I've owned over 20 guitars, Gibson, Fender, PRS PRS SE, Gretsch, Mike Lipe, Yamaha, Chapman, Aria. The worst by far was a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute Gold Top. The neck had a ridiculous bow that couldn't be rectified with truss rod adjustment and consequently the bridge and saddles were set high and the action was crazy high. Try and lower the action and you get horrendous fret buzz. The quality control was a joke. Besides the neck problem there was a trapezoid inlay that sat proud of the fretboard. The nut was cut badly, the gold finish was poorly done around the neck joint and the tuners were next to rubbish. Needless to say I returned that guitar and haven't purchased another Gibson since. I would love to own a really good Gibson Les Paul Gold Top. I've considered ordering a 50's Standard P90's. But nobody ever has stock which means paying up front and waiting weeks for a mail order delivery. After such a poor experience previously I don't want to pay for any Gibson I haven't tried. I also don't want to receive one with a light coloured fretboard or one weighing in excess of 10lbs. They're so inconsistent! Solution? Order an Eastman SB-56 and have none of the above issues. Simple.
Comes down to PUP/neck preference. My nitpick is that I with Easman would have done a wraparound on the P90 and an "ABR" on the Humbuckser, but they're a tremendous value.
I've been playing blues for 40-plus years as a professional. I've been into Eastman's for about five years. I currently have four different models. To compare a Gibson tribute to an Eastman is ridiculous. I have some Gibson's I really love. But they are at the higher-end models. The Eastman models are as good or better. The tribute models are fine they sound good play good. But the Eastman's are much much better.
Buying guitars should be about quality not a name. Yeah a name can make you famous but slash didn't get famous on a Gibson he got famous on a brilliant knockoff but he can still play his butt off. It's the player not the name on the headstock. That being said there is a psychological high to having a Gibson.. only a Gibson is good enough... For corporate snobs the same one that have fancy rollexes. It still tells the time 🙄. My thoughts if it feels right and sounds right and has tuning stability that's what matters. Function over form
You’re right about it being a psychology problem. Had an Eastman and thought it was a great guitar, but I sold it because it bothered me that it wasn’t a Gibson. Makes no sense, but having a Gibson just feels better to me. I don’t know if it’s the history or the marketing, but it just feels better owning one.
It’s extraordinary how much better the Eastman sounds. The Gibson isn’t a terrible guitar at all, the Eastman is just far superior.
Lollars 😂
@@MrInfinite43wood choice, build quality as well. I had Gibsons.
Eastman for the win. Good sound.
To my ears, the Eastman won the day. Sound was much clearer and stronger on the Eastman on the second and third tests. Thanks for the comparison.
I've owned over 20 guitars, Gibson, Fender, PRS PRS SE, Gretsch, Mike Lipe, Yamaha, Chapman, Aria. The worst by far was a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute Gold Top. The neck had a ridiculous bow that couldn't be rectified with truss rod adjustment and consequently the bridge and saddles were set high and the action was crazy high. Try and lower the action and you get horrendous fret buzz. The quality control was a joke. Besides the neck problem there was a trapezoid inlay that sat proud of the fretboard. The nut was cut badly, the gold finish was poorly done around the neck joint and the tuners were next to rubbish. Needless to say I returned that guitar and haven't purchased another Gibson since.
I would love to own a really good Gibson Les Paul Gold Top. I've considered ordering a 50's Standard P90's. But nobody ever has stock which means paying up front and waiting weeks for a mail order delivery. After such a poor experience previously I don't want to pay for any Gibson I haven't tried. I also don't want to receive one with a light coloured fretboard or one weighing in excess of 10lbs. They're so inconsistent!
Solution? Order an Eastman SB-56 and have none of the above issues. Simple.
Great review Chris 😊
Comes down to PUP/neck preference. My nitpick is that I with Easman would have done a wraparound on the P90 and an "ABR" on the Humbuckser, but they're a tremendous value.
Agree that a wraptail would have been perfect on these eastman
... really great playing..!!
Thank you so much, Kurt!
I've been playing blues for 40-plus years as a professional. I've been into Eastman's for about five years. I currently have four different models. To compare a Gibson tribute to an Eastman is ridiculous. I have some Gibson's I really love. But they are at the higher-end models. The Eastman models are as good or better. The tribute models are fine they sound good play good. But the Eastman's are much much better.
Eastman all the way. Not even close.
The middle position on the Eastman sounds great.
Les Paul definitely darker in a nice way. But if you want a little more diversity I think the Eastman would do the trick Both excellent to my ears
Eastman is better made imo
Yes... Eastman sounds better
Buying guitars should be about quality not a name. Yeah a name can make you famous but slash didn't get famous on a Gibson he got famous on a brilliant knockoff but he can still play his butt off. It's the player not the name on the headstock. That being said there is a psychological high to having a Gibson.. only a Gibson is good enough... For corporate snobs the same one that have fancy rollexes. It still tells the time 🙄. My thoughts if it feels right and sounds right and has tuning stability that's what matters. Function over form
gibson for investment 😁
You’re right about it being a psychology problem. Had an Eastman and thought it was a great guitar, but I sold it because it bothered me that it wasn’t a Gibson. Makes no sense, but having a Gibson just feels better to me. I don’t know if it’s the history or the marketing, but it just feels better owning one.
@@ArdiNugrohocilacap Eastmans retain their values AND stay in tune.
@@tat2zz68 but theres no eastman dealer in my country
Eastman, twice the quality as Gibson for half the money.
Lollar Imperials are humbuckers, not p90s.
You're correct, not sure how I let that one slip!