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2011 Eastman AR-880CE John Pisano Model
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Serial#: 9889
Body size at lower bout: 16" Body Depth: 2 3/4" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4"
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; triple bound f-holes; solid graphite nut.
Hardware: Solid ebony tailpiece and finger rest; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners; compensated adjustable ebony bridge; built-in Armstrong Handmade humbucking PAF pickup with ebony volume and tone controls.
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 John Pisano Model honors the legacy of one of the most accomplished and beloved guitarists in the jazz pantheon. Over a career spanning some six decades John has accompanied an A-list roster of musical legends including Joe Pass, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, Barbara Streisand, Chico Hamilton, Herb Alpert and many more. As teacher, mentor and impresario, John has been an inspiration to several generations of outstanding jazz guitarists. His warm personality and generous spirit have made him a personal hero here at archtop.com as well.
Built to his exacting specifications, the Eastmand John Pisano sports a comfy 16" body, slightly slimmed in depth, with a finely graduated solid bookmatched carved spruce soundboard. The deluxe version of the model, the AR-880 boasts a body of of handsome tiger flame maple, carefully bookmatched in a dramatic chevron pattern. Lightweight and resonant, the soundboard is finely carved and produces a notably lively acoustic voice, with exceptional balance and clarity. The neck profile is sweetly tailored to the palm in a gently flattened D profile.
A special extra on this guitar is the genuine Armstrong PAF Humbucker, individually handmade in Kent's Vermont workshop, which is supplied along with the original factory pickup. This example is in immaculate condition, and is accompanied with its original Certificate of Authenticity. If you've wanted to step up to the range and depth of a true hand carved archtop, but balked at the astronomical prices, here's your chance to sample the real thing, at a realistic price.
And the frog? That's John's idea, too. He likes frogs. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.054). 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: Original deluxe black arched plush lined hardshell case.
