Eastman AR805CE-GB Goldburst

A "Venetian" archtop designed for amplified playing

With its Venetian-style body (rounded cutaway) and hand-carved solid woods, the AR805CE-GB Goldburst follows the tradition of great archtop guitars intended for amplified sound. Its craftsmanship emphasizes response, dynamics, and note-to-note clarity, while its finishes (multiple bindings, mother-of-pearl, gold accents) clearly place it in a premium category, suited for both stage and studio.

Who is it for, and in which styles?

This guitar is primarily aimed at intermediate to expert guitarists seeking an expressive and demanding archtop, ideal for jazz, blues, swing, bebop, and softer accompaniment chordal styles. The shorter scale length (25" / 635 mm) promotes a smooth playing feel, especially enjoyable with 12-52 gauge strings.

Sound characteristics

The combination of solid spruce (top) and hand-carved solid maple (back and sides) delivers a highly sought-after balance in an archtop: clear attack, precise highs, clean lows, with a midrange that remains articulated even on complex voicings. Plugged in, the guitar offers a warm and detailed aesthetic thanks to the Lollar neck humbucker, excellent for round, singing, and dynamic tones. The electronics (CTS 500K potentiometers and 0.047 uF capacitor) provide a smooth and usable tone variation, allowing you to shift from a velvety sound to a more biting register without losing definition.

Recommended compatible accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original setup, favor a D'Addario NYXL 12-52 string set (D'Addario NYXL .012 - .052). For amplifier connection, a 6.35 mm instrument jack cable suits the output jack.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	H	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Category	Hollow body	Electronics	Passive
Left handed	No	Electroacoustic	Yes
Strings	Steel	Color	Yellow
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Glossy
Nbrs of frets	22	Hardware	Gold

Body style	Venetian	Fretwire	22 Medium Jumbo Jescar 47104
Body dimensions	16" x 3-1/4" / 406.4 mm x 82.6 mm	String height at 1st fret	0.022" / 0.56 mm
Top	Solid spruce	String height at 12th fret	Bass 0.078" / 1.98 mm and Treble 0.062" / 1.57 mm
Back/sides	Hand-carved solid maple	Logo	Mother-of-pearl headstock inlay
Bindings	Top, back, fingerboard, sound holes, headstock	Hardware color	Gold
Binding material	7-ply Ivoroid	Tailpiece	Ebony on brass
Finish	Truetone Gloss	Bridge	Adjustable ebony bridge
Pickguard	Ebony with Ivoroid binding	Tuners	Gotoh gold with ebony SG360-EN01GG
Neck material	Maple	Neck pickup	Lollar Custom Wound Imperial Humbucker
Fingerboard	Ebony	Pickup height	3/32" / 2.38 mm
Radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Capacitors	0.047 uF
Neck profile	Traditional Even C	Potentiometers	CTS 500K Linear Taper
Truss rod	Single action	Output jack	Switchcraft 6J1226
Nut (material and width)	Bone 1.72" / 43.7 mm	Case	Hard case
Scale length	25" / 635 mm