GAD or Eastman a good US Guild Jumbo Substitute?

[paganskins]

I love my F412 and would like to add a jumbo 6 string to my flock however a US guild is out of my price range currently, should I go GAD or perhaps an Eastman which are both comparative money here in the UK.
Eastman flattops: http://www.eastmanguitars.com/current/acoustic7.html
Good quality eastman pics here http://www.acousticvibesmusic.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=1_13
Any other makes I should consider, 1 3/4 nut and all solid woods an advantage.
Thanks for your thoughts

 

[wright1]

Pagan, maybe you should put this post into the acoustic section rather than the archtop section. Not many US Guilds come up in the UK. I have seen some over priced sad guitars in London. I don't know how fast you need to add the instrument but I would be inclined to wait if you can and be choosey about where you spend your hard earned and spend it on the right insrument rather that an instrument. I have noticed that Frailers has a few used Guilds. Keep looking until you find the right one.

 

[tjmangum]

Eastman a good US Guild Jumbo Substitute?

In comparing the two, I have an Eastman Jumbo in rosewood and also a Westerly JF55. Eastmans are well built guitars and a great value, however they are not equal to a US made Guild. I like Eastmans a lot (I have several) and enjoy them, but at the end of the day IMHO it's apples and oranges.
Write me if I can tell you anything more.
Good luck,
tj

 

[paganskins]

Thanks TJ and Write1 for your thoughts. I'm not sure how to notify the mods/administators that I've posted in the wrong category, can the topic be moved?
TJ how would you say the Eastmans compare to the GAD line (I'm assuming you've seen and played GADs)?
2nd hand is another option, Frailers do have a few Guilds but only the shallow bodied stage guitars currently. There's also ebay were a bargain may be found possibly with the present economic climate.

 

[taabru45]

I don't know if you have them over there but Seagull guitars, Canadian made, are excellent value for the money, over here at least, If you see one around check it out too. Steffan

 

[Walter Broes]

Moved your thread to the appropriate section.

 

[paganskins]

Moved your thread to the appropriate section.

Thank you

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I had a GAD JF-48 that was a very well built and nice sounding guitar.
I'm a Rosewood guy so the sound of the guitar with Mahogany back and sides was not what my ear liked.
This guiutar was finished in Amber Burst, which I also didn't care for, after buying it.

If you are a person that likes the sound of Mahogany, the JF-48 GAD is a great buy on an all soild wood Jumbo Guitar.

When I sold the guitar after owning it for about 1 year, I sold it for $80.00 less than I paid for it new.
The new owner loved it!

GAD guitars are a great guitar for a very good price.

 

[samuelch]

I have a Guild GAD JF30 - and it's a great guitar!
I think it rivals my US made Guild...
It has nice lows with shimmering highs - kind of sounds like a Taylor...
Not sure whether it's because the maple or the bracing...

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I had a GAD JF-48 that was a very well built and nice sounding guitar.
I'm a Rosewook guy so the sound of the guitar with Mahogany back and sides was not what my ear liked.
This guiutar was finished in Amber Burst, which I also didn't care for after buying it.

If you are a person that likes the sound of Mahogany, the JF-48 GAD is a great buy on an all soild wood Jumbo Guitar.

When I sold the guitar after owning it for about 1 year, I sold it for $80.00 less than I paid for it new.
The new owner loved it!

GAD guitars are a great guitar for a very good price.

Absolute agreement! Recently got a GAD JF-48 and love everything about it...I've played several GADs but only a few Eastmans, so take that in consideration, but I prefer the GADs...very much a Guild in everyway!

My only snivel is I really don't like the GAD pickguard, but Mandolin Bros. sold me a "real" Guild p/g, so all is great!

 

[tjmangum]

Paganskins,
I have a played a few GADs and while I liked them, I would not trade them for the equivalent Eastman. Maybe I'm buying into the "hand crafted" BS, but they seem a bit lighter and nimbler than the Chinese Guilds. I have an OM Eastman, maple backed with a slot head that my fingerstyle teacher, who is also a luthier, was amazed at for the price. All but one of my 4 I bought used with the 4th at a great price from a dealer. The used ones, only a year or two old in great condition, went for about half the street price, which to me would be like getting a Tacoma D55 for $850. Not sure if there are so many without enough market or what the deal is with sales. I have a friend who manages a music store that stocks Eastman mandolins and when asked why he isn't going with the acoustics said, "They are in a price range that already has several strong players and I don't want to get stuck with instruments."
Good luck & best wishes,
tj

PS Only negative to an Eastman I have found is their finish is kind of erratic at times and they end up with minor crazing.

 

[paganskins]

Also not really a jumbo but I'm also considering a Larrivee L03 or ideally a L03R if I can find one within budget