Anyone tried the Eastman Archback Jumbo yet?

[takeout]

Follow-up question: US dealers?

 

With list at $990, I'm intrigued. The application is 50/50 finger/flatpick.

[LittleBrother]

Ask Mike Crixell he owns a fantastic one. He loves it and he has very fine tastes in guitars.

[takeout]

Mike? Thoughts?

 

FYI - I'm looking at the smaller one (16"?). I haven't made up my mind about upgrading to the cutaway.

[Mike Crixell]

Hi Take,

 

I have an SJ616 cutaway I bought from Eric Schoenberg. It's a NAMM show prototype so it's got some nice extras, like German top and a fine sunburst.

 

The quality and workmanship is top-notch. The bracing was basically copied from an Olson so it is expertly carved. Speaking of carving, the Maple back is done perfectly. Eastman has made classical string instruments for decades, including double basses. These guys know how to carve.

 

To my knowledge, they are only making small jumbos at the moment. I got mine in January and they were first introducing flattops. They jumped into the archtop market a couple of years ago and have some exquisite models out there.

 

Eastman is building fine guitars. I wouldn't hesitate if a small jumbo or archtop is what you're looking for.

 

Take care,

 

Miike

[takeout]

Is it direct sales only? Or do they have dealers?

 

I'm trying to figure out what to expect pricewise (MSRP vs. actual).

[Mike Crixell]

Nope, it's not direct sales. You have to go through a dealer.

 

You can go to www.om28.com to get Eric's contact info.

 

I don't know of many dealers yet as Eastman's just gearing up in the states. That's why the NAMM show was a big deal for them. They got a lot of attention from buyers.

 

Eric went through all the guitars they had at the show and bought the two best sounding flattops. He's in on the ground floor with Eastman.

 

I know he's gotten more flattops since January and the prices have probably come down some. Check him out and say hello for me.

 

Mike

[SurrealMcCoy]

Originally posted by Mike Crixell Nope, it's not direct sales. You have to go through a dealer. You can go to www.om28.com to get Eric's contact info. I don't know of many dealers yet as Eastman's just gearing up in the states. That's why the NAMM show was a big deal for them. They got a lot of attention from buyers. Eric went through all the guitars they had at the show and bought the two best sounding flattops. He's in on the ground floor with Eastman. I know he's gotten more flattops since January and the prices have probably come down some. Check him out and say hello for me. Mike

 

 

+ 1

 

I'll second what Mike said. I had the wonderful experience of meeting Eric & spending a brief amount of time in his small, but fabulous shop! Eric introduced me to a couple of his Eastmans including a smaller 16" sunburst that was an Olson copy. I'd check it out.............