I bought an SB59 from the same store and mine is almost identical. Great store and great service. I've owned a few Gibsons and never bonded, but this SB59 is a keeper.
Just rewatched this. That color is truly amazing. Not a sunburst fan but it's because most sunbursts look off. This one doesn't. It just looks beautiful
Having owned a couple of SB59s (still owning one) and playing a few others, what I've found is that their neck profiles vary pretty dramatically. I suppose this is to be expected give that they're handmade instruments. But let me give you an example. My current Eastman (a 2018 SB59/v Amber) is 1.72" wide at the nut, 2.08" at 12, .84" thick at 1st fret and .97" thick at 12 and the carve on the neck is a really nice C. The SB59 I sold (pretty much the same model you have there, just a different burst color) was 1.74" wide at the nut, 2.12" at 12, .87" thick at 1, and 1.03" at 12 and the carve on the neck was a chunkier U with pretty dramatic shoulders. I'm sure these numbers are within their tolerances, but they were very different feeling necks.
I have a feeling that a lot of that is due to the handmade effect. I have listened to a few people who own a lot of vintage guitars from before the C&C era and they always talk about the inconsistencies. Thank you for checking out the video and thank you for commenting.
Very nice and genuine review. You covered everything needed to inform all levels of guitarists. I have the Eastman Jr and it is superb in every way. I have the SB59 in my signts now. The craftsmanship is A+++. Most cant get past the name on the headstock, however, if you put it in their hands, its undeniable. Thanks for the video.
Great balanced, thoughtful review! Many thanks. I am hoping to get my hands on an Eastman SB59 and/or SB59/v soon - none in HK and Covid prevented any travel so . . . here's hoping! FWIW I still own my 1968 LP Custom and a few other nice instruments, like you I am always on the lookout for new 'bright shiny things' and all the reviews I have seen point to the Eastman as a bit of a game-changer - in many ways the specs alone are giving Gibson a run for their money these days. Also, FWIW, I own guitars made in US, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Indonesia & PRC so, frankly I am open-minded on where an instrument comes from - ultimately it's the quality / craft that matters. And while we're a it, I do see a lot of comments to the effect that 'Gibson' on the headstock will ensure better resale value - well, fine, but I don't buy a guitar to sell, I buy it to play 😀
I have a bunch of guitars.. i'm blessed... they range from Epiphone to PRSSE to american Fender and Gibson but i'm planning to cull my collection and replace a lot of them with Eastman versions... I love my Epi casino but the Eastman version is just stunning... there LP's and their 335's are also incredible.
Own T486 and an SB59 Gold Top...lefties. T486 is best of dozens of pro-grade/USA guitars I"ve owned including Gibson, Heritage...incredible tone...fills the room on neck pup. SB59...excellent overall, comparable to a Gibson LP. Got both within last 2 years....$1100/$1475 respectively...new, shipped to door.
I have to be honest with you, I've never played a Heritage guitar. With that being said I like the SB59 so much that it's the only LP style guitar I own right now.
Love your videos. I have a opportunity to buy a Eastman SB59, used but in pristine condition. I currently have a PRS S2 McCarty Thinline to which I added Fralin Unbucker pickups. I noticed that you also reviewed the Thinline and was wondering if you had to pick only one, which one would you choose? I play mostly 60s/70s classic rock & blues and have a Strat and soon will have a Tele. Just having a hard time choosing between the two, so any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. And unfortunately, I probably don't need to own both the Thinline and the SB59. Thanks!
I’m a huge PRS fan as well as Eastman. I just did put out a video comparing my S2 McCarty 594 single cut to my SB59. As much as I love my McCarty (and I do) if it came down to I could only have one or the other I would probably keep the SB59. One thing to keep in mind though is that the Eastman has a much thicker neck profile it’s like a 50s Les Paul. Best of luck with your guitar hunt. Here is the video I did on Eastman vs PRS czcams.com/video/KYS4vhpsDOQ/video.html
@@alansamsmusic Alan, I greatly appreciate your timely response. Yes, I agree about the SB59 neck being thicker. I have never liked the LP or the PRS single cut neck profiles, but I do like the SB59 for some reason. It feels slightly thinner and V-shaped to me. I had also enjoyed your video on the PRS and Eastman. Keep up the good work. Thanks
I purchased the SB59 yesterday. The quality is unbelievable and it sounds amazing, I'll never part with it. Thanks for your videos and input, they definitely enabled me to make an informed decision.
Yes they do, here is a link to a really good break down of these guitars if you fast forward to 15:45 in the video he opens up the pickup cavities. czcams.com/video/8czXnLa-3FY/video.html
An Epiphone LP Standard used runs about $500-550. The pickups are meh so add in $150-200 for pickups and throw in $100 for a case. You can be into an Epiphone for $850 and no hot rod Epiphone is worth $850 on the used market. My used Eastman was $1300 with a case and I can sell it for what I paid all day. Not to mention the Eastman is on another level in terms of build quality.
I'm not doubting they're all handmade. I'm just wondering how many skilled people they must have in that factory turning out all those guitars that get imported around the world. There's an awful lot of Eastman 59s out on the market. I wonder how they do it.
I've actually had that same thought, but everything I've read and all of the factory tours I've seen on CZcams seems to confirm their claim. All I know is they make a damn fine guitar 😀. Thanks for checking out the video.
The problem for Eastman is their price point falls right at the point where you can buy a secondhand Gibson equivalent. That is a real problem for me personally as at that price point if I have the choice, I will always buy the Gibson. Eastman need to get their prices down under $1000 but keep the quality the same if they want to expand, however, they may not be able to do that or wish to that and want to remain boutique. I'm also surprised Gibson have allowed Eastman to sell LP style guitars in the US without raising a lawsuit, I suspect they will consider a lawsuit if Eastman grow and sell more guitars in the US or other markets in the World but as stated I'm not sure that that's Eastman's approach or intention at the moment.
Gotta *whole hardheartedly disagree* here. If anything, the price point is what makes this such an outstanding deal and I honestly doubt you've picked one up let alone play one with the "but I could get a used Gibson at this price" . Actually you can't for this price. Period. Single piece mahogany body and neck, ebony fretboard that looks and feels like it's black glass, top quality electronics and h/w, nitro finish(!) and a guitar that arrived as a 10/10 in my case (oh and speaking of case, even the case is better than Gibsons! lol). As to Gibson? F them. They're simply a corporate weasel company now IMO. So glad my Boogies are pre-Gibson editions... $1000 for a hand made guitar of this quality!@? c'mon man... There literally isn't a flaw to be found on my SB59-GB and it can be seen and heard on Shane's intheblues YT channel where he featured it, and what lead me to buy it, no questions asked. The only quibble I might have is as the video creator mentions, I find the pickups to be a little hot but also as he said, they clean up very very well. It's the first guitar I've ever had where I can back the volume off to 5 and it still has a great crunch but all notes ring out clear as a bell. I am surprised a bit by the p/ups as I had a Strat with a Lil 59' in the bridge years ago but it got stolen and that p/up sounded quite different and wasn't as hot. But this is a very small item and I may or may not swap at least the bridge p/up out at some point but probably just for the sake of experimentation. But back to Gibson. You often hear and read "this is the guitar Gibson WISHES they made" and its bang on. I've been playing for years and have had 2 LPs that I sold over the years and they were pale to this. They also don't let an SB leave the shop if it weighs more than 8lbs....Also realize that Quan who owns Eastman studied at Boston U and returned back to China to start the company. We're talking about Artisians here, not some typical SE Asian CNC line ( I have some great CNC guitars but they just aren't on this level). To be clear, I am maybe one of the biggest proponents for not buying from China when possible and had my own reservations based on all the Chinese garbage they produce but just watch Shane gush on this guitar. It is fantastic and I love that I have one of the last gold top SB59-GBs as they ain't makin anymore and it will , 100%, become a collectable...
@@MoreMeRecording As I said for me the Gibson is preferable because small things matter when you are discussing guitars over $1000 and the Gibson has the kudos, of not being a copy (albeit a reissue) and (things you can't change through mods or upgrades) has a better headstock and body design particularly the shape of the horn and upper bout. Sound wise there isn't a lot in it IMHO.
I bought an SB59 from the same store and mine is almost identical. Great store and great service. I've owned a few Gibsons and never bonded, but this SB59 is a keeper.
Just rewatched this. That color is truly amazing. Not a sunburst fan but it's because most sunbursts look off. This one doesn't. It just looks beautiful
Having owned a couple of SB59s (still owning one) and playing a few others, what I've found is that their neck profiles vary pretty dramatically. I suppose this is to be expected give that they're handmade instruments. But let me give you an example. My current Eastman (a 2018 SB59/v Amber) is 1.72" wide at the nut, 2.08" at 12, .84" thick at 1st fret and .97" thick at 12 and the carve on the neck is a really nice C. The SB59 I sold (pretty much the same model you have there, just a different burst color) was 1.74" wide at the nut, 2.12" at 12, .87" thick at 1, and 1.03" at 12 and the carve on the neck was a chunkier U with pretty dramatic shoulders. I'm sure these numbers are within their tolerances, but they were very different feeling necks.
I have a feeling that a lot of that is due to the handmade effect. I have listened to a few people who own a lot of vintage guitars from before the C&C era and they always talk about the inconsistencies. Thank you for checking out the video and thank you for commenting.
Very nice and genuine review. You covered everything needed to inform all levels of guitarists. I have the Eastman Jr and it is superb in every way. I have the SB59 in my signts now. The craftsmanship is A+++. Most cant get past the name on the headstock, however, if you put it in their hands, its undeniable. Thanks for the video.
6:18 I really like this section here, the rhythm and solo have an awesome punk vibe that I dig
Boy, you got that at the right time, Look at the price now!
I’m lucky i got a 59/V for 1450
Great balanced, thoughtful review! Many thanks. I am hoping to get my hands on an Eastman SB59 and/or SB59/v soon - none in HK and Covid prevented any travel so . . . here's hoping! FWIW I still own my 1968 LP Custom and a few other nice instruments, like you I am always on the lookout for new 'bright shiny things' and all the reviews I have seen point to the Eastman as a bit of a game-changer - in many ways the specs alone are giving Gibson a run for their money these days. Also, FWIW, I own guitars made in US, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Indonesia & PRC so, frankly I am open-minded on where an instrument comes from - ultimately it's the quality / craft that matters. And while we're a it, I do see a lot of comments to the effect that 'Gibson' on the headstock will ensure better resale value - well, fine, but I don't buy a guitar to sell, I buy it to play 😀
Nice honest review on a nice honest instrument.
I just got a used SB59 off Reverb and am really happy with it. Was considering a Gibson Standard and saved a bunch by getting the Eastman.
👍🏻👍🏻 Nice!
I have a bunch of guitars.. i'm blessed... they range from Epiphone to PRSSE to american Fender and Gibson but i'm planning to cull my collection and replace a lot of them with Eastman versions... I love my Epi casino but the Eastman version is just stunning... there LP's and their 335's are also incredible.
Own T486 and an SB59 Gold Top...lefties. T486 is best of dozens of pro-grade/USA guitars I"ve owned including Gibson, Heritage...incredible tone...fills the room on neck pup. SB59...excellent overall, comparable to a Gibson LP. Got both within last 2 years....$1100/$1475 respectively...new, shipped to door.
Hi, was wondering if you think these are as good or better than the Heritage H150 guitars? I can't decide which is the best LP style guitar.
I have to be honest with you, I've never played a Heritage guitar. With that being said I like the SB59 so much that it's the only LP style guitar I own right now.
Love your videos. I have a opportunity to buy a Eastman SB59, used but in pristine condition. I currently have a PRS S2 McCarty Thinline to which I added Fralin Unbucker pickups. I noticed that you also reviewed the Thinline and was wondering if you had to pick only one, which one would you choose? I play mostly 60s/70s classic rock & blues and have a Strat and soon will have a Tele. Just having a hard time choosing between the two, so any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. And unfortunately, I probably don't need to own both the Thinline and the SB59. Thanks!
I’m a huge PRS fan as well as Eastman. I just did put out a video comparing my S2 McCarty 594 single cut to my SB59. As much as I love my McCarty (and I do) if it came down to I could only have one or the other I would probably keep the SB59. One thing to keep in mind though is that the Eastman has a much thicker neck profile it’s like a 50s Les Paul. Best of luck with your guitar hunt. Here is the video I did on Eastman vs PRS czcams.com/video/KYS4vhpsDOQ/video.html
@@alansamsmusic Alan, I greatly appreciate your timely response. Yes, I agree about the SB59 neck being thicker. I have never liked the LP or the PRS single cut neck profiles, but I do like the SB59 for some reason. It feels slightly thinner and V-shaped to me. I had also enjoyed your video on the PRS and Eastman. Keep up the good work. Thanks
I purchased the SB59 yesterday. The quality is unbelievable and it sounds amazing, I'll never part with it. Thanks for your videos and input, they definitely enabled me to make an informed decision.
@@allenstowe660thank you for your kind words. I hope you enjoy your SB for many years to come!
I have an offer to trade my PRS Silver Sky Golden Mesa for an Eastman SB59/V-GB. Decisions, decisions!
I just checked the Eastman website, and the SB59 is now $2,800.
This video is probably a little more than a year old, but wow that is a major price jump
Do these Eastman's have the long neck tenon?
Yes they do, here is a link to a really good break down of these guitars if you fast forward to 15:45 in the video he opens up the pickup cavities. czcams.com/video/8czXnLa-3FY/video.html
@@alansamsmusic Thanks for the link!
i am poor and eastman is not my price range.. but if i have given a chance to have one ill definitely pay for it even if i ended being homeless..
An Epiphone LP Standard used runs about $500-550. The pickups are meh so add in $150-200 for pickups and throw in $100 for a case. You can be into an Epiphone for $850 and no hot rod Epiphone is worth $850 on the used market. My used Eastman was $1300 with a case and I can sell it for what I paid all day. Not to mention the Eastman is on another level in terms of build quality.
I'm not doubting they're all handmade. I'm just wondering how many skilled people they must have in that factory turning out all those guitars that get imported around the world. There's an awful lot of Eastman 59s out on the market. I wonder how they do it.
I've actually had that same thought, but everything I've read and all of the factory tours I've seen on CZcams seems to confirm their claim. All I know is they make a damn fine guitar 😀. Thanks for checking out the video.
They make violins primarily. At similar scale and price points. There are tours of their plant on CZcams.
The problem for Eastman is their price point falls right at the point where you can buy a secondhand Gibson equivalent. That is a real problem for me personally as at that price point if I have the choice, I will always buy the Gibson. Eastman need to get their prices down under $1000 but keep the quality the same if they want to expand, however, they may not be able to do that or wish to that and want to remain boutique. I'm also surprised Gibson have allowed Eastman to sell LP style guitars in the US without raising a lawsuit, I suspect they will consider a lawsuit if Eastman grow and sell more guitars in the US or other markets in the World but as stated I'm not sure that that's Eastman's approach or intention at the moment.
Ok
Gotta *whole hardheartedly disagree* here. If anything, the price point is what makes this such an outstanding deal and I honestly doubt you've picked one up let alone play one with the "but I could get a used Gibson at this price" . Actually you can't for this price. Period. Single piece mahogany body and neck, ebony fretboard that looks and feels like it's black glass, top quality electronics and h/w, nitro finish(!) and a guitar that arrived as a 10/10 in my case (oh and speaking of case, even the case is better than Gibsons! lol). As to Gibson? F them. They're simply a corporate weasel company now IMO. So glad my Boogies are pre-Gibson editions... $1000 for a hand made guitar of this quality!@? c'mon man...
There literally isn't a flaw to be found on my SB59-GB and it can be seen and heard on Shane's intheblues YT channel where he featured it, and what lead me to buy it, no questions asked. The only quibble I might have is as the video creator mentions, I find the pickups to be a little hot but also as he said, they clean up very very well. It's the first guitar I've ever had where I can back the volume off to 5 and it still has a great crunch but all notes ring out clear as a bell. I am surprised a bit by the p/ups as I had a Strat with a Lil 59' in the bridge years ago but it got stolen and that p/up sounded quite different and wasn't as hot. But this is a very small item and I may or may not swap at least the bridge p/up out at some point but probably just for the sake of experimentation.
But back to Gibson. You often hear and read "this is the guitar Gibson WISHES they made" and its bang on. I've been playing for years and have had 2 LPs that I sold over the years and they were pale to this. They also don't let an SB leave the shop if it weighs more than 8lbs....Also realize that Quan who owns Eastman studied at Boston U and returned back to China to start the company. We're talking about Artisians here, not some typical SE Asian CNC line ( I have some great CNC guitars but they just aren't on this level).
To be clear, I am maybe one of the biggest proponents for not buying from China when possible and had my own reservations based on all the Chinese garbage they produce but just watch Shane gush on this guitar. It is fantastic and I love that I have one of the last gold top SB59-GBs as they ain't makin anymore and it will , 100%, become a collectable...
@@MoreMeRecording As I said for me the Gibson is preferable because small things matter when you are discussing guitars over $1000 and the Gibson has the kudos, of not being a copy (albeit a reissue) and (things you can't change through mods or upgrades) has a better headstock and body design particularly the shape of the horn and upper bout. Sound wise there isn't a lot in it IMHO.
Sorry but not as good as the Epiphone modern figured Customs prophecy Models..or Gibson..no matter how bad you want them to be..
My SB 59 is up there with my R9 but I’m glad you like you’re Epi’s man.
Why? Doesn't sound beyond reason that another company can make a better LP.