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I've been looking for pictures of the T64 online all the time, haven't pulled the trigger, because I want to play one before I buy (an my local guitar store hasn't had a T64 in yet, just some archtop models).
While looking at pics of the T64, I noticed that on recent ones, the bridge pickups seems to sit closer to the bridge (like on an ES330 - in most reviews, it was pointed out that the bridge PU of the Eastman has a fuller sound due to the extra distance, compared to an ES330...)
Did anyone else notice this?
Here are some pics - I drew lines from the tips of the dogear covers to the notches of the f holes, to show the difference:
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Interesting. Perhaps there is a difference between the bigsby and plain models. Have you compared two of the same models, in other words two with the bigsby or two without? There is not a lot in it, but it seems unlikely that there would be a variation like that between builds - I might be wrong. Do you know if they have similar dates of manufacturing?
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It definitely looks like it’s repositioned in the photos. Are they the same model of pickups? Maybe they changed the design to be better suited to their current pickups. I’m no expert with electric guitars, so it’s all just a guess.
"It's only castles burning." -- Neil Young
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Bigsby or not doesn't seem to make a difference (I just chose those pics because they had a similar perspective & size - look at T64s for sale on Reverb, and you'll see the changes on both trem and trapeze tailpiece models).
Also, the position change doesn't seem to coincide with the change from SD Antiquities to Lollars...
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I think mine is the same as the one with the non bigsby but it could just be a newer model thing. Mine's from the end of 2019.
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I might take a guess at this.. moving the pickup closer to the bridge might have been to bring out more of a classic Beatles tonality. In a ES 330/Casino, the bridge pickup is about like your picture t64b.jpg. To some players, this placement made the ES 330 too harsh and thin sounding. I think Eastman built earlier T-64s with the bridge pickup closer to the neck intending it as an improvement. It probably is better for jazz and blues but not so much for 60s rock n' roll sounds. But, apparently, they decided to revert to the classic placement in newer model T64s.
As a P-90 enthusiast, I happen to have a ES 330 and a T64/v and can confirm the difference. The T64 is wonderful and beats the ES 330 in every way except for the pickups. The Lollar P-90s are terrific -- but the Gibson MHS P-90s have a certain mojo that is really special. If not for those pickups I would sell the ES and keep the T64.
RomanS and
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Garcon
