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Thread: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

  1. #1
    Registered User Doug Brock's Avatar
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    Default Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Over the weekend my wife was asking me what she could get me for Christmas. I told her I could use a new pair of shoes for work - mine are getting pretty worn. She said she wanted something that I'd really enjoy, a musical instrument. I told her that I was thinking about a good upgrade to my Eastman MD-505, but that would probably be in the $2000-3000 range, and we've had a hard year financially (I had stage 3 colon cancer and 11 days in the hospital, surgery to remove part of my colon due to malignant tumor, and five months of Chemo), so that upgrade would need to wait a year or two or three.

    She asked if there wasn't something on the lower end that I'd still enjoy. I told her about the popularity of the "entry-level" MD-315 and that I'd played one a few months ago while on a trip and was impressed by it. She jumped at that idea and said that I could sell or trade it when I was ready for the big upgrade. I should have resisted more, but I agreed. She ordered one from The Mandolin Store last night.

    This morning as I was getting ready for work, I realized that I was more excited for a Christmas present than I had been in no telling how long. No, it isn't a big upgrade, but it is an F-style body with an older, woodier voice than my MD-505, and a great bang for the buck. Big smile.

    Counting the days to Christmas, lol! (Sorry if this all sounds too self-centered. I just thought that if anybody could really appreciate my excitement, it would be the folks here!)
    Doug Brock
    2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles

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  3. #2
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    I loved my MD 315 (my first mandolin).

    It is probably wise to consider it as the mando version of a Gateway Drug, though...

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  5. #3

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Congrats, enjoy the scroll. :-)
    Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
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    ************** Caleb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Cool story. I used to have a 505 too. It was super nice, but very modern-sounding and kind of quiet. I played a 305 once that sounded a lot drier and more mature. I now have a Collings MT that I love the sound of.
    ...

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  9. #5
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Flatpicnut best wishes on your full recovery and on that new mandolin, enjoy it until you can upgrade but remember you ain't supposed to sell mandolins just buy more.

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  11. #6

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandoplumb View Post
    Flatpicnut best wishes on your full recovery and on that new mandolin, enjoy it until you can upgrade but remember you ain't supposed to sell mandolins just buy more.
    It will make a dandy camper someday. More impressed with these every time I've played them.
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  13. #7
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    At one time I owned a 314 and a 315, great mandolins. The only reason I sold them was to help fund my Girouard.

    Have a merry Christmas!
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  15. #8
    Registered User Doug Brock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Charley, I've really been enjoying the recent Girouard thread! Beautiful instruments with very happy owners!
    Doug Brock
    2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles

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    Registered User Dave Fultz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    I am glad for you. Especially your recovery. All the best...

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  18. #10

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Congrats! I just bought me a new MD-315 as well. I can't put the thing down! This was a downgrade for me from my Kentucky KM-1000, but I honestly enjoy playing it a lot more than the KM-1000 (with its radiused fret board and all). As far as tone, volume, and play-ability goes, there is no need for an upgrade...ever. I have always been a minimalist, so this is the prefect instrument for me. I have no need for more expensive fancy binding and inlays, etc. For me it is all about the play-ability and sound, and this one has both down pat.

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  20. #11

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Yay! The 315 started me on my mando journey. Enjoy and best wishes for your continued recovery.
    Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7

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  22. #12

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    The 300 series are really nice instruments. Enjoy!

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  24. #13
    Registered User Tom Hart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    You were right to post it here. Few people at work want to hear us ramble on about a Christmas present. Forum readers are just as excited as you are for a new mandolin story. Great wife, great recovery, enjoy!

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  26. #14
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Play it in good health!

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  28. #15
    Registered User jpugh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    You'll love it!
    I have a 315 and a 99 flatiron a, and in terms of playability and tone,....it's real close,...plus, you know,... the scroll!😳😜
    Glad to hear your health scare is over!
    Merry Christmas/Happy Hollidays to all!

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  30. #16

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    merry Christmas to you & your loving wife !. she sounds like one great lady. also glad to hear you are ok. I have a 305 great little mandolin, a keeper no matter what I may buy down the road.

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  32. #17
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Here is a prayer that you, your supportive wife and your Eastman have many happy and (most importantly) healthy years together!

    Enjoy.

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  34. #18
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Merry Christmas! I picked up a 315 on clearance at a branch of a big box store a few years ago to use as a “beater,” but I really like the thing. You’ll notice a difference in the cheaper tuners, but they’re functional, and I wouldn’t trade mine for a couple of 500 and 600 models I’ve played recently. Enjoy, and congratulations on your cure/recovery!!
    Chuck

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  36. #19

    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    It sounds as if you have a fine and understanding wife. God bless her.

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  38. #20
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    That is a solid choice in an F Style. And I agree with Doc, sounds like a wonderful partner. Merry Christmas!
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  40. #21
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    You're gonna like it. I have a recent version with beautiful figuring on the back. It sounds really nice and woody.

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  42. #22
    Registered User Doug Brock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Quote Originally Posted by bbaker2050 View Post
    You're gonna like it. I have a recent version with beautiful figuring on the back. It sounds really nice and woody.
    I'm anxious to see what the wood and stain on this one looks like. My wife was NOT a fan of Eastman's rough stained look. I showed her this pic of an MD315 and she drew back and said, "Ooooh, that's ugly!" I sure wouldn't want that look on a $2000 mando, but in this situation, for this price, I'm fine with "rustic" as long as the sound and playability are there. Hopefully it will still look nice.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Doug Brock; Dec-11-2018 at 5:54pm.
    Doug Brock
    2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles

  43. #23
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    The finish on the 300 series is pretty thin compared to the 500 and above. I think that helps the tone. When I had my 315 I kind of went nuts and replaced the tuners, tailpiece and bridge to get as much tone out of it as I could but in retrospect it was not necessarily worth the money spent. They are what they are, enjoy.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  45. #24
    Registered User Doug Brock's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    The finish on the 300 series is pretty thin compared to the 500 and above. I think that helps the tone. When I had my 315 I kind of went nuts and replaced the tuners, tailpiece and bridge to get as much tone out of it as I could but in retrospect it was not necessarily worth the money spent. They are what they are, enjoy.
    I saw a thread in which you mentioned changing out the hardware on your 315. Other than changing the tuners (for old-fashioned looking Waverlies) and pick guard (a plastic pick guard that looked better than the "dot matrix" pick guards of that era) on my HD28, I've generally left the hardware on my instruments alone. The temptation IS to upgrade these lower-priced instruments to squeeze out the maximum quality sound, but if it works ok with the factory hardware, I'm not planning to do anything except wear down the frets! Okay, maybe a tone guard - I'll see how the 315 sounds with and without.
    Doug Brock
    2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles

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  47. #25
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman MD-315 for Christmas! Woohoo!

    Interested in hearing your impressions about the Tone-Gard on the 315.

    I added one to my Weber Bitterroot and really love the results.

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