For those who have had some experience with the Eastman range over the years. Has anyone experienced the difference between the early Eastman mandolins to the later versions at all.
My only experience is a used 2006 915 mandolin bought in from the states to OZ. Because it is hard to get the older versions here ( even the new ones are rare and expensive)
It was said to be set up by Mandovoodoo many years ago.
Because it had been sitting for quiet a few years I changed the strings and tuned it up and it is as sweet as they come. But it has loads of bark and volume which to be honest surprised me.
The finish has crazed a lot over the surface and there is one or two very minor ( hair) splits/ gapes near the binding.
Can anyone tell me their experiences with the early and later models please?
Including build quality and sound and finish.
Thank guys and girls.
It doesn't look like much is going on here.
I play banjo, but I just bought my first mandolin. A 2005 Eastman MD 915.
Mine, the blonde version, has some crazing too. It's pretty extensive on the back, but it's not very deep. I only see it in direct sunlight.
I came here to ask questions about the 915 too. I mainly wondered if the older ones had an adirondack spruce top.
I like mine very well, but it the only mandolin I've ever played so I'm not a good judge of sound. I had an excellent Eastman E10D guitar. That's why I trusted the brand. I have a friend that is an excellent player. Hopefully I'll see him soon and get his opinion.
I had an early 605 that was a very good sounding mandolin but the truss rod broke on it. I never had done anything with the truss rod but it still went south. So when I took it to the dealer for repair, Eastman replaced it with another mandolin that did not sound as good. Eastman tend to be quite good for the price range Crazing is a natural phenomena with nitrocellulose finishes, old Martin guitars get it too. Watch the binding, if it seems to be getting loose, talk to a luthier about getting that issue taken care of before it does break and fall out. Yes this is a quiet forum.
Hi,
I’ve owned two Eastmans — both built in a similar year as yours— they were excellent instruments for the price — if your ears say “yes”, that is what counts — I had mine setup with flatwounds and “wow” — enjoy
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