Eastman or JBovier

**magicrene** · May-17-2010, 6:39am

Hello, I write from Italy. I intend to buy a new mandolin, but are undecided between Eastman and JBovier. Someone tell me what are the best? Thank you for your help.

**Payit Forward** · May-17-2010, 7:07am

Both are good instruments.

The biggest difference between them is the neck. The Eastmans have the typical narrow neck of most mandolins. I'm not sure of the actual dimension, but I think it is 1 1/16 inch wide. The JBoviers have a neck width of 1 1/8 inch, but the nut is cut with the string spacing spread out as it would be on a neck of 1 3/16" width. I find this to be a very comfortable neck to play.

**Jim MacDaniel** · May-17-2010, 10:22am

I haven't played a J.Bovier so I can't compare/contrast them for you, but the J.Bovier with the zebrawood back and sides is one of the more striking-looking instruments I've seen at that pricepoint, and would look especially nice in gloss with the black top option IMO.

Here is a nice review at jazzmando.com.

(NFI)

**magicrene** · May-18-2010, 1:13am

Thank you very much!

**CTH Man** · May-19-2010, 12:05pm

I have heard a few JBoviers and I liked them all...... I have heard a few Eastmans that I didn't really care for...a thinner sound in my opinion.I would suggest you play several of each and decide based on playability,feel etc.
Good Luck!