Re: New to the Forum, Have a few questions
Eastman 315's a nice instrument. You're not "going wrong." There is a reason that the F-model silhouette, with its acoustically irrelevant (at least that's the conventional wisdom) scroll and points, has persisted. People like it. Nothing wrong with that, if you understand, as you apparently do, that you're paying an extra premium for "decor," and that an A-model generally offers more bang for the buck.
Two pieces of advice I would add: try as many instruments as you can get your hands on, even ones you can't afford, just to get an idea of what your personal preferences are. If you can't play 'em, take a mandolinist friend along as "tester." Second, get a good pro set-up, either from a dealer who provides one, or from a local shop if you end up buying "out of the box." Unlike guitar (mostly), mandolin's very sensitive to good vs. not-so-good set-ups.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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