Guitar Tone Tuesday: Ep 154 - Eastman PCH1-GACE; Amazing Value For Money Solid Top Grand Auditorium!
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- Опубліковано 31 гру 2024
- Visually Impaired since birth, Lucas Haneman uses his ears and hands to guide him when choosing gear, writing songs and recording parts. Will you agree with his assessment? Subscribe and follow to let your voice be heard!
Lucas Haneman of the LH Express gives you experienced tips and tricks, as well as showcasing lesser known gear in this series.
Today's episode of GTT features one of the most fantastic student or part time gigger solid top acoustic guitars Lucas has ever found. The Eastman PCH1-GACE is hands down one of the best value for money options on the market these days, and best of all it has a built in pickup as well. This is a great alternative to the made in Mexico Taylors/Martins, and certainly won't set you back nearly as much as those instruments. The nut and saddle are made from bone, and the neck is comfy too. What more could one ask for?
The PCH1 GACE is a grand auditorium body shaped guitar featuring a solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped x bracing, abalone rosette around the sound hole, laminated Sapele back and sides, and a solid maple neck with an Ovangkol fingerboard and 12 inch radius. The instrument also features a 25.4 inch scale-length, Grover style tuners made by Ping, a bone 1 3/4 nut, and a bone saddle, as well as an Ovangkol bridge. The frets are made by Jescar, and the pickup is an Eastman by Fishman piezo style with simple volume and tone controls in the sound hole, as well as a battery pack inside the guitar.
Body Dimensions are 16" x 4 1/4"
#EastmanGuitars #GrandAuditorium #SolidTop #AcousticGuitar #AmazingSound #PCH #StudentGuitar #GreatValue #Folk #Blues #Jazz #Rock #R&B #LucasHaneman #LHE #FingerStyle #CheckItOut
What are your thoughts on these PCH guitars from Eastman? Do you have one in your arsenal, or would you consider a guitar like the PCH1 GACE as a step up acoustic, or one to take out for some gigs? Let your voice be heard in the comment section below!
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Glad you recommended it to me, as I LOVE IT! AWESOME to hear it played by a MASTER! Freaking amazing!!!
It’s my pleasure Chuck! It’s a wonderful wonderful guitar and I’m glad it all worked out. Honestly, it does not go out of tune. I barely touched the tuning pegs for the entire time it was here. Something about those Eastman guitars, they are so stable!
I’m keen on the shape. I need access to the upper frets up to a high c . You made it sound so good. I’m playing a range of genres from folk to bluegrass to jazz or gypsy . I need something not too expensive for community use and play with no fear of damaging an expensive guitar . Sounds ideal.
For the money, I think it’s hard to get a better guitar than this if you’re into the shape and the specs. Upper fret access is fantastic, and as mentioned in the video, the fret work is impeccable on these guitars. If you can stretch your budget a little then the solid wood offerings like the AC 222CE) that I also did a video on) also made by Eastman would give you a bigger/warmer/louder sounding guitar. This is because the AC 222 has solid wood back and sides. Otherwise, though, if you shop around, you can find a PCH that sounds very good. It all depends on what you’re looking for in the guitar. If you’re looking for a do it all Guitar that will record well then I would stretch and go for the AC series with solid wood, but if you’re looking for a community event/gigging Guitar, then the PCH will be nice and robust. You could gig with either no problem, but it’s just all about your budget and your needs. Hope that helps.
@@LucasHaneman I’ll check out the ac 222ce .. I do like warm tones .thanks
In all honesty, in my humble opinion when it comes to laminated back inside, it’s more a matter of aesthetics with the different options. I don’t hear a huge difference between laminated sapelle versus Rosewood. If the guitar has solid wood back sides, then I hear a huge difference. I believe the PCH2 has a cedar top. This would add some warmth, but would have less headroom for heavy strumming. If you’re doing gypsy jazz stuff then I’d say go for one of the spruce options and pick the one that sounds and feels best to you in the store regardless of specs, so long as it suits your budget. Do you have an Eastman dealer near you? Always nice to try a few to find the one that feels/sounds right to the individual player when it comes to acoustic guitars. Thanks so much for watching and I hope this helps. Let me know how it all works out for you if you get the chance. Have fun and play on.! 🎸
@@LucasHaneman Thank you’ve been a big help. My biggest dealer is quite some way away . I’m going to plan a trip to the large store that has a wide selection. I’ve not grasped the difference between the different models PCH series . They are all laminate but sell for 399, 499 and 599 GBP here in UK fromPCH 1,2 and 3 respectively . Rather that pay for the PCH3 I’d rather buy the AC 222 ce with no pick guard … yippee . For me it’s budget friendly PCH or AC222 thank you . I’ll let you know how I get on.
@@georgefenning4844 absolutely. I think that’s the way to go. As I say, with their not being a huge difference between the tonal quality of different laminates, again in my humble opinion, totally subjective, I would rather go for the standard PCH1 or spring for the AC 222. Of course, when you’re sitting down with the guitars, it’s really about the one that speaks to you so all of that can kind of go out the window :-) but seems like a good starting place for sure. 👍🏻
Excellent presentation . Some robust strumming. How does it compare to pch2 and pch3 . It’s a bit confusing .
This is the best review of this guitar on UA-cam
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Genius on the guitar and a true gift to humanity.
You’re too kind! Thanks so much for watching and hope you’ll stick around the channel to check out some more videos. Looks like I have another Eastman video coming out in the not too distant future!
@@LucasHaneman you have a new scriber here for sure and we just thank you so much for sharing your gift with the world. Have a wonderful day.
So great to get my Tuesday “fix “ again. Impressive as always. Glad to see postings about upcoming events you are doing. Really missed the Friday sessions but just tagged some previous gems to calm down.
Hi Wally. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Have no fear, I’ve got some Friday videos to come. It’s just been a busy time so I haven’t been able to get things out as often as possible. Don’t forget that my band the Lucas Haneman Express will be doing a show live from the UA-cam page this Saturday night. Let me know if you want me to send you the link. The show will be from seven until 8 PM. We can’t wait!
@@LucasHaneman Please do. Looking forward to it.
@@wallycastonguay9357 ua-cam.com/video/NLqubPFSgnM/v-deo.html
Your playing is brilliant, as alway, Lucas, and I couldn't be happier with my PCH OM (same finish!). Thanks for recommending it.
Absolutely my pleasure to help out Derek, and you’ve definitely got a great one there as well. It would be hard for me to pick a favourite between the OM and the grand auditorium. Both are amazing for different things, though I truly believe a good OM can do it all with just a little more comfort for many players who aren’t super tall. The owner of this guitar is about 6 foot five, so he found the OM a little less comfortable understandably. Thank you so much for your sweet comments on the playing too!
Compared to my similar priced Yamaha FG730s which I really like ( also with plywood back & sides) --- that Eastman is spectacular! Bone nut & saddle and nice tuners - great value. Loved the hybrid and fingerstyle playing which sounded superb as well as the jazzy Summertime (bring it on!). It's a real player! I agree about the pick-guard and maybe even the interior decal is different for that wood tone, but for the money - amazing value and sound!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Guy. It is an amazing guitar for the price point big time! I’m sure your Yamaha is no slouch though either. This one certainly has the looks for sure. Thanks for your nice comments on the jazzy bits to my friend!
By the way, I don’t know if you know about the LHE live stream this Saturday night, or the show we are doing at the brass monkey on April 10, but in case you were looking to catch some live music there is a virtual option and an in person option coming up. Would be great to see you sometime soon!
Great job as usual Lucas, and I love the sound of that guitar.
I have one of these guitars. Honestly, it's probably the best laminated b&s guitar I have ever played. Hearing it played in your demo here confirmed to me just how good these guitars are. That great combination of playability, sound and value. I replaced the pins with ebony pins. Paid $350 Australian which is a steal!
I totally agree kaniyak 👍🏽
Just got one! Off the rack, the action was perfect. I tried a lot of the other PCH's and even an AC222CE. The PCH1-GACE just played better. I liked the PCH3 except for the gloss neck. Yes, you could notice more resonance/richness from the AC222CE but it was almost 2X more $.
Absolutely, they are fantastic! Glad you are liking yours
Cool guitar and great playing, thanks for the video
Thanks so much! I appreciate that and thank you for watching!
Get the Funk Out of the Eastman guitar. Yummy! Loved the other music too, as always. Nice to hear you playing again :) !!!
Thanks so much for checking out the video!! Glad you dug The funk!
I gut the solid spruce top version . Great guitars ❤️❤️
Just realised that yours is Solid Siltka spruce top I thought it was a solid mahogany top cause of the colour of the guitar
You play it beautifully too ❤️👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
They are for sure. I agree this one does look like a mahogany top due to the colour but it is indeed solid spruce. Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words! You have a great guitar there. Keep on playing it and enjoying it!
@@LucasHaneman I was thinking as the pick up mainly a standered basic pick up . I have a spare LR baggs anthem . I might get my luthier to install it on to the Eastman . Do you think that would be a good choice Lucas ?
@@CoventGardenSinger The pick up is pretty basic in there so I think it would be an improvement. Is that the one with the microphone? I’m not an expert on the anthem but I know lots of people love them
My luthier is fitting the LR baggs anthem into my Eastman PCH1 GACE . I can’t wait to hear and play itimpicking it I from him in a few minutes. 😊❤
Nice entry level guitar, Eastman has you covered no matter your skill level.
I couldn’t agree more!
Starting at about 11:29, Gershwin for the win!
Good catch Larry!
I endorse you comments about Yamaha . Have an old dreadnought from 1976 . Its tone is outstanding. What cutaway grand auditorium Yamaha would you recommend as student entry level but good enough for coffee house gigging ?
Thank you for all your kind words. I’m not up-to-date on all the Yamaha model names. I believe the Yamaha grand auditoriums are called the APX, or perhaps the A series. You may actually know better than me on this one. I’d say anything with a solid top would be a good bet if you’re looking to keep costs down. To me a solid top is the most important thing, even for a budget friendly Guitar. Laminate tops just don’t do it for me personally. Fortunately, I believe most of the Yamaha acoustics feature solid tops now.
@@LucasHaneman Thank you very much. The PCH range is a puzzle- I've seen the PCH3 (laminate?) at a price higher than the AC122 (assuming its real wood). Why do you suggest the ac222 rather than the ac122..? is it very much inferior ? - I ask because I can find a good price here . cheers Lucas
@@georgefenning4844 ah I totally forgot about the 122. I’ve never tried one, but I assume they’re great. I have a lot of students who have the OM version of that guitar in terms of the wood combination and they are fantastic sounding instruments. Definitely go for it if you find one that you like.!
@@LucasHaneman im taking a trip to the big store who have eastman in stock - they have a sale on at the moment - its a tough call - was holding out for black friday - but these are going fast. thanks
@@georgefenning4844 good luck to you! :-)
Hi Lucas, have you played the Eastman E8-OM yet? I just ordered one, Would love to see you demo one someday here, thanks
Yes, those are great guitars. Would love to review one on the Channel soon. Hoping to be able to get my hands on One at a local store for a video before too long. I have the E6OM, and it has become one of my most played guitars both at home and on solo gigs.
Great video .. really enjoyed :-)
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Thanks for tuning in, and hope you’ll stay tune to the channel for some more videos!
I presume it has a battery, where is it situated please. By the way, great video.
Thank you so much for your kind comments on the playing/video! The battery is inside the guitar if not on the neck block right next to it. Trying to recall the location, but it’s one of those situations where the battery is in a pouch which is velcroed to either the back of the guitar or the neck block. I think it’s the neck block if I remember correctly. Either way it’s nice and unobtrusive and easy to change out when the time comes.
@@LucasHaneman Thank you for your prompt reply, most helpfull.
can i ask what pick you use? sounds great :)
Interesting question, and thanks for your kind words! This was a strange video for me as I used a pic that I don’t usually. I believe it was just a Dunlop medium nylon pick I found it in my pocket, and I found it brought out a little more warmth in this guitar, so I ran with it. Usually I use either an Ibanez PJTC one, which is a slightly smaller and very stiff 2 mil pick, or a Dunlop prime tone large triangle 1.5 mill. I also use Dunlop max grip jazz pics, or the larger standard shape max grip pics. It all depends on the song. These days I’ve often been experimenting with turning the pic around to use the shoulder instead of the tip when I want a nice warm round sound. So many options out there. I used to only use Jazz pics, but those days are long gone. I try to keep about six or seven pics in my pocket of varying size and material for as many Sounds as possible
I compared these to the Taylor and Martin and Breedlove laminate back guitars which cost 3 to 6 times more and this Eastman is just worlds better in every way.