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2005 Eastman AR 804
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Serial#: 647
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut: 1 3/4"
Finish: Violin finish, nitrocellulose lacquer type
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved AAA tiger flame handcarved maple back and sides; 3 piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; ebony truss rod cover; 7-ply body binding; 3-ply neck and peghead binding; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Gold Imperial style 16X1 tuners; compensated adjustable ebony bridge, solid ebony tailpiece.
Notes: All solid. All carved. Hand built, one at a time, with remarkable high-figure tonewoods. Eastman archtop guitars are individually crafted by violin-trained luthiers, without shortcuts, the old-fashioned way. And they share the appointments of the costliest high-end guitars. Solid ebony finger rest, tailpiece and fingerboard like a Benedetto. An X-braced top and 1 3/4" nut, like a Johnny Smith. Even triple bound f-holes, like the Super 400. All at a price point previously dominated by factory plywood boxes.
The Eastman AR 804 is an affectionate tribute to the classic Gibson L-4, with the oval soundhole and diamond-pattern soundhole rosette of the 1912 original, and the 14 fret body as produced between 1928 and 1937. This example is in as-new condition, and is constructed of striking tiger flame maple, which is bookmatched in a dramatic chevron pattern along the centerseam. Lightweight and resonant, the top is finely carved and produces excellent volume and clarity, and the oval soundhole design increases bass response and sustain. The neck profile is comfortably tailored to the palm: not too skinny, not too big, and the 16" body sits very comfortably under the arm. Finally, the Eastman contour molded plush lined fiberglass case is highly impact resistant, yet little heavier that many gig bags. With it's shoulder strap and D-rings, it makes for an easy hands-free load-in to the gig.
Rarely seen on the used market, and for a good reason: owners are keepers. With a combination of workmanship, materials and design unheard of in its price range, Eastman has raised the bar for quality, performance and value in a true handmade jazz guitar.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.013-.056). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Black contour molded fiberglass hardshell case.
