The Eastman SB59 and SB59/v share the same basic single-cut platform, but the /v is more than a cosmetic finish change. The core construction is closely related; the biggest differences are the Antique Varnish treatment, aged hardware and Lollar pickups on the SB59/v versus TruTone Gloss, regular nickel hardware and Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers on the standard SB59.
SB59 vs SB59/v at a glance
| SB59 | SB59/v | |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Solid flame maple | Solid flame maple |
| Back | One-piece okoume | One-piece okoume |
| Scale | 24.75 inches | 24.75 inches |
| Neck / fingerboard | Okoume / ebony | Okoume / ebony |
| Neck joint | Long tenon | Long tenon |
| Radius | 12 inches | 12 inches |
| Neck profile | Traditional Even C | Traditional Even C |
| Pickups | Seymour Duncan ’59 pair | Lollar Custom Aged/Wound Imperial pair |
| Finish | TruTone Gloss | Antique Varnish |
| Hardware | Nickel Gotoh | Aged nickel Gotoh Relic Series |
| Case | Hardshell case | Hardshell case |
What stays the same?
The important part is how much the two guitars share. Both use a solid flame-maple top over a one-piece okoume back, a long-tenon neck joint, 24.75-inch scale, ebony fingerboard and 12-inch radius. They also share Eastman’s Traditional Even C neck profile, 1.68-inch bone nut and Jescar FW47104 fretwire.
That means the basic geometry and playing platform are very close. If you already like the feel of one, the other is not a completely different design hiding behind a similar model number.
The biggest difference: pickups
The standard SB59 uses a pair of Seymour Duncan ’59 humbuckers. The SB59/v moves to Lollar Custom Aged/Wound Imperial humbuckers.
That is one of the main reasons to choose between them on something other than appearance. The /v is aimed more explicitly at the vintage-voiced end of the range, while the standard SB59 gives you a more conventional production-humbucker setup.
TruTone Gloss vs Antique Varnish
The standard SB59 uses Eastman’s TruTone Gloss finish. The SB59/v uses Antique Varnish and pairs it with aged nickel hardware. The result is deliberately less pristine and more vintage-looking straight from the case.
If you actively dislike artificial ageing or simply want a clean new-guitar appearance, the standard SB59 is the obvious choice. If the worn-in aesthetic is part of what you are buying, the /v is the one built around that brief. For more detail, see our guide to what /v means on an Eastman guitar.
Is the SB59/v worth more?
That depends on whether you actually value the things you are paying extra for. The /v adds Antique Varnish, aged hardware and the Lollar pickup set, but it does not transform the underlying guitar into a completely different construction tier.
If your priority is the core SB59 platform and you are happy with Seymour Duncan ’59s and a gloss finish, the standard SB59 is the more straightforward buy. If you specifically want Eastman’s Antique Varnish treatment and Lollar Imperials, the SB59/v is the model that gives you those features from the factory.
Which one should you buy?
- Choose the SB59 if you want the core single-cut platform, a clean gloss finish, Seymour Duncan ’59s and the simpler value proposition.
- Choose the SB59/v if Antique Varnish, aged hardware and Lollar Imperials are part of the reason you want the guitar in the first place.
Still comparing Eastman electrics? Read our Eastman electric buying guide or browse the full comparison library.
Specifications based on Eastman’s current SB59 and SB59/v model information. Dealer selling prices and UK MSRP are not directly comparable and can change, so current price should be checked separately when buying.