Hope there isn't already a thread for this that I just didn't find -- but I'm looking at the Eastwood models, and would appreciate hearing anyone's experience with the Classic 4.
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Eastwood Classic 4 bass
- Thread starter Lefty Joe
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Got a Gretsch vibe.
I have the Classic 5. BEADG
They also made the Classic 4 in fretless, however that was discontinued quite a while ago.
Very difficult to find used.
The Classic 4 seems to be one of Eastwoods longest selling models as they also make one of those guitar things called the Classic 6 for the guys that get noticed on stage… geeeee-tahhhhr-ists.
As @Mastermold states below, flats are the way to go. Tapes work well too.
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I had one for many years, really liked it, it's a Gretsch hollow body with a different name on the headstock. Mine was well made, easy to play, sounded like you'd expect a hollow body to sound. I put flat wound strings on mine but they come with rounds so you'll probably want to change them to flats.
There’s some weight to the body so I suspect it has a block. I picked up a white Classic IV several years ago. I was pleasantly surprised by the solid build. Sounds good but does not compare to a Gretsch with TV Jones pickups. It is a fraction of the price.
Classic 4 Bass
The semi-hollow body CLASSIC 4 design takes from the famous 60’s "Country Classic " look and the 30" scale allowed us to develop an instrument with great balance and feel. You will find this BASS will become your everyday player that you can for hours!
eastwoodguitars.com
Specs from Eastwood indicate it is Semi-hollow. However, with a trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge I always assumed that it was a Hollow Body. I believe that if it does have a block it does not go from one end of the body to the other (top to bottom), but possibly from bottom to just under the bridge, which is usually the case for bridges that are screwed down rather than a floating bridge.
Time to get out my small mirror and flashlight and actually look inside.
Horns are totally different between the two. Body length is different. Lower bout is different. F holes different location.
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If you're looking for new, Eastwood currently has a 25% off direct from the website.
I used my iPhone camera and slid the phone it in the F Hole to look and snap some pics of my JC. Give that a try, easier than a mirror.Classic 4 Bass
The semi-hollow body CLASSIC 4 design takes from the famous 60’s "Country Classic " look and the 30" scale allowed us to develop an instrument with great balance and feel. You will find this BASS will become your everyday player that you can for hours!
Specs from Eastwood indicate it is Semi-hollow. However, with a trapeze tailpiece and floating bridge I always assumed that it was a Hollow Body. I believe that if it does have a block it does not go from one end of the body to the other (top to bottom), but possibly from bottom to just under the bridge, which is usually the case for bridges that are screwed down rather than a floating bridge.
Time to get out my small mirror and flashlight and actually look inside.
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My thought as well. At home I practice on a short-scale Dean "acoustic" bass (bass version of an acoustic guitar) which is only entry-level quality but actually sounds pretty decent with flatwounds, and saves me having to plug into anything. I was recently amused when my wife commented on how good it sounded, because -- you know -- it doesn't really. But flats and warmed-up fingers can still make a mediocre instrument sing, at least to some level.
So this is where the Gret -- I mean, Eastwood Classic 4 is a very attractive upgrade. And don't forget the lefty aspect -- not so many choices, and always more expensive. So that 25% off sale is pretty motivating ....
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I did see neck-dive mentioned in review/comments. My first bass was very similar to this, and I don't recall that being an issue ... I used a leather strap with a rough inner surface; perhaps that diminished diving via friction. Looking through my gear now, I see that I still have that same strap
Yes , but they have similar appointments , fret markers , pickups , bridges all look suspiciously similar. I’ve suspected they might originate in the same factory , the Harley Benton is considerably cheaper.
I don't recall neck dive either, at least not significant or bothersome. However, I play seated as I am only a bedroom bass playing hack.I did see neck-dive mentioned in review/comments. My first bass was very similar to this, and I don't recall that being an issue ... I used a leather strap with a rough inner surface; perhaps that diminished diving via friction. Looking through my gear now, I see that I still have that same strap
Leaving only the question: how do they compare for quality? East Asian manufacture nowadays allows for some fairly good instruments at bargain prices, and I have tried some (notably Agile). As a lefty, I can't be too picky. But I haven't found a bargain-priced instrument that was worth more than its price warranted -- cheaper electronics make a significant difference in tone quality, and cheaper tuning machines are just a hassle.
If these aspects are equivalent, then yes: it's cheap enough that one could get the Harley Benton HB-60 *plus* H-B's faux-Rick RB-414 for the same price as Eastwood's Classic 4 alone.
