In our increasingly global economy this is an important distinction. Eastwood Guitars is a Canadian company founded by Michael Robinson which primarily manufactures vintage-style guitars. Eastman uses only the finest components like Schaller & Grover Tuners, Seymour Duncan, Kent Armstrong, & Benedetto Pickups. The total materials used in the Eastman guitar originating in China are less than the total woods used in a Martin that originate in the USA (since Martin does use some US grown wood). These are midrange to advanced level guitars are suitable for basically all levels of play. Check out their impressive roster of endorsed artists on there website if you need to be convinced. Handmade in Beijing, China with a highly skilled worforce lead by Western trained luthiers, Eastman have reset the bar for Chinese quality manufacture. This wood is often procured from the same sources as the major American boutique builders, but is of a lower grade. Find the best selection of Eastman Guitars at Guitar Center at the guaranteed lowest prices and free shipping. As previously mentioned, Gibson owns several subsidiary brands that make import guitars overseas. The Blue Guitar has been selling Eastman Guitars and Mandolins for a while now and we are plenty impressed with the quality. Not tried an Eastman semi but got a Warren Ellis signature tenor - it's a simple guitar, but well made with decent quality hardware - it's the only guitar I've got that I've not changed anything on. As mentioned, Epiphone guitars are all mass produced in factories in China. Indonesia has become one of the primary countries where guitar manufacturers have their budget line of guitars made. Eastman Guitars are an incredible value and will challenge most handcrafted acoustic guitar builders. While Squier is technically an American company, all Squier guitars are all made in China. Either way, Japanese and American made guitars are definitely the countries that make the best guitars out there and are a clear cut above the rest. I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years now, and I’m a total nerd when it comes to gear. Indonesian guitars can be an amazing value for the price. 1-16 of 90 results for "Eastman Guitars" Skip to main search results Eligible for Free Shipping. These guitars are their budget line of guitars that are more suited for beginners. This is the affordable line of guitars by PRS meant for those who are on a budget. So, an AC508CE would be an Engelmann/Mahogany grand concert with a cutaway and electronics. However, unlike the PRS CE, the PRS S2 uses hardware and pickups that are made overseas, similar to that of a PRS SE Custom. However, in recent years, improvements in technology have made producing guitars much more efficient across the board. “3” is Sitka/Mahogany (often substituted with Sapele), “4” is Sitka/Rosewood, “5” is Engelmann/Mahogany, “6” is Engelmann/Maple, “7” is Engelmann/Rosewood, “8” is Engelmann/Rosewood with Maple binding and a bunch of abalone (their top of the line). So if you really want a top of the line Gretsch guitar, then a custom shop, made in America, guitar is the way to go. ESP is top Japanese guitar manufacturer that was founded in 1975. Guitar Companies: CMG Guitars Fender Guitars Gelvin Guitars Benford Guitars Atomic Guitar Works Kiesel/Carvin Guitars They are highly responsive and knowledgeable about their instruments and all are Eastman players themselves. These guitars typically fall in the $500 range and are meant for intermediate level players. The PRS line of guitars can be broken down into two main categories; the PRS SE Custom and the PRS SE Standard. Since the cost of labor is very low in Indonesia, they can mass produce guitars in factories and sell them cheap. They are mass produced in chinese factories with CNC machines to help keep costs low while maintaining consistent quality control. Jackson Guitars are made in the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, and China. From everything I've heard and read about Eastman guitars they are quite possibly the pinnacle of Chinese guitar craftsmanship. Because an Eastman Instrument is 100% handmade sometimes it is possible to find a slight imperfection on some of the instruments. These Jackson guitars are all made in America (as the name would suggest). As a result, many look to Blueridge Guitars because they are made in China and offer a similar experience to Martin Guitars at a fraction of the price. Mexican made Taylor Guitars, while not quite as premium as American made Taylor Guitars, are meant to still offer top notch quality at an affordable price. These Paul Reed Smith guitars are the best of the best in terms of build quality, wood, hardware, pickups and aesthetics. In addition, ESP also has a custom shop line of guitars that are made in the United States. Feb 24, 2014 - To be sure, there is no shortage of guitars being made in China these days, including some of the most recognizable and best-selling brands: Washburn, Yamaha, Guild, Epiphone, Eastman, the Loar, Fender, Ovation, Blueridge, Recording King, Alvarez, Luna, Sigma, and Gibson all manufacture guitars, or components of them. While Guild Guitars is an American made guitar manufacturer, they have multiple lines of guitars that are produced in different countries. For more information, check out my full guide on where Gibson guitars are made. This allows them to reduce costs while still having a real Paul Reed Smith guitar that is made in America. Epiphone is the most well known brand that is owned by Gibson. PRS S2 guitars are made in the United States in Maryland. Get the best deals on musical instruments and recording equipment at Sweetwater! Sale! ESP LTD EC-1000 Deluxe Guitar Review (Updated for 2020) – The Best Value Guitar? These are their top of the line acoustic guitars. Some of the woods used by Eastman are even from the USA, from … Finally, while most of their guitars are made in the far east, they do have a line of Custom Shop guitars. Their Custom Select and USA Series guitars are the top of the line Jackson Guitars. The stem on the master volume pot on the Pro Jet broke (not good quality) but overall a nice guitar. Next, we have the Jackson X Series of guitars that are also made in Indonesia. Inspired by exploration and dedicated to the pursuit of innovation and excellence in guitar making. Finally, we have the Jackson JS Series. Everyone knows this guitar design, even if you don’t know anything about guitars. Some examples include the PRS SE Custom line of guitars, Schecter Banshee guitars, or ESP LTD 1000 series. Their M, D, and F body shape guitars are all made in the United States in their Oxford, California factories. They offer many of the traditional archtop styles in their Uptown series with options of different woods, dimensions, and pickups. The body sizes are Grand Concert, Grand Auditorium, and Dreadnought. All customers get FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Their main manufacturing facilities are in Corona, California and Ensenada, Baja California Mexico. Chinese guitar manufacturers have definitely stepped up their game in terms of quality control in recent years. To be sure, there is no shortage of guitars being made in China these days, including some of the most recognizable and best-selling brands: Washburn, Yamaha, Guild, Epiphone, Eastman, the Loar, Fender, Ovation, Blueridge, Recording King, Alvarez, Luna, Sigma, and Gibson all manufacture guitars, or components of them, in China. Fender Player Series Stratocaster (Made in Mexico) Full Review, Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster Review. An Eastman guitar is distinguished by traditional construction (which entails a dovetail neck joint and hand-scalloped braces) and the grade/species of its tonewoods. While their guitars are mostly produced overseas, they use best overseas manufacturers in South Korea, use those cost savings to pack their guitars with professional quality hardware and electronics. Chinese guitars are becoming more and more popular these days for guitar manufacturers who want to mass produce affordable lines of guitars. Their archtops and flat tops are made with solid, hand-carved tops, backs, and sides. Gibson also owns other subsidiary brands that make import guitars in other countries. These guitars are packed to the brim with features that you would expect from guitars that cost twice as much. Eastman guitars are not “Made in China”. They have their own separate line of guitars ranging from USA made custom shop guitars all the way to $150 beginner guitars made in China (and everything in between). Martin Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer that was originally founded in 1833 and has been owned by the Martin family ever since. In addition, Martin Guitars also has several models of affordable guitars that are made in Mexico. Ibanez is a Japanese guitar manufacturer founded in 1908. Disclaimer — I'm a dealer for all three. And the largest contributing factor to this is where the guitar is made. Their taxonomy can be confusing, but here’s the basic breakdown: “AC” suggests a more modern design, “E” a more traditional (though both are built with dovetail neck-joints). While Chinese guitars are still considered the lowest in terms of quality, the gap is certainly closing between Chinese guitars and higher end Korean guitars. The guitar's workmanship and finish detail is in the Collings's ballpark. However, if you have an authentic Gibson guitar, it will be made in America in either Tennessee, Michigan, or Montanna. They have the same build quality, woods, hardware, and pickups. Finally, their Westerly line of acoustic guitars are made in China. While Fender is an American company, only their top of the line guitars are made in the United States. Eastman began as a violin company. In terms of quality, Korean guitars are on par with Japanese guitars, but usually cost significantly less. They are proudly hand-crafted in Beijing. They also often come with a cutaway and electronics, indicated by the “CE”. So the real question is, “Where are guitars made and is there really a difference?”. Welcome to the World of exquisite hand made acoustic and electric archtop guitars. They are proudly hand-crafted in Beijing. For the same price, Eastman will throw in the rest of the guitar, too! Overall, Chinese guitars are seen as the lowest quality among the overseas manufacturers (but not always the case). Quick View. As a result, Manufacturers can get guitar prices down to $200 or less by having them produced in China, versus say, Korea, where prices are still relatively high. In terms of the types of guitars they produce, their most notable guitar is the Eastman SB59 which is their take on a Gibson Les Paul style guitar. Schecter is known for creating high-quality electric guitars primarily catering to metal and hard rock genres. They are known for creating some of the highest quality acoustic guitars out there used by artists like Taylor Swift and Dave Matthews. This to reduce labor costs and manufacture guitars inexpensively. I’ve learned a ton over the years and would love to share some tips with you! I love recording music and filming guitar covers and I occasionally post them on YouTube. This could include imperfections to the finish, rough fret edges, bad setup out of the box, a nut that’s not filed properly, and more. These Taylor Guitars are made in Mexico in Tecate, which is actually right on the border, approximately one hour away from El Cajon, California. The made in America ESP custom shop guitars are the best of the best when it comes to ESP’s offerings. Ibanez guitars are made in either Japan, the United States, Indonesia, and China depending on the model of guitar. For more information, check out my full guide on where PRS Guitars are made. This includes the LX “Little Martin” Series, the Road Series, and the Backpacker Series. These guitars are designed for beginners who want the class Ibanez look and feel, but are on a budget. Fully domestic companies will charge you $1,000 just for an upgraded “Adirondack” top. Japan is another company known for its high-quality guitars. Squier is the subsidiary brand to Fender since 1965. Eastman Guitars are made in China. For example, Ibanez and ESP both make their top of the line guitars in Japan, and many would argue that they are every bit as good as the American brands. They also have an affordable line of guitars that are made in Mexico. Guitar Advise is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. So if you’ve ever wondered why some guitars are cost over $3,000 while others cost $300, you can bet that the expensive guitar was made in America. Its range of electric instruments include the production of guitars, basses and mandolin, apart from a few acoustic ones such as resonator guitars Since Martin Guitars are made in America, their price range is usually outside an intermediate guitar player’s budget. All handmade by skilled luthiers with an impressive specs that Nitro finishes and USA pickups on most electric models where applicable. Instead, Eastman actually handcrafts their guitars in China, meaning these guitars are not factory made and never actually touch a CNC machine at all. The United States is the country that popularized the electric guitar in the 1950s with the most iconic brands in the industry such as Gibson and Fender. Posted by Robinson Earle on Dec 31st 1969. The Washburn has a 25.5″ scale same as a Gibson L5. While most companies mass produce their budget line of guitars in China to cut costs, this is not the case with Eastman. Eastman's come in at a manageable price-point for professional musicians, and can be gigged with fearlessly. Today, ESP guitars are either made in Japan or the United States. All Larrivées are built from the finest materials available, no matter what series you own. News / October 18, 2018 Founded in 1992 by a Chinese music student named Qian Ni, Eastman strings initially gained their reputation in the world of violin making. I find Eastman very well made but inconsistent in tone. Obviously, the cost to mass produce products in China is significantly lower, due to the cost of labor. As the UKs dedicated Eastman guitar centre, Richard can provide you with information and advice to help you find your perfect Eastman guitar. Originally founded in 1980, Grover Jackson started Jackson Guitars in Orange County, CA. If you have not heard of Eastman guitars (www.eastmanguitars.com), you need to be informed! American made guitars are usually hand made, so you can expect to pay a much higher price for these. PRS Core – The PRS Core line of guitars are all made in the United States in Maryland. Live from Bourgeois Guitars: October 2020 News / October 26, 2020; Bourgeois / Eastman Collaboration Update News / January 13, 2020; An Important Message From Dana Bourgeois News / October 10, 2019; The 2019 Artisan Guitar Show News / March 22, 2019; Introducing Luke Lovejoy, 2018 National Flatpicking Champ. They are known for making affordable versions of Gibson guitars, while never actually branding themselves as Gibson. The company was originally founded in Brooklyn, NY. PRS S2 – PRS S2 guitars fall in between a PRS CE and a PRS SE Custom. That said, many players are willing to accept the slightly lower quality materials and hand-hewn nature of the craftsmanship given the massive price differential. Guild Guitars is an American guitar manufacturer that specializes in producing acoustic, electric, and bass guitars primarily catering to jazz players. The Jackson JS guitars are all made in China. All Gibson guitars are made in the United States in one of three facilities depending on the type of guitar. These Guild guitars are made in South Korea. One reason that Blueridge Guitars have gained a lot of popularity recently is because their acoustic guitar models are designed to be reminiscent to popular models of Martin Guitars. They are primarily known for their iconic semi-hollow and hollow body guitars. Finally, in 2004, Epiphone guitars started exclusively being made in China due to the cheaper costs to mass produce. For example, if you look at a PRS SE Standard 24, I’d argue that there isn’t another guitar out there that can compete with it for under $500. They are a United States company founded in 1976 that was originally known for creating replacement guitar parts for Fender and Gibson before creating their own guitars. They are a very well made import, and their acoustic flat top models are always well reviewed, e.g. If you play a few of them, one will usually stand out by being brighter or mellower or with a punchy mid. Yes these guitars are Chinese but the quality, tone and playability rival the best of American Boutique guitars at a fraction of the price. The higher end PRS guitars are all American made in Maryland and the affordable line of guitars are mass produced overseas to cut production costs. “8” means Sitka/Rosewood, “6” means Sitka/Mahogany. Eastman Guitars are made in China. So it appears from this thread that no production line (e.g. While they are in the ESP affordable line of guitars they are usually quite comparable to the real thing. It was an “okay” guitar. Nowadays, Chinese guitars are becoming closer in quality to the higher priced options, so in time, we could definitely see more and more guitar manufacturers move their production over to China, as it would allow them to cut costs, while maintaining quality. So while they are not quite as high quality as their American made guitars, they are still considered high end guitars as far as overseas import guitars are concerned. I used to own a 1930s Gibson L-7. Register your guitar, find warranty information and locate dealers! Each one set up to your personal specification in our workshop. Where the PRS guitar is made depends on which line and model you’re looking at. These guitars still feature similar design elements to the original ESP designs, but lack some high end hardware, pickups, and features. So I tend to think the guitars don’t mind where they are made, so long as they were made carefully and skillfully with the maker keeping the musician’s best interests in mind. 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