Eastman Guitars AR810CE

2005. Made in China. 22 freats. Solid carved top. Kent Armstrong floating passive humbucker pup with single volume control. Maple back and sides with laminated maple neck? Transparent burst finish. 17" semi acoustic archtop, single cutaway with f-holes. Floating rosewood archtop bridge? Tuners are a question? 25" scale medium neck. Case will protect guitar.

Friend remarks pup is satisfactory but he would like a tone control.

Used for finger style jazz and soft rock. From time to time very little chorus and delay used. Amp used depends on the gig. No noticeable noise. Acoustically the sound is muddy and lifeless. Amplified it will do the job. Not very versatile.


Dislikes are.
No tone control. Acoustically lifeless. See other categories for more info. Does one thing and not in a special way.

Likes are.
Location of volume control. Pretty to look at from a distance.

Here???s where it starts to get ugly. I am an amp tech. who from time to time will work on friends guitars. My friend brought the guitar to me because the electronics, bad pup, stopped working.

I am writing this review because I was so moved. The review is based on my friends playing observations/remarks and my experience/playing the guitar.

Remember this is only a 4 year old guitar.
The back is properly matched. The fretwork, you can easily catch the high E string under the frets in several locations, is poor. The finish is below average. Top and sides are just ok. Neck is nice other then the fretwork. Several nylon bushings on the tuners have broken. Pickup is dead. The binding has pulled away from and shrunk in two locations around the pickguard.

While my friend uses the guitar for certain gigs he???s says it really isn't anything special. I would suggest always having a backup. Some of the hardware will need to be replaced soon. The finish is sub standard and wearing in a few locations. I wouldn???t call it reliable as the pickup died in short order, 4 years, of it being manufactured.

I originally contacted the company and spoke to a receptionist. I was to receive a call back from customer service. Waited a week with no reply so I left messages by phone and email requesting information regarding the pickup. It took over two weeks before a non tech, I think it was the same receptionist, representative returned my call. She promptly forwarded me to you guessed it a voice mail. As of my posting this review I am still waiting to here from Eastman.
The guitar is not under warranty as my friend is not the original owner.

It was a combination of many things that compelled me to write this review.

I have been playing for 30 years. I have too much gear to list. The closest guitar to the Eastman is a Gibson ES 175.

This was a gift to my friend who had been looking for a jazz guitar so he didn't really ask any questions before he received it.

I can't answer the stolen question other to say he is going to sell the guitar at some point and replace it with something else.

I was so astonished by the lack of quality in this guitar and the positive reviews here on H.C. for Eastman that I started to take a look around at used Eastman???s thinking this guitar might be a fluke. What I found in quality was very inconsistent.

I was really surprised at what I was seeing out there. These guitars don't seem to age well. Some do better then others.

While this guitar is not under warranty it sure would be nice to get a return call from Eastman so I could get a few questions answered. I have contacted many other manufactures over the years and have always received prompt response.

When shopping for guitars always compare and ask as many questions from actual owners of the guitar you???re considering as you can. Don't take any thing a sells person says as gospel. These guitars are definitely on my do not buy list.

Mine's a 2007 model, so it has both volume and tone controls, ebony Gotoh tuners and a gold plated Kent Armstrong pickup. I've had it about two weeks now, so I've formed a pretty solid opinion. Really lovely classic finish, lots of flame on the maple back and neck. JUst what I wanted: asolid wood, carved archtop. All the features I wanted, for a very reasonable price

It suits my style - solo accompaniment for singing (mostly) jazz standards. Not a ton of tonal variety - but that's what this type of guitar is. I was suprised that mine seems stronger in the treble range than bass, given the large body. It is already improving tonally, though, and I suspect that it will mellow some with continued use. I don't have a great deal of experience with this kind of guitar played acoustically, but I think this one actually has a quieter voice than I expected. Plugged in, it is a perfect 10.

Set up by my online dealer Jeff Hale - whom I highly recommend. Set up on delivery was everything I could ask for. I will probably add a neck side strap button, because I do need to stand to play some.

Hardware and electronics seem top shelf to me. The Gotoh tuners work very well indeed, and are apparently a huge upgrade from the ones used in years past. I'm giving it a 10 for what it is, but of course it's durability won't compare to a solidbody electric.

Dealer was teriffic. No idea how Eastman itself might be. Warranted for life to original owner. I DOn't recall ever using factory warranty on any guitar I've owned.

I've been playing 25 years or so. I own two G&L guitars, a PRS hollowbody, a RIC 12 string, an Ibanez Artcore hollowbody, and some others. This is my go to jazz box. My "beater" jazz box is the Ibanez, and while it's great in its own right, there's no comparison. The Eastman has fulfilled my desire for a real, finely crafted jazz guitar. I thought I might never have one, because I could never justify the price for an L-5 or the like.

Jazz Archtop hollowbody 17"wide with floating neck pickup only. Antique Violin red finish. All solid woods, all hand made in China. Spruce top maple back and sides.
Gold hardware. 25 inch scale. Ebony fretboard. no face position markers.
Looks like a Benedetto Manhattan. Comes with a weird cello looking case. That's a real pain in the ass.
The pickup is a Kent Armstrong design.

This is a working jazz musician's dream. Classic Jazz Box tone very warm and full. (shwweeeeetttt)Chords sound almost pianistic. Single note lines are clear and singing. Very woody and acoustic like when unplugged. The neck is big and fits my hand comfortably. Depending on the gig, I'll play through various amps. My main amp is a Mesa Boogie Maverick 2x12. I use that in the Big Band setting. The other amp is a little solid state 40 watter. This works well for the small combo group. Either way the Eastman sings. No effects are needed I just plug straight in and the tone is there.

I bought this guitar from a Music Store that actually sets up the guitars before they hang them out for sale to the public. So it played well right off the wall. In fact, this was the first guitar I've ever bought on impulse. I went into the store to buy strings and saw this "Jazz Box" hanging behind the counter. I asked the clerk if I could check it out. In less then 5 minutes, I was taking it home. That was a year ago.

This guitar quickly became my number one jazz gig ax. It's holding up well so far. I haven't had any problems with it. The finish is real nitro and very thin so, it may wear in several years. I don't think it will be a problem. Who knows?
The hardware is somewhat questionable, we'll see how that goes.
It's a very solid built guitar. I think it's modled after a Benedetto. It never goes out of tune and doesn't have any hum or wierd noises. I always have a backup but never have had to use it. This guitar is so easy to play it's almost obscene.
The CASE is a real pain in the ass. it falls over when you lay it on the side. the design of the case has it off balance. Making the top ahhhhhh! "Top heavy". this is my one real criticisim.

no problems so far, we'll see.

I have been playing over 30 years now and I own way more guitars than anyone in their right mind would. You know what I mean? If you're a player, and one who's been around the block, you've seen all the crap all the top name brands are putting in guitar superstores. The Eastman company has been around awhile making violins and cellos. Now, they're in the guitar market. Making an instrument that will embarrass any of the top brands. Plus, at a price that puts professional handcrafted quality within reach of more working players. This guitar would easily compare to a Benedetto Or Buscariono or one of the real highend boutique jazz axes. It is that GOOD.

Features excellent for someone who want a single, floating humbucer. The volume and tone controls (tone added to newer models, well done Eastman),nicely hidden below the scratch plate ('thumb operated'). Wouldn't mind inlays on the nack, but on the other hand the plain, ebony neck looks stylish and makes it look different. Dots on the top neck edge get you going anyway.

Got it for exactly what I wanted it for. Got other acoustic and electric guiatars but not a jazz guitar, 17", solid carved arch top. Sound is excellent for this type of guitar, loud enough to sing along with it (got a strong voice). Electric sound, can't find problems, nicely balanced for all strings, volume and tone controls give a nice control.

Excellent, straight from the dealer. Action correct not a single blemish. Reading some older reviews, I think Eastman got a long way. I had new guitars in last five years from a couple of very expensive US brands and still had to 'return to base' for fixing. Overall, immaculate manufacturing.

Can't comment, too early. I guess with a solid wood guitar one always needs to be a bit more carful then with the plywood.

No coment as yet.

Playing guitar for more then 40 years. Second jazz archtop (reminds me of my first gutar). For the price, an amzing value.

Mine's an 04 violin finish w plastic cello-style case that has no carrying compartments. A couple of little streaks on the finish. The usual layout but pickup wires seem a bit exposed, hence a bit of buzzing when plugged in. Otherwise just about right, though not without a period of getting used to the "woodiness" of the tone.

Bought in Jan. '06. Good for my purposes, i.e. rarely amplified, swing ensemble playing. I don't gig much but electric sound through my old Roland Cube 60 is lovely.

I would have preferred the sunburst finish but am getting to appreciate the violin version.

Not sure but I think a little "feedback-proofing" would be in order in any loud environments. No plans to gig with this unit so no intelligence to share.

Long time player, 50s Guild F-30, 98 US Tele, non gear-freak, this guitar encourages an elevation of one's game. A serious archtop, easily equal to those considerably more more expensive. As others have advised, play one first wherever possible as consistency may be an issue.

I am sure you know the specs by reading the other reviews so I won't relist them. I think the features are pretty much what is normal for its catagory.

I love the acoustic and electric tones of this guitar, I have compared it to some more expensive models and the Eastman holds its own and then some.

Mine undoubtedly has the best sunburst finish I have ever seen, it is simply beautiful. There is a tool mark or two on the fretboard that wasn't completely buffed out so I will take a point off for that.

The finish is, by design, pretty thin which I think improves overall tone. Thiner finish of course won't wear as well as say a poly urethane would but then again it sounds better. The hardware seems fine, I don't foresee any problems with it. Basically, I would say it is overall maybe 2 points below a Gibson L5 which costs three times as much.

Honestly, for the money, I don't know how you could find a better archtop. I am so impressed that I am recommending them to anyone who'll listen. I am also planning on purchasing another one so I can keep one at work.

Well, I have heard a lot of 'excitement' about the Eastman guitars. As with most people, I was enthused about all the publicity surrounding this China handmade instrument and decided to try the AR810CE . . .I'll never make that mistake again!

I ordered my first Eastman through the internet. It had a large crack in the head face. The dealer said it was cosmetic only, and I could live with that. After all, I was after the playability and the sound. Well, the dealer gave me another new guitar in case. This one had four dents in the side of the body. The pickup was not properly attached to the pick guard and bounced around; the pickguard had horrible scratches on it, and the guitar had something rattling on the inside it (probably a connecting cable of some sort). And this was supposed to be a new instrument?!

When plugging it in, there was extreme 60 cycle hum. It appeared to be a grounding problem, so I called the U.S. distributor and he said it was a faulty design. He also said the factory in China was making some mods to properly ground the instrument with a new tail piece. I returned the instrument to the dealer. He sent another 'new' one, but this second one was even worse than the first.

The guitar had an extreme grounding problem that was very offensive. I called the dealer and he wasn't aware that the Eastman factory had a design problem and failed to make proper grounding. Then, I called the U.S. distributor and discussed the problem with him. He was aware of the grounding issues and said the factory was redesigning the tailpiece to correct the problem, and that the new tailpiece was coming out on the new models. Properly grounded, it sounds somewhat acceptable, but it not, the noise is noticeable and very annoying.

The sixth string buzzed on the frets.

The dealer should have never sent both guitars out without them being fully inspected and set up properly.

I've been playing for 51 years. The Chinese are to be applauded for making instruments handmade and without the use of power tools and assembly line operations. But they have a lot to learn about quality control.

All that glitters is not gold . . . even though the price seems reasonable in comparison with other jazz guitars, the price is still too high for the two guitars I have experienced first hand. Some dealers tried to calm my concerns by saying the price is far below comparable jazz guitars. But also so is the quality.

They are still new to making guitars, and maybe in a few years they will correct some of their deficiencies. I think you are lucky to get a good one. It's been a hit and a miss for me. Above all, I wouldn't recommend buying this one on the internet as you may not be happy. If buying one, so see it and try it out. Inspect it thoroughly before purchasing. So for now, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

Made in April 2005 in China, solid top f-hole archtop guitar. Single floating pickup (kent armstrong designed I believe), thumb-wheel volume under the pickguard. Cheapo immitation grover tuners that don't seem very good. Beautiful glossy dark sunburst finish, lovely flame on the sides and back, solid ebony bridge, ebony fretboard, metal tailpiece with an ebony cap on it to make it look like the benedettos, 24 3/4 scale. It came with a really shiny cello-style case that seems indestructable. The case has a rubber seal that seems to make it air-tight, it has 7 latches, and back-pack-type hooks and straps. Standard features for a hand-made solid top archtop. Better tuners, a tone pot, and a strap-button on the neck-side would have been nice, but the rest of the features are well executed. I did immediately have a neck-side strap-button installed.

The acoustic sound is a "10", so much more than I could have hoped for with a guiltar in this price range. It's loud, even, responsive, no dead spots. 3 guitar playing friends have remarked on how excellent the acoustic tone is. The original pickup was a little muffled-sounding to my ear, which knocked the overall rating down some in this category. I almost immediately replaced it with a Benedetto S6. Now it sounds wonderful through my Fender Acoustasonic Jr. and Blues Jr. amps.

The paint job and finish, fret work, wood quality are all top notch. There were two slight flaws though (that got me a nice discount). 1: the binding on the pickguard was coming unglued at one point. I don't see this as too big a deal. I assume that the humidity changes here in the midwest had much to do with it. 2: there was a finish scratch in the top that was almost surely inflicted by some bozo at the Chicago guitar show where I purchased the instrument. For the money, the craftsmanship is really remarkable.

I've had the guitar only a month, and it seems ok so far. Solid archtops like this seem to be sensitive to weather/humidity changes, so I'm keeping it in the case. So far, so good. I think it would be good for solo/duo/small-group jazz gigs, but I wouldn't take it into a smokey bar in the dead of winter. Jazz boxes like this don't hold up well in general under nasty conditions. For it's type/category, it seems as reliable as any other I've seen.

I haven't needed them yet.

I've been playing since I was 9. I also own a Heritage H-555, a Fender American Strat Standard, a Manuel Rodriguez Model B Cutaway, and an old Charvel acoustic guitar. For amps I have a Fender Acoustasonic Jr, a Fender Blues Jr, a Mesa-Boogie 50/50 w/ a Mesa Boogie 1-12 cabinet, and a Sansamp PSA-1.

I shopped for a jazz archtop for over a year before buying this one, so if it were stolen or lost I'd cry and be very depressed, and probably replace it as soon as I could find another specimen. I would consider a Heritage Golden Eagle too...during my search I encountered one that was incredible but just too expensive for me.

I love the acoustic tone the most, and after that the low-action and easy playability. I wish it had a tone pot, I wish the tuners were real grovers, and I wish they had put a neck-side strap button on it.

Chinese Made in 2003, early 400's serial number. 17" Cutaway Archtop. Spruce top, maple back and sides, 3-piece maple neck and ebony fretboard. All hand carved.
Kent Armstrong floating humbucker, mounted to the narrow ebony "Chuck Wayne" style pickguard. Single volume knob, and an endpin mounted jack.
Mine has a "Golden Age" Lacquer finish, which is an aged blonde. The finish is very thin - which is a GOOD thing for an acoustic archtop guitar. The guitar can breathe, and isn't choked by a heavy finish. It has 7 ply body binging, 5 ply neck binding and 3 ply f-hole binding.
The bridge is all ebony. The tailpiece is the original gold-plated, all-metal bridge. Criticized by a lot of people as "cheap-looking", on newer guitars there is a new ebony and metal tailpiece. The bottom-line is that the tailpiece does have an effect on the tone, and its a good one. I don't mind it.
The tuners are gold plated imperial style imports. Work fine.
25" scale neck, fairly contemporary profile, not very clunky.
Comes with an Eastman case. The case looks like a flight case, but is more like cello case. Very lightweight, and some what flexible. Think of it as a stiff gig bag. I have flown the guitar using a "Case Extreme" Jumbo over-case, with the Eastman case inside. It worked like a charm.

I play swing guitar. This includes the styles of Charlie Christian, Freddie Green, Django Reinhardt and chordal soloists like George Van Eps, Allan Reuss and Carl Kress.

First thing first, this is an acoustic guitar. It has a pickup on it, but it is built and designed for extraordinary project and resonance. It is by far the best sounding acoustic archtop I've seen. It rivals old Epiphones - it's that loud. You will not do better for an acoustic archtop for at least double or triple the price, if at all. The thin finish really allows the guitar to sing.

As far as the electric tone, its great too. You'd think the missing tone know would be a problem, but it really isn't. I play through tube amps, since I'm looking for a late 30's, early 40's sound. The pickups have plenty of output, without being overkill.

For a jazz guitar you really can't go wrong.

The guitar came setup with nickel 12's and fairly low action. Even though that was not the idea set up for acoustic volume, it was still huge enough sounding to bring the crowded music store to a stand still.
I have, of course, set it up even more appropriately. I put a set of 13's on it, replacing the 13 and 17 with a 14 and 18. The heavier gauge helps balance out the single notes while soloing. A normal gauge seems to "thin-out" when you get to the high strings - on any acoustic archtop guitar. Additionally, I want an acoustic "bronze" sound, while still being able to plug the magnetic pickup into an amp. I keep going back and forth between DR Zebra Wound (both bronze and nickel) and GHS White Bronze (not actually bronze, but treated to sound like bronze). Honestly, I have trouble really distinguishing between the styles sound-wise, mostly because the difference of putting new strings on is so great.

Now the bad news - there are some slight blemishes on the finish and binding. They are all so miminmal that I really don't care.
When you buy an acoustic archtop, you are buying the skill in carving the top - for such a well made guitar in every aspect, I'm willing to put up with a couple negligable flaws. The good news is that the company keeps getting better. I've seen a lot of these guitars over the last two years, and newer ones are much more consistent.

This is carved top, acoustic guitar. Be realistic.
That being said, the guitar is very solid. I'm a klutz, so my guitars get beat up - bad. The thin finish is plenty durable. Don't be afraid of the guitar showing every nic and scratch.
I use it as much as 4-times a week on gigs, it's flown to hawaii (massive humidity change with no problems), and it's been on TV! (My band was on the Ellen Degeneres show on 2/14/05)Can I depend on it? I do every gig.

I used to have their customer rep on speed dial. No really.
They are very attentive to customer service, and answer qustions on their web forums regularly. That being said, they are a VERY small company with a lot of guitar out there. Just being reasonable and you shouldn't have any problems. Oh, and lifetime warranty to the original owner.

I've been playing for 13 years, specializing in swing guitar for the last 6. I don't do the "Jump and Jive" stuff or the "Great American Songgbook" 50's crap, I mean real 1930's and 40's jazz. Goodman, Basie, Shaw, etc. Charlie Christian, Freddie Green, Allan Reuss, Django, etc. If you want more information check www.campusfive.com.

For this style of guitar playing, you will not find a better guitar new. Seriously - you will not find better.

Frankly, I'm looking at getting another Eastman - this time a 16" non-cutaway.

'04 model from the far east. Looks just like a Benedetto Manhattan from 20 ft away. Kent Armstrong-"designed" floater, cheapo Super Rotomatic knockoff tuners, beautiful flamed woods and finish. Molded case (the newer ones are better than the early flimsy one) with a rubber gasket(nice touch).

I play small combo jazz with and without drums. I originally went in to buy a laminate top (Heritage550), but couldn't resist taking a second and third look at this budget carved instrument.
I will warn you, if at all possible, do not buy one sight unseen. In total, I played about 15 810CE's and they all sounded different. The best stocking dealer around here (Blue Note Music, Berkeley CA)had 8 on hand, so I got acquainted with every one before making a decision based on the best acoustic properties. Of those, 5 did not sound good at all to my ears, but 3 had a very nice tone. Of those, I didn't pick the one that sounded best because it was the blotchy red-brown finish which I haven't grown to love just yet. The second best was a gorgeous sunburst, which I made my own.
I've noticed that some of these guitars have the pickup pressing tightly against the top which is acoustically similar to pressing your thumb against an important speaking portion of the soundboard. Try holding a chord, and lifting the pickup off the top. The bottom range fills out nicely without this unwitting stifler. I fixed this on mine so the pickup floats and couldn't believe the difference. YMMV.
I would characterize the acoustic tone as bright with a reasonably full bottom, but not much midrange at all. It gets brighter as you travel north, those high notes being very very responsive. It is very loud. Amplified, it is everything I want from such an instrument, clean and even with some overtones coming through.

I have seen a few of these come from the factory with very high action although the bridge was bottomed out, necessitating some working of the bridge base. It is possible they took on a different neck set in transit, i guess, but I was not impressed. I also saw a few color finishes which had blotchiness or uneven staining(fingerprint smears even), which I think is unacceptable, even for a $2K guitar. My guitar looked great under the dim store lights, but on close inspection, I see a few sloppy things, such as stain left on the binding(not scraped/wiped) prior to spraying the lacquer coat, burrs in the bridge base which left deep scratches in the top all around the bridge, glue from the frets which didn't get wiped off the fretboard in time, stripped screw holes on the pickguard, etc... Some of the older guitars('03 i guess)had chunkier necks, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just different. I also saw some variation in the binding approach to the nut-area on the headstock. One just looked wrong, like they were experimenting.
The wood joinery all looks tight and bracing appears sound. I already tossed the tuners and tailpiece and replaced with Grovers and a benedetto. So far, I like the hidden thumbwheel volume control. I also really like the (new style) fingerrest which is very smoothly sanded, allowing my anchor finger to slide along rather than stick in place. frets are just OK, IMO, not the greatest job I've seen. The endpin jack is well secured into the block and thankfully has not pulled out with the sacconi adjuster in place(crossing fingers).

I plan to use this for quiet trio gigs and am not at all concerned about getting it a little dinged up. My main guitar is an 80's Benedetto Manhattan which almost never sees a gig. I am looking forward to testing the feedback limits of this very resonant instrument soon.

Don't know anything about Eastman, but I really like my dealer, Blue Note Music, and I am confident they will take care of me as needed.

As I said, this Eastman will be my "backup" for my Benedetto. Comparing the two, they are NOT alike at all. This one is noticeably louder, but very bright. The Benedetto is very mellow and woody with a bit more midrange. The Eastman is not as satisfying to play, but it is still enjoyable. And for $13K less money, c'mon, this is a great deal in a carved top jazz instrument! Everyone should own at least one.