Eastman T386, T486 & T59/V Comparison Video. How Do They Differ?
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2020
- Eastman T386 in our catalog rguitars.co.uk/pages/search-r...
Eastman T486 in our catalog rguitars.co.uk/pages/search-r...
Eastman T59/v in our catalog rguitars.co.uk/pages/search-r...
The Eastman T386, T486 and T59v are quite understandably immensly popular and a massive personal recommendation to my customers. Naturally people want to know the differences between them. This video should hopefully provide you an insight into how they differ and which model may suit you.
The video may either confirm your feelings or help you realise another may be more suitable. Either way - its just a guide to help you.
I didn't want to get too emotionally involved in this specific video so apologies - I had to really bite my tongue because its more about what is more suitable for YOU - than me personally on this occasion.
All 3 guitars are gorgeous and I hate saying one is "better" than another but I want you to at least see the difference and see where the money goes as you go up the price points.
Please do contact me or Jon on live chat or in store etc if you would like further help with which model would suit you and your budget but hopefully the video will go some way to help you too. 
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Hi Richard Still loving my Eastman T486 - great pick ups and flamed body and ebony fretboard is world class and having a few 335's over the years this is far superior and the set up is great as well
John
I have a T486 also and love the guitar and craftsmanship but I hate the Duncan Jazz pickup in the neck. The classic 59 bridge is good but I wish Eastman put classic 59's in both positions
Tone comparison bookmarks
-- T386 (Kent Armstrong pickups)
neck 2:32
bridge 3:13
-- T486 (Seymour Duncan Jazz/'59)
neck 6:40
neck (tone down) 7:14
bridge 6:08
-- T59/v (Seymour Duncan Antiquity)
neck 9:58
neck (tone down) 10:24
bridge 9:23 / 10:57
Great comparison man, thanks! I found this extremely helpful. Thank you for taking the time to do this.
I was trying to research the difference between the models and this helped a lot. Thanks!
Good job pointing out the differences in these three fine guitars. I had recently researched this and decided to go with the T-486 Classic. I have been playing over 55 years and have owned over 100 guitars, including $5 garage sale guitars all the way up to $5000 Gibson guitars. The Eastman T486 blows the present Gibson 335's away. The Eastman features far superior craftmanship and attention to detail. Finish, neck and fretwork are excellent! I am extremely picky and want as close to perfection as I can get for my money. All the great things I read and heard about Eastman guitars are definitely true. I love my T486 and it's now my favorite guitar of the twelve different pro-quality guitars I own!
A very well put together video Richard.
Very informative and useful. Thank you for doing this for us.
Thank you so much for this, I am looking at these models and this video is gold!
I would be happy with either the T486 or T59/V.
Thank you for a simple and comprehensive run-down of these instruments!
Great review Richard - I’ve long respected/loved Eastman’s work…was very curious as to the differences between these three models, thanks so much for the great overview.
Excellent demonstration very well done answered every question I had now I need to save fir the 59v
Was waiting for this!
Very well done video. For me the T486 would do very nicely. I’m looking forward to the individual videos.
Great job, this is like talking to someone who wants you to be happy with your purchase.
Hi again - based on this really useful comparison and individual reviews elsewhere, I think I can officially "come clean" now and say I've gone for a T59V/RD... I'm really excited at the prospect of getting an Eastman after months of reading universally positive reviews for all their guitars.
Thanks Richard, great explanations!
I personally like the T486. I have ordered one in the classic finish. These guitars are a work of beauty and the best part, they won't break your budget.
You are not helping my GAS 😩
Great timing I been searching for 335 alternatives that are same or better but cheaper 👍
I thought that the V stood for Varnish finish. Interesting, great video Richard!!
Hi Richard. Nice review, I have a T59V that I purchased from you some 3 years ago now, the guitar is fabulous and I have some nice guitars to compare it against, I love the finish and it is ageing nicely with use, I have had only one small problem with the guitar, the bridge was buzzing, a small washer was missing from manufacture, happily you sorted out the problem without question and as quickly as was humanly possible with a replacement part. Cant fault the guitar or your service. Thank you.
Great video as always. Could you give us a video on the blues chord progressions you used?
Thanks for doing this comparison, Richard! I just received my Eastman T59/v and couldn’t be happier with it. I can definitely vouch for the build quality of Eastman guitars. Your video certainly makes it easier to discern the differences between these models and will undoubtedly prove beneficial to anyone on the fence about which model to buy. Cheers!
Ken Adams thanks Ken and wow when you combine the tone of those incredible pickups and the finish of the T59 it really highlights what a unique guitar it is. Nothing else like it
I have a T59/v and the build quality is first rate, much better than any of the dozen or so 335s and 339s that I played at my local Guitar Centers. The pickups really sing - throaty and articulate.
Wow, that T59/v….. sounds blooming gorgeous. And looks the part too. Cheers Richard
Useful comparison. That 59v is amazing.
Helpful comparison. Thanks for posting. I was hoping I might be happy with the 386. Sadly, the T59 is the only one that draws me in.....
Great reviews…I have a 386t I guess it’ the red finish (beautiful) has dot inlays on fretboard no binding @ headstock but 2vol & 2 tone w Kent Armstrong pups bought used…I really like it but want to change pups and pots to SD 57’s & CTS. and maybe then I’ll be 100% satisfied…maybe.hahaha
Hi Richard,
Great and informative videos as always. I've been eyeing a Eastman t484 after seeing this overview (although you do not have the t484 here), Regardless is there a way you could do a review on it? Although I'm pretty far from where you are music has no language, musicians all Over the planet will always have a unspoken but obvious relationship.
Wishing you well and hoping for a review.
Hi Richard, great review thank you, could you do a comparison between the T184, T484 and T486 please nothing on RUclips. Love your videos and unique approach to your passion for guitars
Great demo
That 486 is a beautiful sounding guitar.. love the jazz and 59 combination.
I recently bought a T59, and it has quickly become my number one guitar.
The red one has a more full body tone and I like that! 😊❤
Based on Richard's comparison, I went for the Eastman T59/v (actually, the T59/v-RD model). Richards Guitars did their usual wonderful job, dispatching the guitar promptly despite the current Covid-19 situation - and the set-up is spot on!
The moment I started playing the T59/v, I realised why Eastman are getting such good reviews! Straight from its plush-lined hard-shell case, it plays like a dream and is in a different league to most of my other guitars. It's an axe that instantly feels "at home", as though you've had it for years, and the hours have slipped by unnoticed since it arrived today. :)
The neck profile is wonderfully comfortable, and the frets are dressed to perfection. I'm not really a "lead player" as such, but access to the higher frets leaves some of my solid-bodies to shame.
The other big revelation for me are the Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickups; they are so well balanced and expressive, bringing out every nuance and equally good for chords and lead lines alike. They chime played clean, and sound amazing with gain and distortion, maintaining the clarity with a "creamy" richness.
I've been a strong advocate of the excellent value today's cheaper guitars represent (you can see some of my comments on Richard's videos); we truly are in a "golden age" for quality at low prices. I've bought quite a few in the last year or so to expand my "sonic arsenal" - and they've all been really useful.
So, having said that, you might wonder if I think it's worth paying the extra for the Eastman. Put it this way - with the affordable guitars, my reaction each time has been "Great value - and it does the job". By comparison, with the Eastman, it was instantly "Ohh WOW!"...
I'd promised myself this would be my last big guitar purchase, but I'm already looking for excuses to buy another Eastman!
Like the best wines... once you have tried one its hard to go back to the "great value" bottles!! lol Bless you kind sir for your comments and so pleased you are happy with it. I am in the midst of doing job interviews for our new team member! So I apologise for being a little off the radar. Love your comments!
You should do a review of the t59! I am trying to figure out what tone I like more and haven’t seen many videos of these being played with jazz:(
I have the T386 which I use with a Blackstar HT20 MKiiR tube amp. I can get Jazzy fender sounds to Marshall growl. Seems like the right amp makes a big difference.
Gorgeous!
Ages ago this video was, but fwiw I went with T59V in amber, just because of its sexy flames (and specs)..........cheers!
Very useful video tks. I wandering in the price range of 1000 to 1500 for a hollow body wether to go Eastman or dangelico? Playing the same tunes on the different guitars is very nice way of comparing the guitars.
The T59v is an incredible guitar for the money, the ebony fingerboard is extremely smooth and the Duncan antiquities sound incredible. I have one which has a really great flamed match top and back.
listen to all of these several times i personally own the t386 and the Eastman El ray 3 the t386 is my favorite guitar i own out of 20+ guitars and i must say i liked it best here on your review as well Eastman makes amazing instruments
Great guitars man! T59 for sure , but where can I get a pair of those sweet JORTS.?? Cheers ;)
great guitars ,the 486 has that thick tele sound that gibson forgot how to do years ago
I think they all look and sound great and buyers should be driven by their budget. If you've only got a grand, grab a T386 rather than overstretch. Do you see many lefties of these models coming in? I'd love to add one to my arsenal
I am waiting for the elusive T484. June? July?
Nice Video. Thanks. I read on the Eastman website that the T486 has a nut width of 1 3/4", which I like. Can you describe the neck of the T486? In particular I am interested in knowing about the thickness of the neck. Would you say the T486 neck feels rather slim in the hand? I prefer necks that have a bit of thickness. Not really like a 50's rounded, but just not too slim of a neck behind the fretboard.
The t386 seems a little wider at the nut than the (very few) 335s I have played. Neck seemed slimmer too. I have the t386, very comfortable neck. String spacing took a little while to get used at first
Hi Richard, could you give the chord sequence you used on the neck pickup of the 386. Sounded lovely. Best regards Chris
It was a 12 bar blues didn’t catch the key but I think it was A... meaning the chords were A7 D9 and E9 he used the root 5 9chord shape
Love love the t59 but i would gladly live with the 386 :) cost and simplicity are a bliss when you have cats and dogs running around the house 😄
If I could have any Eastman, it would have to be the Eastman T186MX Blonde, pure guitar porn. If I had to pick out of the 3 in the vid, it would be the T486 in its iconic red and the 59 and Jazz are a brilliant combo!
Nice job! I'm still torn between the t486 and the t59/V. Having larger hands, I love the 1.75 nut width. The only thing I would add is the fretboards on all 3 models are ebony(which is my favorite)...
They have ebony fretboards.
I went to look at the t486 and came home with the t59/v.
I really like the t59/v amber. It just stands out. I know they are built about the same as es 335. What would be the usa price? I live in North Carolina. God Bless. Jesus Loves you.
All beautiful guitar but like the no frills one best always change the pick ups to tastes
Thanks for this video. There's not much materials to look into for these guitars. I already bought a T486 earlier this month and it's great!! I was curious about the antique vibes on the T59/v with SD Antiquities tho 🙌🏼
I know this is an old video. But, can someone tell me what the string width is as the bridge for each of these guitars?
I know this is an older vid, but if anyone has played a T59, T484 & T464, can you please compare the neck shapes of each? I’m only familiar with a T484 neck and it’s quite chunky.
Hi Richard - good review on the Eastman T's, but just as I was about to comment on the importance of the nut width on the Eastmans you made your 'emergency' posting in captions re the nut width. I have an Epiphone Dot which I upgraded with Seth Lover pickups and CTS pots etc, and it sounds great, but if I had the cash I'd still go for the T486 for that extra bit of finger space at the nut end of the neck. The Seth Lovers are great, but so too are the Jazz and the '59, and I advise anyone who wants a 335 style guitar but likes a wider neck at the nut, then go for the Eastman T's of your choice.
I already have an Eastman E1-OM-CLA which in sound, build and finish is excellent, just sorry I can't afford the bigger electric brother! Moral of the story: first of all, stay well, and then be happy with what you've got! 🤠 Take care all.
What's the difference in nut width between the Epi Dot and these?
@@gianthonour The Epi Dot nut width is spec'd at 1.68"/42.67mm whereas the Eastman T486 is 1 3/4"/44.45mm - just a few mm but can feel very different. Hope that helps (you can always find these out by searching for 'Guitar specs)
what's different mare the T-184, T-185-, and T-186....all solid woods and no center block (lighter!)
The red one sounds the best.
To my ears the T386 sounds wonderful
In terms of sound versatility, meaning being able to play clean jazz to distorted rock, would you recommend the T59 or the T486? I really enjoy your reviews by the way. Cheers.
I would have to sway toward the T59 on the basis that the T486 is that much "brighter" / cutting tonality than both the T59 and T386. Naturally when you roll off the tone you get the warmer jazz tones in the 486 too - but would suggest the 59 is the one that is more naturally suited. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.
Eastman are quite possibly my favourite guitar brand Richard - such outstanding value for the quality - also 335 style guitars are my personal favourite kind of guitars, so this video is perfect for me :-) Of the three, I gravitate towards the T59V ( mostly for cosmetic reasons, it looks stunning ) but they are all lovely sounding guitars. Have a lovely weekend brother x
why don't you audition both pickups together - one of my favourite sounds?
Interesting!! 59V for me. Did you say Gotoh tuners on this one?
Me too! Yes the Gotoh Vintage
59v wins..
Wish u reviews the p90 ones.. the middle series
I think the aged hardware of the T5V9 looks better than Chrome
I think the red or gold burst finish on the T486 look better than the violin T5V9 finish
I think the jazz neck and 59 seymour pick up's are probably better than antiquity, I think for a in between and value the T486 is better
is the neck one piece Sir?
Eastman's violin varnish / gentle relic look is so much more realistic than "others" at 1/3 the price. I've yet to see one in person but it seems someone finally did some proper R&D as far as what the majority of "real" vintage instruments look and feel like. I wonder if it is spirit or oil varnish? Coming from the high end mandolin world and fortunate to have owned several different varnished instruments, I can attest that this is truly a superior finish for acoustic instruments. Collings uses a very beautiful and labor intensive oil varnish. Gilchrist and Nugget use a spirit varnish and French polished finish that is close to what Gibson used on their golden age mandolins of the early 20th century. There really is no substitute for varnish and it's nice to see a company using it to such great effect as far as realistic relicing. Not every vintage guitar has such drastic aged "factory custom color over sunburst" finishes with the guitar looking like it was on the front lines of at least two 19th century World War fronts. The downside? Once again, pricing at Eastman makes little sense, with a Les Paul Jr style priced higher than at least two 335 style guitars, all solid carved top and back A and F style mandolins, and a few other all solid carved top jazz and flattop acoustic guitars? Come on Eastman, you are telling your customers that a one pickup, flat plank of semi-mahogany electric guitar is more labor intensive than any of these other instruments in your line? That is an insult to your customer's intelligence and trust me, if they were priced at a very fair $7-800, they would be flying off the shelf as fast as you could make them!?
They price the SB range to track how Gibson is pricing their own range. I agree if the SB55s were priced closer to 1000 I would have bought one by now.
Making a solid body with a carved maple cap is actually more labor intensive than making a semi-hollow body, although it seems counter-intuitive. There may be some of the "market driven" pricing too, but mostly it's the labor and material cost. A thick slab of light weight good quality Honduran mahogany is expensive, as is the beautifully flamed maple cap, added together they drive the material cost up. I got an Epiphone 59 reissue, which is just like playing the real thing, except the flame top is a veneer, but who cares? The neck has that 59 feel we all love, and it's very resonant, much more so than a Epiphone 1950's reissue, which is a slightly less expensive version with gloss finish and chunky neck with big shoulders - I much prefer the 59's more rounded C shape in my hand, and the satin finish feels better too. It resonates better than the 1950's, and the pickups are USA Burstbuckers, so it sounds better too. I finally understand why people love Les Paul standards. I always had Specials and thought they were just as good, but that maple cap makes a big difference, I looked in the pickup cavity, and it has a thick maple cap like a Gibson, which is where the tone comes from. I think having a lighter weight mahogany slab behind the maple cap allows the sound to resonate better, while a heavy dense piece of mahogany under the maple will attenuate the sound making it more mid-rangy........?
Not really enough info on the body constructions. I'm interested in playing acoustically from time to time and therefore want one with hollow body without the through block. Can you please point out the difference if any.
He told you in the beginning, they all share the same centerblock. No 335 is full hollow, you need to check other models for that, like a 330.
What are you wearing?
Thanks Richard. Useful video considering I currently aspire to get an Eastman 😁
Great. I found the doing the video really interestig and helped me cement my personal favorite etc!
@@RichardsGuitarshop I think the t486 will do me nicely
I have a hohner 335 actually called hs35. With Kent Armstrong pickup the Hohner has great build quality I couldn't justify $3,000 difference in a Gibson I did not hear that much difference when I first bought my guitar. I was in my local guitar center yesterday and played the 59 Eastman with the antiquity pickups I was really amazed now I'm wanting to put those pickups in my honer or just trade in the hohner cause man that guitar was awesome
Lovely guitars. Aesthetically I wish the inlays went higher up on the fingerboard. Functionally, the angled tuners (E-D-G-E) look weird, and it makes it harder to fit your fingers between the tuning buttons.
Which guitar has the hottest pickups? I’m not a fan of low output. Thanks for the vid
You’d probably like the Seymour Duncans in the 486.
I have an older ( 2015) T486V ( vintage lacquer ) which they don't make anymore. I also have a 1972 Gibson es335. Both are great guitars, but for the money the Eastman is just so much more value than any Gibson I think. You have to like the neck ( bigger than a 335) , but the pickups are great and the guitar really resonates beautifully
To my ears，the T386 have more woody sound than the other two.
Actually the T486 has the Pingwell turners exactly same as the T386. And Not Ping.
T59 a little ahead of the 486 but not a massive difference. Worth the extra money to me though.
I don’t know how these passed me by I’ve been looking for a cheaper 335 , I just heard these were made in China and didn’t bother ,,now I know different
Me too lol I might have to break my chins boycott for this
I wish the T486 came in plain top. For some reason I'm not a fan of flame.
Hi Richard - Thank you for doing this! It's the first time I've seen the models compared side by side and it's really a huge help in deciding between them. It's great that you managed to stay dispassionate about them (that must have been really difficult!) and just let the guitars speak for themselves. My first serious guitar was a second-hand Epiphone Casino back in the mid '70s, and I've been keen to get a new semi as my next purchase from you. Watching this has convinced me it's time to get an Eastman! I'll be in touch very soon.
This was three years ago no the T 486 is $1700. Eastman is finally catching on that. They are making the best Guitars in the world.
Yes I just bought it today for that price...my 4th Eastman 🙏
@@macstil585 congratulations hang onto it. I purchased a John Paesano eastman when it was $2000. Now they are $4700!
@@macstil585 congratulations
Is the T59 available in red?
Yes
T59/V!!
I love the "violin" finish . One of my dream guitars of recent years is their T58V ,with a real American Bigsby and TV Jones Filtertron pickups. Like a custom shop Gretsch 6120 but a fraction of the price.
Yes the T59/v just oozes pure class and custom shop vibe. The video wasn't to focus on personal favorites - but if it was - then the T59/v is my baby! The sound from the pickups too - just incredible.
I thought V was for Vintage …?
Can someone please describe the neck profile!! Lot of talk and not much accomplished
i bought me a street one amp
Seymour's are warmer..
Bought a '59 violin finish; as well as buying recently a Gibson 335 for about 3 grand more.also had 2 Epiphone 335's, which i've let one go. I do realise the difference// as good as all these guitars are/ as far as i'm concerned; with playability, tone, etc ,; nothing compares with the Gibson.i'll keep the Eastman, and one Epiphone as spares for abroad gigs.A great comprehensive review.
Over the years I've owned quite a lot of 335 style thinlines. I've never bonded with the maple neck versions. A maple neck with an ebony fretboard is even more brash. All that beautiful lower mid range that the Gibson was so famous for is lost. I can't for the life of me figure out why eastman can't use some sort of Mahogany toned derivative for their necks? Use ebony with it that's OK, but maple no thanks. I also can't figure out why on their website it says the 59 is the neck pickup, and the jazz is the bridge?!?! Personally a 59 in the bridge and an alnico ii pro in the neck would have been a better combo.
Maybe, Richard, you should spend less time making these videos and concentrate on answering emails whether live chat or other or pay someone to answer them. It seems only Sally answers emails quickly, of course, this concerns the payment of money.
Eastman killing gibson quality