New Eastman 615

[fiddlingdan]

Got my new Eastman 615 today, its great. Sounds great hope to post picture of it soon. Any more Eastman owners out there. How long does it take for them to open up and what kind of strings seem to work best.
Thanks for all the help and great information on the website.
Dan http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[good_ol_al_61]

Good for you, Dan!

I'll be enjoying my 615 Blackface starting tonight then no sleep for two days. Pickin' all weekend here in Florida. I know you will continue to enjoy your new machine.

I use D'Addario JS-74 (stainless) strings on mine. Not because they sound better than others, but rather the acids in my skin do not degredate the strings as quickly. The stainless last about 4 months. The phosphor bronze about 2-4 weeks. I am trying the EXP coated right now on my Gibson. They are doing OK for the first 3 weeks now, but we will see in the near future if they last.

I predict your MAS will flare up in about 6 to 8 months. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[JEStanek]

Enjoy it Dan. I like the feel of the JazzMando flatwounds from Jazzmando.com on my Eastman oval hole. Not quite as loud but comfortable and long wearing.
Jamie

[mandohubris]

Congratulations,

I replaced the original J-74's with a set of Elixir Nanoweb strings (which I really like on the guitar I use for fingerstyle). They overly brightened the tone of the Eastman, which is trebly to begin with, to make it sound tinny. I want to send my eastman to Steve Perry for Mando-voodoo and a new bridge; when I do, I'll be looking to try another kind of string.

The Elixirs do last and last. I might have to replace them before they wear out just to improve the tone.

[Willie]

Good ole Al...I use "Finger Ease" spray on my strings and they seem to last a lot longer than if I play without using it, it also helps the strings slide through the slots in the bridge and the nut and you don`t have tune as often...When you pick on a string it stretches and if it don`t slide back to the original place is will play sharp...try it and see what you think...I don`t have any interest in it but it works for me and I play much more than most people and my strings last a looonnng time....Willie

[SGraham]

Hey Fiddlingdan:
I've used both J-74's and J-75's on my 615. I really like the 75's better. There's a big difference in the depth of the bark--the 75's sound louder & throatier with a fatter tone--better for bluegrass. Also, I know this is an unrequested suggestion, but put a ToneGard on it. My 615 really began to speak to me (loudly) when I did.

Steve

[Mattg]

I've been playing my 615 since January. It took a few months of daily use to start to open up. It still seems like it has a way to go. I like J74's.