F hole Binding, early Eastman 615

[GBurke]

I recently Bought an early Eastman 615, [2004 # 31 ] that has binding in the F holes. Does anyone know if this was normal for this year? It's the only one I've seen like it..

[MikeEdgerton]

I had an early 615 and it did not have the binding.

[James Sanford]

I recently Bought an early Eastman 615, [2004 # 31 ] that has binding in the F holes. Does anyone know if this was normal for this year? It's the only one I've seen like it..

I wonder if this could have been done to tune the air chamber? Does anyone know if Eastman tap tunes their instruments?

[JEStanek]

No. Many of the early Eastman mandolins didn't firmly fit into the specs the currently do. Occasionally a 500 series instrument would be more fully bound or a 600 series have flashy woods. Only a few instruments that I recall had bound F holes. I think they were done just to take a look at doing it. It was never a standard feature. I do recall someone who had one who said it was a very good sounding mandolin.

Jamie

[MikeEdgerton]

Eastman's earlier models and the variations you find within them remind me of the odd models that made it out of Gibson over the years. You need to fill an order so you slap a label and the hardware on whatever was done. Then years later people have discussions as to how they've never seen this or that feature on that instrument. It adds to the mystique.

[JEStanek]

Yeah, there are even a couple that had a headstock inlay in addition to Eastman. Every now and again I regret parting with 814 #22 (interestingly there was another #22. It's interesting what small companies go through as they grow into new markets.

Jamie

[Onesound]

I purchased my 615 back in the Spring of '05. It's SN-108 and it looks more like the 815s that came after it. Note the bound F holes and the fingerboard extension. The flamed maple is really pretty extreme, too.