Bourgeois M5A

[CBFrench]

yall keep up with things more than I do but Not wanting to spend a bunch of moolah, sho wish Eastman would build an MD304 Oval Hole with a wider nut width like this one here 1 5/32", less brightness, woodier, wider nut width and no bling. A 1 5/32 nut would hit the nail on the head. I really like a mandolin for various genres. I did email Eastman asking about future builds with wide-nut since they have teamed up with Bourgeois and at least got this reply

"Thank you for reaching out. There are no plans at this time for a Eastman mandolin with a wider nut width but it is certainly something we will consider for future new models".

The Eastman Support Team

Bourgeois M5A
Neck: Aged Tone Maple
Tuners: Golden Age - Satin Nickel
Finish: Standard - High Gloss
Nut Width: 1 5/32"
Scale Length: 13 7/8"
Body Binding: Ivoroid
Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid

[Dan in NH]

I've got the Bourgeois F body on my short list for my next mandolin.

[Dan in NH]

Also, until very recently I was firmly in the Wide Nut camp. Two things happened. First, I actually played a wide nut mando. Second, I learned that I can indeed fret two courses with one finger, something that I thought was simply beyond me. Now a standard nut doesn't seem such a turn off.

[Berto Boy]

I don't know that 1/32" in nut width would make a great deal of difference unless the strings were also spaced wider and closer to the edge of the fretboard. Most wide nut mandos I've seen have been 1 - 3/8" nuts. Eastman mandos do seem to have wide healthy string spacing, especially compared to some blugrasser mandolins.

To me, the bigger factor would be tone. Eastmans tend to be loud and full, especially for their price point. I've only heard the Bourgeois mandos on YouTube recordings but was not impressed by the tone, especially considering what their flat top guitars sound like. Sadly, $3k is where good mandolin tone begins these days.

[milli857]

To me, the bigger factor would be tone. Eastmans tend to be loud and full, especially for their price point. I've only heard the Bourgeois mandos on YouTube recordings but was not impressed by the tone, especially considering what their flat top guitars sound like. Sadly, $3k is where good mandolin tone begins these days.

That’s because Bourgeoius have their own factory for their guitars, while their mandolins are made by Eastman. I would expect Bourgeoius mandolins to sound similar but a bit more refined than Eastmans considering the fancier materials and higher price, but it’s really hard to tell what a mandolin really sounds like till you play it.