Eastman md 305a or Kentucky km252 artist

[Br1ck]

That statement is the divide between a lot of the people asking questions and many of those giving answers. To many of the folks here, $1700 is affordable. For the guy asking about $50 upgrades on a $400 instrument, $1700 may as well be $10,000.

And maybe the guy has half a mil in the bank and thinks you need to play really well to deserve a good mandolin. Neither of us really know. FYI, the most I've ever paid for a mandolin is $1400. I'm building one right now trying to get a $4000 sound for $1000.

[Bill Kammerzell]

And maybe the guy has half a mil in the bank and thinks you need to play really well to deserve a good mandolin. Neither of us really know. FYI, the most I've ever paid for a mandolin is $1400. I'm building one right now trying to get a $4000 sound for $1000.

If it works you can still start selling them for $2500.00!

[Br1ck]

If it works you can still start selling them for $2500.00!

One thing building a mandolin has done is debunk my previous idea that $4000 was a lot for a mandolin. I think if I was to sell my mandolin for $2500, I'd be paying myself half minimum wage.LOL!

Of course I'd get better and work up to minimum wage by the third or fourth mandolin. Much better if Chris Thele was my brother and would take one out on the road. Instant $7000.

[mandolin tony]

Br1ck, I'm no millionaire & most of the time I fell like my fingers are all thumbs. I've been looking at the Eastman & the Kentucky & now I see this flatiron at Elderly for $985.00 how much more bang for the dollar is it for an old guy with stiff fingers just trying to be real & not go crazy like I did with buying a good banjo.

[Brian Sharpe]

FWIW I went to my local shop a few years ago with a Kentucky model in mind and went home with an Eastman MD504, it was love at first strum and has only gotten better sounding over time.

[mandolin tony]

Brian do you know what brand of tuners are on your 504.

[colorado_al]

Brian do you know what brand of tuners are on your 504.

I believe that the 500 series Eastman mandolins use Schaller tuning machines.
The MNi3. But I don't think Schaller is making those tuners anymore.

Here's a set for $70
https://reverb.com/item/2213551-scha...tuning-peg-set
I still think you'd be better off with the Grover 309n

[Bob Buckingham]

I have an Eastman 315 that is matte finish. I upgraded the tailpiece and tuners but the most important upgrade was replacing the frets from the thin stock frets with medium frets like on a Martin guitar. That really brought out the mid's and lower end of that mandolin and made it easier to play. It is a very good sounding mandolin now.

[mandolin tony]

sorry to say I don't have the money for a KM-900. I will say I love my KM-805. but that's not what I am looking for, I am looking for a satin finish man.dolin & there does not seem to be a hell of a lot of them out there. I liked the Kentucky KM-252, but Dennis from the Mandolin store says the Eastman 305 is a better mandolin

[Bill Kammerzell]

sorry to say I don't have the money for a KM-900. I will say I love my KM-805. but that's not what I am looking for, I am looking for a satin finish man.dolin & there does not seem to be a hell of a lot of them out there. I liked the Kentucky KM-252, but Dennis from the Mandolin store says the Eastman 305 is a better mandolin

I considered offering these guys $500.00 or maybe $550.00 for this KM-900, but I've already got 4 mandolins, which is 3 more then I can play at any one time.

https://reverb.com/item/6328691-kent...urst-2014-s249

[colorado_al]

I considered offering these guys $500.00 or maybe $550.00 for this KM-900, but I've already got 4 mandolins, which is 3 more then I can play at any one time.

https://reverb.com/item/6328691-kent...urst-2014-s249

From the description it sounds like the neck might be a bit problematic

Playability: Plays well with slight compound relief. Truss has minimal adjustability.

[Bill Kammerzell]

From the description it sounds like the neck might be a bit problematic

I asked them a number of questions on that. That's why I likely wouldn't go over $500.00. Plus there is a 72 hour trial. It was a few days ago and I still haven't bitten. Can't believe there are 9 watchers. That's a lot for a Reverb listing.