JBovier & Eastman comparison

[jondk]

I am wanting to purchase a new mandolin sometime in the next couple of months. The main mandolin I was considering was an Eastman 515. After playing a few, the tone usually seemed to bright to me. I am still considering a 515 if I can find one with the tone I want. I am wanting a mandolin with a deep rich tone. I've heard a lot about JBovier and was wondering how the tone is compared to the Easman. I don't know of any places on the west coast that carries Jbovier so i can't try one out. The other one's I'm considering, but have not been able to play yet, are Kentucky 805 and 855. Thanks for any info.

[Capt. E]

Not sure I can tell a lot of difference between equivalent models made by Eastman and J. Bovier. I have tried them out side by side but not impressed with either one. I like the Kentucky's better, especially the KM-505, but that is an A body, not an F. The Kentucky KM-700 and up are pretty nice, especially the KM-1000.

[Tony Clevenger]

I spent a good amount of time trying both the Eastman 515 and JBovier "Tradition" I believe its called. The Eastman was a nice mandolin, but the shape of the neck didn't feel right to me. The JBovier felt great, and had a much different tone. It didn't have as much of a bark to it, but it was richer and very pleasing.

I then picked up a Kentucky KM-1000 and very quickly realized I was about to blow my budget. I couldn't put it down, and still can't. Man I love that mandolin.

[Capt. E]

I then picked up a Kentucky KM-1000 and very quickly realized I was about to blow my budget. I couldn't put it down, and still can't. Man I love that mandolin.

Yup. The KM-1000 is definitely worth looking at. I have played it next to Collings and Weber instruments and it holds up pretty well. "Jade" mandolins should be considered (if you can find one to try out). I have also heard great comments about "The Loar" mandos, especially the 700 model. I wouldn't look at much else in the pac-rim area.

[pager]

It is such a personal choice. I would pick an Eastman anyday over the Kentucky. My Eastman holds up well with my Collings. Ask someone else and they would tell you something different. It is only opinion here. It has to be what fits you. If you prefer the Kentucky - go with that. Our preferences and needs won't be the same as yours. The KM-1000 is a great mandolin. I just don't like the sound of those as well as the Eastman.

jillian

[man dough nollij]

I have a 505, and I wouldn't characterize the tone as particularly or overly bright. Very loud and percussive basses and mids. The E strings actually sound a little quiet to me. It's not really a bad thing-- it's just balanced a little more to the bass side. I'd say the D string is the middle of the balance.

They do vary quite a bit. If you could get to the Mandolin store when they have a bunch in stock (which they usually do), you could taste test a bunch. You may find that some of then tend to the bright side, and others, not so much. :mandosmiley::mandosmiley::mandosmiley:

[Bob Borzelleri]

The difficulty with this sort of comparison is that it is not uncommon to play two different models of the same manufacturer and come away with the impression that the variation a single manufacturer's model can be as significant as differences between different makes.

That said, three of the six mandos I own were bought sound unheard. One was a total #### shoot and two were models I had played and heard but I ended up buying from internet vendors. While I am satisfied with the tone and playability of all three of the "roll the dice" purchases, the most impressive was the Eastman 615 that my wife bought for me from Steve Perry.

Steve tuned it (Mando VooDoo) and put a bone nut on it. I smile every time I play it. Setup is probably the most important variable in ending up happy with a purchase.

[jamann]

I Played a bunch of Eastmans at SPBGMA last year and was not impressed with any of them. I played a bunch of JBoviers on the other hand and was impressed with all of them. Just my opinion but for the money they can't be beat. I bought one for my travel mandolin and couldn't be happier with it. Has that deep tone i desire not the bright Eastman tone as jondk described in first thread. jondk, give Jeff a call at mandolins.net and talk to him. He will definitely take care of you. He's a straight up honest guy.

[Eric Hanson]

Just for kicks and giggles I did a quick search and came up with this. It is at Elderly. They seem to have a pretty good reputation around here.

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KM1000SW.htm

[Eric Hanson]

Just for kicks and giggles I did a quick search and came up with this. It is at Elderly. They seem to have a pretty good reputation around here.

http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KM1000SW.htm


Sorry for the double post.:(:redface:

[jondk]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was considering Jade, but it's the same as with JBovier. I don't know of anywhere that I could play one. The Jades and JBoviers look really nice, but I know good looks doesn't necessarily mean good tone. I would love to go to the Mandolin Store but its too far away. The KM-1000 looks nice but is a little out of my price range. Would it be worth saving more money to buy one or would I be just as well off buying one of the other ones? Also, do they ever come without the fretboard extension? I really dont like the pick tapping. How do the 855s compare to the 1000s? Do the Kentucky's, JBovier's, or Jade's tend to have the warmest tone? Thanks.
Jonathan

[allenhopkins]

This thread is really an exercise in opinionation and frustration. What the multiple posts demonstrate, is that different people like different mandolins. The question is, what do you like? Bob B's comment is right on the money:

The difficulty with this sort of comparison is that it is not uncommon to play two different models of the same manufacturer and come away with the impression that the variation a single manufacturer's model can be as significant as differences between different makes.


You need to play several different instruments and pick the one that's closest to your ideal in terms of appearance, feel, sound, and price. This is hard when you're not near a dealer with a wide stock of mandolins, but several dealers (Mandolin Store, Elderly) will work with you over the telephone and at least give you some idea of the sounds of the various instruments.

You've been looking at an Eastman 515, which is about $1K. At that price point, you have a number of good choices. You mentioned Eastman and JBovier; others have suggested Kentucky, and in other threads The Loar's 700 series mandolin has gotten a lot of praise.

But no one can tell you what you'll like! You ask if you'd be "just as well off" with another model; that's something we can't know. You might feel yourself significantly "worse off" with a mandolin that I or another Cafe member would think was better. I feel safe in saying I'd like an instrument you'd hate, and you'd prefer an instrument I wouldn't want, if both of us tried a number of mandolins.

All we can say, is that the mandolins suggested above are all excellent in their different ways, and on a certain level, you can't go wrong buying one of them. But on another level, you might find that you preferred one over another for individual, subjective reasons.

When I get up to or near the "four figures" level, I don't buy any instrument I haven't had a chance to play, and to "A/B" against other instruments. And while I find others' opinions interesting and valuable, I'm guided by my own preferences and subjective criteria. All the mandolins mentioned above are good instruments. Which one you like, is up to you.

[Stephen Perry]

The variability can be quite baffling - especially when some players make one mandolin sound best, while others make different mandolins sound best. Another confusing variable.

Regardless, out of any batch played by a bunch of people in front of me a few will stand out. I was just at IBMA helping Eastman out. Three of their mandolins really stood out as distinctly more open, louder, sweeter, and generally showing great potential. Some people recognized those and some didn't. Only one person actively shopping caught on and got a rather nice deal on a super sounding MD505.

Playing around the other production mandolins, same thing. Some were distinctly more open than others.

Between lines (production lines, not necessarily labels), each appeared to have its own character.

I was left with the impression that the variability within a line is certainly of the same order of magnitude as that between lines, of a given class of instruments.

Getting someone to play instruments while you listen over the phone and also describe and evaluate those instruments works well. I've done that for purchases from Elderly and I do that all the time for folks calling me.

And then there's time. "Will be a great mandolin in a few years." Well. That's a consideration. I made a rather tight violin a few years ago. Gave it to someone for a year. When it came back, it was ready for final setup. Nicely opened up. But new, it was too tight to enjoy.

Have fun!

[Tracy Tucker]

I can put in a vote for a Jade... I bought mine sight unseen/unheard, and have not regretted it for a second. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on it from other players and recently had the opportunity to hear it played next to a Gibson Sam Bush model... which sounded very tight compared to my Jade. Brian Aldridge and Will Kimble both think that it's a really nice mandolin. To be completely honest, Will also told me that it needs a complete refret, but it's completely playable until that happens (waiting on a response from the builder about warranty work). Mine is #32, and I believe they're up in the 70's now so I am sure they are making constant improvements.