Prototype | CUSTOM Eastman AR810CE 2003 - Natural & Mint Condition!

This is a rather specialized and rarity early production run of an Eastman AR810 archtop.
The production date is 2003 and #00362.

I personally reached out to Eastman to research this instrument, to understand the 16.5-inch width and if it is a true AR810CE and was told this model was produced before records of standardized models where kept. This specific AR810CE was either one of the very few prototype/special runs, or a custom transition model or a custom commission - made at a time when Eastman was just starting the archtop line and had not yet standardized the lineup - each instrument was hand-made.

Features that set this apart from the later year's traditional builds:
1. Lower bout width of 16.5" - rather than the now standardized 17"
2. Upscaled, high-end flame maple back and sides (more in-line to the 910 series).
3. Specific binding pattern - todays 810 production models use a 7-ply ivoroid binding. This 810 uses a 6 series ebony, maple, ebony, maple, ebony, + thick outer maple outer binding.
4. Custom hardshell case specific to this specific AR810 16.5" lower bout scale and configuration.

Note it does bare the inside label stating that it is an AR810CE - but it does not have the latter years back headstock & neck stamp SS# and country of production.

With this specialized history and remarkable condition - this makes this particular Eastman AR810 a bit of Eastman history.

Specs:

- Hand-made full body archtop.
- Tigh grain spruce top.
- Highly flamed maple back and matching sides.
- 1.75" nut with. (Not sure if this is bone or synthetic).
- The high "e" vibrating string length is 24.5 inches. The low "E" vibrating sting length is 24.75 inches.
- Ebony tail piece.
- Fully adjustable, compmensated floating Ebony bridge.
- Ebony pick guard with pickup tone and volume controls.
- Ungraded with a Bartolini J5 floating humbucker pickup ( original pickup and nut included in case).
- Custom Eastman hard shell, arched, plush lined case.

This guitar is in amazing condition for a 23 year old guitar.
This has a high gloss finish, but I note that the top does not have the thick gel coat that has become the standard style. This has a thinner high-end topcoat where you can feel the spruce grain. I my option, this effects the voice and tone - it does not dampen the wood with an overly thick shell but instead protects and enhances the wood and allows the tight grain spruce to flex for a more broad ranged voice. This allows more midtone voice to be heard and prevents the classic archtop "muted" tone of thick soundboard gel coats.
This is more evident when played acoustically.

There are minor surface scratches (it's 23 years old) - none that break the finish, they are more surface marks. Also note the wood grain tone on the back (the darker grain area and pores).

Now - playability. It is strung with flat wounds and a dream to play up and down the full fretboard range with no buzz or dead spots.
Voice is clean, woody and lively - acoustic and plugged in.
Very comfortable soft "c" shaped neck.
Comes with an Eastman hardshell case (in perfect condition).

All photos were taken in natural daylight and LED lights - the color shown is the real guitar with AMAZING flame. Please look over the images, as I tried to get side angles to show the high-gloss finish and surface blemishes.

Please ask questions prior to purchasing.