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Thread: What do you see?

  1. #1
    Struggle Monkey B381's Avatar
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    Default What do you see?

    I am looking at this mando as a possible purchase. It's a long way away from me (unfortunately) but comes from a reputable dealer (I have not located a bad review at all). I have not had a chance to speak with them as they aren't open today.

    I was looking at the pictures.

    Look near the bridge area, does anything look odd to you? I will judge my craziness by the replies to see if anyone is seeing anything or if I am just really nuts.

    Thanks for any and all comments and/or possible diagnosis of sanity or insanity.



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  2. #2
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    Hi...are you talking about the finish right near the base of the bridge ...in front of the bridge? Or the fact that the holes in the saddle go all the way through?
    Or ????
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    There is an irregularity in front of the bridge.
    It might be only in the finish, it might be in the wood.
    Finish damage in this area is not uncommon.
    Call them and ask.
    Or if you're not comfortable with it, look for another one.
    Do they have a return policy?

  4. #4

    Default Re: What do you see?

    I see what Don sees -- a potential fracturing of a laminated top but it could be an unfortunate optical illusion thingy. I also see what could be interpreted as a sinking top referencing the reflection of the strings coming off te back of the bridge but it also might be an unfortunate optical illusion thingy. The strings seem rusty. I hate these where is Waldo pictures.
    If you tilt your head to the left, poke your finger slightly against the edge of your right eye, and bite down hard on a black jelly bean, you can see the continent of Antarctica outlined in the grain pattern.

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    Default Re: What do you see?

    None of the Eastman's have a laminated top. I can't see enough in that photo from the light, reflections and lower resolution (from an enlargement?) to discern anything. Any reputable dealer wouldn't send a new mandolin out with cracks in the top or seriously flawed finish in that area without a price adjustment. I would suggest you call them and speak about that specific instrument and maybe ask for an assurance or better close up of the bridge. Most reputable dealers also have a very reasonable return policy if you're dissatisfied.

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  7. #6
    Struggle Monkey B381's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wrnchbndr View Post
    I see what Don sees -- a potential fracturing of a laminated top but it could be an unfortunate optical illusion thingy. I also see what could be interpreted as a sinking top referencing the reflection of the strings coming off te back of the bridge but it also might be an unfortunate optical illusion thingy. The strings seem rusty. I hate these where is Waldo pictures.
    If you tilt your head to the left, poke your finger slightly against the edge of your right eye, and bite down hard on a black jelly bean, you can see the continent of Antarctica outlined in the grain pattern.
    So.....where IS Waldo? LOL

    The post wasn't meant to be deceptive, but if I named what I saw, it wouldn't be a judge of my perception. I was looking at the top at the bridge area. It may be normal deflection due to bridge pressure that I see, it may be lighting reflection or as you say, could be a slight sink. I know most have a slight depression there from the tremendous string pressure on the bridge but I wanted to see what others perceived. This model would be a solid wood top so no laminated issues. The lines I see running vertically are also present on my Eastman all the way across the top, like carving marks.
    "It doesn't matter how much you invest in your instrument until you invest in you and your ability..."

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  8. #7
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    What I see (because I already own one) is that the saddle is slightly tilted toward the fretboard; that is, there may be a 5-degree or so bend between the saddle and the bridge base. May not be critical, but also not right.

    Quote Originally Posted by B381 View Post
    ... I know most have a slight depression there from the tremendous string pressure on the bridge ...
    As above, just because such a depression is common doesn't mean that it's correct, or even okay. If anything (and the string reflections vs. grain pattern make the photo confusing, at least without holding my monitor up to a straight edge), there may be more depression toward the center of the bridge than at the ends, indicating that the base might not be fit to the top very well, or that some internal bracing has failed. But more photos would be needed to resolve the "optical illusion" part of the confusion.

    Jamie: What makes you say that it's an Eastman? Might be, but ...
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  10. #8
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    Upon a second look at your picture, what appears to be an irregularity in the wood or finish directly in front of the bridge base is merely a reflection of the bridge top and the adjusting wheels. An optical illusion.

    I cannot accurately evaluate any potential top depression from that particular picture.

  11. #9
    Registered User Joey Anchors's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    I looks perfectly fine to me.
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  12. #10
    Registered User fscotte's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    I wouldn't worry about the illusion that the bridge is sinking into the top. If you are worried, look for other pics of mandos at the same angle and notice that the string reflections always seem to indicate the bridge is sinking bad into the top.

    The illusion can be quite deceiving and is affected by the height of the bridge and shape of the arch.

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  14. #11
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    As folks stated above it is hard to judge from such single picture, there is reflection of the thumbwheel that almost looks like chpped wood from top butthat is just illusion. What I POSSIBLY see in the picture is the dark spot in the middle of the light reflection right next the bridge foot. That could indicate that the inside edge of bridge foot started digging into top. On many mandolins the top will slowly conform to the shape of two foot bridge and create bulge in the middle and the inside edges of feet create a "fold", thin topped mandolins rather soon after stringing. Often bridge bases that are overly reduced (on low neck angle instruments) or fitted with exact curvature withno pressure will bend under the pressure and cause this damage. You can feel it as you go with finger along the bridge base. This Eastman (that is my first impression after seeing the pic) looks like it could have quite thin top (I've had some of these for setups that were close to 2 mm near f holes!) and in such case I would check the overall arch if it is not deformed and certainly switch to full contact bridge. If the mandolin is older and there are just marks at the feet while top is of healthy thickness it points to poorly fitted bridge that caused the damage.
    This is the reason why I completely switched to full contact bridges 15 years ago and never looked back.
    Also, is that a hair crack at the saddle post hole? No biggie, drop of CA and quick clamping works for such.
    Adrian

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  16. #12
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    It looks like the soundboard may be warped or sinking very slightly under part of the bridge, but as others have said, very difficult to tell from a single image. Any chance you could see it in person before buying to make sure?
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  17. #13
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    No clue about the bridge could be an illusion could be a bit of sinking. But is that a screw head or rivet next to the f hole in the left side of the screen?
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  18. #14
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    Default Re: What do you see?

    The little wiggle above the bass foot is a reflection of the thumb wheels

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