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Heritage core H-150 vs Eastman Eastman SB59/v ..... anyone do a shootout ?

Dr. Green

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Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
I am looking to buy one of these 2 guitars.

Anyone do a shootout .....?

which one sounds the most like a real Burst or at least like a 59 historic reissue ???
 

zacknorton

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Aug 26, 2011
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731
didn't Guitar.com do a deep dive into the Eastman?? it would be a while back... but I think they did.
 

blauserk

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Mar 12, 2002
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1,778
Well, Edwin Wilson (who used to run the Gibson Historic program, right?) is now at Heritage and it sounds like he was influential in the "Core" program. And I believe that they're built at the old Gibson factory at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, so I think they're striving for the old Gibson magic. The Eastman SB59 advertises an ebony fingerboard, which suggests that following the old Burst recipe is not high on their list of priorities.
 

Mr. Papa

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Jan 14, 2002
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1,418
They're both great guitars, but I give Heritage the edge for being closer to original spec. I have found their build quality to be generally good with some glaringly bad spots on bindings and nut slotting. Also the wood is all over the map on weight and figure in the Standard series. They seem to be getting it right with the Core series, but at a significantly higher price. I bought a recent H-150, traded for another, and then sold it later after they released the Core series. I wouldn't have bought a Standard if I had know they were doing the Core series, I would have waited for the better weight and top wood. Meanwhile, I still have my Eastman 175 style guitar, which is excellent just like the SB59V if you can get past the ebony thing (which I think is an improvement over rosewood).
 
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jrgtr42

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Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I haven't played the Eastman, but I do have a '99 Heritage H150. - the dark burst in my avatar.
I really like that guitar - though comparing to my '02 LP Std, it's significantly darker sounding. There's probably a lot that goes into that, electronics, wood, etc.
It has Duncan '59s in it, which is what was there when I got it, and probably stock from the factory. Comparing to the first gen Burstbuckers in the 02.
|It's also much heavier than the Gibson, well over 10 pounds, I think. I'm guessing it's similar wood and density to the Gibson, but no weight relief.
 

rockabilly69

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Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
They're both great guitars, but I give Heritage the edge for being closer to original spec. I have found their build quality to be generally good with some glaringly bad spots on bindings and nut slotting. Also the wood is all over the map on weight and figure in the Standard series. They seem to be getting it right with the Core series, but at a significantly higher price. I bought a recent H-150, traded for another, and then sold it later after they release the Core series. I wouldn't have bought a Standard if I had know they were doing the Core series, I would have waited for the better weight and top wood. Meanwhile, I still have my Eastman 175 style guitar, which is excellent just like the SB59V if you can get past the ebony thing (which I think is an improvement over rosewood).
The new ones have a much higher quality control with the binding, frets, and nut slots. They are getting better and better!
 

Dave P

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Oct 13, 2001
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976
The quality of the Heritage stuff has gotten a lot better since Edwin has been there. But, I've tried a few 150's that have been around 10 lbs, not what my trashed shoulders want to deal with.
 

Don

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Dec 1, 2001
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5,732
I just bought a used 2019 standard H-150. It weighs just under 9 pounds and plays and sounds great. The neck is a nice shape and size. The quality is very good. My only issue is the Duncan '59 pickups. They're a little more compressed sounding and duller than the Mojotone '59 Clones in my Les Paul- I may swap them before selling that guitar.

I haven't played the Eastman to compare so i can't say. I did try some new Les Pauls- '05s and '60s Standards, Traditional, Classic and Studio and the cash stayed in my pocket, so you can guess how I felt they compared.

51723012030_55f4326bc4_b.jpg
 
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SimonBarSinister

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Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,874
I have one of the Custom Core 150s and it is every bit as good as any of my Custom Shop LPs. The guitar is perfect and plays fantastic. I went for one knowing Edwin was involved. It's a lot of guitar for the money...

9.png
 

blauserk

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Mar 12, 2002
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For sale now on the Gear Page. (Not remotely mine!)

 

gt5litre

Member
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Jan 30, 2003
Messages
80
I played a Heritage H150 and an Eastman SB59/v. I liked both guitars. The Eastman was lighter, had better pickups and just had better tone in comparison with the H150. The SB59/v and H150 are not world’s apart in in quality, feel or tone. But keep in mind the the Eastman uses a higher quality, higher cost hand applied varnish finish, Gotoh aged(slightly) and cost about 750 dollars less.

Brent
gt5litre
 

Red_Label

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Apr 2, 2022
Messages
6
I currently own an H150 and Eastman 59 (as well as two Gibsons and an Epi). All are great guitars. The H150 is a stunning, checked cherry burst, while the Eastman is a more subdued burgundy burst (or something like that. The Heritage sounds as good as any Gibson that I've owned (including two R0s). It also plays as well. It's a bit of a pig though. But I've played a bunch of Murpheys (two close buddies run/own Gibby shops that sell Murpheys), and though I loved every one of them and they were the best electrics I've ever heard or touched... the Heritage has got 95% plus of the tone. The Eastman is stupid light... slightly lighter than the new gold top Standard I just brought home. And the Eastman also sounds and plays as well as any of those guitars. I've probably had about 25 LPs or single cuts. The Eastman stands right there with the best of them. I've spent the past two days going back and forth between the Eastman and new Standard, and they are very comparable. It's that good!
 

echo1

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Dec 15, 2023
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Hi, first post.

I have a Heritage CC Artisan aged H150 and I own a Eastman T486.
I know, apples and oranges but:

I really want to try out an Eastman Sb59/V.

I am not convinced on the Heritage I have here, lows are a bit muddy, that could change with a bit of a setting but the Eastman I have actually rocks, so I am all for trying the 59
 

Chronomariner

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Dec 20, 2023
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21
Hi, first post.

I have a Heritage CC Artisan aged H150 and I own a Eastman T486.
I know, apples and oranges but:

I really want to try out an Eastman Sb59/V.

I am not convinced on the Heritage I have here, lows are a bit muddy, that could change with a bit of a setting but the Eastman I have actually rocks, so I am all for trying the 59
I enjoyed playing on Eastman SB59 varnish.
But it’s the varnish that turned me off.

Neck felt surprisingly sticky, and this was a pre owned guitar from 2017 I think. And it scratched so easily, I dragged my fingernail on the body, not much, just a tiny bit and a new scratch was born.

I like a worn, beat up and aged guitar, but not like this.

But at the right price I might look past it.
It was listed at 1900 USD. If the price drops then I might pick it up.
 

Greywolf

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Oct 2, 2023
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138
I own 2 Heritage models. I can tell you mine are the equal of my custom shop gibsons. Eastman makes decent instruments , IMO not quite the same level.
 

echo1

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Dec 15, 2023
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6
Guys , it was cray last week.
Sent the Heritage back as it had a few dead spots from 1 to 4th in the low E.

Did something some might hate and ended sleeping with the enemy PRS Core 594 McCarty.
 

Chronomariner

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Dec 20, 2023
Messages
21
Guys , it was cray last week.
Sent the Heritage back as it had a few dead spots from 1 to 4th in the low E.

Did something some might hate and ended sleeping with the enemy PRS Core 594 McCarty.
As long as you like it then that's great 😅
 
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