NGD. Eastman SB55

[kenoflife]

Really good price/value on these. Only drawback I found on mine was the okoume/ebony combination made it very bright. Fortunately, playing with different cap values solved it.

(not a Koll though)

can you say more about that?

the neck and playability of my SB55-DC is awesome.
Picked it up off the wall just on a lark, didn't think I had any interest, and couldn't stop playing it.
It actually had me instantly ready to sell my Collings 290DC, too thick in the neck, and WAY heavier.

 

[54GT]

Let me start by saying that I really like my SB55, and the price/value is outrageous given the quality.

Having said that, I wouldn't put it in the same category as the two Koll Jr Glides I've owned, one of which I bought off the rack in the 1990s (single pickup) and one of which Saul built for me (dual pickup). Both of them have/had a much more balanced tone than the Eastman (sold the two pickup when I got a '57 LPS), and could get that low midrange grunt that good Juniors have as you crank them up. Sonically, they can do what the Eastman does plus quite a bit more. I like the Koll's necks better but that is very subjective and is not a matter of build quality in this case.

Nothing at all wrong with the Eastman but head to head will reach for the Kolls.

 

[kenoflife]

I'm kind of wondering how to give the sound a little more heft somehow - maybe your more balanced? low midrange grunt? sound that my Collings DC had anyway... I wonder if thats what you are describing. So wondering about the cap value idea, seems a simple thing to experiment with (compared to exchanging pickups or something).

 

[54GT]

I ended up liking a .033 cap best with my SB55. seemed to round out the tone best. Like you say, pretty easy to experiment

 

[YYZ]

I actually don't like the color of mine, it's too deep of a red for me. I think if it was more orangish-brown like a faded vintage model it would be better.

View attachment 482922

The finish otherwise similar to the Gibson faded line? No pore filler?

 

[TattooedCarrot]

The finish otherwise similar to the Gibson faded line? No pore filler?

No it's a hand-rubbed violin finish. Very different but looks really cool and relics easily.