My New Eastman 615

**wag1943** · Jul-01-2012, 7:14am

I started this tread yesterday and I messed it up .. please let me Try again... i finally got my new Eastman 615 mandolin ...... after checking it out and playing it a bit , I have a few questions ..... the strings are set 0.032" @ the Ist fret, And 0.079" @ the 12th fret ?????? It seems easy enough to play.. i like the sound but is not real loud?????? its got a factory installed pick up i think all the 615s come that way now ... would that effect the volume... im only a novice around mandolins so any help/ suggestions/tips/ any info will be welcomed.....

**QCS** · Jul-01-2012, 10:26am

wag- congrats on the new mandolin, now the fun begins. I had one of these a couple of years ago and found that it too sounded a bit thin. You might want to make sure it is set up properly. Is your instrument new or used? Bought from a shop or a private party? If new, it's possible that it did not get a good going over before it was turned over to you. If used, it's possible it is just in need of a tweak. All in all, these are very good quality instruments. Find someone who can share their knowledge in setting it up for you. As for the pick-up, these should have no effect on the tone of the instrument. In the meantime, start getting used to using a heavier pick. I found this brought out the volume of my Eastman. Compared to my other mandolins, the Eastman liked a heavy right hand. Good luck with sorting this out.

**imandolinin** · Jul-01-2012, 10:58am

You probably want to take it to a qualified luthier to give it a once over. I found that I needed some adjustments to the nut slots on my D and A strings and also had the bridge foot "shaped" to fit the top. After that, my 515 sounded golden. One more thing, I use medium phospho-bronze strings and a thick triangle pick. You'll get a completely different tone with stainless steel or flat wound strings, so try experimenting.
Cheers

**KennyE** · Jul-02-2012, 7:05am

Congrats on getting the 615. That is what I use every weekend. Mine seemed a bit "thin" at first. I even posted here a couple of times about how disappointed I was in the vol. But ... it seems to be getting over that. Mine is starting to open up quite well and is evolving into a really well balanced instrument. Agreed on the heavier pick. I used a 2.0mm at first, but as it's opened up I've been able to come down to a more reasonable thickness - 1.2mm - which seems to allow for a bit faster picking.

Didn't know the 615s came with pickups, now. Mine did not. I have a set of custom designed JJB-Electronics on it. And actually run thru my guitar amp. Sounds great. Speaking of amps - I used to set the 615 in front of the guitar amp at gigs to get it to loosen up before using it. Seemed to work. Not sure if it's endemic to all mandolins, but it seems the 615 will stiffen up until it gets some vibrations going thru it. Don't think it'll ever be a cannon, but yours should open up and get a bit louder as it breaks in.

**SGraham** · Jul-03-2012, 9:09am

I noticed the same thing on my 615 at first. I was able to greatly improve the volume with the following:
1) a Cumberland Acoustics bridge
2) J75 strings
3) a Tone Gard

Any one of the above by itself will make a noticeable improvement. All 3 together will be that much better.

**Folkmusician.com** · Jul-03-2012, 11:55am

Eastman's are tighter than most when new. They seem to have a much more dramatic opening up period than what I normally see. It won't entirely change, but you should notice it start to become more resonate and responsive as you put the hours into it.

Your action is on the high side.

**wag1943** · Jul-03-2012, 1:22pm

thanks so much for all the advice tips etc. realy appreate it keep them coming

**Jeff Budz** · Jul-03-2012, 2:14pm

I have a 515 and it's thin sounding, even with Tone Gard, but it's a good sound. More of a midrange peak. Now that's it's a year and 1/2 old, it often sounds quite good, especially after I took the finish off it. It is what it is, a great playing mandolin that sounds pretty good. I don't think there is anything that can make it change drastically.

**wag1943** · Jul-03-2012, 2:48pm

ty for the help what would you suggest for action... im not sure if im capapble of doing it myself and dont know of a luthier around here ill be at a b grass fest this weekend might get some info on one there ...

Originally Posted by Folkmusician.com

Eastman's are tighter than most when new. They seem to have a much more dramatic opening up period than what I normally see. It won't entirely change, but you should notice it start to become more resonate and responsive as you put the hours into it.

Your action is on the high side.

**Pete Summers** · Jul-03-2012, 3:00pm

Contact Rob Meldrum at rob.meldrum@gmail.com and ask for a copy of his free set-up ebook which will give you a nice procedure that you can do yourself. Also, go to Frets.com for a bunch of directions on set-up and other issues.

And certainly talk to folks at the festival this weekend. I'm sure they can help.

**wag1943** · Jul-04-2012, 5:37am

Ty for the help i need all i can get ... im not sure i wanna do my first set up on a new mandolin .... might not be mutch good afterwards lol......

Originally Posted by Pete Summers

Contact Rob Meldrum at rob.meldrum@gmail.com and ask for a copy of his free set-up ebook which will give you a nice procedure that you can do yourself. Also, go to Frets.com for a bunch of directions on set-up and other issues.

And certainly talk to folks at the festival this weekend. I'm sure they can help.