David Grisman & Eastman Strings Collaborate - The Dawg Collection

By Mandolin Cafe
November 5, 2008 - 9:45 am

Corrado Giacomel J5 inspired Eastman Model. Click to enlarge

Clarksburg, Md. — David Grisman and Eastman Strings are collaborating on a new line of acoustic instruments—The Dawg Collection by Eastman.

Based on rare examples from David's personal collection, the line is inspired by classic instruments from the Golden Age of American luthiery, as well as new designs by contemporary builders.

As Dawg explains, "I don't think the world needs another attempted Lloyd Loar mandolin copy. I've always enjoyed the diversity of obtainable voices from many other worthy designs, past and present, like those I explored sonically (and historically) on the Tone Poems series of CDs for Acoustic Disc. I'm also very impressed with Eastman's commitment to both quality and value, in addition to their interest in producing some of these fabulous instrument designs.

The first model in the series will be available on November 1, 2008. In collaboration with Italian builder Corrado Giacomel, Eastman will build a mandolin inspired by Giacomel's J-5 model that the Dawg is currently playing with his quintet.

"We feel so fortunate to be able to work with David Grisman and Mr. Giacomel to create these really special mandolins." commented Saul Friedgood of Eastman. "I'll never forget the reaction from our luthiers when they saw Mr. Giacomel's mandolin for the first time," "They were in awe, and our head luthier commented that the instrument must have been designed by Pablo Picasso!"

The second instrument in the series will be a beautiful mandolin inspired by Dawg's own Bacon Artist Model made in the 1920s. "These fine mandolins had labels signed by mandolin virtuoso William Place, Jr., several years before the idea was appropriated by Lloyd Loar." This model will be available in January 2009.

The Dawg Collection will be available through Eastman Mandolin Dealers. The Giacomel-inspired mandolin, model DG1 will have a list price of $3495, and the Bacon Artist-inspired mandolin, model DG2, will list at $2695.

Additional information:
Eastman Handcrafted Mandolins
David Grisman's Acoustic Disc