Re: Eastman MD514 vs Eastman MD614
In general, the main differences as you go up the Eastman line are cosmetic -- nicer woods, gold hardware, more binding, etc.
The 614 has a pickup, which is great if you need it, irrelevant if you don't. I trust Robert's summary above of the differences he's seen as a dealer.
The differences among individual instruments can well outweigh any overall differences based on construction specs. Each piece of wood differs somewhat from the next piece of wood; two instruments of the same model, made within a day or two of each other, can sound quite different. So, if you have a chance to play individual 514's and 614's, I'd pick the one that "spoke" to me regardless of model.
When I bought my Eastman mandola, I had a choice of two 615's and an 815. I picked one of the 615's because I liked the sound better. If cosmetics are important to you, the "600" series are definitely fancier. Otherwise, as my old instrument-shop boss Eldon Stutzman used to say, "If you can't tell the difference, buy the cheaper one."
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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