Eastman Pagelli

[RickC]

Eastman isn't exactly a small company, but this seems like the most appropriate place for this.

One of these showed up in a local shop. (no affiliation with Mass Street Music, they just had the nicest pictures I could find online). Doesn't even seem to be listed on Eastman's website yet :confused:

http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/show_item/3008-Eastman-17-Pagelli-PG2

The striking look caught my eye, and the guitar felt and played spectacular. The neck felt just a little smaller than Eastman's ususal profile, but it was very quick and easy to play. Gorgeous, clear tone, and very even up the neck. The offset body was wonderfully comfortable. I demo'd it against a couple of standard Eastman 17" archtops; not even close. They seemed like toys in comparison.

I've always thought Eastman's were "good" guitars for the money; this is the first one I've come across that I'd call "great".

/rick

[move]

thanks for posting that.

i need to find one of these in the midwest.

m.

[EunosFD]

Very cool looking indeed. I've been really digging the look of this one:

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=%5BCacheBuster%5D&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FNEW-Eastman-PG1-Pagelli-Signature-Guitar-RARE-MODERN_W0QQitemZ250303326719QQihZ015QQcategoryZ470 64QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp 1638Q2em118Q2el1247http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Eastman-PG1-Pagelli-Signature-Guitar-RARE-MODERN_W0QQitemZ250303326719QQihZ015QQcategoryZ470 64QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp 1638Q2em118Q2el1247 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FNEW-Eastman-PG1-Pagelli-Signature-Guitar-RARE-MODERN_W0QQitemZ250303326719QQihZ015QQcategoryZ470 64QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp 1638Q2em118Q2el1247)

I'd love to see a thinner semi-hollow 2 pickup version of it.

[tommy_is_here]

Well, this model caught my eye too, so I called around and tried to get info. Yup, designed by Pagelli, made by Eastman. Floating pickup vs. a Pisano model with a built in pickup. Can't tell you much about the sound though - looks are stunning, although I imagine you are paying for those looks!

Comes in two styles: PG1 (basic woods) and PG2 (top end figured woods. MSRP is $3500 and $4000 respectively. This is Eastman's most expensive guitar I believe.

[Bryan T]

I love Pagelli's eye for design. However, I'm not sure I'd drop that much on an Eastman.

Bryan

[tommy_is_here]

Yeah, too expensive for me too.

Probably can be had for $2500-3K on the street depending on the model. Still a lot of green.

[RickC]

in my brief experience playing one, I thought it was a significant step up from Eastman's other 17" archtops.

About ten or so years ago, when I was looking, you could find plenty of fully carved 17" jazz boxes from small builders just starting out, selling in the low $3k range. I think that price has crept up since then. This guitar reminds me of that level of instrument. Not cheap, but hard to beat these days at the price.

/rick

[duckbunny]

I love Pagelli's eye for design. However, I'm not sure I'd drop that much on an Eastman.

Bryan

Same here. Pagelli's designs really speak to me on an aesthetic level. I'm sure it is a wonderful instrument , but that's a lot of dough to drop on a guitar that cost much, much less to produce than it's competition. ;)



-db

[MartinPiana]

Played one at NAMM in January, prototype. Also impressed. The most comfortable 17" guitar I've played, the shape fits the body and right arm nicely.

[jzucker]

What about feedback? I've heard that this is the loudest archtop eastman makes. My concerns would be feedback and size since i'm only 5'7. I guess it's 16" or slightly larger but it looks huge.

[RickC]

Loudest? Maybe, but not enough that I noticed a significant difference. I didn't crank much volume so I can't say for sure, but it didn't strike me as particularly feedback prone. But of course, it is a carved top with floating pickup.

Re comfort, I think perhaps the offset design is misleading. It actually felt smaller than your typical 16" box.

/rick

[jzucker]

Loudest? Maybe, but not enough that I noticed a significant difference. I didn't crank much volume so I can't say for sure, but it didn't strike me as particularly feedback prone. But of course, it is a carved top with floating pickup.

Re comfort, I think perhaps the offset design is misleading. It actually felt smaller than your typical 16" box.

/rick

Looks like the street price is about $2550 for the PG-1, $2995 for the PG-2.

I wonder what the resale value on them is? Unknown I guess and the offset body may put off a certain percentage of buyers...

[RickC]

I played a local Pagelli again this weekend. The offset body does indeed make it seem "smaller" than a normal 16" archtop. If you look at the upper rear area, where your picking arm rests, it's smaller there due to the offset, but it makes up for that by being larger than normal in the lower rear. It really is more comfortable, and no loss in body volume; like getting something for nothing.

These really are wonderful guitars.

/rick

[derekd]

That guitar is about an hour away from me, assuming it is still in stock. I may go by there tomorrow and check it out. Mass St. is a great store, bought a bunch of stuff there thru the years.

[DaveinLondon]

Found this videoclip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kb8BUOXadw