Rhombuss
Aug-20-2007, 7:12pm
I've been a bowlback player for the past few months (thanks to these forums) and I'm feeling the urge to grab an A-style. I don't have an extremely restrictive budget, but getting "value" for something under $1000 would be a plus. I've searched around and it seems the general consensus for entry-level mandolins resides with Michael Kelly and Eastman, primarily. It also seems the majority prefer the tone of Eastman mandolins over the MK price-equivalents.
With that said, I'm eyeing the Eastman MD505, MD605 and MD805D. Unlike most, I actually find the two-point versions the most aesthetically pleasing, however the A-style is fine with me as well. Since I'm on somewhat of a "budget", there's no real justification for me to get an F-style and pay for the additional physical features.
Locally, a store in Toronto (12th Fret) sells the MD505 for $630CDN ($600 USD), the MD605 for $870CDN ($830 USD), and the MD805D for $1200CDN ($1140 USD). With these prices in mind, my tendency would be to get the MD505.
I've found one of Eastman's distributors in Virginia (Poky's Music, if anyone can comment on them as well, it'd be appreciated) and their prices for new instruments are quite a bit lower than the MSRP. They're selling the MD605 for $500 USD, and the MD805D for $900 USD. Now with these prices, I'd almost tend towards the MD605, considering it's priced lower than a local MD505, I wouldn't have to pay the sales tax, although shipping (and possibly customs charges) would apply.
Also, I've discovered that the Mandolin Store is selling a used MD805D for $800. Again, no sales tax but shipping required. Like I stated before, I find the 2-point most pleasing, but it's not a necessity and shouldn't be a determinate. I'm considering it mainly for the fact that it's 30% less than what I could get locally.
I've also taken a look at Gianna's page here (http://www.giannaviolins.com/esmando/type/A.html) that has a nice rundown of the differences between the various models. Unless I'm mistaken, the differences are all wood finish and hardware related. Is there anything that discerns these mandolins that would actually affect the tonal quality etc.?
With all this considered, I'm still leaning towards the MD605 from Poky's Music (unless someone can direct me to an even cheaper source). Would the premium I'd pay to purchase it locally be justified with the convenience of having a local luthier/repairshop incase something does go awry? Albeit, I believe Eastman has a lifetime warranty on their products, so that might be a non-issue.
Comments or recommendations are appreciated! Thanks in advance.
With that said, I'm eyeing the Eastman MD505, MD605 and MD805D. Unlike most, I actually find the two-point versions the most aesthetically pleasing, however the A-style is fine with me as well. Since I'm on somewhat of a "budget", there's no real justification for me to get an F-style and pay for the additional physical features.
Locally, a store in Toronto (12th Fret) sells the MD505 for $630CDN ($600 USD), the MD605 for $870CDN ($830 USD), and the MD805D for $1200CDN ($1140 USD). With these prices in mind, my tendency would be to get the MD505.
I've found one of Eastman's distributors in Virginia (Poky's Music, if anyone can comment on them as well, it'd be appreciated) and their prices for new instruments are quite a bit lower than the MSRP. They're selling the MD605 for $500 USD, and the MD805D for $900 USD. Now with these prices, I'd almost tend towards the MD605, considering it's priced lower than a local MD505, I wouldn't have to pay the sales tax, although shipping (and possibly customs charges) would apply.
Also, I've discovered that the Mandolin Store is selling a used MD805D for $800. Again, no sales tax but shipping required. Like I stated before, I find the 2-point most pleasing, but it's not a necessity and shouldn't be a determinate. I'm considering it mainly for the fact that it's 30% less than what I could get locally.
I've also taken a look at Gianna's page here (http://www.giannaviolins.com/esmando/type/A.html) that has a nice rundown of the differences between the various models. Unless I'm mistaken, the differences are all wood finish and hardware related. Is there anything that discerns these mandolins that would actually affect the tonal quality etc.?
With all this considered, I'm still leaning towards the MD605 from Poky's Music (unless someone can direct me to an even cheaper source). Would the premium I'd pay to purchase it locally be justified with the convenience of having a local luthier/repairshop incase something does go awry? Albeit, I believe Eastman has a lifetime warranty on their products, so that might be a non-issue.
Comments or recommendations are appreciated! Thanks in advance.