Eastman SB59 v Gibson 50s Standard
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- Опубликовано: 22 ноя 2021
- Hi folks, another video with Steve! So we both recently got nice new 'Les Pauls' and thought wed try them out together, see what we each thought and see what you think? There will be lots of different opinions no doubt, but truthfully they are both great. The next one will feature 2 very different strats heavily inspired by each of our guitar hereos.
If you want to hear a higher quality recording of the intro jam bit.ly/3DHUvh4
Many thanks for watching!
#eastman #gibson #SB59GB
My Website: secondnote.co.uk/
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The sweetness of the les paul is my favorite ❤
very Knoffler sounding!! Wonderful!!!
Bought an Eastman 59/bn a couple of years ago. Just had an FRX mounted on it (does take routing because body is so arched). I wanted a fully compensated nut and learned Eastman, like PRS, move the nut a little closer to where it was almost fully compensated from factory. Every note everywhere is perfectly in tune.
Love the Eastman. Didn't like tuners (bad to me), or bridge (wasn't bad just had skinny posts). Replaced all that and its epic. The neck, feel, tone and sustain is stunning. Mine came with Lollar pickups. They are really nice, but I'm still deciding. Its amongst my favorite guitars, if not the favorite.
I still have the Eastman in this vid as my own guitat and still play it alot. I do love it and i do think there are ALOT more great new Eastmans then great new gibsons i feel is best way to put it haha. I also changed the tuners on mine btw. They seem to be the only really oddly out of place noticably less quality part
What’s an FRX?
@@josephbrotherton7578 An FRX is a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge designed for surface mount. In this case, the surface isn't flat, so the body is routed.
Terrific playing dude.
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
Enjoyed this one. Like those Eastmans!
I still got the Eastman and loving it. The gibson didnt last too long hahaa
Doing a sound comparison is close and comes to preference.
When it comes to build the Eastman is better by a lot.
Awesome tones good sir! Two very fine instruments in their own right
Exactly, theres nothing wrong with liking both and even owning both haha. Hopefully 2022 will see a the right gibson find its way to me 😅
To be honest, I prefer a good Les Paul in terms of sound and over-all design etc. but I like how the varnish versions ‘feel’ like an old Gibson. I had a bunch of Old Gibsons over the years and the Eastman ‘varnish versions’ really have a great feel to them… can’t explain it, but it makes a difference to how I enjoy the guitar.
Id never say no to a great gibson les paul for sure. One day i will find one at the right time and snap it up. And the longer im playing the Eastman the less im looking at it as a les paul instead just a great guitar that happens to have humbuckers lol.
the Gibson bottom end on the Les Paul is what I feel makes it sound so awesome and gnarly. the Eastman sounds awesome though. especially for it's price.
Alot of that is the low midrange.
Something to consider about the comparison, the Gibson’s bridge pickup is seated closer to the bridge while the Eastman is a little closer to the beck. The Eastman is actually about the same distance as an Epiphone. Thinking of the increase in bite/attack with the Hibsonsnvs. Eastman. Also, Eastman used Okoume, which is like mahogany but not the same, n their guitars. It plentiful in the area, and even Suhr uses it on their single cuts. Okoume is warmer and more rounded in tone and is lighter/softer.
I’ve owned 5 SB59 nitro or varnish at this point. I think they are great, but different than Gibson. Both can be excellent. The best LP I’ve ever played is a 2019 SB59/nitro. It’s close to 7 lbs and just has something all the other Gibsons, PRS, and even Eastmans I’ve owned.
The more ive had the eastman, The more ive realised i still love it but it isnt quite a les paul your right. Its just different but great. And the Okoume i didnt know so cheers for the info! Explains why its quite so light compared to the gibson, which wasnt a particuarly heavy one as they go either! The massive difference for me here tonally, was the brightness of the neck on the eastman. Almost sounds like 2 different bridge pickups haha
I got a T486 yesterday, love it!
Nice one! Enjoy it there awesome guitars
The Eastman just sounds more interesting to me here. Sweeter. The Les Paul sounds a bit harsh in comparison.
Yeah, you are hearing the aggressive mids of a Les Paul. You know you got a good Les Paul if the mids are biting at you. If you are looking for something sweet, you should checkout the semi-hollow guitars of Eastman, they sound amazing.
I also found the new Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s to be very body heavy. So I have an Eastman SB59/v in Goldburst on the way :) In Canada the Eastman SB59/v is $520 (CAD) less than a Gibson Les Paul Standard; the SB59 (non-varnish) is $1130 less than a Gibson Les Paul Standard! Based on the international pricing for Eastman guitars there seems to be a break given to Canadians right now! Even on Eastman's website the list price in CAD is $691 more than what I paid. I'm not complaining. I hope the maple top will look as good as yours :)
Awesome stuff man! Your definitely getting your moneys worth there! The top on mine is really odd, sometimes its super plain and others you can really see it come to life haha. Its a cool guitar for sure and im very happy with mine. Although i do play the T486 a little more then the SB59
@@Paul-D I just got an estimate for the shipping: October-December of this year... Yikes! I think it will be worth the wait 🙂
@@mcmillanalex eastman much produce literally 100x less guitars then gibson, crazy!
Another fascinating video, I now need to book in again with my therapist.
After owning quite a few Les Pauls over the years, I currently own zero Gibsons... but have three Eastmans, a PRS DGT and McCarty 594, together with my beloved CS Fenders. I think it's totally wrong to compare Eastmans with Epiphone; all of my Eastmans are equal - or superior - to any Gibsons that I've owned... and like PRS, Eastmans are consistently superb.
So why is it, when watching this video I still feel drawn to that Les Paul Standard ? Through my monitors it doesn't sound superior...
The only reason I can some up with is that it's iconic and for that reason price or sound isn't the issue, it's the strength of the brand. I lusted after a Gibson Les Paul 40 years ago during my teens... and that part of me still lusts after one, even though I now know that there's much better - at a consistently high standard - for significantly less.
You are absolutely 1000% correct man. I sell Gibsons in my shop and I tell people my Eastman and friends Eastmans are consistently 'better' lol. But that Gibson brand strength and the fact we all lust after a good proper Gibson les paul standard in our preferred finishes will always live on.
👍🏻👍🏻
Yeah still want a Gibson! But the Eastman stood up pretty well. I have a kit LP, heavily modded, supposedly mahogany, and it's heavy, but i like that. My back probably doesn't though Good to see Steve back. 👍
100% and i actually even preferred the neck pup on the Eastman. I wont rush and get a Gibson as so happy with the Eastman but the desire to own one at some point is still there for sure. Thanks for watching 🤟
@@Paul-D And there's the key...guitarists want a Gibson, doesn't matter what sounds better, what is better or any other comparison.
When you look to buying an LP style guitar, you'll still want a Gibson.
And that's the issue.
Hence, I'm still debating with my mind. 😆
@@nostro1001 well nostro atleast we can admit it 😅
@@Paul-D Very true...hard to take away the years of history and growing up wanting Fender/Gibson only pretty much.
(I'd throw in Gretsch, cause I always loved them)
Cheers. 👍
@@nostro1001 Eastman T58v is their version of a Gretsch with TV Jones pickups! It's rather expensive, about the same as a T59. I have a upgraded Gretsch Electromatic 5120 with TV Jones classic pickups ($200+) added, only $500 on Reverb with the excellent Gretsch hard case ($180) and roller bridge ($70), so the upgrades alone almost cost as much as the entire guitar! If I didn't have it already, I'd be gassing for the T58v....gassing for it anyways!
I have both - 30 year old LP standard and a 2017 Eastman SB59. I play the Eastman a lot more than the Gibson. Go figure.
Still have the Eastman, its going nowhere and a T59V is next. Missed the last batch of them here though 🥺 seem to get 2 or 3 batches a year from what i can tell. But the dealer list is 3x bigger then it was 2 years ago - hope the quality never drops!
I was truly concerned about the Ebony when I first switched to Eastman something I noted that you guys were commenting on. I’m sorry to blab so much, but truly at first my concern was only there in the solid body guitars as a jazz player as well as classic rock and blues of course being my base, I found the Ebony to be fantastic and add a nice sparkle. It almost seemed their Ebony boards are good. However, my concern was about sound change because of my love for Brazilian rosewood. I have a Brazilian dream and I have two other less Paul standards with solid Indian rosewood necks not just front boards and thought I would not like it but truly, after just a little bit of playing time, I adjusted to the slight difference and found the Ebony is harder, the balance is quicker it has a brighter top in and you just have to slightly adjust for it. Once you get comfortable a lot of it is in our heads truly the sound differences in my opinion I am a masters graduate from Berkeley and have been teaching guitar for over 30 years. I don’t know that I can say I have a court certified professional opinion, but I am a certified professional guitarist lol thanks guys thinking about starting my own RUclips channel Just teaching maybe doing some demos but mainly teaching and working on picking technique etc. for more advanced guitarist. I love working with all the kids I have but it would be fun too work with people like you are doing. I don’t want to sell anything though want to offer more of a service Extended free service you can buy a lot of guitars but the truth is anyone will do your practicing when I was 10 years old until I was 20. The only time I took the guitar off was to get in the shower. I just swung it around to my back when I had to take a piss, lol take care practice will get you all the guitars you can Want and make you all the money you want it’s the practice that’s the backbone of all of it 4:58
This vid was very early on in my Eastman discovery haha, here I am nearly 3 years later, and 3 more Eastmans later and couldn't be happier with them. The t64v has been my favourite one so far (and one im yet to own too haha).
If your thinking of doing your on channel - there's only 1 thing for it and thats to just do it :D
The Gibson guitars get dents and things very easily, even if you try to care for them, I think the material is softer. How does the Eastman compare?
I guess eastman would be the same, both same sort of woods, both nitro etc.
🤔Nerdy/tech-y question- do you think that the fact that Eastman places the bridge pickup a little farther away from the bridge/a little closer to the neck pickup in any way contributes to the SB59 not sounding like the LP in the bridge and middle settings? I know that on PRS Custom 24s, the movement of the neck pickup to accommodate just 2 frets makes for a significantly different sound than on a Custom 22. Both super-beautiful guitars in this demo, but only the LP has that classic middle-position thang going on. So, just wondering... Another fantastic demo. Eastman should be buying you trips to Hawaii with pre-paid groupies for all the money you must be making for them. In all seriousness, your series of vids on your journey through the Eastman range is the best on YT. Plus, as a yank-anglophile I really dig the accents. Bravo again and cheers!👍🙏✌
Thanks man, I don't know about the vids but I can count 4 of my friends who have bought at least 1 Eastman each since I went through them haha.
To your point though, yes - and also very well observed. That's a HUGE part of why they sound different, That's the reason I don't like the custom 24 vs custom 22. The difference is massive.
@@Paul-D Thank you for your response! And thank you for not thinking me crazy for my "Eastman pickup-spacing theory". It appears that your T59/v does not have quite the same pickup-spacing as the SB does. Or, if it does It still sounds much more "Gibson-y" in the middle position. Is this your personal experience as well? Thanks again. Enjoy your evening. 🙏
Yeh my T59v is my favourite guitar ive ever owned, and that includes all the guitars i had at the shop too. In the 12 months Ive had it now its a totally different sounding guitar to when it was brand new. There really is something to be said for a played in guitar. My second favourite has to be the T64 (which is a little gutting as i recently chose the Sb56 over it but still lol)
As I have told you, I think on some of the semihollow demo videos love your guitar playing great sound on this one. I have a set of the hand varnished 59V models and I have two of the gold burst SB 59 both of them have extremely fantastic car tops beautiful flame, just beautiful guitars all the way around certainly fit and finish main difference and pick up however, as I did with the semihollow guitars, I have also used lust four tone, and been able to set up my Gary Moore sound as well as my Duane Allman Sound with their Skog pick ups, and I’ve got to tell you what I only have two of the guitars pick ups changed so far but I couldn’t be happier the guitars Are just straight up better than Gibson in every way Gibson is a great guitar I’m selling everyone that I own I had 24 of them. I now have nine total Eastmans with semihollow, and I have a better guitar collection I think with those nine than I ever did with the 24 Gibsons couldn’t be happier with the prices quality Except I wish they would change pick up makers on all of their models. Not just their top end I am just not in love with Seymour Duncan and really worn out on them. There is so many boutique dealers out there offering so many fantastic options from Tyson tone, lust for tone, wiz, rewind, throwback, etc. the list goes on and of course I just ordered a pair from Righteous Sound. Sorry to blab so much but truly I am excited about these guitars as a guitar teacher and gigging musician at 50 years old, and I have been about anything since my first Gibson, they are just that great thanks 3:26
Slash is a huge reason why many of us are interested in Les Pauls. Slash's famous Les Paul is a brilliant knock off. That speaks volumes.
True, there are many excellent 'knock offs' etc. Many bloody awful ones too haha.
I think most Lp players are because of Jimmy!
We are all inspired by someone. Me - Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy), Phil Campbell (Motörhead) Slash
Slash's tone is a little different though from a normal Les Paul, mainly due to the pickups that he uses, it is very distinctive, but not the classic Les Paul tone most are after.
Jimmy Page.
Eastman guitars are great. Considering price point, quality of product, etc. Eastman wins every time for me. Each model definitely beats out their direct comparison Gibson in parts, quality, and (by far) price.
For sure, my friend just got a T64v that is gorgeous too, be on the channel in the newyear :)
The Gibson looks right, because it's a Gibson. But, all things considered the weight and balance of the Eastman gives it the win for me. I have a Gibson Les Paul Traditional. You don't want to be playing it standing for any length of time and being so body heavy you're always fighting to keep it level even seated.
The only downside to the Eastman is resale value. They're just not going to hold value like a Gibson.
I wouldve agreed 6 months ago. Infact i said that very thing on my forst eastman video too.
But since then the resale of eastmans has risen alot! They really are holding their own new and used almost just like a gibson does.
@@Paul-D I'd say that's because they have a considerable waiting period because they're hand made and production is obviously limited. Some people don't want to wait 3-6 months for a new build.
Resale for you, not the buyer, who buys it cheaper and then in years maybe for the same price resales it!
I own both, the Eastmans just have a certain feel that begs to be played & a tone that is just amazing. They seem more resonant. I purchased 3 the Jr. The sb59v & the sb55v. All different versions but all outstanding.
I was searching for an used SB59 hoping to find some affordable one because of the "resale value" drop... but, the first I noticed is that there are few Eastmans in the market of used guitars... It seems that most of people do want to keep them. The few that I could see were nearly expensive as the new ones... No resale value drop! Finally I bought a brand new SB59. And man, what a guitar! (mine is little heavier btw, 3.7kg)
so what do you think quality wise? which one is ahead
I think in these exact 2 guitars they were both very very high quality. I do believe though if you took a random selection of Eastman SB59s and a random selection of Gibsons the Eastman would come out on top. Not all Gibsons new or otherwise ive played have been great, but ALL eastmans have. Hope that helps.
@@Paul-D that helps alot thank you! i actually have a 50s standard, and just ordered a sb55dc/v. was wondering how the sb59 compares, because i feel like they are similar quality wise to the sb55
gibson smoother better but could be the .10 gauge strings...what amps are u playing here?? great video!
In the intro it was software on the eastman and Katana on the gibson. Then through the video just katana
@@Paul-D i could tell the software at times Im an old school tube guy great video!!
@@Paul-D thanks
I have long praised software and amps like the katana. BUT when people say its BETTER then a well set up tube amp they are completely incorrect hahaha
Unpopular opinion here, Joe Spleen, the Gits. Love his Les Paul custom silverburst. Truly underappreciated, underrated guitar playing R.i.p Mia Zapata lead singer, it also goes without saying in the vein of Les Paul customs, Randy Rhoads alpine white🙏 r.i.p
How is that an UNpopular opinion?? Haha
@@Paul-D not many people I know grew up listening to the Gits, I can find their music on Amazon but try finding a physical album, they're so expensive and likely out of production, I wish there was a way to bring them back, libraries need it. There's a few rare footage on RUclips I just hope they stay up long enough.. wmg or whoever takes down videos or mutes the audio now and then and it pisses me off.
Standards are 2-piece backs. Check the end grain at the strap button.
I always thought it was a bit of a random one wether you got 1 or 2. I stand corrected!
I've had the Eastman SB-59/v for over a year now, and can say it's the best value for money guitar I've owned. I have no desire to own a Gibson after buying it.
Still have mine here and my desire to own a gibson has gone now too 😁
@@Paul-D Bought mine from a store run by a mate from school who sells Gibson, used to be a Gibson rep, he owns one himself and told me the Eastman was a way better investment than a Gibson or Epiphone. Where else will you get a handmade, custom shop quality guitar for the price of a LP Studio?
Been looking into getting a lp without breaking the bank. Are the eastmans a good choice?
Id take an eastman over a gibson, with eastman your getting gibson custom shop levels of quality 100% of the time. Not to say there arent great gibson les pauls, there are. But ALL eastmans are brilliant.
@@Paul-D I've owned 3 or 4 gibbys and have always had to sell them. Currently I own a bacchus I refinished and new electronics but still have the itch
You wont be disappointed by Eastman. Also another thing to bear in mind since I actually sell both these things lol - Eastman loses ALOT less Money nowadays then Gibson too. So that was the only downside once but no longer!
@@Paul-D I appreciate the input. The ebony board is what sells me honestly because my martin d18v has one...currently thinking about selling it to get a eastman 🤣
@@victoresarey4036 I bet that you might bought a brilliant Eastman Dreadnought and an Eastman SB59 for the prize of the Martin... 😉
Also, pick-up swapping is easiest change for any guitar.
The Eastman is a pound(!) lighter, has the ebony fretboard, one piece back, and the well respected Seymour Duncan '59 pickups. Sold.
🤟🤟🤟😁
What's the song in the intro ?
Brothers In Arms - Dire Straights 🤟
Note re audio. I'm listening w/o headphones or Bluetooth. Only 8" tablet speakers so excuse my critique. Steve has lower volume & tone to his voice while ?Pauls' voice sounds louder, with higher freq. Problem is, (as it so often is) when both voices mix in the room, I'm having difficulty discerning either/both of what's be said. Please, allow one person to finish before speaking yourself.
I am judging from yotube and headphones so not the best option of course BUT if you record and analize the spectrum i believe you will find out that the eastman has more clarity not that much brighter at least I percieve more armonics especially in the mids. I belive its for the electronics under the hood which must be better on the chienese also the chinese has a way better finish, I would say it compares with a Custom Rx from gibson just mby the looks of it. Depending on the deal I would choose between an Rsomething from Gibson or go for the eastman, i don't think that the standard gibson can really compete with that guitar.
In a more recent video i basically said exactly the same as youve percieved here 😁
well as far as what sound I'm getting thru the computer and RUclips I like the Eastman.... but live in person could be different outcome
The Eastman is a far brighter sounding guitar. The neck especially - it doesnt really do that classic warm soupy neck pup les paul thing. But its still an amazing sound for sure. And build quality and sustain wise the Eastman is a match for gibson all day. You could have both and use them very differently haha.
@@Paul-D yeah but weren't the original paf's bright anyway? the darker sounding les pauls came later I
thought
@@doyleblueshall1398 that is very true. Where the telecaster on steroids saying came from haha. Plus it has a decent tone knob to warm it up when needed haha.
I got my second Eastman today...SB59 GT....got the T486. Both exquisite in look, playability, and sound. However, Gibson attention to detail (e.g., finish) is slightly better....but where it counts, tone and playability, the Eastman is right there....at a fraction of the price...with an Ebony fretboard and bone nut to boot. And like a Glock....a Gibson just feels great in the hand (even my chunky Traditional) for some odd reason. Can't go wrong with an Eastman....fantastic guitars.
Theres nothing wrong with owning, or even wanting both. Im chuffed with mine, i did change out the tuners yesterday and its somehow even better lol
The problem for Eastman is their price point falls right at the point where you can buy a secondhand Gibson. That is a real problem for me personally as at that price point if I have the choice, I will always buy the Gibson. Eastman need to get their prices down under £1000 but keep the quality the same if they want to expand, however, they may not be able to do that or wish to that and want to remain boutique. I'm also surprised Gibson have allowed Eastman to sell LP style guitars in the US without raising a lawsuit, I suspect they will consider a lawsuit if Eastman grow and sell more guitars in the US or other markets in the World but as stated I'm not sure that that's Eastman's approach or intention at the moment.
Its funny since this video alot has changed at Eastman because of the huge success of the LP and ES models. In the last 12 months, the dealer network has gone up 3 fold in the uk alone. So my only concern would be can eastman sustain the same quality as when they were making alot less guitars only 12 months ago. Ive yet to try one from the latest shipment but i really hope they are the same. Ive stocked loads of gibsons this year, and turned down quite a few that were just not upto scratch. But every single eastman ive come across has been utterly brilliant, and the few ive managed to get to sell, have sold for very close to full RRP. All the gibsons ive sold have lost a third or more of there RRP.
Gibson can't sue because the body and headstock are different - it's mainly the headstock they can trademark I believe?
Why Chyna stop sending Phytanoyl here, I might buy something from them.
They both sound good but all these Les Paul copies just look weird, with either odd shape bodies or headstocks. I’d get a 2nd hand Les Paul 👍
Les Paul might sound fuller? Eastman has more personality. Sounds like a Les Paul on records from early 70’s without trying. Les Paul sounds pro, but a bit less distinctive.
I still own this Eastman and over the years since the vid its just got better and better. Although my T59v is still my favourite one haha
The Duncan 59s are nowhere near 10k in output. For that matter they are nowhere near 9k either. They are called 59s because they are a Paf clone .The 59 neck is 7.5k and the Bridge is 8.1k to 8.3 k. The difference is in the Magnets . The 59s have polished A5 and the Burstbuckers have rough cast A2. Which makes the Burstbuckers more mellow and Chewy . The 59s and Burstbuckers have the same output but the 59s have a stronger magnet. Also fhe Eastmans are brighter and sharper due to their weight and the ebony fret board..
EASTMAN GUITARS OUTSTANDING VALUE. REGARDLESS OF PRICE!!!😎😎😎Shame that a BRAND NAME will allow you to CHEAT YOURSELF EVERY TIME.😮😯😲
Trying a T64v in next week or so. they really are amazing value and quality. the resale value is rapidly improving too for those that get put off by that. thanks for watching
Gibson
It has a more familiar sound somehow right?
@@Paul-D yes
Still can't replicate the mid aggresiveness and high chirpiness of a Les Paul. I don't why other companies can't replicate this. It seems pretty simple to me, pickups aren't complicated at all. The chirp is audable acoustically so it probably has something to do with the wood. Perhaps it is where Gibson is getting their wood from, but I'm certain that would have changed through the decades, and they still managed to retain that same tone. Kinda annoying because Gibson Les Pauls that aren't from custom shop aren't the best most well refined instruments. QC sucks even after 2019 changes, all the standards are tried had different nut slot heights, and some (including the one I bought) had nut slots that were heigher than my junky old acoustic guitar! Like wtf. And on half the standards I've tried, the freboard wasn't smooth. It wasn't too rough that I would get splinters, but I could have made it smoother. If it wasn't for the legacy of the model, brand, and the tone, I wouldn't even touch this shit. Why can't they make fine instruments like PRS, or Eastman. Such BS.
I so know what you mean about that les paul "chirp" and your right the Eastman doesnt quite have it. Im still playing this eastman now going back and forth with Gibson Les Pauls and its always the case so your dead right.
About the gibson nuts - again your right. I dont know this for sure but at this point im almost convinced gibson ship there guitars with high/wrong nuts on purpose. Maybe for the dealer to do a final set up on them for a customers preference??
My Eastman made me lose that craving for a Les Paul. I also had it setup perfectly and changed what I didn't like. For me, its close my eyes and what sounds and feels right. I keep picking that Eastman.
Haha...I love how Steve calls the Eastman Chinese. It's not...yup it's not American, but it's not Chinese.
And we say Chinese like it's something of low quality. They do all sorts, that really needs to be clarified. I noted a hint of 'dis' the way Steve made comment there.
Anyway...as for sound...no idea at all with this video. I seriously wouldn't know...and I don't think RUclips compression helped the recording here either.
However, fun video and certainly worth the shoot.
Well done fellas. 😎
🎸🎸
Definitely not a dis, I've owned loads of great Chinese guitars (Made in Beijing?) I would purchase the Eastman in a heartbeat if the opportunity for the Les Paul hadn't arrived, I was genuinely impressed at the quality. Unfortunately, I, like a lot of guitarists get swooned by the name on the headstock 😂, and that alone can have an effect on our playing.
@@stevenpricehereford No idea Steve what part of China is the main hub of guitar manufacturing, if indeed there is such a thing. Although, they do have various prefectures dominated by certain industries.
I totally get the headstock desire, I only own 1 Chinese guitar (Gretsch), my others are American or Japanese. I definitely couldn't justify the price of those Japanese beauties (maybe one day).
There's no doubt they've really upped their game in recent years as you (I assume) well know.
There's no mastery these days in building an electric guitar, unless perhaps we are talking very small boutique, where a luthier plays a real part. Otherwise, we are just talking cnc machines, sanders etc.
So trained staff with good quality control shouldn't vary all that much. And the key is the quality control and ability to reproduce a quality instrument over and over. And that's something Gibson has really struggled with.
Sure they make great guitars, but over the years, despite the price, have been rather hit and miss and that's been well documented.
It's a marketing ploy where Fender for example have a range of manufacturing countries they utilise, with China producing their cheapest lines.
That's definitely not to say they couldn't produce any of the other guitars. That's pure marketing and bottom line.
I don't know that the bulk of the guitar community has got their head around this and like to perpetuate the myth that American manufacturing is best and the far East just cheap gear. And sure it definitely once was!
With all that said, and I've tried to keep it short (esp as I'm texting), given a choice, I'd still choose elsewhere.
Then again given a choice I'd usually choose a Japanese Fender over a similar American Fender. Part of that is cost as it seems we get Japanese guitars at a far better price that the American counterparts. Still the American or Chinese dominate.
Cheers.
@@nostro1001 You are wrong to suggest there is 'no mastery' in guitar building these days. The Eastman, is TOTALLY hand made in Bejing by artisans employed in a company that has built a very hard won reputation, over many, many years for building some of the the finest violins, mandolins and cellos in the world. That reputation is now being enhanced by the building of Eastman electric, thinline and acoustic guitars. If the 'Made in China' label does not suit you, than please also take a look at Gordon Smith guitars, a small guitar builder based here in the UK who make BESPOKE, handcrafted 'les paul' style guitars at less than half the price of a Gibson Standard!
@@anthonylong6403 Hi, I'm not sure whether you have deliberately quoted me out of context or it was just an error. I'll assume it was the latter...
I said:
"There's no mastery these days in building an electric guitar, unless perhaps we are talking very small boutique, where a luthier plays a real part."
That's a big difference from what you have referenced. The guitar in question is not what I'd call completely handmade. If it was, each and every guitar would be rather unique, but they are not.
That's not a slight on this guitar. In fact, in an earlier video, I had said I was most interested in this guitar and so here we are with Pauly testing it out (for a second time) and speaking very highly of it.
As for Chinese craftmanship in regard to acoustic instruments, I have stated many times that the Chinese have many 100's if not 1000's of years of history in making quality traditional instruments which Americans do not. On that basis alone, I always say I'm certain if given the right opportunities to craft such instruments they would do so. Obviously, if only being tasked to make cheap acoustic instruments, then that's what will be made!
In regard to Eastman's reputation in the world of other stringed acoustic instruments as you've stated, I'm more than happy to accept what you have said, as I've never looked at them. I don't play violin, mandolin, but do own an acoustic guitar.
I'm not sure why you have chosen to talk about a UK builder and refer to price vs Gibson. If I wasn't clear enough in my post I said that Gibson's are overpriced, their quality control over many years has been questionable and that made in the USA is no guarantee of quality. Yet, some people are happy to pay for the name on the headstock and the dreams of the proceeding years of rock history.
Oh, I also said it was a marketing ploy used notably by both Fender and Gibson to have their cheapest lines produced in China. If given the opportunity they would equally be able to produce the top lines.
So no, Made in China logo is not an issue to me. If it was I'd not own a phone, laptop, tv, fridge, Fender Tonemaster amp, Gretsch guitar etc.
Thanks.
Shijie makes Fender S and T model guitars that are far better than Fender production S and T guitars costing over twice as much. Like with Eastman, you would have to get custom shop quality guitars to match Shijie quality - they have a cult following for a reason! I have a bunch of them now (too many!), put Lollar Firepickups in one of the telecasters with P-90 soap-bar pickus, and TV Jones T'Armonds in another with P-90 pickups, plus I have a 3rd TLV classic P-90 with the original P-90 pickups, which sound wonderful. The other 2 P-90 sets I removed will be replacing Epiphone P90 pickups in a couple guitars. I also have their traditional TLV classic, which is the best sounding telecaster I own, even though I have two killer road-worn fender telecasters with upgraded pickups and tuners.