View Full Version : I dropped it
Or it jumped off the table. This is my only mando and I need a good repair. I am wiery of shipping in the cold but...Who and where? I know of no-one good close to me. Imagine looking down and seeing yours face down on the concrete floor. I picked it up, loosened the strings and went home like a wooped pup. I feel like I let down a friend. Help!---Ill try a picture attach. The crack is all the way through. One more question, If the top needs replacing can it be replaced with an oval on this style?
Schlegel
Feb-01-2009, 9:55am
I really doubt your top will need replacing. Whereabouts are you? ... maybe someone near you has a luthier they've used before.
Center of S.C. hopefully yes.
desaljs
Feb-01-2009, 11:18am
I would not worry too much about shipping in cold weather.
How about these folks:
http://www.bigjoesguitarworks.com/shop/page/1?sessid=XlAB33vEAvSegKDRf6q8yT14SUrbkqfEBq0iQ2xg8 60Xwb43H4deTVK2BJVwBphX&shop_param=
I have no direct experience, but have seen this outfit pop up here a lot.
Good luck and sorry to see that photo.
Things happen!
If you can go to charleston i highly reccomend David Sheppard. He does awsome work and has some really good mandolins in his shop. i warn you though, if you go into his shop and pick up or even look at ANY of his mandolins you will walk out with it. happened to me :)
Thanks for responding. Really thanks. I've seen big joe on here before, I'll call tomorrow. Luke, I googled D. Sheppard could not find anything in charls. its a 3 hr drive for me. The worst part is post on chop chords and such, and I cant play--withdraw symptoms. My wife says maybe I can rent one for the time being;);) Know of any rent to own shops? And I do wonder about the oval top replacement. Thanks again Don
grandmainger
Feb-01-2009, 4:06pm
Who's the builder? If it's from a small shop, they will probably repair it... They will "know" the instrument better than anyone else :)
man dough nollij
Feb-01-2009, 4:22pm
Looks like an Eastman tailpiece...
Its an Eastman, Ill mail it to you and maybe you could run it over by boat too China for me. Your in Japan right? :grin:Seriously I consider sending it back to China if I have too, but I know there is someone here in the states that can do the job somewhere. Maybe I posted wrong, I was hoping some-one had a similar experience and had got a good repair done. That doesnt sound right, I dont hope this happens too any-one -its a terrible thing. Ill make phone calls tomorrow and try and figure my options. Thanks again
Marc Berman
Feb-01-2009, 4:27pm
f#54,
By the fretboard and tailpiece I'm guessing that the mandolin is a Eastman 615 or 815. I would think that the cost of replacing the top with an oval hole version would more expensive than a used oval hole Eastman 514. If you get your original one repaired and get the oval you'll have the added benefit having two instruments. ;)
Interesting,That could be why it jumped off the table. It lonely for a companion. Now if I could sell that too my wife.
Steve Ostrander
Feb-01-2009, 5:57pm
It looks bad to you but it's not the end of the world. It can be fixed, without the top being replaced, so forget about the oval top. Just buy an oval.
DryBones
Feb-01-2009, 8:09pm
have you tried contacting Eastman directly? Theey may have an approved dealer repair/facility in your area.
man dough nollij
Feb-01-2009, 8:12pm
I got my Eastman 504 from Gianna Vionlins (http://giannaviolins.com/). I'm guessing they would be well qualified to fix it, or refer you to someone who would do a good job. Yep.
Jim Kirkland
Feb-01-2009, 9:48pm
Things do happen. I had the great pleasure of putting my friends upright bass back together after it fell over at a jam session. I hate putting necks in those puppies. The worst problem is there is no place to work on them. Had it on the floor, dining room table, bed, and the bed of the pickup. Same guy bumped the top of his j45 guitar and I had to glue it back together. I have put many things back together, they do work, but you may see the repair. Long post but the message is things happen, just put it back together, or buy another one, and keep playing.
flatpickit
Feb-02-2009, 8:40am
I'm from Charleston, and I also highly recommend David Sheppard. He does minor and major work for most of the pickers I know around here. He's worked on my RW f5 and my D18. While you might not find much about him online, it would be hard to find anyone better. He's in Summerville, SC
Big Joe
Feb-02-2009, 9:32am
It is certainly repairable. We would be happy to help you with it. It is not in nearly as bad a shape as you may think by looks alone. When repaired it will still sound as good as ever and be as playable and have a good long life.
SChase@EastmanStrings
Feb-02-2009, 11:29am
If Steve Perry is up for the job, I would feel confident in his work because he is familiar with the line and he is a builder.
earthsave
Feb-03-2009, 10:02am
Ouch, musta swallowed your heart when that happened.
Well, I shipped it to Tennessee this morning. I feel a whole lot better about the repair as I have been re-assured by people in the know. I was worried about the sound mostly but have been told it should sound as good--possible better. It should, Im getting a new bridge installed while there. Thanks yall!
And too follow up..
I got my mando back yesterday from the repair shop, It was gone 5 1/2 weeks. I am just hoping the repair stays put. It looks like it was glued,no stitch, no gauze. You know how when you wait to eat the food taste better, well it sounds real nice.
gregjones
Mar-14-2009, 2:20pm
It looks good.
I categorize repairs into three stages:
1: Functional--it will work.
2: Pretty--it will work and it looks nice (usually my choice).
3: Perfect--You can't ever tell it was damaged.
Looks like you got a great "pretty" repair.:)
You only mentioned you had shipped it to TN to have the work done.
Who did it?
Time to pick again!!!!