Re: Mandocello, goldtone and Eastman comparisons please
I own an Eastman mandocello, and my take on it is that it's basically an eight-string arch-top guitar –– same neck profile, body, etc. It sounds really good, with a sharper attack and more mid-range sound than my Gibson K-1 mandolin-bodied mandocello. Excellent overall construction, though the tailpiece did let go under string tension -- Eastman replaced it at no charge, and the new one seems better designed, without the weak "hinge" point. I have no hesitation in recommending the Eastman, but IMHO it's not very "mandolin-ish."
Haven't played the Gold Tone, but I will note that it has some features the Eastman lacks: narrower neck, cutaway body for access to the upper frets (do mandocello players go for the upper frets, I wonder?), pickup system. Plus it's much less expensive. I own three Gold Tone instruments (travel banjo, "banjola," cello banjo), and have found the quality quite good, especially for the price.
You say you "prefer low-end growl," so let me say that an f-hole, guitar body mandocello may give you less of that, than the older style, oval-hole instruments like the Gibson. The carved f-hole tops tend to have a sharper, mid-range-ish "cutting" tone, which could be better for lead, not as good for bass support. Of course, with the Gibson K's, you get their "baseball bat" necks, not as easy to get around on, and you're dealing with at least a 75-year-old instrument, whatever that may imply. Plus, prices have edged up closer to $3K than $2K at the lowest; I paid $1.5K for mine, but that was a while ago. Just a thought.
Last edited by allenhopkins; Sep-07-2018 at 1:15pm.
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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