Yet another Eastman question [Archive]

Jeff May

Apr-08-2010, 6:59pm

For those who have played the various Eastmans, is there any difference, soundwise, between the 515, 615, and 815 (aside from the usual variability).

Thanks.

backwoodsborn10

Apr-08-2010, 7:19pm

allenhopkins

Apr-08-2010, 8:13pm

When I bought my 615 mandola, I had a choice of three: two 615's and an 815. The 815 was fancier, gold hardware and more figured woods, but to my ears the 615 I picked sounded the best of the three.

As far as I can tell -- and I'm neither a luthier nor a repair person -- there's little difference in design or construction between the lower-range and higher-range Eastman mandolins. The "800" and "900" series are better-looking than the "500" and "600" series, but I think Jeff M hit the nail on the head, mentioning "usual variability." You could get a "500" that sounds better than an "800," or not. The top-end Eastmans (Eastmen?) are really handsome instruments, and the lower-end ones are more utilitarian in appearance, but were I buying one (and I've already bought four), I'd play every one in sight and pick the one whose sound and feel I liked the best.

JEStanek

Apr-08-2010, 8:29pm

The Eastman's have some different finishes between levels now. The 900 series all have wood bindings. That said, anyone of the bunch may sound the best. They are all built with care and attention. I was happy with my 814 and my current 815D. If you're curious, listen across the line at the Mandolin Store's web page. They have mp3s of the individual instruments.

Jamie

MikeEdgerton

Apr-08-2010, 8:41pm

I bought a 615 that sounded better than it's higher priced siblings.

Eddie Sheehy

Apr-08-2010, 10:06pm

I've owned several Eastmen and I've played several more. I owned a 915 (which was superb and I regret selling it). I owned an 815D and am happy to not own it anymore. I owned an 804 which was a dog so I traded it. I own a Dawg DG1 (the Giacomel) and it looks great and plays ok, if I hadn't got it for a special price I wouldn't have it. I own an 807D (the prototype 2 point) and again for the price I paid it's a great mando with unusual block fret markers and s/n 001. I have played 500 and 600 series Eastmen and they just didn't thrill me at all, but they weren't far off the 807D and the 815D. The 915 was in a class of its own, as were two other 915's that I have played. I have also owned an 815MDA and a 615MDA. The 615MDA is a really nice instrument but the 815MDA shaded it in tone and of course looks.

Jeff May

Apr-09-2010, 10:22am

Thanks for the responses. I'm thinking about trading my 505 up to a 615 or 815, but if they don't sound much better I'll just keep the A and wait until I can go all the way up to a Jam Master or something similar.

Joe-TN

Apr-10-2010, 2:58pm

It is not often mentioned, but based on the 515 I had and the 815 I now have, the ribs on the 815 are about 1/4" taller than those on the 515. Both sound good, but I do prefer the sound of the 815.

Joe

JTMartin

Apr-10-2010, 8:25pm

When I bought my 515 from Janet Davis Music a couple of years ago there were two 615's on the wall next to it. I had the funds to buy either of them. Even though I went there to buy a 615, that particular 515 sounded better so I bought it. Been happy ever since!

Manfred Hacker

Apr-11-2010, 12:21am

hi jeff, i too am interested in the answer to your question. i would like to add 915 to that comparison also. i have an eastman on the way.it has a 615 lable inside,but the dealer thinks it's a 915. either way i think i can't go wrong.

Although I own an 815 and 804, I am not an Eastman expert.
However, I would be very wary of a dealer who THINKS that a 615 is actually a 915.

backwoodsborn10

Apr-11-2010, 12:58pm

yeah , very good point! i'm getting it for the price of a 615. i havn't laid eyes upon it, he said it has the extended fretboard. i dont know if it has the traditional binding or the maple binding like the 915.probably get it in monday or tuesday. we'll see??!!:whistling:

swampstomper

Apr-11-2010, 3:38pm

backwoodsborn10

Apr-12-2010, 9:06pm

just an update... got my eastman in today. it has 615 handwritten in ink pen on the lable inside, but i think it might be a 915. it has the ext. fretboard, beautifully marked back and neck,and the one thing that makes me think it is is the maple binding on front, back, and neck. this is the first eastman i've played. i am VERY picky!! I didn't like the Ky.1000,I didnt like the loar 600 at all!I've got a loar 500 that plays great,love the neck, lacks in tone quality though. back to the eastman...this mandolin is a beast! never played a mando so loud. all night i found myself tryin to actually quieten it down.lacks a little in low end tones,a and e strings sound beautiful.might have to consider the mandovoodoo.all in all.....EASTMAN ROCKS!!

JEStanek

Apr-13-2010, 6:43am

Please post a photo of it and enjoy your new mandolin.

Jamie

pager

Apr-13-2010, 3:33pm

Congrats on that new Eastman. I agree. Eastman Rocks! Now you know why my Eastman does not take a back seat to my Collings.

jillian

Mando Smash

Apr-13-2010, 4:08pm

I got an 815V and the finish is sensitive. That's the only thing I don't like about the 815V.

Rob Gerety

Apr-13-2010, 4:19pm

I'm thinking about trading my 505 up to a 615 or 815, but if they don't sound much better I'll just keep the A and wait until I can go all the way up to a Jam Master or something similar.

You have to play the individual instrument - frankly, I think this is true for all makers.

swampstomper

Apr-14-2010, 6:38am

I got an 815V and the finish is sensitive. That's the only thing I don't like about the 815V.

Could you be more specific? (1) what do you mean by "sensitive", that it dings easily? or rubs off? or...? (2) how do you maintain it? (3) what is the effect on the sound, compared to the stock 815 finish?

Thanks!

JEStanek

Apr-14-2010, 6:42am

Those varnish finishes are thinner and soft to start out so treat it with care. This isn't a lacquer dipped import. That thin varnish is part of why your instrument sounds good.

Jamie

Tom Rhodes

Apr-14-2010, 7:12am

I was at a festival this past weekend and got to try out an 815 that a player had there.

It had a lacquer finish.

The fit, finish and overall quality of the mandolin were outstanding.

The sound was rather muted, though.

Mando Smash

Apr-14-2010, 8:36am

Could you be more specific? (1) what do you mean by "sensitive", that it dings easily? or rubs off? or...? (2) how do you maintain it? (3) what is the effect on the sound, compared to the stock 815 finish?

Thanks!

When I ran my finger nail across the finish it made the mark permanent. The sound is still nice though. I heard Meguiars car polish works good but I still have not tried it. I wish I would of got the natural finish 815.

cdugger

Apr-15-2010, 1:16pm

I have my eyes on a nice 815V, which I've played at the dealer's. Does anyone know what kind of varnish it is? And will it wear off quickly, or need special attention? How thick was it put on? It sure sounds different from the other Eastmans this dealer has on the wall, seems crisper and with more presence.

Yikes... I have an 815v on the way to me. I'm pretty compulsive about taking care of the finish on all my instruments, but is the varnish guaranteed to get dinged and marred?? I guess I did not understand there was that big of a trade off between sound and durability :disbelief:

Chris

allenhopkins

Apr-15-2010, 1:28pm

I wore through the finish on my 615 mandola within eight or nine months, where I planted my fingers on the top. Had the finish touched up and a small transparent plastic pickguard glued over the wear. If you're "compulsive about taking care of the finish," you may have to be hyper-vigilant; there's no pickguard, so you could consider having one made and installed...

JEStanek

Apr-15-2010, 2:24pm

These (http://hillcountrystringworks.com/)would work... amongst others. Made by member Doug Edwards.

Interestingly, people will spend big money to get a distressed mandolin. My 814 had finish crackles within a year or so. Those Varnished ones will ages to a vintage looking patina even faster.

Jamie

backwoodsborn10

Apr-15-2010, 7:48pm

here's a couple of pics of the 615/915?
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz272/backwoodsborn10/mandolin2-1.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz272/backwoodsborn10/0412002234.jpg
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz272/backwoodsborn10/mandolins.jpg
and here's both my babies

red7flag

Apr-15-2010, 8:04pm

That sure looks like a 915

swampstomper

Apr-16-2010, 11:24am

I bought the 815V yesterday and am really happy with it. For the money it's just incredible -- top-quality woods, varnish finish, comfortable neck. The thin finish really lets it "bark". Obviously, fit and finish are not what you'd get on a Master Model or Gilchrist or Harris or ... but for the poor-man's approach to a 20's Gibson who can complain?

I'll report back on the finish in a few months. I float my right pinky below the strings, usually I have wear marks there even on laquer finishes.