Eastman AC512

Guitar made (or rather "handcrafted") in China.
On mine, made in 2008, it says AC 510. From what I saw on various forums and comparing the photos, it appears that the first AC 510 AC 512 correspond to the new brand. AC 510 and that have subsequently emerged a form rather jumbo, contrary to my own orchestra that has a form (such as AC 512). That's why I post the notice for an AC 512. In short, you have everything up? ...

Characteristics of mine:
- Solid Spruce top
- Back / Sides Wood: Solid Mahogany
- Bracing: Hand Carved, Scalloped X
- Rosette: Inlaid Wood
- Body Binding: 5 Ply Wood
- Headstock Veneer: Rosewood
- Neck Woods: Mahogany
- Construction: Dovetail Neckjoint
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Nut Width: 1 3 / 4 "(44 mm)
- Scale Length: 25 "(635 mm)

No cutaway, no pre-amp. And that's just fine.

UTILIZATION

Guitar extremely light (especially compared to my Guild GAD 30).
The C handle is very thin. It's a bit unsettling at first, but it quickly becomes enjoyable once accustomed. The pitch is rather short (635 mm), which is really handy when you have little fingers (and I not tell you when you put a capo!).
The action is perfect: we flush it without ropes frieze.
The only downside I have to make, these are some of the medium frets, the edges a little bite of the base when doing glissandos of barre chords ... But it's really to be severe. Because There's really nothing to catch the tetanus!

SOUNDS

This guitar is excellent for fingerpicking. Low, mid and treble are well balanced. I acknowledge particularly appreciate the highs that are full of warmth, bright, and with many harmonics (and I have mounted as extra-light strings). The bass does not eat up everything else. I melt! With a pick too, it sounds of thunder. Very good if you like playing Celtic music.
I use it in little strumming (since I'm not too much), but it does very well for the little I do.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought this guitar used on e-bay, some with eyes closed (exactly what not to do). But I was looking for a big concert or large guitar orchestra with a tuning fork that is below 25.5 "(not easy to do fingerpicking with small fingers). So when I received it, quite honestly, I was disappointed: build quality was impeccable, "but the strings were very tight. I have naively changed by extra-light, but nothing to do, you always had a pressure logger to produce correct notes. And finally, I realized he had just set the handle! ... It's crazy like a well-tuned race can change everything!
And, I do not regret my purchase a little "reckless" (I had the pot). Out and about on the forums, we see that there is very little negative opinion on the brand Eastman. Some might even compare to the Taylor Eastman much cheaper. Not go far, because I never seriously tested Taylor.
I have not many points of comparison above, since I never touched the guitar over € 1000 new. But frankly, in its range, it is brillantissime! And if you do the fingerpicking, you will be thrilled.

If I had to redo this choice? Yes, and re-yes! And I even want to aim for the upper range of the brand (the AC 800 and the new arrivals seem a lot). But that's when I have a real salary! Note that the mark is not distributed in France.