Eastman low entry

[yann-ber]

i 've decided to buy myself a mandolin for Xmas...
as any newbie, i've first read all i could on the subject, and have understood about the third i've read. nevertheless, It is pretty obvious that there's no answer to the thousand times asked question : "what is the best, and less expensive mandolin that can play all the styles, including hip hop"... or maybe a thousand answers. so i won't even ask it (but if someone got the answer..).

i don't like the scroll shape because.. i don't like it.. comma. i find the f soundhole very elegant. about the money, the question was solved easilly... a simple check to my bank account.. i can afford a middle range instrument (around $600 ) but i don't find reasonible (and not only because of the price) to buy that kind of instrument even not knowing if i can decentlty make it spit a slightest tune.

so here's my question!! i have selected the Eastman MD505, which is considered as the level entry of that brand. the 605, is about $200 more expensive, but the main features seem pretty the same to me. are the overall quality of the 505 comparable to the ones of the 605 ?

sorry for my rinky dinky english

this is a post from new caledonia.. home of the ukulele..

[Jim Broyles]

yann-ber, In my opinion, your $600.00 will be well spent on an Eastman MD505. I have a 515 and it is a wonderful mandolin with tone that keeps getting better. I happen to like the scroll, but the 505 would be essentially the same mandolin and the main differences from the 505/515 to the 605/615 are the back binding and headstock binding and inlay. The 5xx's are sort of the "Plain Janes" of the line. There are a couple of Eastman dealers right here on the cafe. If you check out the many "Eastman" threads you will see who they are and can contact them to see what is available right now. If you buy from Gianna Violins you get a super setup called "Mandovoodoo" included with the mandolin at a great price.
By the way, your English is fine.

[Richard Russell]

Good question, yann-ber. It has been my experience that the entry level models, if in fact they are just more basic in appearance and fancy inlays, will sound good. There are exceptions, but a quality builder will usually build quality into all of their mandolins and offer some variety in the level of trim, offering some that have less of the fancy inlays, less binding, more basic finishes, etc., to decrease the cost of the mandolin and because some buyers love the more basic look. I think Eastman offers a great sounding mandolin at all levels.

[bjc]

Yann-ber,

I have a 515 and a 614. I think the 515 is very comparable (of course it's a much different sound). I was looking at the entry level and they weren't available. But Steve had some the last time I looked...get one as soon as you can...you won't be sorry...

[ab4usa]

I have yet to understand Eastman's logic in separation of their models. It is possible that a 600 series may come with a radiused fret board. If it did that might be a consideration. Otherwise I'd go with the 500 series.

[Greenmando]

Make sure to check the Classifieds (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&query=category&category=For+Sale&results_format=headlines) often, many good deals to be found there.

[jus]

I have had a 505 for several months,I compared it to the 605 in the shop and couldn't hear much difference in tone and volume, same playability, it was an easy decision, I got the 505.
I was really after an f style but I found the 515 and 615s I played didn't have the bottom end of the 505 and 605 and sounded a little more trebly in general, maybe this would fill out later with playing, I went with what I could hear in the shop.

originally I was considering a Gibson F9 and whilst the Gibson had clear advantages in terms of mid range and bottom end it wasn't as bright as the Eastman and for less than a quarter of the Gibson price I felt the Eastman 505 was a pretty persuasive little mandolin.

After several months playing the thing has developed a little, its nice and loud, has a great chop, really bright high end and the bottom end has a bit of meat to it. Part of this is the instrument opening up but I also think part of it is learning how to get the best sound out of the instrument


maybe one day I'll get an f-style.... still wouldn't mind an F9....

Anyway, would heartily recommend the 505.

[sean808080]

i love my eastman (615) you should do just fine with your choice.

[f5loar]

To me the beauty of the Eastmans is they are as good as it can get for entry level mandolins that can carry you through to pro status for little investment. To some just having a high end, high dollar mandolin is all they wish for but for others it's getting the job done without pain and suffering and the Eastman can do that. You can hold your head high and know it's going to pass the mustard.

[gnelson651]

I love my Eastman 805. I've had it for a year and it has been opening up nicely.

I was going to buy the 605 but found this one (805) as a prototype for the same amount as the 605. It also came with the lifetime warranty so I couldn't pass up this deal. It's been a great mandolin and I get alot of compliments on its sound and loudness.