Eastman mandolins

[manicmando]

looking to upgrade I can get a Eastman 615 #789 hes needing money & I need a good mando what do you guys think about Eastman?

[MikeEdgerton]

Search is your friend. Here's is one thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=8;t=41428;hl=eastman) out of hundreds.

By the way, I owned a 615, it was a very well built instrument.

[DryBones]

I wouldn't be afraid of buying another Eastman. The more you play them the better they sound.

[cooper4205]

I wouldn't be afraid of buying another Eastman. The more you play them the better they sound.
i'll second that, i was really questioning the purchase of mine when i first got it, but after 20 or 30 minutes of really digging in it started to really open up.

it still takes a little while to get it going sometimes, but nothing like when it first arrived

[DryBones]

I've found that mine responds quicker if I leave it out on a stand instead of storing it in the case. Probably something to do with adjusting to humidity and temperature.

[seththedude]

They definately take some time to open up if they are new. Mine sounds great now that is has some miles on it.

[Kbone]

Great mando for the $'s ( having owned one)- the only thing that's better is the new master model K1000, which is a steal at 1300.

[djidaho]

I ended up with a 505 A Style after trying many in that price range. I have a hook next to a speaker that I hang it on when not playing. Don't know if that kind of thing really helps the "opening up" but it looks good.
Dave

[Andrew Lewis]

I've been very pleased with my 515. I recently was approached by a man at a festival who heard it across a pavilion and had to come over to see what kind of mando I was playing. If that wasn't affirming, I don't know what is...

[hanknc]

So many Eastmans, Kentuckys, etc. are available nowadays, one should take the time to:

1) ignore brand name hyperbole
2) play many
3) choose one

that being said...(cough)

I have an Eastman that kills Kentuckys. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[JEStanek]

hanknc with the big uppin' again! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif FWIW buying used will save you money. I'm very happy with my 814. If you can play it first that's a good idea to make sure it suits you. Good luck.

Jamie

[Dan Krhla]

I have a Kentucky (A ff) and an Eastman (A oval), both very dear to me. When it's time to move up to 'better' (last one I'll buy for a while) mandolin, dunno if I would go with the top of the line Kentucky or Eastman, both are pretty freeking sweet. That will ultimately come down to playing both and seeing. My vote is you can't go wrong either way.

[DryBones]

those Eastman 915's in the vintage sunburst are sweet....just hard to find in a lefty. That being said, I am waiting on a JBovier lefty F in Satin Antique Carmel sometime around the end of the month for about half the cost of the 915's.

[pjlama]

Very good value!

[manicmando]

i bought the Eastman it has barley been played it was his first mandolin it needs breaking in something bad but i can tell its going to be sweet mine looks different than most 615s ive seen

[DryBones]

Congrats on the new Mando! Play the heck out of it! Let's see some pics!

[manicmando]

my files are too big ill have some new ones tomorrow

[Greenmando]

I am sure you will enjoy it, I love my 804.

[Mikey G]

I'd probably prefer a Flatiron, but for the money, Eastmans are probably a good mandolin. It's all about what makes you happy. The ones I've played sounded a little thin but they were all new. There's alot of people really loyal to Eastman mandolins just like there are those of us who love our Gibsons, Webers, etc...

[Kevin Briggs]

My buddy plays a nice Eastman F style. The finish is pretty good, and so is the sound. Neither is through the roof, but both are pretty good. I think they are priced just right.

My buddy's is better than the Kentucky I had, and would proabbly be more expensive if it were made in America, but not too much more.

Go for it!

[StatrixBob]

This is my first post here, so please forgiven an errors in netiquette I might commit...

Yesterday FedEx delivered my new Eastman 615 (blemished 2nd - though I'd be hard pressed to tell you why now that I've seen it). It was to be my first mandolin, but ended up being my second. It seems MAS set in even before I'd gotten my first instrument. Here's the scoop on why I chose Eastman and Gianna Violin.

I live in Honolulu and looked around at music stores I could get to easily finding exactly 2 mandolins, neither very appealing. (If you want a ukelele by all means shop in Honolulu and you can get guitars anywhere, but not mandolins, though you do see them from time to time here in the wild). Barring a trip to the mainland to purchase one, assuming I'd even know what a good one was as a neophyte, it seemed the net was the way to go.

At my price point and based on the reviews I'd seen here, Eastman seemed like a good choice and by going through Mr. Perry at Gianna Violin and having it mandovoodoo'd I could be reasonably sure it would be setup as properly as could be (seems to be). The savings I got by getting a blemished 2nd paid for the mandovoodoo process. I also had the walrus bridge and nut set installed. I figured I might give myself the best chance of getting a decent sounding instrument. Since I really had nothing to compare it to I was pretty much flying blind.

Mr. Perry was excellent to deal with on the phone and sounds like a real nice fellow. And Gianna, with whom I corresponded via email, is a gem. [I have no financial interest here - but I'd do business with them again in a heartbeat.]

After I'd ordered, but before it arrived, I got to reading the thread on Fullerton mandos and started thinking (always dangerous for me). I ordered a Gloucester but because I live in Hawaii shipping was not free. On the other hand with the extra discount having it sent 2nd day air simply put the price back to $200. It arrived last Friday. I got lucky and it was set up reasonably well (tunable and playable as far as I can tell) and didn't have some of the cosmetic problems others have had.

I was able to work through a few tunes on it which impressed the heck out of me as I've never played mandolin before and hadn't played guitar much since playing classical style from ages 11-14 [which was <sigh> 35 years ago]. Essentially this is my first attempt at music in a long time.

Then the Eastman arrived yesterday...

Simply put, to my ears it blows the Fullerton out of the water (as it should given the difference in their prices). The action is far, far smoother and the tone is much, much nicer. Much.

Am I sorry I bought the Fullerton? Absolutely not. I'm glad to have it for a couple of reasons...

1. It can go to the beach without fear. In Hawaii this is actually a pretty big deal.
2. I'm very glad to have something to which I could compare the Eastman. Listening to MP3 tracks really doesn't do the job for me as it's hard to tell how good the player is, how good the recording is, or even, as I discovered, what kind of pick is being used and how that is being held!

All in all I'm very happy with my Eastman and am looking forward to learning how to play. I've managed to learn very simple picking for Arkansas Traveler and Red Haired Boy so far and can even keep up with my metronome provided it's pretty slow. I'm reading all the "beginner" threads here and am getting some idea of how to proceed.

It seems there are monthly jams in a park here on Oahu that I found on Bluegrass Hawaii Events (http://www.bluegrasshawaii.com/events.html). I plan on going to those to find folks who can get me going in the right direction. And besides, I strongly suspect it's probably a bunch of fun.

[JEStanek]

StatrixBob,

Thanks for the review and Welcome to the Cafe'. #You may find the Fullerton to play a bit better with some better strings on it. #Most of the strings on the imported mandolins I've played (Johnson, Morgan Monroe, Trinity College, and Kentucky) at various times in my buying lifetime have been pretty low quality.

Just change them out 1 at a time so you don't loose your bridge position. #Decent medium guage strings should serve you well. #Then you get to begin the wild ride of finding what strings suit your mandolins and you the best. #Lotsa folks like the D'Addario J74s. #I like the Jazzmando.com JM11 flatwounds. #I've also played the coated elixer strings (maybe those would be better out near that salty surfy air).

Ain't it great to be happy!

Jamie
edit: BTW I love, love, love my Kamaka Uke my wife brought me back from HI last year!

[big h]

I just put some light wait Elixers on my 515 and it sounds realy good!

[StatrixBob]

I'll bet you do love your Kamaka - they are great instruments.

As for the Fullerton, don't get me wrong, it's not that hard to play. I imagine having someone really check the set up would help too.

I'm glad to have both. Now about my next mandolin... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[DryBones]

sounds like its time for an oval hole or a flat-top. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim Nollman]

One interesting thing about Eastman's F5 clones, in my experience, #is that the model numbers (and cost) tell you almost nothing about sound quality. If possible, you want to find a room full of them and play as many as you can before choosing your special mandolin. I think you will discover, as I did, that a #515 has as much of a chance of sounding better than a 915, as vice versa. What the higher numbered models mostly seem to offer, is fancy binding and gold hardware.

One other thing to consider. I don't know what the brand new ones are like, but I do know that my 2005 515 has many of the so-called upgrades of a 615. That may no longer be true, but this info may provide you with some#incentive to search for an older 515. I love playing my Eastman.

[Stephen Perry]

Before setup and break in. Green mandolins are notoriously fickle. Not just Eastman, all of them! Consistent setup and a couple of hours of play starts to sort them out much more reasonably.

Having seen a number of mandolins come through, I'm thinking that plastic binding doesn't help the tone. And that bound F holes are good.

[MikeEdgerton]

And that bound F holes are good

Bill didn't have bound f holes on his mandolin.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[JEStanek]

And think how much better he could have sounded with bound f-holes... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Re: model numbers and sound quality. Not to get into a big debate about brands I'll genericize. Many folks have posted reports on their trips to mando shops where they've played everything on the wall or behind the case. In many instances, the most expensive model in a line was not the best sounding one to their ear that day. Granted, there are mando to mando variations, states of set-ups in the stores, string age etc, but there are quality standards across the brand (see the thread on cost per hour and how any mando those small shop builders / production builders make meets their specs regardless of trim (i.e., increased price) level.

All that said, I really love my Eastman and would again recommend the brand as a viable option for folks looking for a good mandolin in the 500-2K price range.

Jamie

[stevenmando]

I took the leap a month ago and switched from a bowlback to a Eastman and it is great the sound is great and the more you play them they get better and the price is good to, I bought a 515f and it is beautyful great on the eyes and sounds sweet I think you will be happy with one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bluegrassdan]

Do you folks find the eastmans have a loud and woody sound with a good bark in the chop?

[bradeinhorn]

Do you folks find the eastmans have a loud and woody sound with a good bark in the chop?
I have played 1 out of about 30 that fit that description. Just before I invite the boobirds, I will say that it is all relative and depends on your idea of these qualities.

boobirds, where you at?

[MikeEdgerton]

boobirds, where you at?

Now you've done it. I hope you're proud of yourself. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Kevin Briggs]

The one I played at acoustic music works in Pittsburgh was really, really good. It had the chop, the woody sound, the good action, etc. The finish was not fantastic, bu for the price it was great.

My buddy's is not as good as that, but it is still good. It is not think at all, and he uses it in a bluegrass band, with some good success (Vinegar Creek Constituency, Lancaster, PA).

I have played about four or five in various places that were pretty bad. I mean, they sounded like the Stella I once bought for $140, and were definitely worse than the Alvarez A100 I used to own.

I think you can find very, very good ones, and a good setup from someone like Mr. Stephen Perry will probably do wonders on just about any mandolin.

Hey Steve, when you getting back with Aerosmith? Lol, I just had to do that. I've been sitting on that one for a while. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ShaneJ]

You mean Journey, Dog? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Mikey G]

The headstock inlay is....well, hmmm, pretty basic. Other than that and being a little thin, they are priced accordingly for the demographic they are targeting with these mandolins: a decent mandolin at a decent price.

[MikeEdgerton]

The headstock inlay is....well, hmmm, pretty basic.

When I first saw my old 615 I thought the same but in looking at it at least they didn't grab that headstock inlay that's on just about every other pacrim mandolin sold. There's a certain elegance to the simplicity of the Eastmn headstock that is actually refreshing.

[hanknc]

I have been in the Gibson OAI showroom here in W-S and played all the new Gibsons from the distressed Master Models and Bill Monroes down to the A9's and you know what? The used Eastman 815 they had on trade in sounded as good as any of them. There was one used F5L that was close.

Now, I know this is going to burn Mr. Braidenhorn's earlob sockets so I'll just say this: It's all relative! Maybe I just need to try out a Sullivan? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bradeinhorn]

I have been in the Gibson OAI showroom here in W-S and played all the new Gibsons from the distressed Master Models and Bill Monroes down to the A9's and you know what? The used Eastman 815 they had on trade in sounded as good as any of them. There was one used F5L that was close.
If that is the case, the mandolin buying public at large is really getting shafted, and Gibson, especially, should be frightened to death. I hope you bought that Eastman.

I promise, that is the last thing I will say on this.

And do try a Sullivan if you get the chance.

Ok guys, I could be wrong here but would I be correct in assuming that
1. Gibson (for instance)/ & Eastman mandolins are carved throughout by hand.
2. They are both made of very similar woods (quality and type of)
3. The production and assembly tecniques are pretty much the same with Gib vs Eas.
4. some Eastman mandolins are voiced and set up etc better than others.
5. Some Gibson/webber/whatever mandolins are set up and voiced etc better than others.
Now then, I am a staunch socialist and this would lead me to beieve that all hand made mandolins are equal.(discounting the added cost of ornamentation.....which would of course be outlawed under my reigime)
I know its a suply and demand and status(this would also be outlawed) thing but realisticaly speaking would you say that in a sensible no nonsense hard nosed world this must be the case??

Just wondering.
Comrade Dawg.
(Whats that in my cheek? Oh, its my toung)

[MikeEdgerton]

I had a great Eastman 615. My Gibson F5G is just better. It's louder and it sounds better. The price difference actually gets you something no matter what anyone wants to tell you.

[bradeinhorn]

Sheesh-

I was supposed to be done commenting here, but saying all handmade instruments are equal is utter nonsense - case in point - this website.

I agree that after a certain point, price vs. overall volume/tone quality improvement is hard to rationalize, but come on! If Gibson, Collings, or the plethora of talented builders out there charging similar prices for their instruments were truly making products that weren't seen as an upgrade to any eastman on the market, there wouldn't be much to discuss here. I think it's excellent that some people are happy with their eastmans, but all status aside, when I hear someone say that an eastman is superior in a side to side comparison to #a DMM as discussed above, I just have to make this face #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JHo]

Hey Bradeinhorn.

I'm curious, what website is that supposed to link to? I get a Mandolin Cafe "file not found" message when I click on that link.

QUOTE _ Comrade Dawg.
Whats that in my cheek? Oh, its my tongue (of course, not toung)

So just make that face, its a good one.
DD


[B]

[MikeEdgerton]

I think it went to this (http://www.mandolincafe.com) one.

[bradeinhorn]

never played one. no comment.

[Five]

Hey hanknc,
I played that 815 also. It was a good one. Someone got a good mando. It didn't stay long. I've played those mandos also. Thoght the Fern had a chance and the used F5l also.

[Mikey G]

[QUOTE]Do you folks find the eastmans have a loud and woody sound with a good bark in the chop?

Nope...loud, woody, sustain and a good bark are not characteristics of the ones I've heard, or played. If you have one that has these qualities, congratulations: I'm sure there are some out there that are pretty good mandolins, especially for the cost.

[MikeEdgerton]

Don't y'all hold your breath waiting for the bottom to drop out of the Loar market.

You might want to do some reading on the life of Roy Smeck. There might be some interesting aspects that could apply here.

[hanknc]

"I think it's excellent that some people are happy with their eastmans, but all status aside, when I hear someone say that an eastman is superior in a side to side comparison to a DMM as discussed above, I just have to make this face "


I didn't say the Eastman in question was superior to anything. It was a very nice instrument that played and sounded as good as any of the Gibsons that were present regardless of Mr. Braidenhorn's smiley faced skepticism.

Obviously our Eastman experiences have lead us to draw different conclusions. I say that Eastman is a remarkable value and that they can compare favorably to instruments costing thousands of dollars more.

I have played maybe a half dozen Eastmans (out of how many? dozens?) that can keep up with any Gibson I have ever played.

But I went looking for an Eastman. I haven't been Gibson shopping, yet.

[Mikey G]

MOST people, well some people, buy mandolins they can afford, and in general, I'd say an Eastman would fit in the category of being a decent mandolin at a good price. A guy who owns a local music store said that Eastmans are like a Cadillac and a Gibson is like a Mercedes. I haven't owned a Cadillac nor a Mercedes either. but I get his drift. I do own three Gibsons and love playing all of them, although the F5L gets most of my time.

My dad was a GM man and that's all he'd buy because he was so loyal to the brand. A lot of us are probably the same way when it comes to our mandos. I've heard a few that just sounded better than mine, and I've heard a few that weren't close, but I realize to the owner of those instruments that they might feel they're the Holy Grail they've been looking for. More power to them...people deserve to have an instrument that they truly love: it makes paying for them a whole lot easier.

[Eric F.]

"The Loar period at Gibson was their low point" - Norman Blake. Are Loars any good? Norman Blake answered your question. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[MikeEdgerton]

I may have to consider my statement regarding the bottom dropping out of the Loar market. I mean if Norman says so.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[JEStanek]

Personally, I would consider the Eastman more like a Honda or a Toyota. An excellent instrument that will serve most people's needs. You can use it to make music on it and it will sound like music. Maybe they aren't high performance instruments like some other kinds that cost more.

I don't need a racecar to drive to work. Just cause that sports car can drive 200mph doesn't mean I can do it on the streets. Just cause I own a fancy expensive high performance mandolin I'm not gonna play like Thile/Marshall/Dawg/O'Brien/etc.

To the OP question, Eastman mandolins, Any good? I think it is safe to say, yes! Are there better (even in their price range) mmmmaybee, are there worse ones in their price range, mmmaybee.

Personally, I don't like the so-n-so blew the whosie whatsit outta the water stuff. I think all it does is tick off people who own the whosie whatsit. If I had my choice, I would rather be able to pick like Dawg on my mandolin (even my Johnson oval hole!) than where I'm at plinking mostly ineptly on a more expensive instrument.

Jamie

Jamie

[Eric F.]

Agreed, Jamie. I don't think there's much competition for Eastman at the $600 level in a carved mandolin. But once you start getting to a grand and up, there are all kinds of possibilities. Breedloves are about $1,000. The basic Arches was $1,200 when I got mine. There's a Newell in the classifieds for $1,100. That would probably float my boat over any Eastman I've played, but someone else might not like it.

I think that a facility like Eastman's probably produces a few really great mandos, a few really bad ones and a lot of pretty good ones. It's the nature of almost any kind of production facility like that. I think that's why a lot of people remark that they see no consistent upgrade in sound from the 500 level Eastmans to the higher end ones.

I have no stake in whether people buy Eastmans or Loars. Get what makes you happy and fits the budget.

[DryBones]

I think Eastman is going to get some competition from JBovier if my new Tradition F5 is an indicator of the whole line.

[JEStanek]

I'm looking forward to one day ordering a Bussman Alfredo and a Brentrupp Merkel Spaghetti reproduction. Those blow the olives offa everything I've never played.

Eric, you're spot on with those other builders/brands in the 1K plus range. I think I'll always be an Eastman fan but I'll stick to my buying advice given to me... play as many as you can and buy the one that you can afford that sings to you most regardless of body shape or headstock inlay.

It's amazing to me to think that 10 years ago we probably wouldn't have had this conversation because there were so few choices out there. It's a great time to love the mandolin.

Jamie

[Eric F.]

Here's a fuller version of the quote:

"I’m not very fond of snakeheads. I’m not fond of the Loar-era, round-hole mandolins. The necks are too narrow and their intonation is rotten. Many Gibson and Martin instruments have rotten intonation, always have had from day one. The Loar period at Gibson was their low point."

I dragged it up mostly to have some fun with you, Pager. I admire both David Bromberg and Norman Blake, but I'll let them like what instruments they like and I'll like what instruments I like. That's what makes the world an interesting place. ...

[allenhopkins]

One thing that got me interested in Eastman instruments, was that several of the dealers whom I most respected started carrying them -- Stutzman's and Bernunzio's here in Rochester, the Music Emporium in MA, etc.

To again quote John Prine, "They are what they are, and they ain't what they ain't." I wouldn't put them up against mandolins costing twice as much. But they neatly filled a niche between the low-price imported "beginner" instruments, and the professional grade, higher cost mandolins.

I've been very happy with my 615 mandola, which I consider a good value for the price I paid. I'm sure others have had varied experiences, based on their individual preferences and the individual instruments they have tried. I do find it a bit presumptuous to approve or dismiss the entire output of a manufacturer, based on a limited number of anecdotal experiences, but really, what else do we have to go on?

At least, I doubt anyone trying an Eastman will find serious fit and finish issues, inferior hardware, mis-cut nuts, unacceptable intonation, or other problems sometimes found on less expensive instruments.

[relakst]

Jeepers, you guys here don't seem to know what you are talking about!

A "product specialist" at a local music store (which will remain unnamed) strolled in to the room while I was trying the Eastmans and he told me they were high end mandolins hand made in the United States. So I repeated, "Really? Hand made in the States?" And as he was saying, "That's right", I was looking right at the label inside the mandolin. Apparently, the label makers are liars, too! I was so dumbfounded, I was speechless. (I had no speech):p

[JEStanek]

While they are manufactured in China, it's a US Company HQed in Maryland. Probably just confused. Who ever saw a ukulele with a scroll anyway? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Jamie

[f5joe]

I believe the US distribution is located in Maryland. To my knowledge, the company is Chinese.

[re simmers]

How long have Eastman's been around? Just curious about how they hold up structurally over time.

[hanknc]

The earliest post I could find on the Cafe Message Board about them was from June '05. So they've been around a couple years at least. I know that they were making viol family instruments for much longer than that.

FWIW I've had mine since December '06 and it is doing fine.