Seeking input: Eastman 335-ish guitar

[tlarson58]

Selling this (just couldn't bond with it)

1.JPG

I want a ES-335 but 1) can't justify the price (even used), and 2) would not be able to play one (or compare many at a time) before buying. It just doesn't make sense for me for som many reasons.

Thinking this (Eastman t486 thinline): $1230 new, good craftsmanship, warranty (maybe save a few bucks if I can find a used one in black). Input and suggestions appreciated.

T486_Thinline__BCL1_1116.jpg

[mickey]

@OMB either does or did own one or more Eastman 335 clones.

I only have Eastman acoustics. Where they are concerned think pre-war Martin quality with Epiphone prices!

If you like narrow, skinny necks you won't like them.
Eastman's have ballbat necks.

[uwmcscott]

I have played a few Eastman electrics at Dave's back when they were still open to the public and they were very nice.

I was looking for a 335 clone for a while but ended up getting a used Harm for now. The Epi 335s seem to be a pretty nice option right now, and don't forget Heritige.

And if you are feeling adventurous ( and cheap ), I think Firefly is still out there in business and the Grote line on Amazon seems to get some high ratings from the low buck crowd, even better that FF. And with either option through Amazon a return is a snap if you don't like it.

[ID10t]

I am an Ibanez fanboy and liked my AS-73 so much I got an AM-93. Not inexpensive like a Firefly but not expensive like Gibson.

[redman]

I had a Wolf 335 and it was excellent until I sold it to my friend. These are made in Viet Nam

This Was It

SZSBe5d[1].jpg

[Mossman]

Another vote for Ibanez here... I'm still pretty high on my AS93FM.

AS93 full angle right.jpg

[SamIV]

Ibanez AS93. Nice neck, nice pickups and quite good build quality.

[tonebender]

Tommy, I had an Eastman semi but it was a 339 size model though and not 335. It was a fine guitar, played and sounded great and the fit and finish were spot on. Based on what I have read and my limited experience owning that one, I think they make a fine product worth the coin. That said, yesterday I just happen to be in Guitar Center in Tampa picking up some acoustic strings. The guy I have dealt with forever down there was busy so I milled around waiting for him to free up. I wandered over to the Epi 335's just to see what they are like these days. That is when I discovered the Emily Wolke model Epiphone Dot. I had never heard of her but I think it is the best Dot I have ever held in my hands. The neck was ideal for me. I do not like the necks on the standard Dot model at all. I have since looked into Emily and she rocks. I would have no issue playing her signature model. It was hard to not buy it and I am still thinking I may. The flat black and the satin gold hardware look great. Good grief as I type this I am thinking I am going down there and get it.

Epi.jpg

[uwmcscott]

Good grief as I type this I am thinking I am going down there and get it.
Epi.jpg

Happy NGD

[OMB]

Tommy - I had an Eastman T486B. It was impeccable quality. I am kind of weird because I do not like Nitro finishes. Don't like having to worry about what will react to the finish. The width at the nut is 1-3/4" which I like and the thickness at the first fret is around .84". Not what I consider a baseball bat but it played nicely. Ebony board, nice inlays and a high quality case. The T486 (without Bigsby) used to come with Kent Armstrong pups and the T486B comes with SD Phat Cats. A lot of guitar for not crazy money.

The Ibanez Artcore AS93 is also a nice option as is a Guild Starfire V or VI.

My T486B

Eastman T-486B.jpg

[Stoli]

I own an Eastman T-486 without Bigsby. Mine looks like very similar to this.

https://reverb.com/item/14045124-eastma ... -hard-case

I bought a b stock a little over five years ago. At the time the b stock with case was about the same price as a new Epi Sheraton. The hardware and workmanship are first rate. It came with a nice setup and very low action. Mine have the SD pickups and I think they called the neck pu a Jazz and the bridge a 59. I think what OMB says is spot on. My guitar was a b stock because of some smudges on the back of the neck and a light one on the headstock. I have played this guitar almost everyday since I bought it and it is highly unlikely that I will ever sell or trade it. I like the wider nut and neck as you can finger pick a little on it and I find it a little easier to grip chords. The sound may be a little brighter than some 335 clones as the guitar is all maple except for the fretboard. I guess it could be the pickups as well. I love the fretboard and neck.

I played quite a few guitars before I bought it and I would have probably bought an Ibanez similar to what Mossman has had I not found the Eastman as I liked even their lowest end Artcores. I also liked a Peavey that I found that is cheaper.

I would say the biggest downside of the guitar is the nitro. On mine the finish is thin and it shows some scratches and wear as the finish is not nearly as tough as the poly finishes. Is no big deal to me as I bought the guitar to play and it shows in some places. I also had an issue with the pick guard constantly coming loose and buzzing where it attaches to the bottom of the guitar. I just removed it and think the guitar looks better without it.

[Stoli]

Also, I forgot about Guild. I played one of those when I was shopping for an Amp a few years ago and it was a very nice guitar and very similar to the Eastman.

[tlarson58]

Tommy, I had an Eastman semi but it was a 339 size model though and not 335. It was a fine guitar, played and sounded great and the fit and finish were spot on. Based on what I have read and my limited experience owning that one, I think they make a fine product worth the coin. That said, yesterday I just happen to be in Guitar Center in Tampa picking up some acoustic strings. The guy I have dealt with forever down there was busy so I milled around waiting for him to free up. I wandered over to the Epi 335's just to see what they are like these days. That is when I discovered the Emily Wolke model Epiphone Dot. I had never heard of her but I think it is the best Dot I have ever held in my hands. The neck was ideal for me. I do not like the necks on the standard Dot model at all. I have since looked into Emily and she rocks. I would have no issue playing her signature model. It was hard to not buy it and I am still thinking I may. The flat black and the satin gold hardware look great. Good grief as I type this I am thinking I am going down there and get it.

Epi.jpg

That black matte finish looks fantastic. Her guitar was my no. 2 choice. Is that a fuzz and heavy reverb at the end of this song? Love that tone.

[tlarson58]

I own an Eastman T-486 without Bigsby. Mine looks like very similar to this.

https://reverb.com/item/14045124-eastma ... -hard-case

I bought a b stock a little over five years ago. At the time the b stock with case was about the same price as a new Epi Sheraton. The hardware and workmanship are first rate. It came with a nice setup and very low action. Mine have the SD pickups and I think they called the neck pu a Jazz and the bridge a 59. I think what OMB says is spot on. My guitar was a b stock because of some smudges on the back of the neck and a light one on the headstock. I have played this guitar almost everyday since I bought it and it is highly unlikely that I will ever sell or trade it. I like the wider nut and neck as you can finger pick a little on it and I find it a little easier to grip chords. The sound may be a little brighter than some 335 clones as the guitar is all maple except for the fretboard. I guess it could be the pickups as well. I love the fretboard and neck.

I played quite a few guitars before I bought it and I would have probably bought an Ibanez similar to what Mossman has had I not found the Eastman as I liked even their lowest end Artcores. I also liked a Peavey that I found that is cheaper.

I would say the biggest downside of the guitar is the nitro. On mine the finish is thin and it shows some scratches and wear as the finish is not nearly as tough as the poly finishes. Is no big deal to me as I bought the guitar to play and it shows in some places. I also had an issue with the pick guard constantly coming loose and buzzing where it attaches to the bottom of the guitar. I just removed it and think the guitar looks better without it.

It will be splitting time with my Tele. My band is mostly Americana/bluegrass but we occasionally "branch out" to Americana/rock. There's plenty of room in our setlist for both flavors.

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on this guitar. Thank you for your input. It helps validate the expense.

I purchased mine from the same place because of the included case. Im in the air regarding pick guards.

[Stoli]

I bought mine from Bernunzio Music in New York. Did you end up ordering a black one or the color you had in the picture above? The Eastman case that came with mine is very nice as well. I really like that color in the pictures and I don't think they offered that color back when I bought mine.

[tlarson58]

I bought mine from Bernunzio Music in New York. Did you end up ordering a black one or the color you had in the picture above? The Eastman case that came with mine is very nice as well. I really like that color in the pictures and I don't think they offered that color back when I bought mine.

Mine is from a place in MN. The price (which is the same as others) included a case. Black, baby. Black.

[tonebender]

That black matte finish looks fantastic. Her guitar was my no. 2 choice. Is that a fuzz and heavy reverb at the end of this song? Love that tone.

From what I have listened to by her, she does like the heavy fuzz. She is definitely unique. BTW do you like the Gibson Midtown? They are fine guitars and I have one I would part with for less than the Eastman even after shipping. Message me if you would like pics and info.

@umwscott I think I am going to be able to resist. I have three semi's and love them all. I actually played my Miller 335 at rehearsal tonight and it was fantastic.

[golem]

So having seen a lot of Eastmans in my area used, there's one thing I don't like about them. They wear really quickly. That might be good if you want a guitar that looks like you've played it out 2-3X a week for decades after only a few years. I've come across about 10-20 of them used in shops like that over the past several years. I have a soft spot after hearing a Jazz player in NOLA get the best Jazz tone I've ever heard from one and a solid state amp.The only thing that kept me from buying them was that the used prices were pretty high as a percentage of their new prices and the wear was really not what I'd expect from anything normal. I even googled it and found that this was a common complaint. I know they switched how they did the finishes just this year. So perhaps the newer ones won't have that issue.

I've been tempted to grab this one locally. The pickups are supposed to be Throbaks but when I asked the buyer he's never checked and refused to do so for me telling me that he's been selling guitars for 20 years himself, knows what he is doing, wouldn't scam me, but doesn't want to risk scratching the guitar. Oh, and he has two ads up with two different prices and wouldn't go with the lower one. I don't even....

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/msg/d/la ... 96897.html

So if I sound like I'm a little obsessed with the brand I'd say that's partially correct. Been hunting good deals on ones for years and this is the best deal I've found but I've passed so far because he's being a bit of a dunce.