Eastman 505... Good mando for #1?

**Bltprf502** · Feb-17-2009, 10:39am

This is my first post here. I am a member of many guitar forums as I am a guitar player at heart. I am going to buy my first mando today or tomorrw. I was wondering how you guys viewed the Eastman 505 as a first mando? I found 2 at one store. One is a 2007 and the other a 2008 and they are both nice. I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on this model and just Eastman in general. My expectation are high as I play Huss & Dalton and Santa Cruz's in my guitar selection. Thanks in advance.

**MikeEdgerton** · Feb-17-2009, 10:53am

Eastman is well thought of by the majority of members here. As in the case with any retail product, you will find some that haven't had good experiences with them. Here are 417 message threads with Eastman in the Subject line. You can probably scan through and see a whole lot about the maker. The 505 is a decent mandolin all the way around.

**RichM** · Feb-17-2009, 10:57am

Yes, and Eastman 505 is an excellent first mandolin. Eastman makes quality carved mandolins from solid woods in China. If you do a search of the message boards, you'll find that Eastman mandolins are well thought of. I have owned several over the years and have found them to be very well-made instruments. A 505 is a great starter for three important reasons:

1. They are carved and all solid wood (many inexpensive instruments compromise by pressing an arch into the top rather than carving it, or using plywood on some components, which may compromise the tone.)

2. It's a A model. F models usually cost much more because of the man hours involved in carving the scroll. That has little (if any) impact on the tone, so you save money by foregoing the scroll.

3. The 505 is Eastman's most basic model. All Eastmans are good instruments-- paying more will get you more decoration and prettier wood, but probably not better playability or tone, so save your money.

Or, in short: go for it!

**harmon** · Feb-17-2009, 11:25am

I love my Eastman mandolin and recently purchased an Eastmann 720 flat top guitar from acoustic vibes that is wonderful in tone, playability, and construction. I feel that Eastman makes a quality instrument and will check out their violins when I get a chance.

**Bltprf502** · Feb-17-2009, 11:27am

How much set up is required? Should I ask for new strings? Also are the zippered cases ok that come with them? I usually try to find a steal on an instrument, but I am long over due buying an instrument from my local guy. The first time I have had to pay tax on a musical instrument in a while

Thx!

Also, are the tail pieces on these pretty good quality? I have heard that some brands don't come with good ones.

**anzafrank** · Feb-17-2009, 11:29am

I'm a newbe, and bought a used (150 bucks at the swap meet) cheapy fender. I only played it for about 2 months, and got a eastman 515. Why start with an inferior instrument like I did? After playing a gibson guitar for years, I just can't play a cheap mando. I got mine at the mando store, and they picked through 8 of them to get the best one. Go for it.

Frank

**TomTyrrell** · Feb-17-2009, 11:43am

<< My expectation are high as I play Huss & Dalton and Santa Cruz's in my guitar selection. >>

The Eastman 505 is a great mandolin for the money but it isn't in the same class as your guitars. Perhaps you should consider a Collings if you are expecting that level of instrument.

**MikeEdgerton** · Feb-17-2009, 11:45am

As much as you want to buy from your local guy make sure he's competitive with some of the online guys. They'll probably include a hardshell case with it. Elderly, The Mandolin Store and Gianna Violins will msot likely carry this model. I don't know if Janet Davis Music is an Eastman dealer.

**xntric** · Feb-17-2009, 11:56am

To answer your question about the tailpiece, Eastman uses a cast tailpiece that (IMO) is pretty high quality, much better than the cheap stamped tailpieces that come on other mandos at a similar price level.

**rohan** · Feb-17-2009, 12:15pm

It's all about playability and setup. I started with a Mid-Mo and now if I test drive an Eastman it's not to my liking where the Collings would be my dream machine. If you buy from a store, get a trade-in value for you next purchase from them. Test drive all the mando's and/or take a friend and listen. Eastmans seem to differ mostly in appointments. Sometimes the lowend Eastman will sound better than the top line Eastman. Collings is a different machine. at least to me. Test drive all of them and choose.

**Bltprf502** · Feb-17-2009, 12:56pm

Price is an issue. I own about 10 guitars.... I can't have MAS and GAS at the same time. My Wife would run me out of town. No, I'm not looking for the Eastman to be Collings quality. But, I don't want something that is made sloppy or is not going to sound good. Workmanship is important to me. I need something to grow with me if you know what I mean...

**Lawn Jockey** · Feb-17-2009, 12:59pm

I second The Mandolin Store suggestion. Dennis is super to work with.

Have you checked out the Larrivee mandolins? I only ask because they are somewhat the "middle ground" price wise between the Eastman and Collings.

**man dough nollij** · Feb-17-2009, 1:09pm

Originally Posted by Bltprf502

How much set up is required? Should I ask for new strings? Also are the zippered cases ok that come with them? I usually try to find a steal on an instrument, but I am long over due buying an instrument from my local guy. The first time I have had to pay tax on a musical instrument in a while

Thx!

Also, are the tail pieces on these pretty good quality? I have heard that some brands don't come with good ones.

I got a new 505 from The Mandolin Store a month or so ago, and it's a crazy good deal. Sounds awesome. The travelite-style case is good, and probably better than most for protection. It's a little bulky if you're going to be flying with it, but otherwise fine.

The tailpiece is fine-- no problems there. You will probably emit some expletives the first time you restring, though. The nature of the little beast.

Happy Pickin',

Lee

**Gerry Hastie** · Feb-17-2009, 2:35pm

The 505 is a good mandolin. I've had mine a year or so and it gets better with time. It really opens out after playing for a wee bit in your hands. I think that I may have to spend four or five times the price to get a better quality mandolin that justifies the extra expense. Check out the threads on Eastmans especially the A-style as it will give advice re how to put a strap on it!

**man dough nollij** · Feb-17-2009, 2:41pm

Gerry,

Has your E string gotten any louder? Mine has amazingly good low and mid range (especially for $500!), but I'd like a little more volume on the E string.

I find if I pick closer to the end of the fingerboard and really dig in, I can get good volume, but I have to concentrate on it.

I'm curious if the breaking in/ opening up phenomenon affects the highs or lows more.

FYI: I'm doing an extreme environment experiment on my new 505. I just got to Antarctica a week ago, and I'll be here for 8 months. Brr.

**Man of Wax** · Feb-17-2009, 2:48pm

If you have the option, I'd try the 505 and 515. I found a considerable difference in bass between them. The 515 was vastly superior. It may have been just the two specific instruments I tried, but in this case, the F-style model was not just a cosmetic upgrade. In all other ways, they sounded virtually identical.

**man dough nollij** · Feb-17-2009, 3:03pm

Originally Posted by Man of Wax

If you have the option, I'd try the 505 and 515. I found a considerable difference in bass between them. The 515 was vastly superior. It may have been just the two specific instruments I tried, but in this case, the F-style model was not just a cosmetic upgrade. In all other ways, they sounded virtually identical.

I think most of the differences between the models are in the trim and level of figure in the maple. I've played a bunch of them (just briefly, in shops) at all price points. They vary a lot. I was at a shop in Arvada, CO, the other day, and got to A/B a 505 against a bunch of others, including vintage Gibsons, new Collings, etc. That 505 was one of the best sounding ones in the whole shop (to me). I believe I tried an 815, and some of the other more expensive ones that just didn't wow me.

I'm not saying that the cheaper ones are better, just that SOME of the cheaper ones sound better than some of the spendier ones, due to the variation in 'em. Yep.

**Gerry Hastie** · Feb-17-2009, 3:07pm

Hi Man dough nollij

My Eastman's volume seems pretty even throughout the strings. I lose a little as I go up the fretboard and have to dig in to keep the volume/tone. Let me know how extreme conditions experiments go! Does your mando raise in pitch when left in the cold? I'm lucky to live in a climate where we never get extremes of anything but it it raises in pitch if it's very cold.

**man dough nollij** · Feb-17-2009, 3:12pm

It's not really cold here yet-- about 10F-20F and windy. If I take it from building to building, I don't take it out of the case for hours, to let it warm up. If I take it outside at all when it's really cold out, I'll wrap it up in a parka so it never feels cold. In answer to your question, I've never played it cold, so I don't know. I will say that it stays in tune remarkably well. I took it out of its case after travelling clear from Colorado, and it was within ten cents on all strings. Yep.

**Keith Erickson** · Feb-17-2009, 3:18pm

Lee,

I didn't realize that you're back down in Antarctica again. Are you in McMurdo or are you at the Pole this year?

Did you get a humidifier for your mando?

**allenhopkins** · Feb-17-2009, 3:24pm

Originally Posted by Bltprf502

I usually try to find a steal on an instrument, but I am long over due buying an instrument from my local guy. The first time I have had to pay tax on a musical instrument in a while...

I'm going to take a slightly different tack from other posters. If the "local guy's" price is within acceptable range of the on-line or mail-order sellers', I'd say "buy local." A local music store with some decent mandolins is a resource worth supporting. Does the store offer support -- set-up, repairs, strings, picks, books etc.? You may want to take your mandolin back there some time for tweaking, fixing, whatever.

I admire and at times patronize the on-line/mail-order instrument houses, and I know that many of us have wonderful experiences with them, but I'm an apostle of supporting good local music stores. Too many have fallen victim to their inability to discount as much as the on-line competition. Not suggesting that you take a beating on the price, but only that you preserve your first impulse to support the "local guy."

**desaljs** · Feb-17-2009, 3:25pm

I am a Santa Cruz and H&D guy also. I have 2 Eastmans and love them. This is the perfect instrument for you to start with. These are hand made and all solid wood. They are not perfect like Collings, but the little things that show it was hand made make it nice. I have the MD 504 and MD 615. Both great and both came from Dennis at The Mandolin Store.

Get it! And yes, you can have MAS and GAS at the same time. I know.....

**man dough nollij** · Feb-17-2009, 3:56pm

Originally Posted by Keith Erickson

Lee,

I didn't realize that you're back down in Antarctica again. Are you in McMurdo or are you at the Pole this year?

Did you get a humidifier for your mando?

Yep, I'm back. I put in for 76 real jobs, and didn't get a one of 'em, so here I am. I got a couple of Oasis humidifiers, and I'm a convert. Won't use anything else now. Bruce Weber told me horror stories of those Dampit snakes busting out the F-holes of a couple instruments, and having dripping water damage 'em inside. With the Dampits, you have to wring the water out of them, and it's hard to tell precisely how much to leave in. The Oasis can't leak, and holds a lot of water. Plus, it sits in the case so it humifies the neck better. Yep.

**Bltprf502** · Feb-17-2009, 7:07pm

I have a new question to add to my post... I have been to 2 stores now that sell Eastman. I notice an issue on some that ranges from some of the 505's to the higher $$ models. If you hold up the instrument on some, you notice the bridge piece is not perfectly straight or verticle (maybe off just a little). One shop owner says that part is put on by a machine and sometimes they are not always on straight. Is this true?? Will it effect the intonation? Was it done that way for a reason? I also noticed on one of the models I played there was some slight bubbling on the nitro finish (Ididn't pick that one). Is that just something to over look? The instruments are really nice for the price and I am not brand bashing at all... I will probably buy one! I just wanted to know what to expect. To answer the price issue on the local guy...Yes he is a little less, but I have to pay tax (probably worth my sanity when I go in for a jam session). The one I had him hold for me until tomorrow was a 2007 made 505. The bridge was a little off as far as not straight. Sounded fine.. However, right next to it was a $1200 model that was worse crooked than the one I chose. If this is the deal, please tell me. I am learning the mado thing here... Ask me about guitars! I can do it in my sleep... Thanks!

**desaljs** · Feb-17-2009, 7:24pm

Not quite sure what you are referring to with your bridge question, but I will say the following. The bridge structure "floats" on the top of the mandolin, it is not attached to the top. If you remove all the strings, the bridge will fall off. Also, if you look at it from the side, you might notice a slight "lean" toward the fretboard. I see a little lean on my Eastmans. I believe this is to be expected, but others might have a different opinion. The floating bridge allows you to adjust the intonation.

If you look at the mandolin from the top, you will notice that the bridge will not be perpendicular to the long axis. It might be off by a few degrees. Again, this is normal and part of adjusting intonation.

I hope I expressed this clearly for you. Others here are much more versed in this than me.

The finish on my Eastmans is very good. Not perfect. A bit of swirling if you look at it a certain way. Nothing that concerns me at this price point. They sound great.