Being too picky about a new Eastman MD-515 ??

**Hobo** · Jul-29-2012, 4:59pm

I posted an earlier inquiry on forum about some wear problems in the finish on the bottom point of my New Eastman MD-515 mandolin. Purchased: 07/09/2012. Anyway, after looking the bottom point very carefully, I noticed a finish/binding flaw in the top-side of bottom point joint. I sent an email and photo to Eastman about it today. I'm hoping to hear back from them soon. While I know this flaw does not effect tone or playability at all, it's still bugs me that it exists on a $1000+ mandolin. Am I being too picky? This mandolin has not had suffered any physical blows or trauma that would have caused this problem – always in its case and handled with care. BTW, I love the Eastman MD-515 for tone and playability. It is an excellent instrument.

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**yankees1** · Jul-29-2012, 5:00pm

Not at all ! Send it back for a replacement !

**Astro** · Jul-29-2012, 5:11pm

I would contact your dealer. Maybe someone there can fix it. And be sure its just the finish. Its hard to tell from the photo but almost looks like a crush injury. Its such a bummer to send back an instrument you like. I like buying used because I'll want to play it out and its less upsetting if it comes pre-dinged so I don't have to feel bad when boo-boos happen.

Buying new, it shouldn't have that flaw. They should fix it or send you a check for a hundred or 2. If the dealer had noticed it they would sell as scratch and dent for that much off.

**sgarrity** · Jul-29-2012, 5:16pm

Just play the darn thing and enjoy it!!!

**shortymack** · Jul-29-2012, 5:24pm

I probably will be in the minority and say yes. I picked a warranty/replacement guitar straight from Eastman that was probably a second, and looked alot worse than what you have there. It has some fingerprint marks under/on the finish and a few other issues but it sounded awesome and I love it. Eyes are deaf and ears are blind. What happens if you send it back and get one that doesnt sound as good? What then?

**OldSausage** · Jul-29-2012, 6:37pm

Hobo, that ain't much. Look at it this way, now you won't have to feel band when you put a ding in it. My 515 looks like a dart board.

**allenhopkins** · Jul-29-2012, 8:01pm

Originally Posted by Hobo

...Am I being too picky?...

Yeah, IMHO. I'd put more wear and tear than that on an instrument in six months. If it's not structural -- well, it's related to the fact that Eastman mandolins are made largely by hand, with the resultant potential for flaws.

**doc holiday** · Jul-29-2012, 8:10pm

Hobo, re: your finish/binding flaw...... there is no finish/binding perfection in a $1k mandolin. All instruments made by hand especially in factory/workshop production environment will show imperfections. There are much revered 'holy grail' mandolins that also show imperfections. It's an instrument to make music with...

**fernmando** · Jul-29-2012, 8:10pm

If you like the way it sounds, you'd better keep it. Mandos maybe shouldn't "look" like that if they cost a grand, but they don't usually sound all that great at a grand, either. If you have a special mando in the "sound department", better keep it. Maybe you could get a bit of a refund due to the blemish oversight. IMHO, at the 1000.00 price point, sound first-appearance second.

**belbein** · Jul-29-2012, 8:25pm

Fernmando stole my thunder. It's hard to remember sometimes, but instruments are about tone and playability. If you like the sound, don't let it leave your fingers. Maybe in 5 years when you've dinged the hell out of it, you can get it completely redone.

If you want perfection, you want something CNC-ed to machined perfection. And they'll probably sound like machines. Who needs that?

**UsuallyPickin** · Jul-29-2012, 8:56pm

THe order of instrument criteria goes like this for me......
1. How it sounds... do I like it
2. How it plays ... does it need work
3. What condition is it in... does it need work
4. How it looks
5. Does it come with a good case
6. Can I afford it

What you see as a flaw is remarkably small for a 1000.00 $ mandolin. Perfection is rarely an actuality.

**Pete Summers** · Jul-29-2012, 9:46pm

I agree with shortymack -- if you send it back over this minor flaw you might just get something that doesn't sound or play as good. Then what do you do? Send the second on back also? After a few go arounds like this the dealer will likely balk, plus it will probably cost you shipping and subject the mandolin and your investment to unnecessary travel risk.

It looks like a manufacturer's finish flaw to me, not damage, but who but you will ever even notice it? If you like the sound and the way it plays, I'd say keep it. You could do a lot worse. Soon enough you'll be adding your own dings and scratches, if you're anything like most of us.

**Fstpicker** · Jul-30-2012, 2:40am

Send it back. It will hound you forever now that you noticed it. My $450 Loar LM-520 has a better finish than that has, at least in the corner part.

At $1G it should be better.

Jeff

**Stephen Perry** · Jul-30-2012, 3:23am

Brings up an interesting consideration. Production instruments from production shops using skilled hand labor differ from each other and generally show the impact of being made by hand and eye. The importer/wholesaler passes judgment on them and puts each out as a product that has passed that inspection. The dealer gets an option to reject instruments, but knows that the instruments are what the wholesaler/importer has already considered represents what they want to put out. Then the final customer of the retailer gets to pick and chose what they wish to buy. Nothing is "perfect" to every buyer. No biggie so far. The issues arise when a purchaser accepts an instrument, rather than rejecting it, and it is his or hers. Then we're into the warranty end of things and the second guessing begins. This makes people uncomfortable in general.

My recommendation is patience while the importer/wholesaler figures things out.

Just as a general principle, being nice to the retailer will get you a lot further than any other approach! Just generally.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jul-30-2012, 3:45am

Personally,i don't think that flaws like that are acceptable on new instruments - but - weigh the playing & sound properties against the poor finish & decide whether 'for you',the blemish is acceptable.The blemish is pretty minor & if the instrument plays & sounds good,then even i would turn a blind eye to such a small defect. Ultimately,the playability & the tone of the instrument should be paramount & it seems as though you have a good one. If you still think that it looks unsightly,try to find a decent luthier to touch up the blemish.It shouldn't cost very much to make it blend in,but really,it shouldn't be there in the first place (IMHO),
Ivan

**Grommet** · Jul-30-2012, 3:47am

Hobo- I would take that little imperfection in stride at that price point if I liked the instrument. I would also avoid looking under the fretboard extension or inside the tight parts of the scroll in hopes of perfection there as well. Hope you have many good years together.

Scott

**trevor** · Jul-30-2012, 4:58am

I have sold a lot of Eastman mandolins and would return that to the importer for a replacement (before I sent it out to a customer).

**sbarnes** · Jul-30-2012, 8:49am

would not be acceptable to me....

**Hobo** · Jul-30-2012, 8:57am

Thanks for your opinions, one and all – very interesting comments.

You are right that what can be a glaring flaw to one person might mean nothing to someone else. Which is why I asked if I was being too critical in this case, because I tend be overly critical on most things.

Don't get me wrong. I realize the sound of the instrument is what really counts and not the minor imperfections in the build. I don't expect a mandolin at this price point to be a flawless thing of beauty with no imperfections – I'm realistic about that. And, I'm sure flaws can be found in mandolins costing many times more than this one. After all flaws exist in everything, no matter how well made.

To me, binding corner joints are one of the more obvious places where workmanship can be judged – and it puzzles me that this miscue in an obvious spot was not noticed before it reached the customer. And puzzles me why I didn't notice it until now. Maybe it is just that minor?

Again, thanks for your opinions, appreciate it.

**Dennie King** · Jul-30-2012, 9:24am

I ask for a break in the price, since it is in not "new" condition and keep the mandolin. You will have the best of both worlds and will be able to forget about buying a damaged product.

**Fretbear** · Jul-30-2012, 9:59am

I think you may have a small "void" there between the side and the point block. Nothing about that is worrisome for the future (which would be a valid reason to be concerned otherwise) That binding hole would disappear completely with a sliver of binding material and a drop of acetone, and the top touched-up with a furniture repair crayon of the proper shade. If it sounds good, keep it and get it taken care of when you get a re-fret or set-up in the future.

**baptist mando55** · Jul-30-2012, 3:04pm

I have an Eastman 515 that has many scratches the finish chipped around both f holes it looks pretty distressed. But it sounds much better than it should for a thousand dollars.Ive played many high end mandos that was not a whole lot better. the finish in the front is very thin probably why it sounds so good ,the finish on the back still looks good. I could upgrade if i really needed to but I could spend 3 thosand and sound no better. Just play it

**Charles E.** · Jul-30-2012, 5:38pm

I have played a number of Eastman's, even owned one for awhile, and I always thought could do a better job in the binding dept. I have seen a couple where the binding around the scroll was really bad. It will be interesting to hear what the Eastman rep has to say. Untill that, continue to play it and enjoy it.