Re: Eastman md305 vs md305
Originally Posted by
flagstaffcharlie
I apologize if this is a bit of a lazy question. I'm considering buying one of these (or maybe an md 515) from one of the Cafe sponsors.
I can see pretty easily what I'm getting in terms of visuals. Am I losing anything in terms of tone or playability by going with a 300 series Eastman?
I admit to usually being a made in USA guy, but there is no denying that Eastman makes good quality stuff. I have my hands on quite a few of their mandolins and guitars, and I've been pretty impressed.
Also, I'm mostly a guitarist who dabbles in mandolin family instruments. I enjoy picking fiddle tunes. I don't need a world class bluegrass chopper.
As always, thank you!
I own both a 300 series and 600 series Eastman mandolins and I have to say without a doubt the 615 is better sounding. Playability is about the same on all Eastmans but I have never heard a 305 or a 315 that sounded as good as the 505 or 515. To me the 300 series have that "cheaper mandolin" sound. Not to say that it's not a pleasant tone from the 300's but you definitely get closer to the woody, warm Gibson tone with the 500's and up. To my ears the major leap in quality in finish and tone is found going from the 300 to 500 series. They are better made instruments in my opinion and I've never understood all the MC members statements that basically all Eastmans sound the same with the only improvement being the fit and finish in the upper numbers. This makes no sense to me and I've played ALOT of Eastmans and have NEVER heard a 300 that sounded as good as the 515, 615 or 815 and especially the 915. That being said the difference in sound from the 515 to the 915 is a lot less than one would expect. It seems like the dividing line in the Eastmans is between the 300's and the 500's. If tone and finish are not as important to you than I'd go with the 305. My suggestion would be to play both and decide for yourself.
And of course now they've got 400's with some unique finish options but I've never played any of these.
"All music is folk music, i ain't never heard no horse sing a song"- Louie Armstrong
Eastman md-314
Eastman md-615
Martin D-35
Takamine gd-20ns
pre-war German "Stradivarius" violin
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