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My new companion (AC422CE) arrived via Fedex last Friday. Out of an abundance of caution, I let it sit in the box for a couple hours to acclimate to my home's AC - some of the hardest hours of my life! Now that I've had some time to pick on it and tinker with it, I thought I'd write up a review for anyone interested. Just a note: I play everything (picking and strumming) without a pick, so the sound I get from an instrument may be a little more subdued and mellow by comparison. Here goes ...
Aesthetics:
Out of the case, this is a beautiful guitar (just like most of the ones I've seen shared by other members!). The spruce top, to me, seems to sparkle a bit under the lights and the rosewood back and sides, while not quite as dark/rich looking as I'd originally hoped, has a velvety characteristic to it. The ivoroid binding on the body and fretboard is clean and offers a smooth contrast between the cream of the spruce, the chocolate of the back and sides, and the slick ebony fretboard and bridge. Chrome ping tuners help, IMO, to accentuate the abalone inlays (fretboard and rosette) - I particularly like the little bit of class that's offered by the new fortissimo inlays on the 7th and 12th frets. I have, thus far, replace the black plastic bridge pins with ebony ones with abalone dots. The pick guard, while functional, doesn't fit my preferred vision of this guitar, so I'll also be removing it and possibly replacing with a clear one in the near future.
Tone/Sound:
Straight out of the box, this guitar produced rich bass and shimmering treble with plenty of overtones wrapping around the notes and sustain that lasted longer than I expected. As to be expected from a rosewood body, there was the traditional "scoop"-like sound; however, there's still plenty of mids in this guitar. In truth, it sounds more to me like someone (perhaps a member of the infamous guitar fairy guild?) has increased the EQ on the lows and highs while leaving the mids alone. Either way, it's a lovely full, complex tone.
*As a note here, the highs were almost too much with the stock plastic bridge pins. Once I switched them out for the ebony ones, I've noticed a nice mellowing of the highs and a bit more sustain on single bass notes. This new configuration of the tone is much more on-point for my taste.
When fingerpicking, the strings respond to the full range of my attacks with clarity and brilliant sustain. I'm particularly enjoying the way the bass notes seem to swell and linger a bit longer as I arpeggiate in the mids and highs. I had to really dig in with my thumb on my Takamine jumbo to get this sort of response. The Eastman does it effortlessly. It should also be mentioned here that the 1-3/4" nut width feels plenty spacious and inviting for more finger style play and the neck, while a bit thicker than other guitars I've played, offers a pleasing balance between speed and control for my bear claw of a left hand (big palm, shorter fingers). The 2-5/32" spacing at the bridge is plenty of room for even my most intense picking patterns.
As for strumming, I haven't had the opportunity to really dig in yet. (I have two little ones running around who are much more interested in scratching and pulling at a guitar than listening  , so my playing thus far has been relegated to late night). However, on the few occasions I haven't been able to contain my excitement and strummed full-on with my fingernails, this guitar sings. Bass and treble overtones swirl and mix when a chord is allowed to ring, but there's still a distinct clarity between chords when playing a progression. The effect is lesser when strumming with the fleshy part of my thumb, but chords and individual notes remain clear.
If it isn't obvious at this point, I'm already quite smitten with this guitar. Even though I had to buy it online without playing it (as so many of you have also had to), I have zero regrets about my purchase. I can't wait to hear it as it opens up even more over the coming months!
Cheers,
Ryan
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