Eastman 504 oval hole

[jus]

Hi, anyone out there with an Eastman oval hole, I'm interested in how what you have compares with what it seems to be a copy of, the various A model Gibsons of the teens and 20s (which all seem to be moving slowly out of much reach in terms of finances).

I've heard they have a sweet sort of tone, what about volume?

Many thanks,

Justin

[Stephen Perry]

They're different. Tone bars in the Eastman. Doesn't have that same woofy bass. Just a different instrument.

[Red Englemann]

Hi, anyone out there with an Eastman oval hole, I'm interested in how what you have compares with what it seems to be a copy of, the various A model Gibsons of the teens and 20s (which all seem to be moving slowly out of much reach in terms of finances).

I've heard they have a sweet sort of tone, what about volume?


I have played several oval gibsons over the years and once owned a '22 F-2. My experiance is that my '03 MD504 Eastmans sounds comparible to the #better Gibsons from the earily 1900's and better than most.

Here's a couple of sound clips:

http://www.banjohangout.ws/users/audio/give-the-f-13054-5164652007.mp3

http://www.banjohangout.ws/users....007.mp3 (http://www.banjohangout.ws/users/audio/over-the-w-13054-36433652007.mp3)

red

[mythicfish]

"comparible to the better Gibsons from the earily 1900's and better than most. "

Judging from the sound clip ... I'd have to disagree. Sounds more like a flat top to me.

Curt

[Rick Cadger]

i wouldn't say the tone sounds very close to the Gibson ovals i have played. i have tried quite a few Eastmans and they sound good, just not really like an A4. probably a combination of the tone bars Stephen mentioned and the fact that the Gibsons were all much older than the Eastman instruments.

Volume on the Eastmans is, however, similar to that of the Gibsons.

[Red Englemann]

Judging from the sound clip ... I'd have to disagree. Sounds more like a flat top to me.


Sorry that's the best I can do with a computer microphone.

The problem with the old Gibsons is finding one that has not been abused and that is playable. The ones that are in good original condition might still need a set up. You will wind up spending lots of money needlessly.

Norman Blake said that there is one in 100 that sounds good or something like that.I respect that opinion. If you like the sustain and sweet tone of a oval, then the Eastman is something to consider.

red

[trevor]

I've played dozens, if not hundreds, of each. Steve has it right. They are different.

I have also liked every vintage Gibson oval hole we've had, most have needed a set-up, then they are low maintenance. If they have lasted 80ish years then they are likely to go on a bit longer... But they all have that woofy bass, in varying degrees, Steve describes. Not to everybodies taste but if you like it (I do) they are fantastic.

[Yellowmandolin]

I bought a 504 in the hopes of approximating the sound of an old Gibson and to get started in the oval holed world. It sounded good up the neck, but you couldn't push it very hard. The bass was lacking a fair bit as well. It was a good mandolin, but really nothing like the '22 A4 I just got. Needless to say, I sold the Eastman without a second thought.

[Red Englemann]

Before I would buy an old Gibson A, I would check out this builder.


http://www.sheba.ca/imagegallery.html

red

[Eric F.]

Before I would buy an old Gibson A, I would check out this builder.


http://www.sheba.ca/imagegallery.html

red
That link is to Gavin Baird's site. Terrific mandolins, but a long wait and lots more money than an Eastman or most vintage Gibsons.

I've had three vintage Gibson ovals that I liked very much. Not one of them sounded like any modern oval I've played. I've had two modern oval holes that I liked very much. Neither sounded like any vintage Gibson I've played. I think they are two very different beasts.

[Red Englemann]

That link is to Gavin Baird's site. Terrific mandolins, but a long wait and lots more money than an Eastman or most vintage Gibsons.

Not really, Around $3000 last time I check with Gavin. Buy an Eastman for $500 and get on the list. You will be spending that much on a decent Gibson A with proper set up, etc.

red

[Eric F.]

Three thousand for a decent Gibson A? Are you kidding? The nice thing about Gibson A's is they can be had for much, much less than that. Even with a wildly expensive setup, you should come in well under that figure.

[Mandobar]

i've owned a lot of old gibsons including some with less than "acceptable" sound. as for the eastmans i have found that many of them have finish problems. (i've seen quite a few with finish crackles- these were new mandolins at several dealers). that said, i was looking for a mando to play out on the deck that i would be able to sit down and not worry about. i just bought a used 504 from dennis at the mandolin store and i am hoping that it fits the bill. from the sound of it when dennis played it over the telephone it sounds like it will fit the bill. for the money you can't go wrong. we will see how it measures up to my mid missouri.

[Red Englemann]

Three thousand for a decent Gibson A? Are you kidding?

I prefer the A4's. I am also very particular re originality. I am aware of some Gibsons for less, but none that I would be interested in.

red

[Kevin Briggs]

I've played one 1914 ( I think) Gibson oval, and it was mighty impressive. It was bassy and woofy, and I wanted it. It was for sale for $2000.

I played an Eastman two-point oval hole, and it was not great. It was tinny and just didn't even seem like an oval. It just seemed poor. That said, I've played some very good Eastman f-hole instruments, and I want one someday for a backup.

So, my opinion means next to nothing, since I've played one Gibson oval and one Eastman oval, but there you have it.

[Tighthead]

I paid less than $900 for my '20 Gibson A-2, in very good condition but missing the pickguard, a non-original bridge, and a repair to the headstock. My instructor exclaimed, just as we had finished a song, "that is a heck of a good-sounding mandolin!" In my still-novice hands, that is a high compliment. A fellow at a local jam played it with much enthusiasm and skill and with wide eyes said "this thing's got some bark to it!"

My point is that there are good-sounding vintage Gibsons out there at good prices. A little luck and patience are required.

[Red Englemann]

My point is that there are good-sounding vintage Gibsons out there at good prices. A little luck and patience are required.


This applies to any brand and not just old Gibson A's.

red

[rhetoric]

My Eastman sounds great, but I think my Pumpkin A has a "richer" sound (whatever that means), but it's also been around for nearly 100 years. That ALSO means it has tuners that are a pain in the butt, no adjustable truss rod, and the intonation up the neck is less than perfect. My Eastman has none of those problems.

[mythicfish]

"My Eastman sounds great, but I think my Pumpkin A has a "richer" sound (whatever that means), but it's also been around for nearly 100 years. That ALSO means it has tuners that are a pain in the butt, no adjustable truss rod, and the intonation up the neck is less than perfect. My Eastman has none of those problems."

These days it seems as though "great" means: "I paid good money for it, people say it's "great", and it doesn't suck.
As for the Gibson, the tuners can be cleaned and made to function properly. Truss rods are not a necessity. The intonation can be optimized to a degree that is perfectly acceptable to human hearing. And the "richer sound" (whatever that means) has less to do with the age of the wood than the mannner in which the instrument was fashioned. Some folks even think
it might have something to do with the skill of the musician ... whatever that means.

Curt