Eastman AR880ce Classic

A "Classic" Archtop Designed in Tradition

The AR880CE Classic belongs to the great lineage of jazz archtop guitars: a balanced 16-inch format, all-solid lutherie, and refined aesthetics down to the details (Pisano Signature inlays, ebony pickguard and hardware). The goal is clear: to recapture the feel and elegance of stage instruments, with modern design and reliable components for long-lasting, regular, and consistent playing.

For Which Guitarist and Styles?

This guitar is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking an expressive archtop for jazz (swing, bebop, ballads), but also for blues, soul, or "clean" pop. Its neck with Traditional Even C profile, combined with a comfortable scale length, favors enriched chords, octave playing, and precise phrasing. On stage or in the studio, it is especially suitable for musicians who prioritize nuance and articulation.

Sound

The combination of solid spruce (top) and solid flamed maple (back/sides) delivers a clear attack, excellent note separation, and tight lows typical of archtops. The "Jazz Archtop 16" format provides presence and projection while maintaining good bass control for complex voicings. Regarding amplification, the Kent Armstrong Pisano neck pickup highlights a warm and round register, ideal for smooth jazz tones. The 500K potentiometers and 0.022 uF capacitor offer a useful clarity reserve, with a tone control that allows switching from an open sound to a more mellow timbre.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original setup, favor 012-052 gauge strings (such as the installed D'Addario NYXL 012-052 set). For amplification, a standard 6.35 mm jack cable is suitable for the Switchcraft output jack. The included hard case is ideal for securing the instrument during transport.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	S	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Category	Hollow body	Electronics	Passive
Left handed	No	Electroacoustic	Yes
Strings	Steel	Color	Orange
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Glossy
Nbrs of frets	20	Hardware	Gold

Body style	Jazz Archtop 16	Inlays	Pisano Signature
Body dimensions	16" x 2 3/4" / 406.4 mm x 69.9 mm	String height at 1st fret	0.022" / 0.56 mm
Top	solid spruce	String height at 12th fret	basses 0.078" / 1.98 mm, trebles 0.062" / 1.57 mm
Back and sides	solid flamed maple	Hardware color	gold
Finish	glossy	Bridge	ebony
Pickguard	ebony	Tailpiece	ebony, Pisano style with frog inlay
Bindings	top, back, fingerboard, and headstock	String spacing	2 3/32" / 53.2 mm
Binding material	5-ply maple, ebony	Tuners	Schaller E-M6Ga
Neck material	maple	Knobs	Pisano signed wooden knobs
Neck profile	Traditional Even C	Neck pickup	Kent Armstrong Pisano
Fingerboard	ebony	Pickup height	3/32" / 2.4 mm
Radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Pickup frame	black plastic
Nut	bone	Capacitors	0.022 uF
Nut width	1 3/4" / 44.5 mm	Potentiometers	500K Linear Taper
Truss rod	single action	Output jack	Switchcraft
Frets	20 Jescar FW47104	Case	hard case (Hardshell Case)
Scale length	25" / 635 mm