Re: Eastman 515 or 515cc?
I was looking at the 315 and 515 until I fell into a used 815. The thing I preferred about the 515 (vs. 515cc) is the bound fingerboard, which the CC models seem to lack. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong and they're doing a black binding or notched slot like some guitars these days.)
Nothing wrong with an unbound fingerboard - I've owned guitars with both types, but bound can be less maintenance if you have humidity swings.
I haven't been playing [mando] long enough to think about the body binding issue, though I might get an armrest someday to try out. Besides, the body binding does protect the endgrain of the top and back - depends on how much you bang your stuff around. I'm careful, but stuff still happens, and a little dent in the binding with finish knocked off seems like better than something that hits the tone wood directly.
2018 Kentucky KM-950, 2017 Ellis A5 Deluxe
Bookmarks