Decided to believe the hype on the new Eastman Sb59 and bought one,
after a lengthy delay before delivery I noticed two issues straight
away.
Firstly the top outline around the cover for the pots
cavity is messy and looks like they carved a bit too much away.
Secondly the guitar is setup to the recommended Les Paul action height on the 12th fret, but the bridge is very low.
There is maybe another turn left on it before the wheel would be hitting
the surface of the guitar. This means obviously I can't lower the action
which I prefer on my guitars and secondly over time as the neck will
move forward the only choice I have is to file the saddles on the bridge
to lower the action.
I have raised this with the shop I bought
it off, said I was not happy and offered 3 resolutions. My money back,
or that Eastman be contacted and see what they would be willing to do or
that my guitar is swapped. But if it is swapped I wanted to be able to
pick the guitar flame as I did with my original order.
The reply
from Eastman was that as they carve their maple tops closer to a violin
arch (as they are a violin company), which is higher than other les paul
designs this is the reason that the bridge is like this and it is
completely normal. They also said that the bad finish around the cavity
cover is also completely normal and expected as all of their guitars are
hand made and the corners cannot be made as sharp as it can with a CNC
router. That this is the way the guitars were made in the 50's and
completely normal.
The responses from Eastman I find insulting,
so they are saying as it is handmade, quality should not be expected and
they have re-designed the les paul so that the bridge can't be lowered
without filing the saddles on the bridge?
Also have to say the
case that came with it is the cheapest looking one I have ever seen, and
there is no shielding at all in the pots cavity which causes a hum.
They didn't even seal the wood inside which from my limited knowledge
means that the wood will still be absorbing moisture and can cause
problems in years to come?
Am I being fussy here and over
thinking things? Would anyone else here be happy after spending over
€1800 on a guitar to have a bridge setup so low and is obviously
pointing to a badly setup neck angle? The mistake on the back to me
should have put this towards a Grade 'B' guitar instead?
What would you do?
Would appreciate any advice or opinions? Thanks
Comments
I would think the neck angle is not correct for the bridge to be that low to the body. Do a quick Google and there are loads of images of Eastman guitars that don't have the issue you have so its not by design I would suggest.
They aren't cheap guitars!
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
Not sure whether you’re in Northern or Southern Ireland, but give either Moloney Music (Galway) or Matchetts Music (Belfast) a call and see if they can provide contact to the Eastman rep for the UK and Ireland. From threads I’ve seen on the jazz guitar forum the US rep is very helpful.
Even if they’re maintaining there’s nowt wrong with it, you’re still well within your rights to return it, it’s not a custom made thing.
With the bridge to the deck and a normal relief, your strings should be pretty much resting on the frets if the neck angle is correct.