What's the best mandolin for the money right now? Collings MT-O?

[Steve L]

I haven't cared for any of the Eastman's I've played, but I don't think I'd share that with someone looking to purchase one from me.

[10strings]

From what I gathered playing all the Mandolins, what I really am looking for is GREAT condition Fender F4 with Oval sound hole, early 1900's made during Loar's tenure. Like this one... http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibs...nure-1922/2585

After playing an A-stryle I really loved the sound and small little frets... So the Eastman was just a tie over until I can save up for and fine a good sounding F4.

[Mandobar]

you mean Gibson, right, not Fender.

i've had a couple Eastmans. I have a mandocello now. Not sure I'm thrilled. And I have a 305 which was my traveler. It was a bit thin sounding for my tastes. It has since been bumped by my km900. so, it will probably be for sale soon.

[10strings]

you mean Gibson, right, not Fender.

i've had a couple Eastmans. I have a mandocello now. Not sure I'm thrilled. And I have a 305 which was my traveler. It was a bit thin sounding for my tastes. It has since been bumped by my km900. so, it will probably be for sale soon.

I did mean Gibson... hahaha

I need to upgrade the Eastman tuners... What is good besides Waverly? Or are the defacto tuners?

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I was going to suggest putting Grover or Schaller tuners on, but I believe the 515 already comes with Schaller. So your upgrade options may be somewhat limited from there.

Just curious - are the tuners not working correctly? Are they slipping, or binding? Maybe they need to be 'tweaked' and worked on a bit, which is not unusual. Another thing I notice, is that I find worm under tuners a bit more finicky to use, and they have a harder time staying in tune, than worm over tuners. And since the 515 has worm under tuners (like my Kentucky KM900), you may be noticing the same thing as well.

[Larry S Sherman]

I need to upgrade the Eastman tuners... What is good besides Waverly? Or are the defacto tuners?

I can't imagine putting $400 Waverly tuners on a $450 mandolin. Seems like overkill.

I would keep the Eastman hardware if I were you.

Larry

[Keith Witty]

A Northfield A-Style has to be in the discussion here.

[Mandobar]

the original thread suggests an oval hole style A. how did we get to an f style with f holes?

[Dan Margolis]

One of my mandolin students just got a lower-end Eastman, and I'll tell ya, it sounds really great. Very woody and open, and a huge step up from the piece 'o crap that she used to have. No financial interest--just a fine-sounding mandolin!