Who Is Selling Eastmans These Days

[Onesound]

Greetings Gang,

I was intending to buy a custom mandolin built to my specifications, unfortunately the deal has fallen through. I am greatly dissapointed, but as a result, I'm now back shopping for an instrument. Looking for an oval hole for Celtic, Old time and classical music styles.

I was hoping to buy an American crafted mandolin, but, in my price range of $1 to $2 K max, that really limits my choices. So far, I've been considering lower end Breedloves, a Rigel, perhaps a Weber... or a start-up builder, etc. I hope to have a chance to try a few out before I committ (or before I am committed, whichever comes first).

I've also had my hands on a couple of Eastmans at the Wash DC gathering last Dec and was especially impressed by their build quality at a price that is affordable for a working stiff like me. I know they are Pacific Rim, but I want the best bang for my buck. Not sure who sells Eastmans, so your inputs are appreciated.

Cheers,
Brian

[harmonist34]

Just a thought - somebody had/has a Glenn mandolin in the classifieds. I did some research on the company and I believe the builder is still making mandolins for less than $2000. Might be worth checking into - seems like most of the reviews I've heard have been good.

Andy

[PhilGE]

Mid-Missouri Mandolins

Bill Davis Flat top

Weber Aspen

for starters...

[RichM]

You can get a list of Eastman dealers here:

http://www.eastmanstrings.com/eastma...s/dealers.html

You will hear (and probably have heard)wildly varying opinions on the Eastmans on the boards here. If you've tried Eastmans and you liked what you felt/heard, then go for it. A quality mandolin is one that makes you happy and fits your budget.

[Greenmando]

I understand that KING BROWN down under is in your price range

[Patrick Gunning]

If you're looking for an oval hole, and you have 1-2 grand, you should get a nice example of a teens gibson A-style. You might even be able to find a snakehead in your range if you look hard enough. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't find anything as opened up as one of these 80 year old babies.

[Onesound]

I was checking out and wondering about the Weber Aspen. Years ago, Weber came out with a "Bridger" model that was the rave amoung Celtic players. The Aspen stylisticly looks a lot like the Bridger. Anyone know if the Aspen comes from the same genetic lines?

Thanks,
Brian

[Jim M.]

Definitely take a look at Chris Baird's work:

Arches

Several of us own his mandos and consider them a great deal in your price range.

[Onesound]

Definitely take a look at Chris Baird's work:

Arches

Several of us own his mandos and consider them a great deal in your price range.

Thanks for the tip on Chris' mandos. They look great - I'll have to investigate in detail!

Cheers,
Brian

[fatt-dad]

Old Wave's A-model is under $2,000.00. There is a thread on this somewhere at the cafe and the new buyer seems happy. I expect this is a good mandolin though.

There is no doubt you could find a Flatiron A or a Gibson A5-L for under $2,000.00 the A5-L being harder to find, but they're out there.

f-d

[Don]

Bill's prices have increased,but I think I'd seriously consider adding a little to your pot and having him build you one to your specs.I'd also keep an eye on the classifieds.
Don.

[fatt-dad]

Bill's prices have increased,but I think I'd seriously consider adding a little to your pot and having him build you one to your specs.

(Don's referring to Bill Bussman, who makes the Old Wave mandolin.)

[jasona]

You could get one of Laura Ratcliff's As for that price too. I have one and love it.

[Billiam]

I was checking out and wondering about the Weber Aspen. #Years ago, Weber came out with a "Bridger" model that was the rave amoung Celtic players. #The Aspen stylisticly looks a lot like the Bridger. #Anyone know if the Aspen comes from the same genetic lines?

Thanks,
#Brian

The Aspen is a flat top, the Bridger is carved. #

The Bridger is a high line model, with full binding, headstock inley, etc. #A Bridger will easily top out your $2k budget, and was way past mine. #

I think of my Hyalite as a budget Bridger (as a Y2K is a budget Aspen). #The basic Hyalite has an unbound mahogany body, a headstock decal instead of inlay, and is unstained and matte finished. #Most of the Hyalites I see for sale have some kind of upgrade from that spec. #Maple bodies, headstock inlays, F, oval and D holes, and a variety of finishes are out there. #Elderly has a few variations on their site. #Mine's a D hole w/ matte 'chocolate' sunburst. #I think it's a very nice, non-bluegrassy, US made instrument, at a good price. #

I've never played an Old Wave or an Arches, but both have great reputations and sure look purty on the web. #Sop did the oval-hole Rigel A that came through the Cafe classifieds a while back. #Were I looking for a new mando, those and the Webers would probably round out my short list.

[fonefly]

Consider a Newell. Keith makes a great mandolin & his prices are reasonable. I own #9 of his and am very happy with it. Not only is a work of art to look at but the sounds that come from it are heavenly. You can see pictures of it elsewhere in the Cafe message board. I've had it about 3 months now & wouldn't ever think about getting rid of it.

[fatt-dad]

Then again, you could also buy a teens Gibson in your price range.

f-d

[FlawLaw]

Eastman mandolins are also good mandolins. I don't understand why people look down on Chinese instruments that are made well. I lived in China for many years and have seen some of the workshops where instruments are made. The Chinese have been making good quality instruments of all sorts for thousands of years. I think the best thing to do is try a bunch of instruments and chose the best regardless of where it is made.

[atetone]

Brian Dean is making some great oval hole mandolins #that seem like they might be like what you are looking for.
His website is bfolk.com

[Greenmando]

Eastman mandolins are also good mandolins. #I don't understand why people look down on Chinese instruments that are made well. #

I do not think anyone looks down on well made Chinese instruments, we just see so many poorly made ones. My MK was a poorly made mando. I have not heard a negative statement about Eastman's. My wife's new Les Paul (Epi) is Chinese made, she loves it.

[Chris Baird]

The reason some folks don't buy Chinese made products is not because of low quality, it simply makes sense to support the economy that supports you. Money sent to China will never come back to you. Some consider the big picture and some don't. I know that supporting my own economy is the best way to ensure that there is money in my wallet.

[Greenmando]

I agree with that! Just because I may admire a product does not mean I will buy it.
If spending more means the money stays in the states it is important. Why support a company exploiting minimal labor costs.

[Onesound]

All points well said. For me it's a toss between getting the best mandolin for my money vs. spending more for domestic made. One hand says go for the Eastman, the other for the domestic, even though it will cost more (or the same for less mando). As for the independent craftsman, I'd be more than satisfied with many of them. Checked out their web sites and emailed a few - all really nice and helpful individuals. However, I've already got 4 months waiting time invested in the custom that fell through and really don't feel like waiting another 4 to 6 months for another custom. So, havn't decidecd yet, but at the moment, it will probably be a factory built box, wheteher Breedlove, Rigel, Weber, Eastman, etc. Been watching the classifieds, too. I hope to get down to Appalachian Bluegrass (in Baltimore) this weekend to try out a few before I make a final decision.

Actually, what shocks me is that it is really difficult to buy most any kind of "semi-professional" quality of mandolin for under $1K. In fact, I would say the majority of new instruments in this catagory list for well over $2500, with F styles more like $3500 and UP. I can buy any number of high quality guitars (acoustic or electric) for much, much less. Guess its because there are hundreds of guitar players for every mandolin player out there buying instruments. I should be satisfied with guitar, but there is just something so alluring about our little 8 string buddy.

BTW - I am real sensitive to the foriegn made issue: the company I work for has sold off all its' American factories and moved production to Mexico and China. Our location is the last American holdout in the division - and that situation is tenuious, at best. IMO, we vote with our dollar - buying foreign sends our money and jobs off shore, never to return.

Cheers,
Brian

[FlawLaw]

If the point is that supporting small domestic builders is a good thing, then I would agree. #I like to support smaller companies. I think it is good if there are many thriving small instument builders. #My own mandolin was built by a small American company and I purchased it used and for a reasonable price, within the price range referenced in this topic. #It is a Ratliff and I am very pleased with it. #In the future, I am considering another mandolin, again from a small New York company, so I will not only support my domestic economy but also my state econony.

I do think that there is a place for Asian instrument builders and the quality of their instruments can be excellent and can serve a niche to expand the love of mandolins by placing mandolins in the hands of individuals who cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars for a mandolin. #These same individuals may someday decide to purchase a mandolin from a smaller domestic company. Additionally, a person like myself may purchase a Michael Kelly F style mandolin and try it for a few months to see if I like the F style before going to a smaller builder.
In a way then small builders should praise God for companies like Eastman and Michael Kelly.

On the soapbox: Now I live in Buffalo that has had its economy devastated. #However, in the global economy of today, it is hard to believe that people still assume that buying domestically is somehow better for our economy and workers, when one can't buy anything that has not been touched by the global market - from sneakers to jeans to steel to oil and natural gas. #Ford, Nike, Levi, etc. etc. are all made in part elsewhere. #And often the same individuals that refuse to purchase an instrument from China will gladly purchase a stereo system or amp from Asia. #Further, Asians buy tons of American products. #When I visit China, I am amazed to find some many American companies are thriving there. #This trade is ultimately a good thing.

I also bemoan exploitation in other countries, but lower labor costs in China do not necessarily translate to lower standards of living there.

Off soapbox.

"but lower labor costs in China do not necessarily translate to lower standards of living there."

Correct, it ultimately translates to a lower standard of living here. I would buy a built in America, designed for & sold only in America Toyota or Honda before I would buy a Dodge or Ford built in Mexico. Sadly we have very few choices of American made products when it comes to electronics. Let the Eastman flood continue, they will settle to the appropriate level just as MK has done.

[Stephen Perry]

"Actually, what shocks me is that it is really difficult to buy most any kind of "semi-professional" quality of mandolin for under $1K. In fact, I would say the majority of new instruments in this catagory list for well over $2500, with F styles more like $3500 and UP. I can buy any number of high quality guitars (acoustic or electric) for much, much less. Guess its because there are hundreds of guitar players for every mandolin player out there buying instruments."

Carving and graduating the arching is the difference. Flat top & back are trivial compared to archtops. You should compare mandolin prices to archtop and back guitars, not to flat top guitars. Try it sometime. Big piece of wood, gouges and planes. Even with CNC, much more labor. CNC only goes so far. The final work needs to be done by rather skilled hands.