Hi all -

I am interested in soliciting member suggestions and ideas for our growing EGF community.  I can't promise all ideas will be implemented, but wanted to see what ideas might be out there... 

Several of you have reached out via private message with suggestions.  Here's a partial summary:

* New Sub-forum ideas
  - Eastman Rare / Discontinued / Collectable
  - Off Topic 
  - Eastman "New model / specs / news"
  - Luthier's Corner (tips / repairs etc) 

* A stickied "Show us your Eastman" Photo thread in the electric and acoustic forums

What other ideas are out there?  

One comment regarding sub-forums - I am hesitant to add too many at this phase to avoid the possibility empty sub-forums -- but if enough folks agree on certain sub forums, I'm all ears.

I'd also welcome any feedback on ideas to help gain more EGF exposure and promote user growth.
Thoughts?  

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

What's up with Gbase? Is anyone buying or selling there? What have your experiences been like?

I'm posting this on other sites in the hope I can get someone to refinish a PG for me.

I have an unusual Eastman T-165MX, and none of the MX series come with a pick guard, which is bothersome as I use the PG to anchor my right hand.

In my arsenal of spare parts have a natural flamed maple Ibanez PG that I can easily modify to match the pickup rings, but I'd like to have someone strip and finish it to match the "root beer" color of the Eastman finish.

Does anyone know of a PG maker or luthier that can / will do it for me? Failing that, does anyone have suggestions on the best way to strip the poly without dorking up the PG binding?

Also, I think an additional discussion header for upgrades and modifications would be a cool idea :-)

Attached Files

T165mx_pg.jpg

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Hi all - 

Excited to announce a new feature for our EGF community - a "Like" button for posts.  You can find the link button at the bottom of posts. 

I had to make some manual changes to the plugin to adapt it for this forum, so please let me know if you see any bugs with the system - otherwise, enjoy!

Tim

I was fortunate recently to stumble on a fantastic deal for a T58. Here she is!



I own two other Eastman guitars (a T186mx and a T486-bk). One of the big attractions for me with these guitars is the neck -- which I love for their slightly greater width at the nut. But the T58 neck is slightly thinner than the others so I was a bit concerned buying it without the chance to try it first. But once I received and played the guitar it was instantly familiar. The feel of the neck is classic Eastman (i.e. great).

The T58 stands alone in the Eastman lineup, I think, and was inspired by the Gretsch 6120. The TV Jones pickups are amazing -- powerful, clear and with a unique voice unlike Humbuckers or P90s. If you are looking for a Stray Cats / Rockabilly sound the T58 is an absolute bulls-eye. This thing drips 50's rock'n'roll. I think it improves on the Gretsch design by keeping the vintage, understated Eastman look (IMO Gretsch guitars can be gaudy). Eastman also eliminated the complicated controls. The guitar is gorgeous to look at and dead simple to operate. 

I have a somewhat light touch usually but find that with a little overdrive the T58 invites aggressive playing. It is so authentic sounding you can't resist learning a few Rockabilly licks. What more can you ask of a new instrument if it propels you down new corridors?

Anyway, three weeks in and I couldn't be more pleased with this purchase. Another Eastman winner.

Have any of you found pickups that you just cannot bond with? Pickups that go against everything else you have or had and you "can live" with them by diddling with amp EQ and the git to force it into submission worse still going to another amp?

I have. The Seymour Duncan Jazz and the Lindy Fralin plain "humbuckers" The former is VERY bright necessitating excessive tweaking on the amp(s) and guitar to get decent sound out of, and the Lindys have such low output I can't really use them at all in my 1-5 watt tube heads.

Neither would I recommend due to their issues.

Christmas came early and somewhat impulsively.  Short version: another EGF member posted about an excellent price on an E40D-SB.  I came close to ordering it, but (1.) wasn't familiar with the retailer and (2.) preferred a natural top vs. the sunburst.  LA Guitar Sales had an E40D in stock, and we were able to work out a similar deal for a natural top.

Tonally, this guitar is amazing.  Eastman pulls out all the stops in its "40" series, and this guitar is no exception.  It's loud with great volume up and down the neck.  It's very similar to my 2016 E40D (yeah, I know...) and no reason to think the new guitar won't evolve in the same manner (increased responsiveness, expanded highs/lows, improved warmth) --- just a year behind.

Aesthetically, Eastman has knocked it out of the park!  The top is fantastic --- super tight grain and very little color.  The EIR body is very nice too (great quality, nothing too exciting).  The abalone is color matched and gorgeous.  And then, there's the neck.  Oh my, the neck... flamed Mahogany with a jet black Ebony stripe.

Everything else is exactly what I would expect.  The fit and finish are exceptional, and they seem to be getting better and more consistent over time.  And yet, each guitar truly feels like it's being custom made.  Eastman has been really great about keeping prices in check, but sooner or later, I have to believe that the cost and availability of materials will make guitars like these impossible to get at these prices.

And now, here are the obligatory NGD photos.

I was looking on Reverb at the T-59 and T-486 models and for the most part seem identical with only a few changes, the main ones being the stock pickups and available finishes.

On wood selection, I have seen more T-486's with flamed maple top, back and sides, than on the T59's. It's odd how there seems to be this random use of differently figured woods. Other brands (who shall remain unnamed) that have a plainer and "figured" laminates in the same model place a premium $$ price on the figured / selected woods used.

For those on a tight budget  if the difference between Seth Lover and the "Jazz/59" pairs is irrelevant the T-486 appears to be a best buy at a low "new" price of $999 compared to $1355.

Anyway, here's a spec comparison. To those fortunate owners of both, how do the Seth Lover pups of the T59 stack up against the Jazz/59 pair in the T486? 

eastman_T58_T486_specs.jpg

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YMMV, but "I" think a new and separate NGD post is better than tagging the bottom of an existing one? What say you?

Loved this guitar last time I was at Blues Angel Music. Went back yesterday and got it. I am set now....I hope!