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2005 Eastman AR-905E
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Serial#: 34
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4" Neck depth: .88/.92, 1st/10th fret
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; 5-ply neck and peghead binding; triple bound f-holes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Solid Macassar ebony tailpiece and finger rest; gold 16X1 tuners with ebony keys; compensated adjustable ebony bridge. Upgrade floating Handwound Armstrong PAF humbucking pickup with thumbwheel volume control, endpin jack.
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.
This example is a rare blonde example of Eastman's top of the line 900 series, bound entirely in curly maple and featuring the most highly figured tonewood the firm can offer. This example is in immaculate condition, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and is constructed of the most extravagant tiger flame maple, bookmatched in a dramatic chevron pattern along the centerseam. Lightweight and resonant, the X-braced top is finely carved and produces a notably lively acoustic voice, with exceptional volume and clarity. The neck profile is a solid traditional C shape, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup, and a generous 1 3/4" nut on a solid ebony fingerboard.
The 16" body sits very comfortably under the arm, and is well balanced on the lap or the strap. The upgrade pickup is a Handwound Armsrtrong Floating PAF, the gold standard for acoustic archtops.
Now much missed, this upscale model has unfortunately now been discontinued, and has become an instant collector's item. They are rarely seen on the vintage market, and for a good reason: owners are keepers. With a combination of workmanship, materials and design at an unbeatable price, Eastman has raised the bar for quality, performance and value in a true handmade jazz guitar. One only: call now.
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 4/64" to 5/64" 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: Deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
