Eastman AR503CE Review - The Perfect Jazz Guitar?
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- Eastman AR503CE Archtop Review | Sound examples (acoustic & electric) | Playability | Specs
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Today I'll do a Eastman AR503CE review. Eastman builds great guitars and the Eastman AR503CE archtop is a bargain. So let's find out if it's the perfect archtop jazz guitar or if it's too good to be true.
I'll review the acoustic and electric sound in professional recording quality. I'll also tell you my opinion on the playability. The Eastman 503CE guitar comes with slightly different neck specs, so we'll see if that's any problem or maybe even an advantage.
I hope you like my Eastman Ar 503 CE review and give it a thumbs up. Please also share the knowledge and check my Jazz guitar gear playlist from the link above.
Eastamn AR503CE Archtop Jazz Guitar Review:
00:00 Eastman 503 Performance Electric Sound Chord Melody
00:37 Specifications
01:50 Eastman AR503 guitar - Acoustic Sound
02:14 Join the channel and enjoy perks!
02:40 Eastman 503CE archtop - Playability
03:52 Eastman AR503CE Pickup
04:20 Eastman 503CE Electric Sound
05:18 35 Beginner Chord Melody Jazz Standards
05:51 Conclusion 
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Thank you for reviewing this guitar Sandra. I have a 503CE and I really dig it.
Great review, Sandra!
Hello Sandra, really love hearing you play!
Thank you so much! ❤️
Good review and smooth playing as always Sandra! You made me want another Eastman!
Anothee one? Which one do you have already?
Same ! I have the 810ce, absolutely love it with the floating pickup. I'm thinking having another archtop with pickup on the table
I purchased my ar503ce in 2018, and it's still a great guitar!
Happy Birthday to you!
Excellent review! You always do such a remarkable job and we all love you, dear Sandra.
Enjoy your hatch day celebration as much as you can. Best of blessings to you, your husband, and your entire family.
OH, thank you, dear Luis! You're such a sweetheart for remembering my birthday ❤. And thanks so much for the donation (why so much? Is that a birthday gift?). But most of all I really enjoy having you here and reading your wonderful comments every week! That really makes my day. Yer da best!!!
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman I hope it’s enough for your birthday cake. Happy and wonderful hatch day again, dear Sandra!
It does, for sure! That makes for a big Sachertorte 😋 😍
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman 🌹🌹🌹
Great info, playing! I've got shoulder problems, so I'll give a look!
I played one today, it's phenomenal.
I loved the review, so HAD to subscribe! I've had a 503CE for a few years now and just LOVE it. It's all the jazz guitar I'll ever need (and a wonderful gift from my wife ;-) ) .
Keep the guitar - and the wife 😊
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman Haha! Yes, both are keepers 😉
I saw my AR580CE at the local music store (on consignment), played it, and fell completely in love with it. It's now my primary guitar. Somehow it just fits my hands, and honest to God it took my playing to a new level. Fantastic instrument.
Is the 580 the Pisano model?
OK, this is the third time I've tried to answer, but my replies seem to vanish into the ether. So if it's redundant, I apologize. The Pisano model is the 880; fancier appointments with solid maple sides and back, whereas the 580 has laminated back and sides. The pickups are different as well, and of course stuff like binding, knobs and whatnot are different. In terms of size, however, very much the same.
Sandra. I have the AR403CE. It has a multi ply top but sounds great I purchased it about 7 years ago and I really love it. Eastman’s are overall my favorite guitars.
Their ad says the top is solid... are they lying?
My mistake ti was looking at the 503.
Recently bought one love it!
Good choice! 😊
I had a 503 and it's a nice guitar. But I also have issues with larger guitars, bitting under my arm and causing me some pain. So I ended up with ar603-15 which is a smaller (15 inch lower bout), all solid wood Eastman, and I love it. Nice video.
That sounds nice. Have to check it out.
They are Beautiful Guitars.Such a Great Tone.
BEAUTIFUL
Are you planning to get new jazz gear (for Christmas maybe)? Tell me what your plans are!
2nd cataract surgery is done, I'm looking forward to getting reacquainted with my current Godin jazz guitars. Now that I can see again, i plan on purchasing some of your newer lessons. ❤😊🎵🎵🎸
@@dkstott29 Oh, I'm so happy you were brave enough to do the necessary. Must be a great feeling to see again now. My mom just had her surgery from 19 diopters down to 3.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman after 40 years of wearing trifocal glasses, I only need cheap readers for my phone and tablet.
For me, the timing of your video proved to be most interesting. I have a love/hate relationship with the acoustic sound of archtops but I absolutely love the plugged in sound. I was strongly considering the 503ce but, in the end, went with the Godin 5th Avenue Kingpin ii P90. It didn’t hurt that I got it in dead mint condition for 610 USD plus tax and shipping on Reverb. The beauty of the 503ce, aside from the build quality and overall value, is the fact that you get a great electric archtop that is also plenty loud enough to enjoy when played as an acoustic in quiet settings. As usual Sandra, you nailed it!
The Godin is an excellent choice as well. I have one of their models (the Kingpin HB) in my 5 Best Jazz Guitar video.
Sorry. Cherry wood is no material for a guitar top.
Beautiful guitar. I just picked up a AR403CED this past May ;)
Congrats, great buy!
Love listening 👏 you sound amazing ! 😻
Thank you so much!! ❤️
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman Sandra if I may, being a beginner in guitar... with limited budget, would you recommend me the Eastman Ar372ce for a start?
Thats a great sounding guitar! Hello from California !
Thanks for reviewing the AR503CE. I bought mine in 2015 and love it for its versatility. I play jazz, country and rock and this guitar does the job. Now I’m curious which pick up is on there. Wessman plays Eastman!
I think the used the Duncan SH2 back then.
I bought the Eastman AR 880 CE John Pisano model and it's a lovely guitar. A step up in price, but it's all solid wood. Like the 503 CE it's dimensions are comfortable and it's very light probably around 6 pounds. Thanks for sharing
The Pisano is great! Congrats on your purchase 👍
Wow, thanks! I have an Eastman semi-hollow (T184MX-CS) and have been very happy with the playability and the truly superb fit and finish. I don't own an arch top of any kind yet. I will go to the Eastman site to investigate further.
I think Eadtman now has new modeks also. They have quite a good range.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman They do have a lot. How did you pick the AR503? By price?
Great review Sandra, that instrument sounds fantastic for the price range.
Three odd years ago I swore that the guitar I purchased then (Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor 11) would definitely be my last.
Fat chance…now thanks to watching yourself and Rich Severson praising this guitar I’ve got the bug AGAIN!!!🙄
So now I’m sitting here trying to tell myself why I don’t need it lol
Love that colour too, its the one I’ll choose should I convince myself that I really need it🤔
P.S. my wife will be so pleased😡
I don't have that guitar anymore. It had 2 dead spots my luthier couldn't get rid of. I boght a bit smaller Eastman then and I'm happy with it. I made a video on it too.
Sounds great! Just bought the Eastman T58 . Wow! Solid spruce top so pretty nice acousticly for thin body! flame maple binding, TV Jones Filtertrons. Ok, kind of a improved Gretsch. Can still do Jazz though.
That's a special sound with the Filtertrons. Not my cup if tea, but cool if you dig it.
I owned 2 early Eastman jazz guitars. Both had the early Eastman issues of fragile finishing. They were sold not long afterward. I love my 2 Godin archtops.
Was the finish a thin poly? Mine ca. e with a ding at the back and I got it for 1300 instead of 1800 😊.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman I think I bought mine in 2009-2010. They were early in the Eastman production. The finish chipped and alligatored very easily. If you search, you'll find reports of Eastman changing their finish to overcome the issue.
What a lovely guitar!! I'd love to own one!
They're really affordable for an archtop. Maybe you can get a used Eastman.
First of all, your are sooo good!! Secondly, nice guitar! 🙂
Thanks so much!!❤️
I have the AR603CED. It's wonderful. All solid woods. Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Pickups. Amazing Quality.
Me too! Love it!
Thanks!
Thanks so much for your donation, Vladimir! ❤️ Glad the review was helpful 😊.
It seems I've been playing blues for ever with my Gretsch 5236 but that Eastman is a sweet guitar.
I love that guitar you have in this video and I am a fan of Seymour Duncan pickups I have a super 400 copy with a Seymour Duncan sh 2 jazz in the neck and a 59 in the bridge and it plays awesome. I wish I could afford the Eastman and like guitars but my budget is so tight that is why I modified my super 400 copy to get to as close to the sound of your new toy as possible.
Great decision. Soundwise there often isn't much of a difference to expensive guitars, when you change the pickups. It's usually the feeling and overall build quality that makes a guitar more expensive.
good looking guitar
Thanks Sandra!
Tomorrow I'm heading out to buy a used AR503CE (of course I'll try it first). I had an AR805CE for several years, but had to sell it when Jill (amazing vocalist) & I headed out in our Travel Trailer, and couldn't take everyything. Now she's getting into performing more Swing, and we are stationary in Port Townsend Washington so I decided I need another acoustic archtop. (I played in a Western Swing Band for ten years before I met her, so have owned many archtops).
This 503 came up on Craigslist, being sold by a retiring professional guitarist, and looks like it's very well cared for, and I wanted to know more about the model, and you just gave me the info!! Thanks!!
Glad to be of hemp. Hope it's in a good shape and you can get a good deal.
It's coming from a retired Jazz player, and he was adamant about making sure I knew there were a couple of little dings in it, which I don't really care about, as it will be a working guitar! I'm guessing it's in VERY good shape, and I'm a guitar maker (Tele & Jazzmaster-ish guitars) so I have no problem with setting a guitar up if I need to. Price is in line with the world prices, so....... I'll know in two hours!
Hi Sandra! Greeetings from Albuquerque NM! I just purchased a delayed birthday gift to myself: a D'Angelico Premier SS. If you have the opportunity to play one, give it a shot. It sounds terrific to me, and I can't imaging how great you would make it sound. I am going to give it a couple of days to really adjust to my environment and then I will do a complete set up with flatwounds. It played perfectly out of the box. The list price in the US is $899.
Congrats on that guitar and happy belated birthday 🎂.
SO GOOD TO CATCH YOU IF I MISS 1 OF YOUR LESSONS I WISH YOU A STRESS FREE XMAS AND A GR8 NEW YEAR- Ps I think i beat everyone when it comes to having small and uncooperative fingers--I WAS NOT SOLD ON THE SOUND OF THE GUITAR BUT THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM - THANK YOU SANDRA SHERMAN
That's true. So much to choose from :-) That's why you can't have too many guitars, lol.
That is a beautiful looking and sounding guitar. I recently bought a new hollow body primarily for jazz. I looked at a lot of Eastman guitars on -line. I also have shoulder issues and didn't want a full size archtop. I ended up with a thinline Heritage H530, which is actually really loud acoustically. I also really like the Lollar p90 pickups. I didn't realize how hard this thing rocks with round wounds. I guess we both have new axes to play that we love. Congrats on the new Eastman. It is beautiful.
Congrats back for your Heritage 530 😊.
Nice. 😊
I just joined your channel ! I have an Eastman AE803d but I never bonded with it so its in it's case , I really wanted a guitar Yamaha used to make called an AE1200 but they stopped making it before I had a chance to buy one.These were really great but you hardly see them secondhand.Your new guitar sounds really good and it looks as though they have developed their archtops for the better so congratulations.Have you ever been to the Django Reinhardt festival in France ?It is great for jazz guitar of all kinds (I watched George Benson play one year ) so it's not just Gypsy jazz.
Welcome on board Nicholas! 🤗
Have you searched "Reverb" for that Ibanez? No, I've never been to the Djangofest in Paris. I used to play a lot of Gypsyjazz, but never made it to Paris.
I love Django but play more Wes style nowIn fact Wes and Django are my two fav Jazz Guitarists and love them equally so I try and fuse them into my playing style.@@GuitarversumSandraSherman
Thanks
Thank you for your donation, Paul! That's really kind of you ❤️.
I am convinced that this will become your favorite guitar. It sounds too beautiful!
My favorite will always be my first love - the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion :-)
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman Great!
Wow... extraordinaire 🎸.... jolie..... avec amplificateur fender ???? merci beaucoup 😉❤️ bravoooooo mdm Sandra
I record my tutorials directly through my RME soundcard into the PC. For the Eastman I didn't even use an amp simulation plugin. It sounds woodier without. So you really hear what comes into the recorder. No tweaks, no EQ, a little compressor (so the video won't distort), and reverb, that's it.
Eastman makes some nice guitars for sure! I think early on, quality was hit and miss … some being wonderful, and others… ahhhh so, so. I have an El Rey with Kent Armstrong pickups, that sounds quite good, and plays easy - can get very low action. I wanted a small bodied archtop, so opted for it. But, a couple thing bother me about it. Looks like you got a good one here - and, you sound good with it (as always)… but, it looks like it feels good for you. I hope to see more of you playing it. What a nice b-day present for you 😉 …🎈🎉🎂… have a great one!
Thanks Barry! You have a good memory from my last year birthday :-) I've been having it for a while now, and can enjoy it more and more, now that the shoulder problems are better.
great review!! Do you plan to review the D'Angelico Excel SS Soho ?
I don't have that. But I'm highly interested in D'Angelico guitars. They're great value.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman Many thanks for the reply and congratulations for all the great videos!
It sounds really good with some pick up of the acoustic sound. But... I still prefer the rounder and fatter sound of a Gibson, especially the L-5 CES for the classic jazz. But that one is not very practical and big, expensive and heavy. I just bought an Eastman T486 which is very good.
I dig it. My Eastman is stock other than putting on some tomastik strings. That one looks like the nut might be wider..
Most Eastman nuts are wider. I didn't change anything other than putting fret marker stickers on.
Hi Sandra,
After watching your review of this Eastman AR503CE I went ahead and bought one.
Fairly happy, just wondering what type of strings you have on yours since the strings mine came with don't really work for me.
Thanks in advance,
Bill
I play Thomastik Bebop 12s. They are roundwound, which I prefer. But if you prefer flatwounds go for the Thomastik Swing.
you should really check out the Eastman T-184 (14" thin line body-(perfect for you!) really light too...but BIG sound. It's an all solid woods guitar (what you want!)
I bought rhe D'Angelico DC Mini and made a video about it.
I saw your review on d’angelico mini dc, I wonder if could give a review on the d’angelico EXL 1( hollow body arch top ).
Thanks
I don't have that guitar. I only review gear I own myself. But maybe D'Angelico provides me with a test example 😊.
What strings do you use? Flatwounds? Thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it.
Please check out my video, where I also discuss the strings I use: ruclips.net/video/-6Tylw4gf0E/видео.htmlsi=c2hbXsnh3KPDux5S
Shoulder problems ? Me too, I guess many gutarist have this problem, a video about this issue may be helpful...
I was thinking about that indeed. But it's orobably too much responsibility. Im6not a doctor. And what helped me may not help others. I can already see the interned mob jumping at me for giving medical advice (which it won't be, if I only shared the exercises that helped me).
My jazz lady 🥰
maybe it's not THE best or super perfect, but Eastman AR503CE is simply one of the best I ever played, that's for sure - great review anyway, Sandra 👍🏻
Wow, thanks! I think it's a very decent guitar, especially thinking about the price too.
Thank you for this video. I want to buy this exact model, but not sure about that 44mm nut and if that rounded C neck is too huge?? 🤔
On the other hand I have a Dangelico Mini Dc, the guitar that you reviewed previously, and to me it has a neck that is a liitle bit too thin 😅
Such a small details matter..
Too bad thay don't make 15" archtops anymore :)
Then this neck will be perfect. It's not a fat neck at all. I do feel the 44mm when I just pmayed the Mini DC. But if I play the Eastman for a few days it becomes totally normal.
I still love Gibson. I own many. I play my ES350 for jazz. I’ve owned 6 Eastman’s. All great but still prefer Gibson. I love your Gibson.
My Gibson HRF is still my favorite guitar. You never forget your first love :-)
This sounds great as do all your guitars. Also, great playing as usual. You mentioned you got a guitar that has dead spots. What exactly are you referring to here? Do you mean the note doesn't sound at all or does it just sustain much less than it should? I have a $2500 hollow body and the note on the Bb on the 6th fret on high E string does not sustain nearly as long as the other notes on the guitar. When I play it, it rings out for only 1 to 2 seconds whereas all other notes sound for at least 3 seconds. So if I play this note in a chord melody arrangement, the note on the B string rings out longer, and dominates the Bb note.
Have you seen this phenomenon and how did you remedy it?
Dxactly what you describe. Tje sound rang jjst so mucj shorter. Just a plopp on the 8th fret of the low E string. Drove me nuts, so I somd it. The overall sound was even better than this one, bc it was larger. Best acpustic sound I ever had, with the exception of that dead spot. You can hear it here btw: ruclips.net/video/najBGxEciFU/видео.htmlsi=uYUJa9qNPW9TWjP7
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman Thanks for the reply. Yes it does sound good. Did you take the guitar to a tech or luthier to try to get rid of the dead spot? Mine hasn't been set up optimally so perhaps that will help. I may just sell it like you did, but I don't really want to take a big loss.
Eastman is a very nice guitar at a reasonable price.
Where can I get a shirt like the one you are wearing in this video, cool look.
JGS
I got it from Amazon.
Hello, very good videos I'have a question, l am waiting for a ibanez af 95 FM, l have a dv mark ampli with 12 pouces, I put flat strings, a good cable, what do you think of micro s58? Is there a better to have a very smooth sound. Thanks
What is the micro being used for? For vocals or for putting it in front of the guitar amp?
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman for guitar jazz humbucker s58 is on the guitar and if a better one is possible
One micro super 58 60 euros
I currently own an Eastman T184. I want a guitar with a bit more of an acoustic feel, so I'm considering buying an Eastman AR580 or an AR503. I think the main difference between these two models is the difference in nut width. AR580 has a nut width of 43mm, while AR503 is listed as 44.5mm. I imagine the ideal size would be 44.5, but I'm hesitant to buy it online because I haven't seen it in person. Isn't a guitar with a neck with a narrow nut width a bit uncomfortable to play? I am concerned.
43mm is the regular width. I find the 44.5 a bit strange tbh. But it depends of course where you're coming from. If you're used to classical guitars this one will be ready for you. If you come from a Fever Strat, this one will take some days getting used to.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman
I ended up purchasing an AR905. The nut width of 44.5mm is just right and is easy to play. It sounds similar to an acoustic guitar.
Beautiful Instrument! Does not come in left handed, unfortunately. Have to look into putting Seth Lovers in my guitar after this, though.
Oh, dayum. They make way to few lefty guitars.
Sandra espero estes bien me gustaria conseguir esa guitarra left handed sunburst color please?
Ooh, I don't know if that's callableavailable as a lefty. Maybe check the Eastman website.
Gracias Sandra muy amable voy a ver si la consigo ❤
sounds superb, but maybe it's the guitarist I like 😉👍🏻
Sandra did you have the tone control rolled off?
No. I usually have it between 9-10 for review videos and between 8-9 in real life.
I had one of these but I sold it because it was too acoustic for my taste. Nice but we little sustain.
Really, I find exactly the acoustic slund attractive and it has lots of sustain.
That looks like a great jazz box. I wonder how they can manufacture it at such a low price. Well, probably because it's made in China. But quality control seems to be good.
The bild quality definitely got better!
What's the name of the tune she opens with?
Beautiful Love. Here's my tutorial (It even has free Tabs!): ruclips.net/video/g1VlrT1oKwc/видео.htmlsi=kZt2tYGoygagJR1x
Thx!
A very sweet tone. But then again, you could play on a tin can and it would sound awesome :-D
Awh, that's nice. ❤
Ja gute Videos aber leider auf englisch, leider,leider,leider mühsam als Österreicher da immer auf englisch zu denken! Sonst super nur so ein Gedanke!
LG Roland
Naja, mit Deutsch kommst du als RUclipsr nicht weit. Da lässt sich leider kein Geld damit verdienen. Da aber immer mehr alles Englisch wird, vielleicht doch ein Anreiz für einen Englischkurs?
Not doubting that it's a good guitar, but I couldn't bring myself to pay "made in USA" prices for a Chinese instrument.
Erm, a Made in USA archtop with these features costs 5000 minimum, not 1500
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman I should have been clearer... Here in Australia their range (not only referring to the archtop but their whole range) is seriously overpriced. Their Les Paul equivalent is within 20% of the "real thing".
Ah I see. That sucks.
If only they werent made in China...
Then they wouldn't be as cheap ;-)
It sounds like a rusty spoon, like made in china.
Well, that's a strict judgement ;-) I venture to bet you won't be able to tell the difference to a US made guitar in the same price range or even higher, if I blindfolded you.
@@GuitarversumSandraSherman You would lose everything on the bet. Your playing is wonderful, but the difference between US craftsmanship and Chinese attempts at copying ....is easy to listen for good ears. Gibson, Collings, Heritage and the japanese manufacturer Ibanez are in a different class.
While I agree on the haptic and overall quality, it's often even hard to distinguush between an Epi and a Gibson if the same model. The haptic is very important to me and while the Eastman isn't perfect you get quite a lot for the money.
Please always remember that when something is too good to be true it always is. These guitars are made under pitiful conditions in the very repressive Chinese dictatorship no matter how much they make propaganda videos making you believe otherwise. There are lots of nice guitars being built in many other countries that do not have this terrible track record on human rights and no matter how much you think you love this guitar this fact will be always there.
If you haven’t been to the factory in Beijing then you don’t know what you’re talking about. Yes, I’ve been there. Have you? Or are you expressing someone else’s opinion?