Anyone know for sure if this is no longer in production? I played one about a year ago regret not buying it. Any leads on one would be appreciated.
Anyone know for sure if this is no longer in production? I played one about a year ago regret not buying it. Any leads on one would be appreciated.
Eastman's website doesn't show them.
Best bet may be placing a want add in the classifieds...
Chuck
They are available....
https://reverb.com/item/5864054-east...-hole-mandolin
https://reverb.com/item/6933194-east...-hole-mandolin
I had one at one time and enjoyed it very much.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Both Reverb listings are no longer active.
I’ve been researching/watching/buying low end mandolins(under $1000) for the past eighteen months or so and I honestly didn’t know this model existed. I thought the 514 was the lowest priced f scroll/oval hole. I don’t know for sure, but my guess is that it’s been discontinued. Thanks for putting it on my radar. We might be in a bidding war some day!
Last edited by Steve 2E; May-22-2020 at 8:34pm.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YXdOJzYGBgw
I did a little more research and found this. Sorry, no leads other than an overpriced one in Japan. Happy hunting!
Last edited by Steve 2E; May-22-2020 at 6:39pm. Reason: Bad link
This model is not produced for distribution in the USA at this time. However sometimes these get accidentally put on a container and some wind up here. I recently had 13 but those have all been sold over the last 6 weeks. I have some ordered for Fall when we get a large stocking order but no promises if I will be able to actually get them.
I am a big fan of the Eastman 300 series mandolins; I prefer the more open/woody (satin finish) sound... (Varnish is, of course, even better, but more than I want to spend).
I owned both the F hole versions (315 and 305) at the same time and to my ear; I heard maybe the same or a bit more volume but definitely a fuller tone and sustain from the A style (305) which a kept... over the F style 315, which I sold. I am currently looking for an oval hole model but not having the personal, in-shop A/B opportunity (F vs A) is a disadvantage in making a decision.
I am very interested in any input on a tone and volume comparison between the oval hole models MD314 (F) vs the MD304 (A). Has anyone compared these two oval hole models?
I cant help with an evaluation of these two models and it seems like the 314 is a bit of a rare bird so maybe not many others have been able to make this comparison either. I havent played either one, but I bought a 404 on a whim a little while back and I'm really enjoying it. Its a bit of an oddity with mahogany back and sides, but I like the tubby tone.
https://reverb.com/item/34012310-eas...lins-md314-cla
I just saw this on Reverb. Looks like they have 2.
The Café just had one of those autoposts pointing out that instrument on the store's website.
https://massstreetmusic.com/products...lins-md314-cla
Thanks DoubleE and Explorer. I saw that listing, too.
I emailed Mass Street Music yesterday. Got a prompt reply from a fell'ah (remem'bah, I'm not fah' from Boston or Maine) named Jim. Yes, they do have two.. just arrived this week. Jim sent me pics of the second one, as well. I bought the one behind door # 2 which had a nicer grain on the back. I called this morning and spoke with another guy, Matt (who sounded like a good heart of Americana guy).. and assured me they'll do a set up to be sure A-OK and ship asap. Just got a FedEx text ETA 6/10... Ah'ya, can't wait. Don't wanna count my lob'stahs before they're cott' but I'm excited to have found one...
Last edited by Chompa; Jun-05-2020 at 4:52pm.
Congrats! Lookin’ forward to a wicked cool review, brothah! Or sistah?
Wicked cool ! Hahahaha... and it is Brothah
Congratulations! A few years ago I had a 315 and a 314 at the same time and really enjoyed them both. The 314 had a better low end but the 315 had a better high end.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Thanks Charles E. Good to hear... I actually owned a 315 (F) and a 305 (A) at the same time. To my (guitar player first) ear the 305 was a little more balanced bass to treble and plenty of bark for bluegrass. I still have the 305 and love it. I started focusing more on Celtic styles: jigs, reels, etc. so I sold the 315 about a year ago and replaced it with a Weber Aspen Celtic - love the open tone with a more bass.. Shortly after, I had chance to play a 314 belonging to a fellow player and was very impressed with it's throatiness... more of a Jazzy, Old Time tone.... Hadn't seen one since... I am a big fan of the Eastman 300 series dry, woody, satin finish tone anyway... so I starting looking for a 314 to have an F back in the line-up. Looking forward to receiving it next week.. already bought a nice F style strap for it..
I had a 315 and sold it to a high school kid who plays jazz on it as well anything else he has a mind to. They are great instruments for the money the 314 ought to be killer.
Not a bad demo of the throatier sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXdOJzYGBgw
The MD314 arrived today... Very cool mando... Shorter scale feel (neck meets body at 12th fret), bridge further back toward tail.. Subtle V shaped neck.. Full voice with nice low end... Great sustain...(almost guitar-ish). This is gonna be fun, folks.
Congrats Chompa! Just curious, but is there a significant difference in volume between the 305 and 314? I would expect a difference in tone, but is one louder than the other?
Yo DoubleE - Hmmm... Right, definitely tone... Volume: both are pretty loud.. hard to say if one's louder. I tend to be a percussive player.. can be heavy handed.. but head-to-head re: volume - It's more of a difference in sustain (the 314 wins) rather than volume ... The 305's got bluegrass chop to spare ... I am enjoying the distinctiveness of each... The 314 is proving to be a welcome addition to the stable... But, because of the shorter neck finding a well fitting hard shell case (where the headstock clears the accessory compartment and still provides a good body fit) is a challenge... I asked Eastman what case do they provide with the 514, 614, etc.. They would only say ... it's a 3rd party case and recommended I inquire with an Eastman dealer ... ... (Arrgghhh) - I sent an email to Elderly Instruments to ask them...
Last edited by Chompa; Jun-14-2020 at 8:38pm.
Hey The Mandolin Store -
I have a question; Since the 314, 514, 614, etc. all have shorter necks than their counter parts 315, 515, 615, etc - What hard shell case do you offer for the 314 to ensure the headstock clears the accessory compartment and still offer a good body fit?
Thanks
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