Eastman T59V After 18 Months: The Test of Time?

Hi folks, Had quite a few comments on my Eastman videos asking if they are holding up over time, so thought id answer it in a revisit video 20 months or so later and after being used nearly every day. There's some ropey off the cuff playing but hopefully it comes across okay.

If your new here looking for Eastman info check out my playlist covering this guitar, the sb59, sb56 and the t64v. Let me know if you want to see the updated pedal board / recording set up?!

#Eastman #Guitar #T59v

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[TechnicallyNotSteve]

Eastman makes such great guitars, I bought a red T486 in 2022 & immediately found an immaculate used SB59 from 2016 (Nitro Lacquer GB) I love both of them so much. Everyone who plays them is shocked.

[tster]

Thank you for using your time and talent to post this. I have the same guitar and it’s about 2 years old as well. I echo your sentiments. It’s definitely an instrument of fine quality and craftsmanship. I did not have any QC issues on the initial purchase. I’m in the USA and the brand is just starting to gain more traction here than it’s experienced overseas. I purchased mine new before most people were aware of the brand. Now major retailers have picked it up. My version is reliced very similar to yours. At first I was not enthusiastic about the relicing but the more I played it I became impressed. Will be interesting to see the value of our version in a few years as the brand grows and others fade out.

[paulstaffordcook]

Hi Paul. I have followed your guitar , over your various videos, since it was new. Back when you discovered the QC issues with the nut. Gotta say it really does sound rich. And kinda “old”, in the best way. I think that’s a keeper.

[standingbadger]

Great recap, thanks! I got my T386 about the same time. Absolutely stellar guitar. Going in for a set up tomorrow and to have the really not very good pingwell tuners changed to locking Gotoh SD90s. My issue with the pingwells is that they can be very imprecise and has caused me a bit of a headache at times in a studio session, but then do seem to be crapping out anyway. It's a very well-used guitar. Btw, it was the Gibson 345 that came with those split markers - see Bill Nelson with Bebop Deluxe. The 355 had block markers like Johnny Marr's. Both had the varitone switch.

[B-DueceTre]

All love for Eastman. Superb playing Paul.

[isohenflowil]

Great playing Pauly - shows the guitars off nicely. I have a T59/V very similar to yours (same finish, with some light relic-ing) and a T64/V in amber, also with light relic-ing. Both are superb. There is something about the tone of the Seymour Duncan antiquity pickups and the ebony board which is particularly sweet and keeps me picking up the 59/V. My only criticism of the guitar is that it is quite heavy and because of the 335-type design you have to reach a way away from your body to get to the low end of the fretboard. The different 330-type design of the T64 with more overlap between the fretboard and the body means that your fretting hand is closer to your body when you're [playing it, and that combined with the fact its a lot lighter as a hollow body does make it considerably more comfortable to play for extended periods. the lollar P90s sound amazing too. But I do keep coming back to the T59/V despite the back-straining ergonomics of it, because it sounds (and looks) so damn inviting.

Eastman QC is up and down in my experience. I bought an SB55DC/V because of its incredible lightness and resonance, then discovered the bridge posts had been drilled in slightly the wrong place, meaning it was impossible to intonate the guitar correctly with the supplied Faber wraparound bridge. Fortunately Faber also make an intonatable wraparound bridge (their customer service is excellent by the way) and for £100 I was able to swap in the new bridge and solve the problem at a stroke. The sound of the guitar is as raucous and inspiring as it was with the old bridge, so all good. but the experience is a reminder that with Eastmans (as with Gibsons!) you need to play a few to find the really good ones, and check them over for QC issues. But they are such good instruments

[jeffroq]

Million miles away one of my favourite Rory songs to hear and play. I had a T486 which I let go because the prospect of putting a left handed harness in it. I have an Sb59 and a 59v now. I might get the lefty one of yours. Cheers for the update.

[DS-mk]

The T59V feels like it has a greater variety of sounds to me, but mine has the Seth Lover pickups so it sounds a little different to the antiquities. The T64V feels more specialised for blues mainly, but also does rock well. The T64v is much lighter and feels more comfortable to play for me. About a 2 pound weight difference for mine. Thanks for the updated review, and as I've said before, your initial reviews of these guitars were my inspiration to get them, so thank you again.

[chemo]

Thanks man, I am thinking about buying one and this video is really helpful!

[davidsharp]

Fab reviews. Just about to buy my first T64

[danottley]

That Eastman sounds great. The varnish finish looks awesome and has aged very nicely. Nice video Paul, thanks. Don’t sell it!

[pekkijp]

Nice playing & sounds! I also have t59/v and t64/v. The t64v is something special. I also bought the la romeo with goldo trem in gorgeous blue, just needed to…

[scaredypicker]

Fully agree with you regarding Eastman guitars mate. I got a Grand Concert acoustic 7 years ago after a very long search, and it immediately jumped out at me in the shop. I’d never tried or even heard of Eastman before, but so many of the other acoustics I’d tried had the typical boxy muffled sound that new acoustics tend towards. From day one, the Grand Concert has been outstanding though with such amazing dynamics and articulation! Now it’s aged from daily play it’s got to a whole other level again. Even to the point where I’ll go in a guitar shop and pick up something like a Martin OM28 (has been my dream guitar for many years) and I’ll prefer my Eastman…

Very interested in trying out an Eastman electric after enjoying my GC so much. I’ve been looking at the T60/TV with the Lollar P90s and centre block. The only problem is they don’t do it in the same finish as yours here with the antique varnish and split inlays 😮 just looks stunning mate!!

[zentime]

I don’t get attached to guitars very often. I buy and sell them all the time. My Eastman is the only guitar I put up for sale and then pulled the listing after a couple days. I just can’t let it go

[BI-kmdl]

I’ve got two Eastman acoustics, one 12-string, one AC630 jumbo. Absolutely superb instruments. Looks like the electrics are just as tasty.

[albaxter]

My t64 goldburst with bigsby is an amazing guitar....iv sold two 60s gibsons because they just weren't as good. Id definitely recommend getting the one with the bigsby..it makes the guitar. You're right the varnish reliced finishes will become highly sought after since they're no longer making them. Keep up the good reviews an great playing too! Al ..Northern Ireland

[udr]

Definitely a great guitar. Those who are in search for Gibson ES alternatives should be aware though, that due to the wood selection (maple neck, ebony fretboard) it sounds and feels significantly more bright and stiff than a Gibson. Not necessarily worse, but just different.

[NicFabrizio]

I just acquired a T486 and it looks almost identical to your guitar here but it’s not a T59V and not aged. it’s a 2022 and I traded some gear at guitar center was looking for amp and ended up with the T486 found it on the wall of the used section and it looked nice. my first interaction with Eastman and I’m still just blown away i played it against prs se hollow body piezo, my Dangelico DC, and i knew it was a good guitar it also easily as good as other Gibson 335 I’ve played in the past.

[SteveTong]

Great video. Like you I love Eastmans. T59v, sb59v. 2 x juliets, an acoustic and a T64v. Love them all but T64v is my number one.

[JasonWharton]

Guitar Village have a load of eastmans in at the moment, really should give one a try at some point. What drive pedal are you using with humbuckers? I’m really struggling to find one that I like with buckers, you’re getting some great sounds with whatever you’re using!