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Hi there. I've been reading this site for a while since I bought a Kentucky oval mandolin.
I love playing it and I'm now looking for an F hole mandolin to play too. I'm looking to spend about $500 max.
There was someone at this week's jam that said they would sell me their Eastman 305 for $400. Is that a good price?
Just now I saw on this site an Eastman 505 for $500.
Is it worth it to spend the extra $100?
Thanks!
Stevo
I think $500 is a great price for that 505. I had one and it was a very good mandolin. I think 305's are very good, but you can get them for ~$400 pretty regularly. I would jump on that 505.
Ok. Thanks! What are the main differences between the 2? I see in the Eastman website that one has a gloss finish and one has matte finish. Is that the only difference?
Thanks!
Stevo
505 has a nice cast tailpiece (I really like the Eastman tailpiece) vs the generic cheapo on the 305.
slightly better tuners I believe on the 505. I think the rest is pretty much the same.
One more cosmetic difference is the 505 has a bound fingerboard.
Ok thanks!
I'll contact the seller of the 505.
I appreciate your help!
Stevo
Good luck. I love the look of the finish on that 505.
My 505 was the mandolin that made the phrase 'bell-like tones' make sense to me. A real instrument.
I enjoyed my 505 until I started to go play mandolins at Gryphon. Just don't do that and you will be fine.
Thanks!
There are 2 other mandolins that caught my eye.
A Kentucky 505 for $495 and a Kentucky 250 for $250. How do they compare to the Eastman 505?
I own a Kentucky 272 and like it quite a lot. I paid a lot more than $250 for it new, but I gather it is of similar quality to the Kentucky 250.
Thanks again!
Stevo
Don't know about the Kentucky 505, but $250 is a good price for a KM-250. I love my KM-150, and those go for more than $250 used right now. Not sure what makes the KM-250 and upgrade (looks like a slightly more stylish fingerboard, little more inlay on the headstock).
Here is the answer to the 150 vs 250 question: https://www.folkmusician.com/blogs/m...m-250-mandolin
I have a Kentucky KM -805 I paid $600 for (actually it was a trade, value of the traded instrument was $600,) if you can find one I would say it was worth the $600 (so if you could find one for $500, grab it!)
Thanks for the help!
Stevo
+1 for the km505. I owned one several years ago. It hit way above its weight class.
You cant go wrong with this used Eastman 315 in the classifieds......
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/138400#138400
NFI
+1 on Charley's recommendation!Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles E.
FYI The Eastman 300 series mandolins come with a cast tailpiece now.
I'd like to add that Eastmans in general seem to be getting better all the time. I try to play a 315 when I go into stores. Impressed more and more each time.
I saw that on a spec sheet but have not seen a photo of of a 300 with the cast tailpiece yet. That would be something.Quote:
Originally Posted by RobBob
My MD315 bought in Dec has a cast tailpiece. I just checked and the picture of the MD315 on the Eastman site still doesn't show the cast tailpiece, lol. The Mandolin Store still shows the old pics and has the old description. Elderly now has pics with the cast tailpiece (but still calls out the stamped tailpiece in the details).
Here's a picture I found with the cast tailpiece.
Attachment 176296
Here's a screen shot from Elderly, with the pic of the tailpiece but the incorrect description in the details.
Attachment 176299
Radius fretboard, fancier, the body is smaller than 150. I had one, always sounded flat and quiet, I sold it. My 150 is a beast in the sound department.Quote:
Originally Posted by vetus scotia
I got an Eastman 304 at The Mandolin Store earlier in April and it has the cast tailpiece. I love the mandolin, but everyone thinks the sound on my 1905 Washburn bowl back is better 😂
Some of the bowl-backs, even more recent or low-end ones can sound pretty good indeed. But to my mind they are somewhat of a home or safe-environment instrument, not suitable for every occasion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Screenclassics
Thanks for the advice! I was too slow to pull the trigger on any of those instruments and they sold to other people.
I did, however, respond to a local ad and bought a used JBovier A5 that was in my budget. It is a great mando! Very different sounding than my Kentucky oval. I like the neck profile better too.
Best, Stevo
Kentucky ~~ Eastman is kinda a Chevy ~~ Ford thing. I like my Eastman 305 but then it is my campfire mandolin~~I LOVE my Collings MT2 but then there are other opinions!
Best