlay, maybe a slight dimple in finish on one spot in binding on the back. OTHERWISE FLAWLESS!!!

EXCELLENT bookmatching and sunburst.

No other flaws.

This guitar will make it happen. I will depend on it. And since this is so much guitar for the money, I will not sell it. EVER.

No Experience. Great service from Maple Street Guitars in Atlanta, GA

I am 55 and have been playing guitar since I was 10. Studied music at University of North Texas in early 1970's with Guitar as my Primary Instrument, with a major in Theory and Composition. I have played all over the world, and in every imaginable format and condition. I am SOLIDLY BLOWN AWAY with this guitar. I have A/B'd this guitar with the Eastman 805, 810, 905, 910 and Pisano models. I could have bought any of them. This one was the hands down tone monster and touch monster. AND it was the least expensive. My criteria is 1-my ears, 2-my hands, 3-how it looks. Best Bang for the Buck. I put MY money on it. AND I have been looking for at least 3 years solid.