That is what is surprising about the 137 it looks like a 135 but it sounds different. I only compared them side by side once and that was at a music store but I have played other 135's over the years and I think I know what they sound like. For those concerned with the thin finish on theĮR, I believe that they're now shipped with a pickguard, or that one I've heard QC stories, but I also hear that issues are decreasing Theįit and finish is sound and the neck and fretwork is impeccable. The way I have them set up, they really are 3 different guitars. The two big ones have the antique violin finish and the ER has an The El Rey has the mahogany back and sides. I almost never plug it in, but when Iĭo, it's like I sneaked in another guitar. I like it this way, but it was smoother and Gypsy jazz strings, and it roars, really hot and piercing on bothĬhords and single notes. The 804C has the oval soundhole and no pickup. It's just a matter of time till one of theseĬraig, I have 3 Eastmans: an 804C, an 805E and an El Rey I.
Once you hold and play one [I've played many of the full sized models Little underrated because of the source and reasonable price. Wound in a guitar that looks like these do. I'd almost rather it was a little tougherīecause it's still new and every shirt button scratch seems like a
Paul body thickness and two top mounted Kent Armstrong humbuckers It sounds ok acousticallyĪnd you can really tell the back is doing something if you move itĪway from your chest while a chord is ringing. Not meant to be an acoustic guitar at all. At least on mine I'd prefer a tougher finish since it's When someone makes spruce look as good as these folks to I'm pretty I have had life long love affair with wood. Has more coats of lacquer than the El Rey. Mailto: To unsubscribe from this group, send an email Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:Ĭraig, glad you are happy with the Eastman. So pleased, that i don't mind having lost aĬouple hundred dollars on the Raines (shipping + lower refund). In terms of playability, tone and appearance this is a superb guitar If I just play the low A open I swear it sounds like IĪm not sure if it is the strings or the guitar or a combination but Iįind all of the strings, but especially the lower 2 sound very The low A seems very planted and in tune at all times. Intonation very easily and go out of tune if pressed to hard, but not With the Raines 7 string I found that the low A string would lose The acoustic tone is great, but the amplified tone is Plug it in just to make sure everything worked. This is a guitar whichĭoes not have to be plugged in to sound great. The acoustic tone of the guitar is beautiful. I thought my Epiphone Broadway (17" bout, about 3"ĭeep) was pretty loud, but this has it beat. Still getting used to the black color and the feel - which isĭifferent from the D'Aquisto or Thomastik flatwounds I normally use.Īfter tuning up I was impressed by the acoustic sound of this guitar. It is the first time I have used LaBella and I am Round wound strings that came with it and put on a new set of Labellaīlack nylon tape wound strings (7 string set 14 on the high E down toħ9 for the low E). When itĬame it was detuned for shippping. The frets seem to be medium height and well finished. Prefer a more rounded neck, but so far it feels very comfortable so we Thin as the Raines) unlike the more rounded profile of my Epiphone. The neck has a thin profile (although not as Like the Raines guitar it has a 16" bout, however it is fairly deep. The feel of the guitar is also top quality. To the transparent wood, to the the ebony tuning knobs, fretboard,įinger rest and tailpiece. EverythingĪbout this guitar is visually satifying from the color of the finish The back of the body had a beautiful flamed tiger pattern. It looks like something that should be onĭisplay like a museum piece. TheĪppearance is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. I bought a new Eastman AR805 7-string with a violin finish.
Les time to reach me (at Christmas time to boot).
Raines guitar (USPS priority shipping vs FedEx) and it actually took Shipped the guitar to me within 48 hours for 1/2 the price of the Like the Raines Iīought on eBay, but everything else went much much better. To spend more and get something of decent quality. Strings for months now and after my disappointing and frustratingĮxperience buying a Raines guitar directly from Matt Raines I decided I just received a new Eastman archtop guitar. My opinion (negative) of the Raines archtop I bought. In another email I just wrote about buying two new archtops and gave