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2009 Eastman AR-905CE
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Serial#: 4762
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 3 1/4" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"
Finish: Amber blonde finish
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain spruce top; handcarved AAA tiger flame handcarved maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; 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 ebony tailpiece and finger rest; gold 16X1 tuners with ebony keys; compensated adjustable ebony bridge; floating Lindy Fralin humbucking pickup with thumbwheel volume and tone controls, 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 handsome guitar is a scarce blonde example of the 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 constructed of extravagant tiger flame maple, bookmatched in an elegant chevron pattern along the centerseam. Lightweight and resonant, the top is finely carved and produces a notably lively acoustic voice, with notable volume and clarity. 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.
The guitar has been maintained in fine shape, without pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The finish is 100% vintage style nitrocellulose lacquer, now nicely ambered, and showing some characteristic checking on the top and sides. This guitar is fitted with a custom Lindy Fralin floating humbucker, with smooth, classic tone and noise-free operation. The 900 series are rarely seen on the vintage 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. 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 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 deluxe arched plush lined hardshell case.
