Eastman mandocello . . . !

[scgc.om]

http://www.12fret.com/new/Eastman_MDC805_Mandocello_pg.html

Might be too "dangerous" to risk phoning for more info, so I'm passing it on to others here!

Anyone here know more about these? Build quality? Volume and Tone? What their price point is?

I find it interesting that that Eastman would make such a "niche market" instrument - for every 5000 mandolins sold there might be 1 mandocello sold . . . .

[MikeEdgerton]

Here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=47ced7897fae58c4) are some previous threads on the subject.

[scgc.om]

Thanks for the links, Mike! I hadn't realized Eastman had been making these for so long . . . .

And speaking of things made by Eastman - a last question: Apparently Eastman does NOT (yet) make an OM . . . . This surprises me! After all, they make every other instrument in the mandolin family - would have thought an OM would be in their production line.

Anyone here know if Eastman may start to make an OM at some point soon??

[JEStanek]

I don't think Eastman has had a mandocentric employee since Gordon Roberts left. Sean Chase (the new Eastman rep here on the Café has posted in some threads (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=47cefc60491a524c). I can't recall him saying anything about an OM being in their near term plans... They will be bringing to the US market their bowlback mandos and dolas though.

Here's a quote from him from the 6 page Eastman Mandolin and Guitar thread...

___
Quote (Tebbie bear @ Oct. 29 2007, 21:02)
Yeah a GBOM would be very cool from eastman

Or better yet, a GBLSC (guitar body long-scale cittern). You have one customer, at least.

Sean Said- Well, I hope someday it will come to a point where we can do one-off custom productions. Rally the troops to make some noise. We are very good listeners who take public opinion seriously.


So if you want it, get a bunch of likeminded people to bug him for it!

Jamie

[allenhopkins]

I find it interesting that that Eastman would make such a "niche market" instrument - for every 5000 mandolins sold there might be 1 mandocello sold . . . .
I think that Eastman had 90% of the 'cello already, since it's basically one of their well-received arch-top jazz guitars, with modified bracing and an 8-string neck. So making a limited number of the 'cellos didn't involve any serious retooling or redesigning.

Now, a question: what would be the result if one strung one of the Eastmans up with OM strings (or their ball-end gauge equivalents), and tuned it GDAE? Would the lighter strings be able to vibrate the top adequately? Might be that the instrument we're discussing already exists...?

[Gerry Cassidy]

With regard to what Allen said: I had wondered if they DID put out an OM would it based on the Guitar-Bodied style of their 'Cello, or would they 'Upsize' their F-styled Mandola...? I SEEERiously hope it would be the latter.

"IF" they sense a market for it, and "IF" they find it financially feasible then we might see them trickle out like their 'Cello.

That would be my best guess, anyway.

[JEStanek]

I would like them to make a Tenor guitar or a Guitar shaped OM with F holes. But I'm not in the market for anything for a good while. I cashed in a lot of chips with my wife to get the Brian Dean mando that's coming. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jamie

[steve V. johnson]

allenhopkins wrote, "Now, a question: what would be the result if one strung one of the Eastmans up with OM strings (or their ball-end gauge equivalents), and tuned it GDAE? Would the lighter strings be able to vibrate the top adequately? Might be that the instrument we're discussing already exists...? "

I'm ever the optimist, but I think it could be done. I'm not certain how heavily strung the Eastmandocellos are...
Since it's an archtop, it would certainly need to be heavy enough to get the top working.

My zouk is 25.4" and I like to use .042, .032, .020w, .016. How does that compare to the scale & gauges of the Eastmandocellos?

Hmmmm.....

Thanks,

stv

[delsbrother]

Would they really have had to modifiy the bracing?

[SChase@EastmanStrings]

Hey folks, I just found this thread. At this moment there are no plans to do a OM. The mandocello is a very small niche and we only make a handful each year. They are very cool, sound great, good build, and they retail for $2,395

[allenhopkins]

They are very cool, sound great, good build, and they retail for $2,395
I concur with statements 1-3, but you can definitely find 'em for less than $2K if you keep yore eyes open...

[Gerry Cassidy]

Had a veritable "CBOM Fest" at the Mandolin Store today. NFI, just lucky to have a killer toy store so close.

Got to play an Eastman Mandocello and I have to agree with all 3 statements:
Way cool, plays/sounds great, and the build is very, very nice.

IMHO, it's very modern sounding i.e. very bright, with tons of sustain. If I were to use it in an ensemble situation I would definitely go with flats to tame it a bit. I was thinking on the way home if it would be possible to find gut strings for it(?). That would be a fun, albeit expensive experience.
Again, IMHO it's a great way for someone to dabble in the world of mandocello...CBOM-AS is kicking in! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Got to play the Weber Mandocello as well. It's a beaut, but a little bulky with a reach that's difficult for my short arms. Still, a gorgeous instrument.

After strumming and plucking a Weber Mandola, New Custom Sage, Gypsy OM and Zouk, and a few choice mandos I was floating 2 inches off the ground.

Apologies for the hijack and back to your regular programming...

[steve V. johnson]

Geez, Gerry! #I am one jealous guy!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

How about some comparative impressions of all that fine hardware, eh?

(Maybe a new thread would be in order...?)

Thanks,

stv

[Gerry Cassidy]

Steve,

Well, I don't wanna give reviews as I only was able to play most of them for a short time. Not enough to post anything of quality re: a review.

There were a couple of them I really wasn't impressed with for the first playing. We all know that can change with a few more sit downs with them.

I will say again that the Eastman and Weber 'Cellos were definitely the gems of the bunch.

[steve V. johnson]

Fair 'nuff!

Thanks!

stv

[MandoGordon]

Sean,
If you look around the workshop the next time you are over there you might find a prototype OM lying around. It was already designed and being prototyped when I left Eastman.
Gordon

[allenhopkins]

Mandolin Store is selling the 805 for $1,916 including free shipping to the US and Canada.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastman-MDC805-Mandocello-Mandolin-VERY-RARE_W0QQitemZ350033477067QQihZ022QQcategoryZ10179
QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">eBay link</a>

[Gerry Cassidy]

Mandolin Store is selling the 805 for $1,916 including free shipping to the US and Canada.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Eastman-MDC805-Mandocello-Mandolin-VERY-RARE_W0QQitemZ350033477067QQihZ022QQcategoryZ10179

QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">eBay link</a>
That's the one I played. Quite a nice one that one is! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[good_ol_al_61]

Cello Thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=48057;hl=eastman+mando cello)

Wow, I'm a little late here.

Above is the thread to my Eastman 'Cello. I have really enjoyed this thing and it is a gerat conversation piece as most of the long time players I meet have never seen one. When I hand it to them they are enthralled. 7-ply body binding and one of the nicest reddish colored instruments around. Really brings out the flame in the wood.

Ask me anything you may want to know and I'll try to answer. Steve Perry at Gianna Violins sold it to me. (Shameless Plug - NFI)

[trevor]

I got my first Eastman cello yesterday. I haven't spent much time with it due to the arrival of three Heidens two days before but first impressions are excellent.

If I can ever find the time I will try it in GDAE...