Km900, md605 sb, etc.

[ceh423]

I am looking to uograde to an A model and found some deals on the Km900 and a md605 sb. I’ve owned 1 Eastman F model do I know the feel of a radius fretboard and owned a cheaper model so I know a feel of a flat fretboard. Both of those mandolins are $700 or less used. Your thoughts on either A model and if you can really tell a difference in the fretboards.

[pheffernan]

Your thoughts on either A model and if you can really tell a difference in the fretboards.

I can definitely tell a difference in the fretboards, and I prefer a radius, although that factor is just one of many in playability (neck profile, fret size, etc.) and for me not the decisive one. Still, I tend to think of it as a first world problem, and that if I had to adapt to a suboptimal board, I certainly could and would. In this instance, I wouldn't let it deter me from choosing the instrument with better tone, and the KM900's draw more praise in these fora than the MD605's.

[LongBlackVeil]

if you can get a km900 for 700 just do that, no questions asked. These are just about as good as it gets under 1000 imo

I can definitely feel the difference between flat and radiused. But i have no clue what you will like. I prefer flat but i dont think its the biggest deal in the world. Others do

[Joey Anchors]

Another thing to consider between these two models is their tonal characteristics. The KM900 will have that dry bluegrass tone and the MD605 will have a more modern tone. (If it’s a well played in Eastman)