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Thread: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

  1. #1

    Default need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    approximate value please?
    thanks

  2. #2

    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

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  3. #3

    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    Attachment 170174

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    thanks for the help

  4. #4
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    I don't know how vintage it is if it's an Eastman. The company started in 1992 building violins and I don't think they built mandolins until 2004.
    Anyhow, it may be one of their early bowlback mandolins since the headstock is slotted.
    A picture of the label might help. Even so, the more recent bowlbacks from Eastman sold new for about$1500-$1600. And used you see them for about half that. I'm not sure yours would have any additional value due to its seemingly earlier production year, and likely would be lower in value as their production improved over time.

  5. #5

    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    $200 would be a great price?
    if in good condition

  6. #6
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    I believe Al is right about Eastman being a recent company. I've never seen an Eastman like that. The slotted headstock usually indicates European origin. Is there no label inside? The bowl has a lot of ribs which is usually a good thing. Most important is the joint where the neck meets the body. Bowlbacks often fail there which usually means they are of little or no value. They are unplayable and the cost to fix them is far more than they are worth.
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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    The long fingerboard extension over the oval soundhole, and the "arm rest" at the lower end of the body, are similar to Eastman features, though the Eastmans I've seen don't have them identically shaped.

    The slotted headstock I haven't seen on Eastmans, though if it's a really early model of their bowl-backs it's possible that they made some with that feature.

    I'd hate to hazard a guess as to market price. Eastman bowl-backs are well-made, from all reports, but there's limited demand for new bowl-backs. Here's one listed on Reverb for $900 including shipping, but that seems really optimistic to me.
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    Looks somewhat over-built to me.

    $5-700 range, if it's in good playing order and has decent tone/volume.

  9. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    I don't know. The features look a lot closer to Suzuki mandolins than anything that Eastman made. Perhaps Suzuki made them for Eastman in the early days? eric1975 are you sure it is an Eastman?
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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bob A View Post
    Looks somewhat over-built to me.
    The one Suzuki I owned had a neck like a Louisville Slugger.

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    Default Re: need help with value of vintage Eastman bowlback?

    I have played 2 of the Eastman bowl backs. They were unremarkable.
    As to value, I could not say as it would not be on my shopping list.

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