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Thread: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

  1. #1
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    Default New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    (NFI.)

    I haven't seen/heard/played them yet, but they just hit the classifieds (under Mandolins, not under CBOM). $999 delivered in Continental US.
    EdSherry

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    Registered User Steve-o's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Hey Ed. I just started a thread on this earlier... maybe the moderators can combine... They look nice, and the scale length very playable. I'd like to hear reviews too.

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    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    and... the listings are gone from The Mandolin Store.
    Pete Braccio

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    and... the listings are gone from The Mandolin Store.
    Wow... That is just weird!

    It's like they never existed. Even if they had sold all 6 of them in 2 days (unlikely) they still would list it as a product they sell but are out of stock on. I would speculate that they found some kind of flaw in them significant enough to send back the whole bunch.
    Don

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    Americanadian Andrew B. Carlson's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Here's the archived link to the Mandolin Store's inventory on these.
    Mandolin, Guitar, & Bass for Doug Rawling & The Caraganas
    www.dougrawling.com
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Maybe they figured they'd be direct competition for The Lafferty in a niche market...

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Don't buy your reasoning Eddie. Dennis is a smart businessman. He surely saw that coming. If he was afraid of competition why order 6 in the first placr? Plus whether someone chose Eastman or Lafferty he still makes money regardless. Plus some would stick with Lafferty just because they're American made. Octaves are hot right now. You see them more and more. Sierra Hull and The Band Perry. Weber is making a lot of carved top om's right now. I still think something else is goin on.
    Don

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I think that fretboard extension is a big mistake.
    Steve

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    Registered User Manfred Hacker's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve L View Post
    I think that fretboard extension is a big mistake.
    Didn't they ask for design suggestions here?

    This extension would be a reason for me not to buy.
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Me too.
    Steve

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I think the whole design is ugly looking, personally.

    bratsche
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    poor excuse for anything Charlieshafer's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Quote Originally Posted by bratsche View Post
    I think the whole design is ugly looking, personally.

    bratsche
    I have to agree; there's nothing here that isn't already available elsewhere. The market may be growing for octaves, but not these Plain Jane ones. They did ask for input earlier, and it seemed like they listened to no one...

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    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    FWIW, the Eastman product page shows it without the fretboard extension:

    http://www.eastmanguitars.com/mandol...y-instruments/

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I read the thread on advice. most didnt like the extension or size of the soundhole. and this has both haha

    personally I do like the headstock and scale length would be interesting to try, but guess I will stick with the gold tone for now. I like the sound acoustically. for the price of this eastman I would much rather get a gypsy from walt... this summer I making that jump finally... tax man gets paid first hehe
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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Quote Originally Posted by foldedpath View Post
    FWIW, the Eastman product page shows it without the fretboard extension:

    http://www.eastmanguitars.com/mandol...y-instruments/
    Well, that one looks okay, not ugly to me. Where did that other picture come from? Obviously not from their website....

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    The archived version of the Mandolin Store's web page appears to be from last August, according to the URL. Lots of time for lots to have changed.

    Edit: And I just noticed that the image on the archived page is the original Rhino mockup drawing as posted here in June 2012.

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    You are all truly missing the point. On April 14 The Mandolin Store posted a classified ad with a link to their website. They said they were in stock. They had a photograph. Not a mockup but the real thing. Their web site said there were six in stock ready to ship. Then two days later April 16 everything vanished. The ad. The link. The listing on the web site. All traces gone like it never existed. And no explanation. And you all are still argueing about the hole being too large and how you don't like the extension. That's the mock up drawing. Neither of those were in yhe photo. I saw the photo so I know what it looked like. I guess not too many of you saw the actual photograph because it wasn't up long enough. The point here is that something strange is going on with these. If we are to believe TMS they had 6 physically in the store ready and available for sale at 999 with gig bag. And no one has explained what went wrong. Inquiring minds want to know!
    Don

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I really don't care.
    Steve

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I doubt there is any conspiracy there. And I am sure if anyone ask Dennis he will be happy to share what went down.

    In any event seeing the Eastman model only made me want the Lafferty model more. I just can't stand the abalone rosette.

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    Quote Originally Posted by multidon View Post
    You are all truly missing the point. !
    As Steve says, I think the point is no one cares. It could be something so simple as the store opening up the shipping boxes and finding they'd sent the wrong models. Most people felt it was a pretty blah offering, and now that there's a mysterious disappearance, it's even less exciting.

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I find it kind of odd that so many folks are put off by the abalone rosette. I kind of liked that. Lots of people think those are da bomb on upper end guitars. The feature I found off putting was the tailpiece. Did any one else notice that? Its this big black thing I suppose its ebony that reminds me of a cross between a cello tailpiece and the black monolith from 2001 a space oddessy.
    Don

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    _Update- I have been in contact with Dennis at The Mandolin Store regarding the Eastman octaves. What Dennis told me happened is that they posted the pictures as soon as they were in stock. But Dennis did not have a chance to inspect them until a couple of days later. When he did inspect them he discovered a few issues with them and he felt it necessary to return them. So my original guess about what happened turned out to be essentially correct.

    Dennis is to be commended I think for being a businessman with principles and integrity. He determined that if he sold the octaves as they were, which is what some other businesses would have done, there would havr customer dissatisfaction. Satisfied customers are very important to Dennis. That he refuses to sell products before he deems them ready for market is just simply the right thing to do.

    Dennis and I agreed that if Eastman finally does come through with the product with the issues corrected there would definitely be a market for it. We both hope this will happen.

    I have posted this with Dennis's permission. NFI buy a satisfied customer here saying TMS is one of the best businesses to do business with here.
    Don

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    In my experience Dennis is an honorable man. Thanks Multi for posting!

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I'm not surprised to hear this. Might be a while before we see another sighting…...
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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    Default Re: New Eastman Octaves In Stock At The Mandolin Store

    I wonder what kind of user surveys or market research Eastman conducts before introducing a new product? The 805MDC mandocello had at least two issues that users found problematic. A too-wide nut and fret board and an "explosive" tailpiece.

    I suppose we need to wait until the actual octave reaches the retail but already there appears to be possible issues with the new instrument could have been avoided with a little market research up front. Maybe they do their research in China and some of these features are what Chinese buyers said they would like?
    Bernie
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