I have this guitar in red, with flame that is not to be believed. And I agree with you, it is an amazing instrument. I have YET to have anyone play it that didn't rave over it. Eastman makes some sensational instruments.
If I didn't already have a double humbucker semi-hollow I would get one. I already have Eastman's casino, 59 LP, and a mandolin. I've accidentally become an Eastman collector, they make amazing instruments for the money.
Notification to pick up I used on now two of these that I have are Righteous Sound RTOP it’s their version of the tea top and also Righteous Sound in the other Guitar too, and I used the RAF2, which is an Al Niko five Chicago made magnet or Illinois excuse me, lol and I love the tones from both. There was some question about the upgrades and for some reason, I tried to reply to the question but could not seem to get it to work for me I am blind so I have a difficult time sometimes using the site sorry for any delay in responding to questions, but I do hope this helps and I hope the other reply I sent does get to the right person. Thanks again guys. Keep the videos coming. Thanks, great Guitar. I have one similar however, the two things I did change on mine is that I upgraded the pick ups to boutique PAF and also upgraded the tuning. I did not care for the PINGWELL Ping well tuners I think that’s how it’s spelled, but I didn’t really care because they sucked, but I put some good locking tuners on there and a killer set of pick ups and you’re right the Guitar is beautiful and certainly now mine sounds incredible too. I just don’t care for Duncan pick ups. I’m burnt out on mass produced guitar pick ups we can refine our sound so well now with so many choices so many great winders of PAF and other pick ups available that there is no reason not to have a good tone in this day and age. Thanks for the great demo. 5:57
@ I have actually just finished working on a second one of these guitars that I picked up used also upgrading pick ups and hardware. I have used Righteous Sound and the RAF2 model in the first one that I did and in this one I have used the our top which are basically their version of T top, which would’ve been in most ES guitars probably the one Clapton played as well in Cream. I am blind and dictating so if this mess spells anything, please excuse that sorry for the time it took to get back to you, but either way this gives me some pretty versatile sound. I have also considered actually changing out the RAF two models for the regular RAF, which are based on the D Allmond sound however I truly like what I get out of the A5 magnets and I like a very woody, slightly deeper darker tone, but I have been told another great option for the semihollow guitars is to use pick ups wound with a short, a five type magnet almost like a Gibson burst bucker pro Guitar pick up or something held wound similar. You can check out throwback repro Guitar pick ups. They have a beautiful PAF list be prepared for the prices however rewind also makes high-end and I have used WHIZ or whiz as well who has a great selection and they will even wind you some with the original 59 wire they have NOS wire stock still available however, unless you buy the standard versions of pick ups the NOS wire versions will cost you around $12-$1500 normally an average set of a good brand like Tyson tone, precious, and grace. That’s their version of the pearly gates some of the best sounding pick ups on the Market used by blackberry smoke. Charlie can’t remember his last name, but he uses Tyson tone again a great upgrade for this guitar. Hope this gave you some good ideas about not only what I’m using but what I would suggest or recommend you check out if I can be of any further help. Don’t hesitate to message back wishing you the best of luck with your guitar. I do truly believe 90% of the tone comes from the pick ups and your wiring harness I would also tell you to focus on yet. They did put a good harness in here, but I would certainly consider the quality of the solder and the quality of the type of pots and caps that you’re using lust for tone is another great website. You can check out Irish guy in Florida, who makes amazing pickups and guitars as well, but you can buy his handmade pickups and again all of these folks build to order anything you want. Good luck in your research. you can expect the price of around $400-$450 on average for a set of pick ups. Tyson tone are available on Reverb right now with nickel covers a very good set of pick ups the precious and grace model about 365 bucks you can’t beat that great great Sound tons of demos on UA-cam for these pick ups also but again the our top Righteous Sound version of the two top will give you anything you want to like I said it’s truly about what you desire. Good luck finding your tone best wishes.
That guitar is drop-dead gorgeous! I am very impressed. And I have heard nothing but great things about this guitar. In fact, I just ordered one in the 'Classic' red finish for myself today. Thanks for a great review!
Love my T486! Same color as yours too! The finish is possibly nitro depending on the year it was made. Eastman switched to a thin poly finish called "truetone" around mid 2021.
I'm quite tempted. I'm a little bit leary of fretboard purfling though. I recently returned an Epiohone Sheraton because they had cut the fret tangs too short to avoid cutting through the purfling, and the fret ends had lifted. I tried an Ibanez AS113 which 'looked' great but was unsteady across the frets and the nut needed replacing .. So it's either save up for a long time for 335 or find something in the middle ground. My old Harley Benton HB35+ IS sweet, with the levelling and hardware uogrades but I'd still like something classier innit.
Love the Eastman guitars. I got my lefty in red a couple of years ago. I've since bought an SB59 as well. That too is fantastic (this could be your next one Tony). Finish is either nitro or something called truetone they switched around 2020 it seems.
I have a 2020 T386 SB on the way. The finish looks to be nearly mint. I am debating whether to degloss the back of neck when it arrives. I'm not sure what the finish is on these newer Eastman guitars. Anyone know? Might be hard to mess with that gorgeous finish, even to speed up the neck. But ... not sure.
I own an Eastman archtop and it is excellent. However, I hate that they bind the f-holes. When the eye falls on the f-holes of these beautiful guitars they really do start to look cheesy.
I've owned several Gibbos over the year, good, but not always great. Build quality sometimes nothing special, not a patch on say a Yamaha SG (I've owned a couple of them too)
I have this guitar in red, with flame that is not to be believed. And I agree with you, it is an amazing instrument. I have YET to have anyone play it that didn't rave over it. Eastman makes some sensational instruments.
If I didn't already have a double humbucker semi-hollow I would get one. I already have Eastman's casino, 59 LP, and a mandolin. I've accidentally become an Eastman collector, they make amazing instruments for the money.
Notification to pick up I used on now two of these that I have are Righteous Sound RTOP it’s their version of the tea top and also Righteous Sound in the other Guitar too, and I used the RAF2, which is an Al Niko five Chicago made magnet or Illinois excuse me, lol and I love the tones from both. There was some question about the upgrades and for some reason, I tried to reply to the question but could not seem to get it to work for me I am blind so I have a difficult time sometimes using the site sorry for any delay in responding to questions, but I do hope this helps and I hope the other reply I sent does get to the right person. Thanks again guys. Keep the videos coming. Thanks, great Guitar. I have one similar however, the two things I did change on mine is that I upgraded the pick ups to boutique PAF and also upgraded the tuning. I did not care for the PINGWELL Ping well tuners I think that’s how it’s spelled, but I didn’t really care because they sucked, but I put some good locking tuners on there and a killer set of pick ups and you’re right the Guitar is beautiful and certainly now mine sounds incredible too. I just don’t care for Duncan pick ups. I’m burnt out on mass produced guitar pick ups we can refine our sound so well now with so many choices so many great winders of PAF and other pick ups available that there is no reason not to have a good tone in this day and age. Thanks for the great demo. 5:57
@@adamswanson8216 what pickups did you put in there? Glad you like it now.
I was also wondering about the pickup change. What did you put in there?
@ I have actually just finished working on a second one of these guitars that I picked up used also upgrading pick ups and hardware. I have used Righteous Sound and the RAF2 model in the first one that I did and in this one I have used the our top which are basically their version of T top, which would’ve been in most ES guitars probably the one Clapton played as well in Cream. I am blind and dictating so if this mess spells anything, please excuse that sorry for the time it took to get back to you, but either way this gives me some pretty versatile sound. I have also considered actually changing out the RAF two models for the regular RAF, which are based on the D Allmond sound however I truly like what I get out of the A5 magnets and I like a very woody, slightly deeper darker tone, but I have been told another great option for the semihollow guitars is to use pick ups wound with a short, a five type magnet almost like a Gibson burst bucker pro Guitar pick up or something held wound similar. You can check out throwback repro Guitar pick ups. They have a beautiful PAF list be prepared for the prices however rewind also makes high-end and I have used WHIZ or whiz as well who has a great selection and they will even wind you some with the original 59 wire they have NOS wire stock still available however, unless you buy the standard versions of pick ups the NOS wire versions will cost you around $12-$1500 normally an average set of a good brand like Tyson tone, precious, and grace. That’s their version of the pearly gates some of the best sounding pick ups on the Market used by blackberry smoke. Charlie can’t remember his last name, but he uses Tyson tone again a great upgrade for this guitar. Hope this gave you some good ideas about not only what I’m using but what I would suggest or recommend you check out if I can be of any further help. Don’t hesitate to message back wishing you the best of luck with your guitar. I do truly believe 90% of the tone comes from the pick ups and your wiring harness I would also tell you to focus on yet. They did put a good harness in here, but I would certainly consider the quality of the solder and the quality of the type of pots and caps that you’re using lust for tone is another great website. You can check out Irish guy in Florida, who makes amazing pickups and guitars as well, but you can buy his handmade pickups and again all of these folks build to order anything you want. Good luck in your research. you can expect the price of around $400-$450 on average for a set of pick ups. Tyson tone are available on Reverb right now with nickel covers a very good set of pick ups the precious and grace model about 365 bucks you can’t beat that great great Sound tons of demos on UA-cam for these pick ups also but again the our top Righteous Sound version of the two top will give you anything you want to like I said it’s truly about what you desire. Good luck finding your tone best wishes.
Looks may be secondary, but they're important for your look as a performer. Also, a beautiful guitar inspires one to play. That Eastman is a beauty.
I think looks are important. It helps bond with it when I’m happy just to look at it.
Really nice guitar Tony. Beautiful wood and finish. Sounds great with the 57 pickups. Nice playing demos.
Eastman are my fav maker. Stunning guitars, had one… sold it… regretted it ever since!
I have a T-484 and 2 SB59’s, all amazing guitars!
That guitar is drop-dead gorgeous! I am very impressed. And I have heard nothing but great things about this guitar. In fact, I just ordered one in the 'Classic' red finish for myself today. Thanks for a great review!
Congratulations dude. I’m sure you’re gonna love it.
Yes, looks count! Good choice!
Guitar Pawn - love watching all this Eastman SemiHollow content - keep 'em coming 😍
Sweet guitar Tony…look forward to hearing more of it this sunday…rock on my brother!!!
Excellent review as always!
I appreciate that
hello tony , congrats on the new guitar .
Awesome guitar and killer demo. 👍
Love my T486! Same color as yours too! The finish is possibly nitro depending on the year it was made. Eastman switched to a thin poly finish called "truetone" around mid 2021.
Thanks I’ll check the date
Bought a T486, I am in love. You sound great!!!!!!!
I'm quite tempted.
I'm a little bit leary of fretboard purfling though.
I recently returned an Epiohone Sheraton because they had cut the fret tangs too short to avoid cutting through the purfling, and the fret ends had lifted.
I tried an Ibanez AS113 which 'looked' great but was unsteady across the frets and the nut needed replacing ..
So it's either save up for a long time for 335 or find something in the middle ground.
My old Harley Benton HB35+ IS sweet, with the levelling and hardware uogrades but I'd still like something classier innit.
@@KozmykJ I’m totally pleased with this guitar. No issues
Beautiful guitar
Love the Eastman guitars. I got my lefty in red a couple of years ago. I've since bought an SB59 as well. That too is fantastic (this could be your next one Tony). Finish is either nitro or something called truetone they switched around 2020 it seems.
I bought one. Love it! With case mine was under $1300. Gibson 345 flame top, sides and back, with case..$$$$
It's a nitro finish.
That was a awesome deal!
Happy for you Tony, that thing is sweet!!!
Thanks Tony
I got one last month and it’s the best guitar I have am going for the les Paul next ..great post 👌👍
Nice guitar, Tony!
It's gorgeous Tony I am sure you will enjoy for years.
I think so too!
Still addicted after all these years 🤘🤷♂️🤘
Gorgeous guitar!
What's the string spacing like at the nut compared to current Gibson? Specs are 1.75" vs 1.695" for the Gib
Damn!!! I guessed right on Instagram!!
Tell me that is one beautiful guitar I love it
Best lookin guitar I ever saw
I have a 2020 T386 SB on the way. The finish looks to be nearly mint. I am debating whether to degloss the back of neck when it arrives. I'm not sure what the finish is on these newer Eastman guitars. Anyone know? Might be hard to mess with that gorgeous finish, even to speed up the neck. But ... not sure.
I would leave it. It doesn’t seem sticky to me.
@@addictedtogear Probably good advice.
Glossy Eastmans used to have nitro finish, but at the ending of 2021 they decided to switch to a urethane finish they call Truetone.
Can you get a sunburst like that on a 486 today? I can't find one anywhere. If I could get that finish I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Yes you can. They still sell these.
Just got mine today and sounds really dark to me
I've yet to see anyone say they don't like Eastmans. Always quite the opposite.
Still debating buying a hollow body. Never owned one, but I feel if I did, it wouldn't suit my style. Already sold my thinline tele.
You need to try to know..
I own an Eastman archtop and it is excellent. However, I hate that they bind the f-holes. When the eye falls on the f-holes of these beautiful guitars they really do start to look cheesy.
That’s interesting, I like the binding on my T484 and feel it’s something my Heritage H530 is lacking…
I own the T486B. Without doubt it leaves Gibson in the dust. End of story...
Not sure I’d describe swapping a great set of pickups for another great set of pickups an upgrade…
True unless your really like the new set.
Wait.... Tony is not going to swap out the pickups???????!!!
Never say never…you never know…
Jescar not Jester!
The ffreys are stainless that's what the name implies.
??
@@addictedtogear Fret wire is stainless steel on most Eastman guitars and the finish is Nitro on most of them, the T59v I have is hand rubbed.
what is the neck profile like?
Very comfortable C shape
Buy a Gibson you will respect yourself in the morning !
Gibsons are great but make no mistake these Eastman t486 guitars are great for half the price.
I've owned several Gibbos over the year, good, but not always great. Build quality sometimes nothing special, not a patch on say a Yamaha SG (I've owned a couple of them too)
I have the Eastman 371/ ES175 single HB
FANTASTIC!!!