Eastman Romeo LA review

Bridging the gap between old-school archtop and modern thinline, Eastman’s Romeo impressed. Time to meet its flash new cousin. Is this a ‘no jazz’ zone?

Eastman Romeo LA
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

This LA version not only slashes its price by around 25 per cent, it stretches out with a broader tonality that takes off from that first model and embraces pretty much anything you want, from rockabilly to much dirtier alt-rock, Americana and both old-style and more modern country. As an example of Eastman’s new original-only designs, it’s going to be a tough one to beat.

Pros

  • +

    Very hard to fault in terms of design, construction, playability and sound.

  • +

    We might like this even more than the original Romeo.

Cons

  • -

    Only offered in one colour.

  • -

    No lefties.

  • -

    Not really for players who need high-position comfort.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Eastman’s Romeo is one of the most beguiling guitars we’ve had on test for some time. It’s very much in style for a brand that has really brought the ‘jazz archtop’ into the modern age, a downsized and very functional thinline that is designed to feel more like a regular solidbody strapped on or seated with its almost Tele-inspired upper body. 

Powered by Lollar Imperials, it sounded as regal – and surprisingly versatile – as it looked when we reviewed it. It doesn’t surprise us to learn that the Romeo, introduced in the summer of 2019, has been Eastman’s best-selling electric guitar for the past year.

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Dave Burrluck
Gear Reviews Editor, Guitarist

Dave Burrluck is one of the world’s most experienced guitar journalists, who started writing back in the '80s for International Musician and Recording World, co-founded The Guitar Magazine and has been the Gear Reviews Editor of Guitarist magazine for the past two decades. Along the way, Dave has been the sole author of The PRS Guitar Book and The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance as well as contributing to numerous other books on the electric guitar. Dave is an active gigging and recording musician and still finds time to make, repair and mod guitars, not least for Guitarist’s The Mod Squad.