How Good Are Eastman Guitars?

Today we try out some Eastman guitars and put them side by side with the classics.
Guitars used in the video ⬇️

1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue:
SB59/V:

1955 Les Paul Junior:
Part of our private collection, sorry!
SB55/V:

ES-335 Figured Sixties Cherry:
T59/V Antique Red:

ES-330 TDC
Part of our private collection, sorry!
T64/V

[MrLespaul]

Got my Junior today from yourselves. All good, well packed. It's a really well made instrument, the frets are fantastic no sharps, the neck feels great perfect for myself. Nicely set up by DS. All in all A1 from me cheers Guitar Village pleasure doing business. :)

[jamesmaddock]

I have the Eastman T59V . Best guitar ive ever played . And I’ve played hundreds. Absolutely outstanding. No matter the price it’s a stunning guitar .

[JAL-bn]

Recently got an Eastman SB59/v and an SB54/TV gold top, and they are both absolutely incredible, the former being the best guitar I've ever played. The antique varnish finish feels fantastic, and the Lollar pickups sound superb. I love playing my Eastmans more than any of my other guitars, which include 7 Gibsons and a Heritage. They really are that good!

[seanc.]

I was admittedly one of those lifelong Gibson guys who completely doubted Eastman until my local shop became an Eastman dealer. I now own an Eastman T486 and SB59/V and they are probably the highest quality instruments I've ever seen. The craftsmanship and fret work they do only comes from Gibson custom shop but at 3-5 times the price Eastman charges. The Lollar PUP'S are also amazing!

[JAL-ccjd]

I have 7 Gibsons and 4 Eastmans at the moment, hope to pick up another one or two of each. I think both are great and I love them equally. ❤

[northernmonkey]

The Eastman jnr sounds brighter because of the ebony board and the tone bypass when on full. You can always turn the treble down. My SB59 is the best guitar i have ever owned including my gibsons.

[turrafirmaguitarchannel]

That was a great comparison thanks for the time and effort. Proud Eastman T486 owner here 👍🇦🇺

[Adipsia]

I had an original double-cutaway 1959 Gibson LP Junior that I sold during a moment of madness a few years back. Since then I've looked for a valid replacement but struggled to find one as prices have gone sky-high. Out of desperation I bought a Collings DC290 thinking that it would fill the void, but it lacked the feel of the original Junior. I then tried and purchased an Eastman SB55DCv and it's as close to the 59 Junior as I can remember. Interestingly both the Collings and Eastman use Lollar P90's, but the Eastman feels so much closer to the original. I no longer have seller's remorse at least in terms of feel and sound.

[jesussavesrick]

Eastman must be really freaking good if you’re having to compare it to a $7K Gibson. That in itself says it all.

[grady]

With all due respect, the biggest difference between them is the customer's own perceived brand loyalty. There's nothing a Gibson guitar can do that an Eastman can't do. Be honest! In ten or fifteen years people are going to be shelling out huge sums of money for "vintage" Eastmans. I have already experienced their mandolins and I now have an SB59 on order, due to arrive in June 2022. If people want to see a G on the headstock, there's an old saying that a fool and his money are soon parted, but if you REALLY look at what Eastman is doing, you'd be hard pressed to defend a position that they are any less the quality instrument that Gibsons are.

[pttrent]

I bought a 2018 Eastman SB59 off Reverb recently and love it, I sold a Gibson Les Paul Tribute to partially fund the purchase. The Gibson was ok but I like the Eastman more.

[JAL-ccjd]

I recently got the itch for a single pickup guitar. I debated between the Epiphone LP Junior, the Gibson version of the same, and the Eastman SB55/v. Tried the Epiphone first and knew within a few minutes it was going back to the store. Decided to give the Eastman a try because I love my SB59’s and T484 from them. It was instant love right out of the case. It’s perfect in every way and I can’t put it down! Get one and you’ll see what I mean!

[Melonos]

I’ve had both Eastman and Gibson. They’re both are great. At the moment I’m loving my Eastman SB56N. It’s my absolute favourite and I would say that I’m a P90 fan. But it’s changed my mind.

[artprince]

I have owned a Gibson 335 and 339 in the past. Sold both. Bought an Eastman T484 which is comparable to the 339. Still have the Eastman, it holds tune better!

[tomduckworth]

Good for you the best comparison I have seen so far on YouTube! Most don’t compare comparable models. They take a custom shop Les Paul and compare it to a standard sb59 and complain that it’s not the same. I’m lucky enough to have owned four different Les Pauls over the years and my current sb59 is the best one I have owned. I also have a t386 that stands up very well with some vintage 345s and 355s I have had. I think they are the best import guitars you can buy.

[gacharlton]

Better Call Saul lol. Brilliant, mate!

[kyrandell]

Great video Sam. Another relaxed, friendly and very informative presentation. Great guitar choices from both brands for both the player or a badge buyer! Thanks, Ky

[mikeaustin]

FWIW, I auditioned roughly a dozen 335s at my three local Guitar Centers and wound up getting the T50/V. The necks on the Gibsons were better - but not drastically so - but in almost every other way the Eastman is *at least* the equal of the 335. You really won't regret getting the T59/V unless you must have the "cool" name on the headstock.

[pianotunernick]

Nice one Sam. Strangely, through my computer setup, the only one I could absolutely clearly hear the difference was the Junior, where I felt the Gibby had more presence. Another great video, Nick

[GuitarGearGyan]

The Eastman LP and ES335 were great and IMO better but that Gibson Junior had Mojo and clearly sounded warmer and less brittle that the Eastman.