Eastman mandola

[Jakester]

Local "guitar" store just got some Eastman mando's in stock. Among them a real nice looking 615 Mandola priced at $1299.
I would appreciate any opinions on this instrument.
Thanks,
Jim Jenigen
Richmond, VA

[RichM]

I have an Eastman mandola and I'm very happy with it. The mandola world is just not that big, and a quality archtop mandola can be a pretty significant investment. I've been overall pleased with Eastman quality (I've owned several Eastman mandolins), and there's really not much mandola competition in that price range. It's a very good quality mandola at a very fair price. The price you were quoted is very good if the instrument is used, spectacular if the instrument is new.

[allenhopkins]

What RichM said -- my 615 mandola is, in my opinion, a good value for the price which was around what you paid. Only drawback was that the finish was quite soft; I "anchor" my pinky on the top and I rubbed right through the varnish after playing outdoors in direct sunlight a few times. But the instrument sounds good -- loud and woody -- the fit and hardware are good, and it comes with a luxurious violin-style hard case.

[JeffD]

and it comes with a luxurious violin-style hard case.
Those Eastman cases are really really good.

[jswag]

Hey Jim, I played that Mandola today, (I live in Richmond) and I also own an 815 Eastman Mandola..email me and we can talk some more, and if you want you can play my 815...I think they are great for the price, but I did put a new bridge on mine (cumberland acoustic).I thought the one at Richmond music sounded good.
Jeff

[SChase@EastmanStrings]

I think the Mandolas are really fun to play. I am a guitar player, so the bigger neck and fretboard is much easier to manage. Feel free to send me a message if anyone has any questions.

[Stephen Perry]

I like the Eastman mandola well enough. I'm not convinced that an "F" pattern is the way to go. They seem so heavy. But I'm used to fiddles. Wish I knew more about mandolas! At least they respond nicely to my tweeking. Lovely to play. Just heavier than I'd like! The Eastmans are so reasonably priced that I suspect many who wouldn't normally have an archtop mandola can get one. That's a really good thing.

[jswag]

My 815 mandola was bought from, set up, and "voodooed" by Steve Perry (thanks Steve) which gave me a great sounding instrument from the start. I think the Cumberland bridge I put on it later, helped a lot too. I do find that I need to play it for at least 20 minutes before it seems to "open up". For the $, I think they are hard to beat,- for a carved instrument... I'm looking forward to hearing it open up more and more as time goes by.
I would love to hear an Eastman F style oval hole Mandola- if they ever make one!
And I'm hoping someone in the Richmond area gets some of their flat top guitars in (did someone say they have a 000 or slotted peg head now?)
Jeff

[Stephen Perry]

Glad you still like the MDA815. The Eastman flat tops are excellent. The real gems are the archbacks. I've been through several in detail, working the bracing a little, and they really light up!