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I thought as an introduction, I'd try to do an objective comparison between my 335 and t59/v. Might be a touchy subject, but there is no clear winner in my mind, but perhaps my observations will help some.
I've owned 6 Gibson ES guitars over decades of playing, but this time I bought Eastman. Everything I have read and seen prompted me to abandon Gibson this time. So that says something. I'm going to limit this review to my current 2019 ES 335 plaintop with P-90's and my new t59/v
So, this is far from the most expensive 335. I have the sunburst, and it shows some grain, which is nice, but nothing like the flame on the t59. My 335 is very much like the original '58 in that it has an unbound neck and headstock and 50's contour neck, though not as large as a real or reissue '58. It is thicker and a little more narrow than the t59v. So, for appointments, Eastman is the clear winner. I would have to pay double to get a Gibson with the appointments on the t59. The Gibson also has just a dot neck, rosewood fretboard and decal on the headstock. But my very plain 335 was only $300 more than the t59v. So maybe it depends on whether you like plain or fancy. However, that ebony fretboard, low action and wider neck on the Eastman are fantastic. This guitar is so easy to play. So playability goes to Eastman. And if you prefer the snazzier appointments of the multiple bindings and MOP inlays and that fantastic hand-rubbed, aged finish, obviously Eastman is the clear winner, especially for the money.
Eastman case is much nicer than the standard Gibby brown case. It's just a thing of beauty.
I love the varnish finish and the gentle aging of the Eastman, which I think is done very tastefully. Also the aged hardware. To get that kind of finish on a Gibson, I think I'd have to at least triple the price of the Eastman, if not more, so if you're a fan of that, then Eastman is a steal.
But...there are two areas in which Gibson comes out on top. The Grover butter bean tuners are better than the tuners on the Eastman. The Grovers are smooooth and consistent. On the Eastman I've got one with a bit of slop in it and one that is tighter feeling than all the others. And the fret ends of the Gibson are much nicer. Perfectly finished. On the Eastman, I actually caught my high E string under the 3rd fret end once when putting the guitar in it's case. I've discovered I can do it on some other frets as well, so this is an area in which Eastman could definitely do better, although in daily playing, it's not an issue.
As for electronics, it's not a fair comparison because I have P90's in the Gibson and SD Antiquities in the Eastman, but I can say that these SD pups are beautiful sounding. Airy, great definition, sustain...I'd be hard pressed to think of Gibson humbuckers that sound as good, though I do have a fondness for the Burstbuckers that were in my '63 reissue. As an aside, the P90's in the Gibson are great. I believe the wiring and pots are probably comparable in each guitar.
I would say that overall fit and finish on both guitars is very good, except the couple of small issues on the Eastman. But the Eastman probably has the edge in playability and certainly on appointments and the antiqued varnish really does it for me.
In the end, I'm keeping both the 335 and t59v. Both great guitars with different sounds (and I have an older ES 135 with a Bigsby I'll never sell). But I probably won't buy any more Gibsons. I AM considering an SB59v, and since my son has all but stolen my Martin, it might be time for a new acoustic...
Anyway, that's it for me. Hope some found this of interest.
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