I currently own (and have sold) many high-end jazz guitars, and I feel this Eastman 503CE archtop hollow-body can hang with any of them in terms of playability, rich tone and shear beauty. I would describe the guitar’s condition as near-mint. While there are no scratches, there is one small, barely noticeable ding near the pickup (see picture), and a little scuffing on the pick guard.

The guitar features a 16-inch body with a Venetian cutaway, a 12” radius and a 25-inch scale length. The body top is tight, straight-grained solid carved Spruce with an x brace, while the back and sides are laminated flamed Maple. The solid top on this instrument produces a warmer, richer acoustic tone than laminate top models.

The AR503 has excellent fret work, and a beautiful multi-ply celluloid binding. It also has an excellent nitrocellulose ‘dark burst’ finish, which I prefer over the optional ‘iced-tea’ finish. It’s fitted with a set three-piece Maple neck with a traditional even C profile. A dotless Ebony fingerboard. And, it comes standard with a nice-sounding Kent Armstrong humbucker pickup 

Like the Eastman AR371CE I also have for sale, this is a very versatile guitar. Whether you’re playing blazing bebop leads, fingerstyle ballads, or searing blues this guitar sounds amazing  – both as an acoustic and electric.

The guitar sounds amazing with flatwounds, but I strongly suggest you also try a set of Thomastic Infeld Jazz BeBop roundwound strings. They really make this guitar sing! 

Check out these videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqi0K2VCnNs 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNVBOxdMmmg 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jthP3iaA_5k