Black Face Eastman

[EastmanGordon]

This is a prototype finish that Eastman has been working on. This is a MD615 Eastman Mandolin with a black crackle finish...

http://www.eastmanstrings.com/es/blackcrackle.jpg

What do you think? #

[mpeknox]

I think your pictures are broken.

[Onesound]

Gordon,
I like the black face, but would prefer a blond back and sides. I don't care for the crinkle / aged finish, though. The fretboard end is real nice. I just can't see any benefit to a fretboard extension except that it's always in the way. #Just my 0.02.

[sugarinthegourd]

I like it! I like the checking in the top too, though others may not. I do think it would be cool if the back & sides were a deep dark red color, like this one:

http://www.vintageinstruments.com/photos/inst25/1918blkf2ful.jpg

Also, isn't that a 515? I thought the 615 had the longer/traditional fingerboard extension.

Lastly, Gordon, is the Eastman logo "contest" still underway? Is it too late to mail you submissions?

thanks

John

[meskalito]

I don't get black face instruments. Why not just build it out of plastic? No one would notice the difference.

You know what they say about opinions... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandomadman]

Gordon, I'd like to see a deep red back and sides too. And no crackle. Then I think you'd sell more of them. All black seems a bit to much. Black tunners might be nice touch.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[bjc]

All black could be cool, but the crackle I don't care for...

[legendarytones]

Gordon, by the pictures and the way it looks, I would but this mandolin. But Gordon, the only way I'll be able to give you a real honest opinion is if you would send it to me and let me pick for a couple of months. I promise I'll take good care of it, and will pick the fire out of it. I live in North Carolina in the northwest piedmont of the state. Where in the world can I see the whole line of Eastman mandolins to be able to try them out? There is a place in Statesville that has 2, and thats all I've found that has them.

[ShaneJ]

I've never liked black instruments either. No offense! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Now, if the logo was different..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Knowlesy]

The blackface is lovely, the crackle is not. I'd absolutely go along with the deep red suggestion for the sides/neck/back that with no crackle would be beautiful. There is something deeply disturbing about the crackle finish in any colour, Checking is to be tolerated on a great sounding vintage instrument part of the patina as it were, not encouraged on a new one.

My 2p http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[cbarry]

I'd go along with Knowlesy. Black face, dark red (or even dark brown) back and sides. The faux crackle looks okay, but I just have a hard time with faked aging on instruments--or anything else, for that matter.
Also, there's something cooler about a black faced oval hole, rather than F hole. More retro. (I know, I know, retro is okay, but aging isn't. Do I sound confused?)

[Hondo]

Shoot, I like the crackle!

[neal]

I think the whole package is nice, the 3rd pic down tailpiece would be good for that one, and a new logo. The distressing's ok, but it would be nice without it, too. Did I mention a new logo?Sorry Gordon, but the current one really needs a makeover.

[Pedal Steel Mike]

Black is OK, but I don't like the cracked finish either.

I think the F4 with the oval hole and white rosette (or whatever you call it) that is pictured in this thread is very handsome. I think the oval sound hole looks better on a dark face than the F holes do.

[Andrew Reckhart]

It reminds me of those Washburn electric guitars with the stevens extended cutaway that were around in the 80's. The crackle finish was cool for metal and virtuoso guitar players, but I think it is a little too radical for the mandolin.

[sbarnes]

i'm not particularly fond of blackface....but it does look nicer w/sides and back in some wood finish for more contrast.....as to the crackle - i like it but offered in both distressed (crackle) or not would probably be a better business decision -

[flairbzzt]

Another vote for no crackle, and your classic finish sides and back. Nice fretboard ending.

[ShaneJ]

You guys are right...with red/brown maple, it would be better. At least the crackle doesn't look like a cheap black laquer waterbed from the '70s! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif It might work for me on an oval hole mando.

[gnelson651]

I like a blackface but would like to be able to see the gain of the wood through the black. Also, I agree, I don't like all black. Variations of red, brown or medium red or brown or a reddish brown would be nice.

Glenn Nelson
Las Vegas, NV

[gnelson651]

....also don't care for the crackle. And agree that the oval hole with a white rosette is nicer than a black F.

[MandoHobbit]

Don't like the black all over and for some reason a black f-hole top looks strange. Go back and bind the sound holes for contrast and see how that looks. Anyway my preference is for a black top oval for A and F body styles with your classic finish back and sides. No crackle please, I don't care for artificial aging. Now an all black non-traditional F body might be cool, but it doesn't look quite right on a traditional body style F.

[arbarnhart]

I am considering this model ($500 is about my limit):

http://images.misupply.com/products/originalrect/Washburn/153012.jpg

which has the look that I like (and others have mentioned similar opinions) - shiny black, no crackle, oval hole, white rosettes. I (sort of) play blues and it looks like a blues machine to me. I am sure it will improve me dramatically, right?

[JEStanek]

Gordon,
I really like the black. I like the old crackle look. I would imagine that the black face wouldn't have to be crackled? There are plenty of larger (non-one person shops) that make an all black mando. I said in the other thread that the pumpkin or blond, or red back and sides would be sweet like the old Gibsons. I don't minde the headstock inlay... You can't really see it past 5 feet anyway. I agree with the others about the fingerboard extension. Even with mine being scooped, I think I would like it better if it was gone. Also, the bound F-holes don't work for me but do for others. I like that there are so many varities coming out.

Its interesting seeing so many negative responses to the distressed finish after seeing so many other threads trying to replicate the 80 year old look. I think having both types available will please more folks. If I could get a black face/red backed 605 that would be s w e e t.

Nice to see Eastman improving their product.

Jamie

[Tim]

Its interesting seeing so many negative responses to the distressed finish after seeing so many other threads trying to replicate the 80 year old look. #
When Gibson announced their distressed mando, there was pretty much the same split on liking the result and not liking the aging.

[stevem]

Another vote for black face F-holes not being my favorite. I think what sets the ovals pictured above is the binding or decorative work around the sound hole. #I like sound holes standing out a bit more visually. #One of the favorite parts of my flatiron is that they stained the inside edges of the soundholes black, which makes it jump out compared to the sunburst top. #Not sure how you could do this with your F hole or if it would be worth it. I don't imagine white binding around f-holes would look that cool, but who knows.

Thanks for posting the pics and accepting our feedback, good and bad. It's fun for us to be part of the process. A very cool aspect of Eastman (and many other builders here).

[mandoman15]

i kinda like the crackle too, i know a guty who left his mando in his car out of its case in belo zero temp, it has a nice crackle finsih too.:;):

[flairbzzt]

As stated, blackface should be black face only. I do agree that it would look good with an oval hole, but I'm an F guy (so I'm told) and think both options should be available.