Eastman 805 Review

Heya, Folks!

Good news.... I recently acquired an Eastman 805, and let me say, I’m very impressed with the value of this mandolin. Although I expected it to be a good mandolin in terms of action and playability, I’m quite happy with the tone as well.

It is a “blem” from the mandolin store, so I got it for under $1k. It’s a good price considering it’s Eastman’s priciest A style. I’ll say, Eastman really delivered on the fit and finish. It’s not flawless, but nearly so, and I’m not sure what is blemished about it is really, really clean.

The tone is bright as heck, and is perhaps one of the loudest mandolins I’ve owned. If I raise the action a bit it the sound remains loud and bright, and gets a bit of him going. Very nice. It’s been a bit of a revelation, because I’ve monkeyed around with dozens of mandolins over the years looking for something I sweat exists, paying thousands of dollars. But, this 805 is teaching me a bit about the market. There is a tonal drop off from some other instruments I’ve owned, sure. But, not a 5 thousand dollar drop off.

I would highly recommend this mandolin who is looking for a good instrument without getting into the $3k range. I’ll also say that, for my preferences, I don’t see why I’d get another production-line mandolin. The only next step I see is a custom build, which is of course another world altogether.

Here’s a quick video capturing the tone and playability. :-)

https://youtu.be/woPYFuOJK0I

Great review!... Also watched your YT review and love your story behind the purchase of this instrument!... You play it really well!

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Originally Posted by soliver

Great review!... Also watched your YT review and love your story behind the purchase of this instrument!... You play it really well!

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Thanks so much, man! Yes, it’s meaningful on many levels. I’m grateful for the mandolin community for all of the options for us players. :-)

I've played several mandolins in my limited time with the instrument. The 805 is my favorite acoustic. Such a nice sound.

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Originally Posted by randybrown

I've played several mandolins in my limited time with the instrument. The 805 is my favorite acoustic. Such a nice sound.

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Yeah, man! It’s a jive mandolin for sure. So sparkly sounding when I put on new strings. It plays great too. I’m really happy with it, and only wish I had purchased one years ago. It might have saved me some money!

Kevin,

Sorry you had to part ways with your most recent “baby,” but glad you found this one! Take heart that it sounds amazing in your hands. The wood and wire do matter, but the real magic is in your fingers!! Thanks for the review here and the YouTube review, and keep picking, brother!

Peace,

Chuck

I have a 604 (oval hole version), love that thing, it's still my main player. After I got it the 305 sits on the shelf. It's had some work done too, refretting to taller frets and a custom nut (made it myself) to change string spacing to improve playability (those two make it feel fantastic to my aging hands). And I added a pickup.

Bright tone can be good in some contexts. It all depends in what context one wants to play a mandolin. I have watched some amazing YouTube videos recently where the mandolin is part of a one person band. The cheaply made Gretch mandolin was fine in that instance.

Is this the end of the road?

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Originally Posted by Nick Gellie

Is this the end of the road?

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Haha. Not a chance, Nick! I do have something exciting brewing, but want to hold off on sharing my giddyness until it's a definite. For now, I'll say it's very exciting.

I've hopped mandolins quite a bit over the past two years and while I have some regrets, I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned. First, I've learned that there are good mandolins and there are special mandolins. I've owned lots of good mandolins from reputable builders like Collings (2), Weber (2), Breedlove (2), Rigel (1), Morris (1), Pomeroy (1), Eastman (2), and Kentucky (2). In that way, I've run the table on bigger name builders, with a few independent builders in the mix. They've all been at least good, but only the Weber Fern (08') was special. I sold it for the money and justified it by focusing on some perceived defects. But. those defects were in my mind, and likely in my hands.

I wish I could have that mandolin back but I can't get in touch with the fellow ho bought it. I think I've been searching for its equivalent or something even nicer since then, but nothing has fit the bill. The lesson is, keep what you like. Keep searching, sure, but the grass is not always greener. It's more likely a different shade of green.

I thought so that something was brewing and this may be just a step towards what you are seeking. Maybe it is a Weber Fern mandolin.

I have decided to take a step back from expensive mandolins and focus on making them. Here is Europe there is a particular price range which people expect to pay for a mandolin. There are plenty of good mandolins out there particularly from the Czech makers but they are hard to come by. Bluegrass is quite popular here in Europe so one has to make mainly F5s because of the look. I prefer making an A-5 because of its simplicity.

That is why I have taken a step back and invested in a 2005 Breedlove KO mandolin. I have decided that the search for tone volume and projection can a Holy Grail and just want something that I don't have much invested in. I have someone interested in the F5 mandolin I made from the Ukraine. We will see how that goes. If I sell it I will have mandolins in Brazil, Galicia, and Ukraine. I have an A5 nearly ready which is probably the best I have made. Lots and lots of care has gone into it and the next one I make hopefully will be even better.

So I look forward to the next instalment in your search. BTW what happened to the Northfield N5S? Or would you prefer not to talk about it.

It’s always fun watching this mandolin journey continue. I liked the Collings a lot but this Eastman seems nice too. Best wishes in your search, Kevin!

Variety is the spice of life. But a good solid reproducible cuppa Joe is a delight. I have a mandolin I think I will keep forever while I could let any of the others go. I wish I could say the same for digital cameras but they are still making quantum leaps in technology every few years. Thankfully, you could (almost) easily get a 100 year old mandolin that meets your needs totally.

I do like getting my hands on different mandolins. If for no other reason than to know how happy I am with what I have. Other folks really enjoy mixing it up. That's great, too.

Jamie

I was thinking just then of some of Jethro Burns mandolin recordings. Tonally they are a bit scratchy although they are spot on rhythmically. Most people today would find it hard to perform with the mandolins he had. We are very blessed really.

Good choice! Enjoy. I love my Eastman.