Eastman ER4 vs. Yamaha AE1200S

**h1pst3r88** · 02-08-2016, 12:06 PM

Hi guys,

Close to happy birthday for me and my wife is wondering what guitar I want ;-)

I am looking at either a Eastman ER4 or a Yamaha AE1200S. They are very different animals but there's easily a place in my playing for both (though with a budget for only one!).

It seems the Yammy is a wonderful L5 copy with excellent build quality and a solid spruce top. The Eastman is a modern designed 16" with solid mahogany and a carved spruce top.

I have listed to these videos and still can't decide. I would appreciate anyone's opinion, especially if you've played either or both.

Thanks!

**electricfactory** · 02-08-2016, 01:17 PM

Speaking as someone who recently bought- and stupidly sold a Yamaha AE1200s I highly recommend that guitar as your first choice. In short it [ the one I sold] was everything one could hope for and more in an L5 that isn't a vintage Gibby, and when I stop flipping the switch on the Acme Self-Butt Kicking Machine I'm wearing I'll post some pics.

**electricfactory** · 02-08-2016, 01:20 PM

**Jim Soloway** · 02-08-2016, 01:26 PM

As you say ...they are totally different ergonomics so rather than asking which instrument is better, perhaps the question ought to be which one works better for you? And I know from first hand experience that this is harder to do in real life than it is to say when sitting at a keyboard. I'm going through my own decision process right now and it's tough to get away from the idea of going with the best guitar for the money rather than the guitar that best suits my purpose.

**Max405** · 02-08-2016, 01:56 PM

Ive never played one, but I think the ER4 is one of the coolest looking guitars out there.. Sort of like Salvador Dali had a hand in the design.

And Jim Soloway couldn't have said it any better. You really need to factor into this, what suits your needs. They are very different guitars.

There is an ER4 in our for-sale section. It looks great with the beautiful dog on the couch behind it.

JD

**h1pst3r88** · 02-08-2016, 01:56 PM

electricfactory,

Ah, you are in my neck of the woods -- I'm in Boston (Jamaica Plain).

Thanks for the great reply. I know they are both more than serviceable guitars; really I want the tone of the Yamaha with the ergonomics of the Eastman.

The few videos I have seen display the AE1200S' tonal flexibility with a lovely depth and clarity of voice -- I really like that tone (given that my reality is the $1k range of guitars).

Yamaha AE1200S Video -

Yamaha AE1200S Video -

The El Rey is such a cool design but the two videos I have heard make is sound maybe a little thinner than perhaps I would like.

ER4 Video #1 -

ER4 Video #2 -

I won't have a chance to play either before purchase (but the ER4 from GC I can return)... leaning toward the Yamaha.

Thanks for the reply!

**h1pst3r88** · 02-08-2016, 02:09 PM

Joe and Jim,

Well put about considering needs. The ER4 in our for sale section is the same finish -- essentially the same guitar. I found the one I have on hold at GC in Tucson (only 3k miles from me)... a bit lower priced than the one for sale here.

It's funny, I have wanted both guitars for a while and never found either one at a reasonable price. Now I have found both!!

Thanks for your thoughts!

-Chris

**Jim Soloway** · 02-08-2016, 03:39 PM

It's always dangerous listening to Gregor's videos. I've watched a bunch of his videos and his tone is just fabulous ... always. But I have to admit if it was just an issue of sound, I'd fall in love with the Yamaha and that would be the end of the discussion. On the other hand I have a feeling that there are some warmer sounds to be had out of that ER4.

**339 in june** · 02-08-2016, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by h1pst3r88

... my wife is wondering what guitar I want ;-)

I don't know about the guitars as never played one of these, but, for sure, keep the wife !

Seriously now, these two guitars are two very different beasts.
Do not underestimate the playability and the comfort : big fat body vs thin slim....
Do not underestimate the difference in sound you'll get from them ...
Not sure this helps you !

If I were you, I'd go for the Eastman for the originality of the design, and because I don't feel at home with big bodied guitars

**h1pst3r88** · 02-08-2016, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

...But I have to admit if it was just an issue of sound, I'd fall in love with the Yamaha and that would be the end of the discussion. On the other hand I have a feeling that there are some warmer sounds to be had out of that ER4.

When I think of utility, that's it, it's sound. I want the guitar to have tone that I could fall in love with. That's what seems to be ending my discussion. I love the innovation of the ER4, but I struggled with and ultimately sold a lovely Loar because it was too mid-rangy and was the opposite of warm. I fear that a little with the ER4 too.

Ibanez also just announced a poor man's GB-10... but that's another thread ;-)

-C

**jzucker** · 02-08-2016, 05:08 PM

isn't this like comparing a Les Paul and a Strat? Totally different guitars, different design goals, different tones, different scale lengths, etc.

If you are playing traditional jazz ala Joe Pass or Wes, clearly the Yamaha is the better instrument. For more modern stuff, go with the el rey.

**pkirk** · 02-08-2016, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by h1pst3r88

Yamaha AE1200S Video -

don't want to derail the thread, but man that Bireli video is incredible.

If it's the guitar, not the player, then buy that one!

**losaltosjoe** · 02-08-2016, 06:33 PM

@h1pst3r88 -- I'm very happy with my Yamaha AE1200S. It is very well built with a beautiful neck. I was fortunate to find one that hadn't experienced problems because of a decaying pick guard (although I did replace the original one immediately as it was just starting to gas out).

Alas, as much as I love the guitar, I do not sound like either Bireli or Greg when they are playing their AE1200S...

Good luck in your quest.

Joe

p.s., I'm visiting my dad on Cape Cod and have already been out shoveling snow 3 x today. Hope you are surviving the storm. Can't wait to get back to sunny CA.

**michaelglines** · 03-08-2016, 02:56 AM

Hey all, I too have a question regarding the El Rey 4.

I agree that it's a completely different guitar from your traditional jazz archtop, which is why I'm more interested in it.

From the videos I've seen, I feel it would give me enough of the acoustic archtop tone that I want, but I'm curious as to how it would respond to a more electrified set up.

Can anyone speak to how it performs with overdrive or modulation effects?

Thanks everyone!!

**travisty** · 03-08-2016, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

It's always dangerous listening to Gregor's videos. I've watched a bunch of his videos and his tone is just fabulous ... always. But I have to admit if it was just an issue of sound, I'd fall in love with the Yamaha and that would be the end of the discussion. On the other hand I have a feeling that there are some warmer sounds to be had out of that ER4.

+1. Tough to find a guitar which sounds less than really nice in Gregor's hands.

**orri** · 03-08-2016, 08:59 AM

get both

**h1pst3r88** · 03-08-2016, 01:36 PM

Still not my birthday (yet), and still haven't decided... however, both of the original guitars that I started this thread with got away. I guess I let them.

I am going to go with a Mr. Wu Pisano copy after seeing the work that BigMike and 2b just received from China. I have been talking with Ms. Lora since before they got their guitars (thanks BigMike for the help!), and after seeing their instruments, I am sold. The bummer is the 3month wait, but that seems part of the fun.

I did get a wonderful 1980 Matsumoku Jeff Beck Strat from Japan (so nice!) and have focused on the amp side of things. I got a '68 Custom Vibrolux (the amp I like the speakers are garbage), and then got a Pinetone 2x12 cab which I loaded with vintage JBL D123 speakers. This setup sounds really, really wonderful with my Jonathan Rose Tele and the new Strat. I am dying to try it with an archtop!

I would love to find a cheap AR371 to bang on until the Mr. Wu gets here... anyone??

The original ER4 I started this thread with I found online at GuitarCenter Tucson (I am in Boston) and it was $800!!! I still kick myself for letting it go. I too worried about the electric sound, but at that price it would have been a fine experiment.

Good luck!!

-Chris

**2bornot2bop** · 03-08-2016, 08:48 PM

I've owned 4 Yamaha AE1200S. Before going bonkers buying "carved" archtops it was buying AE1200S' that got me into jazz archtops. You could do much worse than buying a 1200S. The neck is great and the Ebony fretboard is very nice. More of a "jazz" guitar than the Eastman. They could not be more different in design or tonality.

There's my first AE1200S, also in natural. Note the original Ebony bridge. These originally shipped with both an Ebony and TOM bridge.

and a Sunburst

**h1pst3r88** · 03-08-2016, 08:50 PM

Has anyone seen any speakers?

...I just left my speakers around here, anyone?

**h1pst3r88** · 04-30-2016, 07:16 AM

This forum is funny -- full circle.

I was the OP on this thread because I was so close to finally pulling the trigger on a long adored but never owned AE1200S.

As part of what's great about this forum, a member, electricfactory in this case, shared some pics of his AE1200S that made me pine for the fjords. A blonde AE1200 that was lovely, alas.

The past 2+ months have seen some new acquisitions (Seventy Seven Stork Jazz, a wonderful MIJ Aria Jeff Beck Strat from 1980, and finally bringing my Jonathan Rose Tele to my luthier for a total overhaul) but I couldn't shake the AE. While the Stork Jazz happily has been handling the jazz stylings, my studio continued to have a conspicuously missing archtop.

Then, serendipity. Browsing through Reverb yesterday, there she was -- the elusive blond whale -- and she was local to me in Boston. A great seller, easy emails back and forth, and a rendezvous later that night. Would the AE be what I was hoping it would be?

When we met, the seller pulled out the gig bag and opening it was like that scene in Pulp Fiction when they open the suitcase... rays of lights and awestruck eyes. The seller mentioned "I got it from a really nice guy in Gloucester..." Wait a second, that had to be electricfactory?? The same forum member whose pics of his AE1200S made me drool... HIS guitar??"

Well yes indeed... and it is beautiful!! So, electricfactory, THANK YOU!!!

Up at 7am on a Saturday because I just couldn't wait to take the Blonde whale for a ride!

**orri** · 04-30-2016, 07:49 AM

when seeing this thread got bumped I just realised that I just had my birthday which I could use as an excuse to buy myself a new birthday present guitar.
I love this forum.
and happy birthdays to you all...

**m_d** · 04-30-2016, 07:59 AM

Great story, beautiful guitar

**travisty** · 04-30-2016, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

As you say ...they are totally different ergonomics so rather than asking which instrument is better, perhaps the question ought to be which one works better for you? And I know from first hand experience that this is harder to do in real life than it is to say when sitting at a keyboard. I'm going through my own decision process right now and it's tough to get away from the idea of going with the best guitar for the money rather than the guitar that best suits my purpose.

Just re-reading the thread as h1pst3r88 has now jumped onto the Yamaha archtop wagon and I was struck by what Jim Soloway wrote. Very wise words indeed.

And h1pst3r88, please let us know what you like about it and what perhaps you don't like. It looks beautiful! I'm going to dig out my AE18 and give it a whirl tonight.

**2bornot2bop** · 05-01-2016, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by travisty

Just re-reading the thread as h1pst3r88 has now jumped onto the Yamaha archtop wagon and I was struck by what Jim Soloway wrote. Very wise words indeed.

And h1pst3r88, please let us know what you like about it and what perhaps you don't like. It looks beautiful! I'm going to dig out my AE18 and give it a whirl tonight.

Huh? I'm not seeing any pics other than the ones I posted 2 months ago. Just sayin