My Eastman with a Tone-Changing Kent Armstrong

[ch willie]

Got this 2005 Eastman archtop. Unplugged, it sounds like a smoky bar in 1920s Paris.

Before, when plugged, I couldn't eq out the strong mid clank. I don't know if the sound will come across in my rough improv, but in real, the sound is now rich and warm. Kent Armstrong, handwound USA, for what it's worth.

[Cogs]

Nice. I know it's a cliche term, but it sounds very "woody"

[OldStrummer]

Nice and jazzy, Willie. That's the way an archtop should sound!

[Cogs]

Willie, you have Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar Book I?

[ch willie]

Willie, you have Mickey Baker's Jazz Guitar Book I?

No, I can't really read music, but with a bit of ear and effort, I can figure out stuff. I did work through a book years ago just to learn some of the chords.


And yes, she sounds absolutely woody. It's just what I was looking for. Eastmans are the best kept secret in the world--hand carved. Can't beat it at the price.

And thanks, OS. I take that as a big compliment since you have a couple of great jazz-ready guitars.

[OldStrummer]

No, I can't really read music, but with a bit of ear and effort, I can figure out stuff. I did work through a book years ago just to learn some of the chords.


And yes, she sounds absolutely woody. It's just what I was looking for. Eastmans are the best kept secret in the world--hand carved. Can't beat it at the price.

And thanks, OS. I take that as a big compliment since you have a couple of great jazz-ready guitars.

No one in my area carries Eastman guitars. I wanted to see what the buzz was all about, and only on my recent trip to Florida found a place that carries them. Yes, they're a Chinese company, but throw that loaded perception out the window, and watch this:

[OldStrummer]

Speaking of Mickey Baker (I have both volumes of his instructional books), the entire Volume I is online. Free. The only wrinkle is that the files that accompany the course are TEF (TablEdit/TEFView) format. I have learned that TuxGuitar can also open TEF files.

Baker wrote his material when TAB was still in its infancy, so it's mostly music notation and guitar chart diagrams (which is the way I learned the instrument). Thus, I found it easy to follow, but hard to form some of the shapes.


http://www.jazzandhotguitar.com/index.htm

[S. Cane]

Very nice sounding/cool looking guitar, and I loved that chord progression!

[DanTheBluesMan]

so your phone made you look normal?

yes, I agree, very woody sounding.

[ch willie]

so your phone made you look normal?

yes, I agree, very woody sounding.

Thanks. Yes, the iPhone back camera turns the image around.

[Cogs]

No need to read music, he's got the little blocks w/the black dots for fingering. One of the lessons sounds just like the chord progression you are playing

[ch willie]

No, just some improv.

sounds like something I should look at though.

[OldStrummer]

No, just some improv.

sounds like something I should look at though.

I spent a phase of my guitar playing journey playing the Mickey Baker stuff. Even though I have the books, I was delighted to see it (at least Volume 1) online. Back in the day, it was considered THE source for learning Jazz guitar.

[ch willie]

No one in my area carries Eastman guitars. I wanted to see what the buzz was all about, and only on my recent trip to Florida found a place that carries them. Yes, they're a Chinese company, but throw that loaded perception out the window, and watch this:

I have some artsy fartsy photos of guitars being crafted. Hand carved and such quality control. I can't express enough love for this guitar.

Because of the covid isolation, I had more time to play, and I began to play without a pic. I have severe tendonitis in my thumbs and a hearty flare up of rhematoid arthritis. I can't hold a pick, but I can finger pick with minimal pain.

Serendipity.