|
I am confused about which Eastman guitars have a center block and are fully vs. semi hollow. From the Eastman website: "Every one of our laminated thinlines has a center block that runs the length of the body right down the center." Both the T64/v and the T486 are listed under "Thinline > Laminate" on the Eastman website. They should both have center blocks. But every review of these guitars the internet contains describes the T64/v as fully hollow. Guitarist writes that "the T64/v is built without a center block" (https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/2...64v-review). And every review of the T486 describes it as a semi-hollow with a center block. Clearly, either the Eastman website is incorrect, or many internet reviews are incorrect (Premier Guitar ain't the only one to say something like this).
I hypothesize that part of what is going on is that Eastman laminated thinlines fall somewhere between traditional fully hollow and a fully divided two completely separate chambered semi-hollow. And the terms "semi-hollow" and "center block" aren't clearly defined and different companies use them differently. But that does not fully explain things. What I really want to know is what the differences are, center-block / fully vs. semi hollow wise, between the various models in the Eastman laminated thinlines. Particularly the T64/v vs. the T486. Does the T64/v have a center block? A smaller/thinner center block than the T486?
More information: I love semi-hollows, but I'm more of a heavy blues rock guy than a jazz player. I need to be able play with a fuzz pedal at stage volume without feedback problems. I played a T64/v in the shop the other day. Loved it. I love P90s, I like bigsbys. The other option would be the T486B. But that does not come in the violin varnish (which I love!), and I like the Lollar P90s in the T64/v more than the humbucker-sized Phat Cats in the T486.
Any information on the center block situation in any of these guitars, or experiences with gain at stage volume with them, would be greatly appreciated. I play in lousy bars and in basement practice spaces with a loud drummer, and while I *prefer* lower stage volume and realize that it is better for your ears and your tone, the reality is that things usually get loud, and I need earplugs.
|