Birds-eye quarter sawn maple back marks?

[davespts]

I am new to the forum and looking for information on an Eastman MD315 I recently viewed on the Facebook Marketplace. The back on this mandolin is nothing I have ever seen in any Eastman photos. I originally asked if they were belt buckel marks and was told they were birds-eyes quarter sawn marks in the maple. Can anyone here help me with this?

[Charles E.]

Providing a photo would help a lot. That said birdseye figure generally occurs in flat sawn wood. If it is quarter sawn it can look like streaks or marks.

[davespts]

Thanks Charles, as soon as I figure out how to upload a photo to this site I will

[davespts]

[QUOTE=davespts;1695039]Thanks Charles, as soon as I figure out how to upload a photo I will

[Charles E.]

Interesting, I don't know if that is birdseye or not, the figure looks like medullary rays to me.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medullary_ray

Nice looking mandolin, I would not worry about it.

[davespts]

Thanks Charles for the info. It is quite an interesting mandolin. I have to make a decision between this one and a newer Loar LM 520. Any thoughts?

[Timbofood]

I agree with Charles, it is the character of the material. If you like the sound, just go ahead. Of the other one trip your trigger more, get that. Nothing structural to worry about.

[davespts]

Thanks for your input Timothy

[Charles E.]

I have owned an Eastman 315 and 314 ( oval hole ) mandolins in the past and liked them quite a lot. I do not care for the The Loar mandolins much at all but that's just me.

[Drew Streip]

Thanks Charles for the info. It is quite an interesting mandolin. I have to make a decision between this one and a newer Loar LM 520. Any thoughts?

I haven't heard anybody who was disappointed with their 315, and in fact, many seem to enjoy them better than the big-brother MD-515 (which I own). A used one may even have a more broken-in, open sound (if you believe in that sort of thing).

Of all that I've played, I'd choose Eastman over The Loar every time. They've all had the edge in responsiveness, and I also prefer the aesthetic of the antique brown to the sunbursts.

[davespts]

Thanks Drew, I have listened to a lot of video reviews and truly like the tones from all of the Eastmans over the Loars. I also prefer the antique brown to the sunburst. I will be sealing the deal on the MD315 as soon as the shipping details are arranged. Thanks to all of you mandolin enthusiasts for you help.