The Romeo just has this gorgeous airy quality that the 59 missing, but I think that's a combination of Romeo being mostly hollow and having the spruce top. 59 just gives me maddddd B.B. King vibes
The Romeo was brighter and clearer. Period. The T59 is an excellent 335-style instrument, but I’m guessing that with a little tweaking, you could cover its tone with the Romeo. Romeo, all the way.
Great review. Watched it before and after having spent all morning in Mak's guitars in central London today. I walked out with ..... the T59v (I wanted both)! Reason? The neck and that 'front end' that Lucas describes on the T59v. (I'd be a jazz/blues/Robben Ford, Larry Carlton player; with some Robert Cray, SRV and Clapton chucked in. I've been a Strat' guy for 20 years). The Romeo was the guitar I really wanted to want, because it is so beautiful and so unique. It has all the deep tones of the hollow body, and huge authority in the Lollars. It was great for the jazz, for fingerpicking and also that almost Telecaster like clarity in every ring of every string. However, it was harder to control. Maybe on the version I played the action was set a little higher, but the single string work was more effort (10s on top on both). The T59v almost played itself. Harmonics bounced off from everywhere. It seemed to have limitless power and made everything from Hendrix to Robert Cray seem its own. It is now on my wall. It was easier to play than my guitar tutor's ES335, and I am looking forward to getting to know it better (John Mayer's 'Ain't no Sunshine..."). My next selfish purchase? Will be the Romeo... Again, great review, Lucas. Makes great sense now...
The sound of the sunburst sounds better to me thanks for the demo in the perfect world i would take the sunburst and also one of those solid body red ones
Hi Lukas Following you and in particular your reviews if Eastmans - got 6; think you should consider the T184MX - that's a winner!!! Cheers for very intelligent and passionate way of playing.
You know a guitar you should check out and review Lucas? The Epiphone 60's tribute plus. Dude I just got mine yesterday and this thing is awesome! For $650 you get Gibson pups, 57 in the neck and 57+ in the bridge, coil split, in and out phase, CTS pots, Grover LOCKING tuners, a hard case and mine is 100% flawless! Not a blemish, not a buzz, not anything negative! I am amazed with this guitar dude. I bought the Lzzy Hale white Explorer from Zzounds and it's going back because it has numerous issues with it, I got the LP in place of it and I am SO glad I did!! Now I just have to figure out how to get a nitro finish on it and I will be happier lol.
Hey Lucas, love your videos. I just ordered a T 59, and I was wondering if it would come with the new smaller head stock, and the amber nobs. Would you happen to know. Tnx in advance.
I prefer the T59V. It seemed to have more fidelity and fuller range. Sweet and aggressive too. I have an Amber one and love it. The Romeo seems nice but doesn’t win here IMHO. Nice playing and thanks for the comparison!
Excellent comparison! Those Antiquitys mated to the T59 body are oh-so very buttery and sound quite authentic, at least perhaps until you put a "proper" (choose your own adventure, m8) Gibby next to it. 99.9x% of us are none the wiser, anyhow. _[My SA2200 is a touch more aggro; Yamaha's weird take on the ES-347's coil tap setup has some abrupt pot-taper that I'm half-keen to modify]_ In contrast, from here the Romeo's Imperials seem far louder, with a punchy and tight low-end - kinda like it's always got that _morning 'wood'._ Should be a great axe for cutting and thick leads + comping bits through a large(er) ensemble... or any 'slinger seeking an in-your-face-sounding axe to further annoy the singer. 😄 Cheers ya lucky dog!
Completely agree with Lucas’ assessment - To me the Romeo has more lower mids - warmer, but is more scooped in upper mids and treble, making it more “single coil” sounding, the T 59 is a rock machine !
On this end, they both sound great. (earbuds in laptop) I tend to gravitate to the T59 just on aesthetics alone. Something about a larger headstock on big bodied guitars just looks pleasing. Not a big fan of the slim or tapered headstock look ! Nice guitars & decent demo !!
The Romeo reminds me of an 80's or 90's guitar , Benedetto (?). Anyway to me , they both sound good but I marginally preferred the T59 V's tones and looks.
I own very similar guitars and find Luca's comments about the comparison (around 7 minutes into the video) very much in line with my own. I have an Eastman T486, which is almost identical to the T59 in most respects, but has the SD Jazz pickup at the neck, and a SD Seth Lover (switched out by previous owner) at the bridge. I also have a Romeo (the model in this video). Essentially, the T486 is closer to an 335-style guitar, and therefore, probably a better choice in most rock playing. On the cleaner end, however, the Romeo, with the magnificent sounding low wind Lollar Imperials, provides a gorgeous woody tone that sound beautiful in jazzier settings as well as ballad playing behind a vocalist. Lucas's comparison between the terms "chimey" for the T59 and "clarity" and "dynamic" for the Romeo are dead-on. For me, both guitars are indispensable.
Both had a unique tone, not my personal cup of tea to ever play, but I can't deny they have a good set of sounds. I felt the red one had the warmer tones and the burst one had the chimey sounds.
While the Romeo is clearly beautifully made, I felt like it could sound a bit muddy or confused at times. Maybe it's great for jazz, but it seems slightly like it doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The T59 is simply off the charts great in every regard. My only quibble is the headstock. I don't love the shape and string angles look less than ideal for smooth tuning. Otherwise, I'm sold.
Okay, first of all, I really need to comment on your playing...because it's AMAZING!! I listen to your guitar demos just to hear you play. Next, is an "Oh, dang," -- as in, "oh, dang, now I have to find a way to justify buying an Eastman Romeo." Holy Schneikies, I'm way too in love with that beautiful work of art for my own good. I'm sunk.
From what I hear on my iPad speaker the Romeo sounds better. Maybe I should listen again thru headphones. The Romeo remains the ultimate guitar for me. I’m considering buying one.
The nod goes to Romeo. Just a little fuller sounding as well as a little smoother on the attack. Both instruments are exceptional. I've always wanted an Eastman, with everything that has been happening a guitar like that is about as far away as it can get. Great comparison Lucas, thank you so very much.
The T59 was slightly more aggressive with overdrive, but the Romeo was clearer and chimier, and definitely better for cleaner tones. Both guitars are worth getting.
I had a chance to play a Romeo at Huber in Breese in Michigan. Great guitar and great guitar store. I played it alongside my Ibanez AM153. I really wanted to get that Romeo. To be honest the AM153 was every it as good as the Romeo. The 153 design may not be as beautiful. Eyes of the beholder but the sounds, playability and quality of build are on par. AM153 new $999, Romeo $2,499. Thought this might help someone make a decision.
@@VEHICROS lol That could be me! Additionally, in the late 80's to 92 I was DJ'ing at early Acid House parties in and around London. Last week I ordered a Romeo SC. I've definitely noticed that my ears, eyes, and knob don't work like they used to!
@@simonnotthepieman1581 Not an expert on hollow body guitars, but Id say its not the same as a large or full size hollow body. The tone is different than a Gibson 335, But still a very nice guitar. I like that it is light weight.
Good question. That's a bit subjective. To me, the Romeo's neck is a tad thicker and more "D" shaped, so I prefer it. The T59/v is a softer, slightly thinner, "C" shape. I think the majority of players would prefer that.
The Romeo looks boring . But it sounds terrific. I got a T59V because it looked amazing and sounded incredible. Best guitar I’ve ever played to be honest
@Aquatic Mullet Piss off . I thought with a stupid name like that ,you might understand a joke when it's right in front of you . My proper reply was right behind it ,if you even noticed. Twat.
Amazing vid. I have the t59/v and love it. Your vid convinced me I made the right choice for my needs.
Whichever one you're playing at the time is my favorite. Both sound amazing.
I have a Romeo SC and love it. It does it all
sounds amazing nice riffs
AHHHHHH, I can't decide!!
The Romeo just has this gorgeous airy quality that the 59 missing, but I think that's a combination of Romeo being mostly hollow and having the spruce top. 59 just gives me maddddd B.B. King vibes
The T59 sounds fab !!
The Romeo was brighter and clearer. Period. The T59 is an excellent 335-style instrument, but I’m guessing that with a little tweaking, you could cover its tone with the Romeo. Romeo, all the way.
Very talented and passionate play - and we both love Eastman - I have 6... Well - suggestion: demo the T184MX - that's the real deal!
Great review. Watched it before and after having spent all morning in Mak's guitars in central London today. I walked out with ..... the T59v (I wanted both)! Reason? The neck and that 'front end' that Lucas describes on the T59v. (I'd be a jazz/blues/Robben Ford, Larry Carlton player; with some Robert Cray, SRV and Clapton chucked in. I've been a Strat' guy for 20 years). The Romeo was the guitar I really wanted to want, because it is so beautiful and so unique. It has all the deep tones of the hollow body, and huge authority in the Lollars. It was great for the jazz, for fingerpicking and also that almost Telecaster like clarity in every ring of every string. However, it was harder to control. Maybe on the version I played the action was set a little higher, but the single string work was more effort (10s on top on both). The T59v almost played itself. Harmonics bounced off from everywhere. It seemed to have limitless power and made everything from Hendrix to Robert Cray seem its own. It is now on my wall. It was easier to play than my guitar tutor's ES335, and I am looking forward to getting to know it better (John Mayer's 'Ain't no Sunshine..."). My next selfish purchase? Will be the Romeo... Again, great review, Lucas. Makes great sense now...
Awesome playing man.
Thanks a lot!
So what you're telling me is that they both sound absolutely amazing... hmm... interesting :-p
The sound of the sunburst sounds better to me
thanks for the demo
in the perfect world i would take the sunburst and also one of those solid body red ones
Hi Lukas
Following you and in particular your reviews if Eastmans - got 6; think you should consider the T184MX - that's a winner!!! Cheers for very intelligent and passionate way of playing.
You know a guitar you should check out and review Lucas? The Epiphone 60's tribute plus. Dude I just got mine yesterday and this thing is awesome! For $650 you get Gibson pups, 57 in the neck and 57+ in the bridge, coil split, in and out phase, CTS pots, Grover LOCKING tuners, a hard case and mine is 100% flawless! Not a blemish, not a buzz, not anything negative! I am amazed with this guitar dude. I bought the Lzzy Hale white Explorer from Zzounds and it's going back because it has numerous issues with it, I got the LP in place of it and I am SO glad I did!! Now I just have to figure out how to get a nitro finish on it and I will be happier lol.
I like both. Maybe the sound is in the fingers? Anyhow, great guitars that sound amazing.
Haaaaaa i like em both....and if I only had talent like u lol
Yep. Eastman are perfect. I hope some day they make an SG or V clone.
Lucas, you have any insight into possible future models?
I don't have any "insider" info, but if they tell me something cool I'll blink it out in morse code in a video :)
I wouldn't kick either one of them out of bed. Sweet guitars and sweet playing.
One of each, please
I thought the Romeo had more upper mid bite to it. Both sound great, I say one of each.
Hey Lucas, love your videos. I just ordered a T 59, and I was wondering if it would come with the new smaller head stock, and the amber nobs. Would you happen to know. Tnx in advance.
I honestly don't know. That would be a question for Eastman. I know that mine is a relatively new one, made in 2019 I believe.
Obsessed with the Romeo’s tones. T59 beautiful too
The Romeo sounds glorious and it's very comfortable to play!
Love that Romeo...just need to have a disposable 2 grand! lol Lovely lovely guitar!
I prefer the T59V. It seemed to have more fidelity and fuller range. Sweet and aggressive too. I have an Amber one and love it. The Romeo seems nice but doesn’t win here IMHO. Nice playing and thanks for the comparison!
Dan says hi. Lol.
It really depends on how many frets you need.
Excellent comparison!
Those Antiquitys mated to the T59 body are oh-so very buttery and sound quite authentic, at least perhaps until you put a "proper" (choose your own adventure, m8) Gibby next to it. 99.9x% of us are none the wiser, anyhow. _[My SA2200 is a touch more aggro; Yamaha's weird take on the ES-347's coil tap setup has some abrupt pot-taper that I'm half-keen to modify]_
In contrast, from here the Romeo's Imperials seem far louder, with a punchy and tight low-end - kinda like it's always got that _morning 'wood'._ Should be a great axe for cutting and thick leads + comping bits through a large(er) ensemble... or any 'slinger seeking an in-your-face-sounding axe to further annoy the singer. 😄
Cheers ya lucky dog!
Completely agree with Lucas’ assessment - To me the Romeo has more lower mids - warmer, but is more scooped in upper mids and treble, making it more “single coil” sounding, the T 59 is a rock machine !
On this end, they both sound great. (earbuds in laptop) I tend to gravitate to the T59 just on aesthetics alone. Something about a larger headstock on big bodied guitars just looks pleasing. Not a big fan of the slim or tapered headstock look ! Nice guitars & decent demo !!
Thanks :)
I like them both a lot, but the T59 is much more "traditional" looking.
I wish he played each one for about a minute without any pedals to get a true feel for how they sound.
see above...
Both sound great and are winners.
I can really nail that Cream-era Clapton tone with the 59 :)
Lucas Fowler Plus the T59 has that awesome Antique Varnish.
I love the varnish. It feels so natural and looks amazing.
The Romeo reminds me of an 80's or 90's guitar , Benedetto (?). Anyway to me , they both sound good but I marginally preferred the T59 V's tones and looks.
Can pick up a Romeo with the BK pups for 800 bucks… has to be a good idea 👍
They both sound great, though personally, I can’t get on board with the Romeo’s looks. I’m just a sucker for the 335 aesthetics.
Man if a guy had to chose !! Might be too late on the question board here but. How much would you miss having separate volume per pick up.
I own very similar guitars and find Luca's comments about the comparison (around 7 minutes into the video) very much in line with my own. I have an Eastman T486, which is almost identical to the T59 in most respects, but has the SD Jazz pickup at the neck, and a SD Seth Lover (switched out by previous owner) at the bridge. I also have a Romeo (the model in this video). Essentially, the T486 is closer to an 335-style guitar, and therefore, probably a better choice in most rock playing. On the cleaner end, however, the Romeo, with the magnificent sounding low wind Lollar Imperials, provides a gorgeous woody tone that sound beautiful in jazzier settings as well as ballad playing behind a vocalist. Lucas's comparison between the terms "chimey" for the T59 and "clarity" and "dynamic" for the Romeo are dead-on. For me, both guitars are indispensable.
The Romeo for me. The T....Actually I'd sub it out for an Ibanez SA78FM
Both had a unique tone, not my personal cup of tea to ever play, but I can't deny they have a good set of sounds. I felt the red one had the warmer tones and the burst one had the chimey sounds.
I like them both a lot, the T59 will nail the early Clapton Cream sound too :)
I liked the Romeo tones best. Had way more clarity.
How would you compare the necks on both? Is the Romeo less chunky?
Actually I think the Romeo is a little fatter. Pretty similar shape but a little more.
Lucas Fowler Good to know. Thank you. I really dig that guitar.
@@LucasFowler Agreed. Takes more work to control
LOVE EASTMAN
Lucas, Have you had any problems with Eastman Truss Rods?
I haven't, but I also only have to adjust them half a turn or so when the seasons change, so they don't get used much.
While the Romeo is clearly beautifully made, I felt like it could sound a bit muddy or confused at times. Maybe it's great for jazz, but it seems slightly like it doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The T59 is simply off the charts great in every regard. My only quibble is the headstock. I don't love the shape and string angles look less than ideal for smooth tuning. Otherwise, I'm sold.
Okay, first of all, I really need to comment on your playing...because it's AMAZING!! I listen to your guitar demos just to hear you play. Next, is an "Oh, dang," -- as in, "oh, dang, now I have to find a way to justify buying an Eastman Romeo." Holy Schneikies, I'm way too in love with that beautiful work of art for my own good. I'm sunk.
Thanks, I really appreciate it :)
T59 for me
I wish they did the Romeo in decent colors
Tone goatee.
It's the obligatory 30 year old Dad goatee :P
From what I hear on my iPad speaker the Romeo sounds better. Maybe I should listen again thru headphones. The Romeo remains the ultimate guitar for me. I’m considering buying one.
The Romeo is definitely warmer and fatter sounding to my ears. The T59 feels like it wants to rock :)
The nod goes to Romeo. Just a little fuller sounding as well as a little smoother on the attack.
Both instruments are exceptional.
I've always wanted an Eastman, with everything that has been happening a guitar like that is about as far away as it can get.
Great comparison Lucas, thank you so very much.
Glad you dig it :)
Could you please tell me what the V in T 59 v stands for, please and thanks 😊
I think it refers to the French Polish finish normally applied to violins so "violin" (?). This particular model is t59/v rd for red
yep. v for varnish
The T59 was slightly more aggressive with overdrive, but the Romeo was clearer and chimier, and definitely better for cleaner tones. Both guitars are worth getting.
Both good but T59/V is better especially clean for that Blues sound.
I had a chance to play a Romeo at Huber in Breese in Michigan. Great guitar and great guitar store. I played it alongside my Ibanez AM153. I really wanted to get that Romeo. To be honest the AM153 was every it as good as the Romeo. The 153 design may not be as beautiful. Eyes of the beholder but the sounds, playability and quality of build are on par. AM153 new $999, Romeo $2,499. Thought this might help someone make a decision.
T59v all day
How does the T59 compare to a tmx185\86?
I have a T185mx blonde l would be curious myself, l like the tone of the Romeo but damn its ugly...
Guns and guitars is firing shots lol.
I deserved that. I'll get it done ASAP.
What should i compare between distorted guitars … the ugly distorsion
No preference, I like both
I like them both a lot too! They both suit my playing style very well.
Definitely T59
T59 Blows away the other, Much more Tone
The Romeo is probably better for those who have become tone deaf due to playing too loud for too long
@@VEHICROS lol That could be me! Additionally, in the late 80's to 92 I was DJ'ing at early Acid House parties in and around London. Last week I ordered a Romeo SC. I've definitely noticed that my ears, eyes, and knob don't work like they used to!
I have an Eastman T184MX, It is a unique guitar.
@@VEHICROS I'd like to see the 184/5/6 compared. Does the smaller body lose you anything?
@@simonnotthepieman1581 Not an expert on hollow body guitars, but Id say its not the same as a large or full size hollow body. The tone is different than a Gibson 335, But still a very nice guitar. I like that it is light weight.
My question is, which neck feels better? They both sound sweet.
Good question. That's a bit subjective. To me, the Romeo's neck is a tad thicker and more "D" shaped, so I prefer it. The T59/v is a softer, slightly thinner, "C" shape. I think the majority of players would prefer that.
@@LucasFowler I wound up buying a T184 MX today so if it sounds anything like those guitars, I'll dig it.
@@LucasFowler that's it exactly. The neck sold the T59v to me. The Romeo put me more in mind of a nylon strung classical accoustic.
The Romeo looks boring . But it sounds terrific. I got a T59V because it looked amazing and sounded incredible. Best guitar I’ve ever played to be honest
First! 🤣
@Aquatic Mullet Hey man nobody called me fat or said my tone sucked so I'm good hahahahaha
@Aquatic Mullet Piss off . I thought with a stupid name like that ,you might understand a joke when it's right in front of you . My proper reply was right behind it ,if you even noticed. Twat.
#failer
#accurate