I have an Eastman (503- I think) love the guitar but the electronics were awful. The pickup and all electronics had to be replaced in order to make it useable. The ER4 looks interesting.
the only eastmans ive played have had the electrics thrown away pretty much.. i did play a whole boatload of stock ones at a shop that specializes in eastmans...not impressed with their electronics at all, but.. i think you end up paying for wood... my 810 is about to get the tonerite treatment to help it out, if that doesnt work ill be selling... defintely ended up switching out all the electronics for real k.a. electronics made in us... wasnt sold on the wood though... bummer. I also get the feeling your playing (great by the way) and that bud amp is a saving grace for its sound in this video..
Curious on scale length? 24.75 or 25.5"? The sound for me came on strong a Django but maybe what you were playing. Based on comments sounds like everyone would replace the electrics on Eastman's, I find this true with most instruments coming out of China, pickups just do not cut it for my taste. But I have a Gibson ES339 that I do not like the pickups on either, will be replaced soon. Then I ended up replacing pickups on every Tele I have as well.
I just tried a number of humbucker clones in my ER4. All too hot or bright. I just installed a Roswell CC, which is fine and Dandy the pots will be substituted in due course, volume taper is almost binary.
I have an ER3.. Lovely guitar but it does have 2 issues that people should be aware of..First, because the body is so light, it is somewhat out of balance as it sits in your lap. It is head-heavy.. The other issue is that it has, by far, the softest top of any guitar I have ever owned..Already managed to put a couple of scratches in it due to my own clumsiness..It is something you have to be aware of at all times as you move about on the stage or in a practice area. Other than that, the fit and sound are first rate.. A lot of bang for the buck- especially if you can snag one used
The ER4 should be less top-heavy than the ER3 as the body is much bigger. I have no personal experience with either guitar, though. I agree with the softness of Eastman finishes (and have personal experience with those).
I've too have been very curious about Eastwood guitars in general for a couple of years now. I really like the look of their copy of the Airline Map guitars. I've thought about grabbing up one of the baritone versions just for rock band work to use on some of the songs that are just too high for anybody in the band to sing. It would make things a lot easier than trying to transpose those songs. (My music theory is not very good.)
This guitar has a very deep sound, I dig it, but I'd change pickup. I have an Eastman AR372, nice guitar in 175 style. I immediately changed the pickup since corean Kent Armstrong are cheap and muddy. I now have a Seymour Duncan '59 on it and the guitar sounds very well.
I find many electrified archtops (regardess of their vintage) to be too muddy for rhythm work in a larger band, where you have to find your spot in the frequency range. I would rather have a bright(er) sounding guitar for comping and use an EQ pedal for goosing the volume/dampening the highs when I have a (single note) solo. The brighter rhythm tone makes the guitar present but it's not in the way. In a real world situation the band usually has more than one soloist and we guitarist are there for the harmony and the rhythm MOST OF THE TIME. We tend to think way too much about our solo sound and often neglect the bigger rest.... IMHO
I have three Eastman guitars and love them all. they'll be collectible someday, although we'll be gone by then.
Thank you for your review. It is very useful. Got the essence of the instrument, and saved me a lot of money!!
your playing is spectacular ! you make it sound beautiful
Hi Tim,
thanks a lot about your fanatatic GIG DVD and also about this great demo.
The Guitar is like the player:"FANTASTIC"!
Best regards
Marc
Eastman has come a long way. Very nice.
I hope you kept that Tim. It sounds great and looks great. I have 3 Eastman guitars. Such well built and great valued guitars.
Smoooooooooth playing man ! Sounds awesome.
Now THAT's how an archtop jazz guitar should sound --- magic.
Nice guitar and you make it sound amazing!!
SOUNDS GREAT!!!
sounds great on video.
Your playing is great. However, this El Ray sounds fantastic. A one of a kind tone.
i really liked the tone, there was a ton of string noise though, and the design is so art deco cool
Thanks for this! What kind of pickup would you replace that one with?
I have an Eastman (503- I think) love the guitar but the electronics were awful. The pickup and all electronics had to be replaced in order to make it useable. The ER4 looks interesting.
the only eastmans ive played have had the electrics thrown away pretty much.. i did play a whole boatload of stock ones at a shop that specializes in eastmans...not impressed with their electronics at all, but.. i think you end up paying for wood... my 810 is about to get the tonerite treatment to help it out, if that doesnt work ill be selling... defintely ended up switching out all the electronics for real k.a. electronics made in us... wasnt sold on the wood though... bummer. I also get the feeling your playing (great by the way) and that bud amp is a saving grace for its sound in this video..
an Eastman Byrdland ;) Go Ted!!!! :)
nice! does it compare to the godins kingpins? seems it would make a solid gypsy jazz electric guitar.
havent tried the Godin, sorry
Great video! I love the look and sound of this guitar, but I'm wondering, how is the balance as it sits on your lap? Is there a lot of neck dive?
It’s not bad, not perfect but not bad
Curious on scale length? 24.75 or 25.5"? The sound for me came on strong a Django but maybe what you were playing. Based on comments sounds like everyone would replace the electrics on Eastman's, I find this true with most instruments coming out of China, pickups just do not cut it for my taste. But I have a Gibson ES339 that I do not like the pickups on either, will be replaced soon. Then I ended up replacing pickups on every Tele I have as well.
Looked up scale, Guitars-N-Jazz lists as 24.9"
I just tried a number of humbucker clones in my ER4. All too hot or bright. I just installed a Roswell CC, which is fine and Dandy the pots will be substituted in due course, volume taper is almost binary.
I have an ER3.. Lovely guitar but it does have 2 issues that people should be aware of..First, because the body is so light, it is somewhat out of balance as it sits in your lap. It is head-heavy.. The other issue is that it has, by far, the softest top of any guitar I have ever owned..Already managed to put a couple of scratches in it due to my own clumsiness..It is something you have to be aware of at all times as you move about on the stage or in a practice area. Other than that, the fit and sound are first rate.. A lot of bang for the buck- especially if you can snag one used
The ER4 should be less top-heavy than the ER3 as the body is much bigger. I have no personal experience with either guitar, though. I agree with the softness of Eastman finishes (and have personal experience with those).
DiMarzio pots now fitted 🎉
nice, yet again! what would you change the pots for as a matter of interest? cheers, Owen.
As I mentioned I dont like the taper on the volume nob, I'd like something that rolls more gradually from top to bottom.
I was to premature with my comment! heard you talking about the smooth taper just as I pressed "post", thanks for the reply, take care.
What would you replace the PU with? What pots? How is the feel of the neck ~ does it play easily, comfortable. Always enjoy your videos.
I never made any mods and decided to let it go.
I've too have been very curious about Eastwood guitars in general for a couple of years now. I really like the look of their copy of the Airline Map guitars. I've thought about grabbing up one of the baritone versions just for rock band work to use on some of the songs that are just too high for anybody in the band to sing. It would make things a lot easier than trying to transpose those songs. (My music theory is not very good.)
Eastman and Eastwood are two different companys
Oh gosh. Sorry.
no problem, the eastwoods are fun guitars
This guitar has a very deep sound, I dig it, but I'd change pickup.
I have an Eastman AR372, nice guitar in 175 style. I immediately changed the pickup since corean Kent Armstrong are cheap and muddy. I now have a Seymour Duncan '59 on it and the guitar sounds very well.
I find many electrified archtops (regardess of their vintage) to be too muddy for rhythm work in a larger band, where you have to find your spot in the frequency range. I would rather have a bright(er) sounding guitar for comping and use an EQ pedal for goosing the volume/dampening the highs when I have a (single note) solo. The brighter rhythm tone makes the guitar present but it's not in the way. In a real world situation the band usually has more than one soloist and we guitarist are there for the harmony and the rhythm MOST OF THE TIME. We tend to think way too much about our solo sound and often neglect the bigger rest.... IMHO
I agree, that's why the banjo was so useful in Dixieland bands in Twenties, it is very bright and present.
I remedy that situation by playing without horns or pianos. GBD is the only way for me. I refuse to be a 'backup' band.
Maybe a different color label?
Designed by Otto D'Ambrosia
"I think I would probably change this pickup"
Why?
"...and probably the pots and et cetera"
Again, why?
Burnwash I changed the pickup to a Lollar which I liked the sound of better, the pots were changed so that the value of the pot matched the pickup.
Hi Tim, which Lollar did you drop in? Thanks.
@@TimLerchGuitar So curious to hear this guitar with the lollar pickup.
Boy that bridge looks way to far forward? Perhaps it just looks that way?
its in the right place but I think the shape of the body makes it look a little forward.
bit too bright for my taste