(09-20-2017, 07:37 PM)Meathead Wrote: Hey all -
Just curious if anyone has played the Eastman T series? Specifically I have been looking at acquiring the T386 as my next guitar. I have yet to own an Eastman electric and hope to make it my next purchase. I have found it a little harder to find Eastman electrics at the local stores (versus the Acoustics which can be found in many places). I am confident the same quality and craftsmanship goes into the electric series... would love to hear feedback.
I own two T series, a T486 and a T186MX. They are the reason I seek out places like this nifty new forum.
I first encountered the Eastman name when researching 335 style guitars. Like others have commented elsewhere, you never see anything but praise and enthusiasm for these guitars. So I put them on my "must try" list before making any buying decision on a 335 type.
And like you, I found them hard to come by... but I started looking for a chance to try one. BTW - in my research I got to play lots of 335 types -- Heritage 535, Sheraton and Sheraton II, Ibanez (several models), Epiphone dot as well as actual Gibson 335s, etc.
My first chance to experience an Eastman was a used T386 in a Guitar Center. I was immediately pleased by the resonance, balance, feel and, in particular, the neck (among the most important attributes of a guitar in my book). It was selling extremely cheap too -- about the price of a well preserved Epiphone Sheraton -- its only drawback was being in a rather beaten up condition. I passed on that one because I was beginning to look very closely at the various Eastman models and thought the T486 was the right one for me. But I still remember that guitar too -- which tells you something about everything Eastman makes.
I did end up getting a T486 and it definitely had that same, immediate, "this feels great" vibe. T486s have better pickups which is why I held out for one and I definitely agree this guitar competes with instruments 2 and 3 times as expensive. It follows the 335 formula closely with a solid center block and laminate top. But it has a slightly wider neck than most 335 types. I think that is a real plus. This guitar is outstanding and a fantastic value -- it does everything a 335 should and does it very well. It arguably outclasses everything in the sub-1k market and I doubt anyone would say it wasn't in the top two or three.
I later decided to try a fully hollow-body instrument. With confidence in Eastman now firmly planted in my head I took an interest in the T186mx for its cool combination of hollow-body, carved top, 16" lower bout and high grade Humbucking pickups. I think this is a fairly unique combination, actually. But what an instrument!
The workmanship of the mx line is truly superior. The binding, fit and finish are equal to any guitar I have tried, at any price. The sound has an almost crystalline clarity -- if you like gorgeous clean tone, try a T186MX. I would also say it has a bit of acoustic character that comes though when amplified and that translates into extremely articulate chords (every note is distinct and defined).
For blues and fusion lead work (with a little overdrive) there is a pronounced note bloom and upper harmonics that emerge on held notes. I find it mesmerizing. I guess this is due to the fully hollow body resonating because you can actually feel the liveliness in the body as you play. No laminate top I have tried is anything like as lively as this.
The mx series also have that slightly wider Eastman neck which I find perfect for me.. you can fingerpick it and grab those great jazz chords with less finger bunching. I just love this thing - it looks, plays and sounds like a really fine instrument.
Garcon
![[Image: sFp6Jq1.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/sFp6Jq1.jpg)
