Find Out Who Takes Home the Prize in the Epic Eastman MD315 vs. Gibson F-9 Showdown!

In this video, John and Jeremy are comparing Gibson's entry-level mandolin to Eastman's entry-level mandolin. They'll discuss the features of each instrument, as well as give you their opinion on which one is the best choice for you.
If you're looking for an entry-level mandolin that won't break the bank, then check out the Eastman MD315 vs Gibson F-9 comparison! This video will help you decide which instrument is the right choice for you.
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00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Review
09:42 - Back to Back Tone Samples
10:58 - Conclusion
15:52 - The Reveal
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Check out the full performance of "Copperhead Road" here: • "Copperhead Road" | Ma...
Check out all the incredible Eastman & Gibson Mandolins we have in stock now:
Eastman: bit.ly/3a24OmD
Gibson: bit.ly/3wvJz39
Thank you for watching!
Make sure to subscribe if you liked this video to see more: bit.ly/TheAcousticShoppe-KZbin
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[@lfish21.]

That rendition of copper road was so good.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Did you check out the full performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKmmpKmea7mha9U

[@lfish21.]

@@AcousticShoppe will check it out! I have never played a stringed instrument and wanting to start playing mandolin. So been consuming way too much mandolin KZbin content.

[@Flat_Stanley]

I personally like the sound of the Eastman better. It is a little brighter and has a better bluegrass twang…for my ears.

[@obeliskthes1046]

I picked the A mandolin i liked its sound better and was actually very surprised when you gave the results on what was what. Great video guys. Keep picking.

[@jeanpaulbarbona7376]

same here

[@jonathonhunt935]

Guys, really really love your mandolin comparisons. Thank you so much. Having mandolin players presenting and discussing the attributes of these instruments is so helpful and inspiring to those of us wanting to buy our first mandolin but not sure of the level to go for. Cheers

[@ytnsanw]

I prefer the clarity and the articulation of the Eastman - not to mention the price.

[@SamFugarino]

At my level it would be crazy to buy a Gibson. I would love to have one (or a Rosa). My 315 is perfect for me. It actually has a nicer back than the one you are showing today. It has a more "flamier" back (is that a word). And that's another wonderful thing about buying from the Acoustic Shoppe. You can pick which specific instrument you want. The site has verry good pictures of each instrument. I would recommend getting a hard sell case, The gig bag is nice enough, but while a grand isn't much for a mandolin, it's a bit of change for me. The extra protection is nice to have. Sorry about sounding like a commercial, but the shopping experience was tops and I'm stoked about my MD315. I actually got a call from Jackson when I ordered mine. Yeah, The Acoustic Shoppe is the real deal. Thanks a bunch guys!

[@AcousticShoppe]

We really appreciate the kind words, thank you, Samuel. We're glad we could give you a great buying experience!

[@robinengland5799]

Love Eastman mandolins, great sound and craftsmanship for the mony. I do like the way Gibson sounds and that their value usual increases with them. I have two Gibson banjos and they just keep getting more expensive. Love my 815 Eastman.

[@nixternal]

Not gonna lie, Copperhead Road made me want to get a Mandolin now just to play that. Don't care what you play that song on, it will always be amazing!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Do it!

[@joekagerer]

I finally got one of your comparison's correct ONLY because: 1) You explained what to listen for. 2) I turned my Bose speakers up almost all the way... I didn't hear the extra $4000 I thought they both sounded great, I don't think I would have heard a difference if the comparisons were 2 minutes apart. You guys do such great jobs on you comparisons with how consistent your playing is between the cuts. Thanks again!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the kind words and the feedback, we're glad you like the quality of our videos! 🙂

[@seasterl]

I liked mandolin A for this video. Thanks for all these comparisons! Reminds me that brand names command more money than necessary. I also suspect the lack of NC or varnish may have played a role on these models. Seems in the custom world (prices on the MandolinCafe), prices are driven not by sound but by builder name.

[@1980bwc]

The MD-315 is hands down, the best bang for the buck in quality and sound on a budget. I chose one 3 years ago as my first one and to learn to play on. The only weak point on these are the tuning machines. They are terrible. Lol. I paid $50 for a new set of Grover Vintage tuners for it, and ordered a $50 deer antler saddle from Jerry Rosa for it. With those 2 upgrades on it, I would put my Eastman up against almost any of the current production "name brand" mandolins being built today. It's not fancy at all in the appearance department, but it is all business in the sound and build quality departments. I highly recommend choosing one of these if you are looking for the perfect one to not only learn to play on, but to also be able to play for the rest of your life. If you were to blindfold Ricky Skaggs and Chris Thile, then hand both of them a MD-315, I guarantee they would love it, and think it is was a $6000 dollar instrument. No joke. It is that good.

[@Mandolin_Matt]

Couldn’t agree more. I had the Loar LM-310f and debated whether the Eastman MD315 would be a worthwhile upgrade. I’m so glad I upgraded! I got the Eastman recently and it is head and shoulders above any mandolin I’ve ever played. Every aspect of it is perfectly made and it sounds incredible. It’s “entry level” given its price relative to the rest of the Eastman line, but objectively speaking it’s definitely not an entry-level instrument. I’ll be using it for years to come!

[@robertshorthill6836]

I have "taste tested" a couple of entry level Eastmans at my local music store. Any of them I would be happy to own. They are a fine mandolin, as Bill Monroe once said of his signature model from our Gibson/ Flatiron product line back in the mid '90s.

[@coolhandluke2310]

Love my 305 Eastman. ❤️

[@f5mando]

I'm one of the five, John, and those are Gibson Grover tuners, not Schaller on the F-9. For sound I'd go for the F-9, but for budget and neck radius (and wider nut), the MD315.

[@jamesakers1175]

Wow I picked that bass ackwards.Sound was so close that I got it wrong.Great show guys.

[@KeithWalker-uy9ug]

I have 315 series Eastman and I love it, but that doesn't mean I don't want a Gibson too.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

The Eastie sounds louder and brighter through my phone.

[@MrZoo223]

"Are tthere any mandolin players?" I feel personally called out as a mandolin player hahaha love it

[@ibfubar]

Excellent video.🍺🍺🤙

[@gasworker3042]

I'd save the $4,100 and get the Eastman looks better imo... the Gibson has a better looking back but that's about it, I would think for $5,000 the Gibson would at least had some sort of inlay on the headstock and maybe the fret board would be extended. To each there own... they both sound good

[@anthonyruda2021]

Really like you both playing"Copperhead Road." Is there a CD of you two playing an assortment of tunes like this?

[@AcousticShoppe]

We have not made an album of these KZbin covers that we do, but the Chapmans have recorded albums as a family band.

[@anthonyruda2021]

Can the public get their hands on a copy of albums that the Chapmans have recorded as a family? Thank you @@AcousticShoppe

[@AcousticShoppe]

@@anthonyruda2021 Absolutely! Not sure how easy it is to find them in the wild but they are available on all streaming platforms. We have a few physical copies here in the shoppe and we can ship them, just give us a call or email and we can take care of that for you!

[@321mogul]

they both sound great but the eastman has a distict metallic sound especially while comping at least on my sound system. That would be a major issue in larger ensembles where each person is necessarily comping more than playing lead.

[@deandugas1591]

have you done a comparison between the 800 series Eastman and that F9? That may be apples to apples although the 315 is a killer mando!

[@VictorVectorMusic]

Absolutely LOVE my 10 year old MD315. A monster of a Mando I picked up for 499 bucks new (blem)....now I just have to find time to re-fret it :)

[@VictorVectorMusic]

Awwww you loved me then you loved me not....story of my life. lmao Guess posting that price was a no no? It was 10 years ago lol.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Just an accidental click 😅

[@terria1254]

Thank-you, great video! What brand/type of strings are on the Eastman? Thanks!

[@AcousticShoppe]

They should be EJ-74's!

[@terria1254]

@@AcousticShoppe Cool, thank-you! 🙂

[@macktheknife8443]

I liked the Eastman better!

[@texhaines9957]

What about a Martin mandolin? I really liked Jeremy changing mandolins and his fingers never leave the fretboard. Price wise, for me, the Eastman. Sound, I like the Gibson. For these blind tests, why don't you have a real (legally) blind person and beginner do the test? Someone like me! Thanks Jeremy and John.

[@braderrick]

Well I’m a guitar player so I don’t count, but to me the Eastman sounds better!

[@robertshorthill6836]

Copperhead Row by Steve Earle. Nice.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

I'd think the future value of Eastman could go up, based on politics. We may someday refer to them as prewar.

[@pawwalton2157]

Very nice comparison for sure. If you are new to the mandolin 5k is a lot of money to commit for an initial learning instrument. Gibson mandolins are great instruments but it might take you several years playing before you can make it sound any better than the Eastman.

[@AcousticShoppe]

That is true!

[@gojomoso]

Can you compare the Eastman 315 with the loar lm700? There aren’t many videos on the 700 but runs in a similar price range to the 315

[@AcousticShoppe]

Yes, we actually do have some of those in stock and we would love to go a bigger comparison vid between those and maybe a Kentucky as well.

[@anthonyruda2021]

Hello John and Jeremy. I have researched the Eastman MD315 on the web and have read from more than one source that they can often have a slightly "metallic" sound. Is there a way to perhaps choose some different strings for it that might give it a warmer and "rounder" tone? Any thoughts welcome.

[@AcousticShoppe]

We recommend Silk & Bronze or Monel Strings to warm up the instrument!

[@anthonyruda2021]

Thank you!

[@joekagerer]

I'd like to see a comparison between an Eastman 900 series and the Gibson F9, I think the Eastman is still half the price. I know an Eastman will never be a Gibson as far as value down the road but I'm talking for us amateurs who are just interested in the best for the money. I spoke too soon, I think you've done it...

[@AcousticShoppe]

Overall we actually prefer the 800 Series. So we have done a comparison between the MD815 and Gibson F-9 here is the link if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2Wlp3WFhcebjck Thanks for watching! 🙂

[@user-pb4cl5rr2d]

You officially have the five mandolin players John, you have them! 😂

[@4jrbirdman]

thanks, I should have bought the Gibson...but I don't know how to play YET

[@mjt5576]

Copperhead Road! Nice...

[@JTSunriseMusic]

My old epi f5000 road warrior could still cut a squawk n cluck with them, all in the wood. Love the radius FB on those new ones though, real players

[@HermanSays]

I love my Left-handed Eastman MD315 mandolin but I find the tuners to be a bit rough and not smooth. Can someone please help recommend which tuner will fit to upgrade? Thanks.

[@AcousticShoppe]

The Grover 409's are what we recommend: www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/mandolin-tuning-machines/grover-f-style-309-series-mandolin-tuning-machines/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyLGjBhDKARIsAFRNgW8nlX06uLVqnNMZ1DigrGc1M4QVPrgwIXlAmDo6IRISQWsqDr-YBSMaAsFcEALw_wcB

[@HermanSays]

@@AcousticShoppe Thank you!

[@barabarahito]

Are they still making the F9 mandolins? They don't have them on the Gibson website.

[@elankaufman4751]

What song is that playing during the outro??

[@AcousticShoppe]

It is "Dorrigo" by David Benedict

[@pseudonymlifts2]

The Gibson does have a more refined and smoother sound, but it achieves it at the cost of sounding a bit too dark so no, IMO it's not an improvement let alone a $4k improvement. It's evidently a higher quality instrument but they intentionally nerfed it so the (even) more expensive models would still have a reason to exist.

[@ericgearhart2787]

There I was thinking that a was the Gibson mandolin way to find out it was the Eastman which sounded much better to me.

[@higheststandards3344]

I feel like with strings that are a week or two old you can get it to sound like that Gibson.🤔 I love the tone and depth of the Gibson, but having the Eastman might benefit others for having that high end treble cut through for leads🤔. I have a 615 and my buddy David mayfield ( I think you had him on the show😄) has a Weber, there wasn’t much of a difference in a jam besides his Weber being a freaking bell, but that’s the player and set up I think. if you have to listen hard to notice a difference then it’s not worth it, cause you’re never gonna work that hard to appreciate the difference.

[@bwbillwilliamsbw]

My ears heard no major difference between the two in this video whereas I did feel the Gibson in the other Gibson/Eastman blind test of yours sounded richer overall.

[@JasonWelchMusic]

I can hear a HUGE difference. The Eastman was cleaner, and brighter by far.. I think it will cut through the mix nicely. Whereas the Gibson was more woody. Almost to a fault. I dare say it was somewhat muddy, which is more likely to BLEND in the mix. When I imagine a fast picked "Little Girl Of Mine In Tennessee" with a full bluegrass band (and i mean really burning it up), I hear the Eastman being my favorite. However, if I imagine a Bela Fleck, or Nickel Creek styled slow melody dripping wet with minor chords, the Gibson is going to win everytime because a woddy tone is needed for the calming effect of the minor chords. Here's a little wishful thinking..... I wish Eastman had something larger than a mandolin, but smaller than an octave mandolin with a comfortable to hold (sitting down without a strap) bodystyle. Maybe a uke body?

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Do you mean - like a mandola? Eastman does have a series of those, voted "MDA"! They have a MDA315 and MDA815.

[@JasonWelchMusic]

@@JJ_TheGreat brilliant! Thank you!

[@tothepoint7258]

To me, it is a dramatic difference. Not that I don't believe the Eastman sounds good. You will just have a that slight "harshness" to the treble side that I don't personally like. The Eastman sounds as good or better with a soft hand. When you "push" the Eastman it will be harsh. The Gibson will not. I personally wouldn't spend the money for the difference. Maybe a heavier pick on the Eastman to cut down a little on the harshness of the treble side. I'm personally a "pick fiend". I buy about any new pick I can find. You'll be surprised how differently a instrument will sound with different materials and thickness. Just my penny.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Those are some great points, have you tried the Tone Slabs yet?

[@tothepoint7258]

@@AcousticShoppe I bought one and got a custom color from the website before I realized you sold them. I did the tweener 3 round. Best overall pick I have. Not too bright and deep. Flows through the strings like butter.

[@tothepoint7258]

@@AcousticShoppe To me, A Dunlop Flex is great pick as well. Carl Miner uses a FLEX TRIANGLE PICK 1.14MM.

[@georgefenning4844]

I get great tone form a bass or very thick pick. I dislike the thin flimsy picks . Takes a bit of work but worth the tone advantages . I have a bunch of thin packs with bits missing but have never split the thicker ones .

[@michaelmullins1290]

Both are good, the Gibson was just further into it's voice. Gibson, also farther into a bank account. I'd rather pay for a Strickland, or a couple others below $5k.

[@georgefenning4844]

I still play the mandolin…. Me I’m number 3

[@AcousticShoppe]

😂

[@deandugas1591]

oops - you just answered that at 13:50

[@vladderman]

5000 for an "entry level" mandolin? Sheesh! I'd rather save 2000 bucks on that and get the cheapest northfield..... Which I'd think is probably way better than the gibson (would love to see that comparison!)

[@AcousticShoppe]

We totally want to get Northfield's in here! Hopefully one day!

[@davidcarlson7250]

Why do i not hear how difficult or easy it is to fret....that to me is of primary importance but the talk just ignires that aspect

[@AcousticShoppe]

In our newest reviews of instruments we have a rating system & in that rating we discuss the playability, which essentially is how easy or difficult it is to fret the instrument. I can tell you that both Gibson & Eastman mandolins come set up fantastic from their factories & we rarely have to do any setup on them, unless a customer asks for it.

[@robertshorthill6836]

Road, that is. Sorry, my bad .

[@f5mando]

Ha! Almost had a row about that.. Now we have our ducks in a row, there'll be no row (unless we get a little boat with oars).

[@AcousticShoppe]

😆😆

[@daveburch947]

That Gibson is a nice instrument but getting a little too pricey in recent years. If you want the sound, it is expensive.

[@damirzanne]

Eastman sounds great , with Gibson you’re paying for a mandolin and a name …

[@troyshellhamer9964]

The Eastman is a fine mandolin but the Gibson is much nicer. The Gibson has a MUCH nicer finish and their woods are a million times nicer. The Eastman is a really good mandolin though! (It’s just not a Gibson.) Gibson mandolins are built by the crew at the shop in Nashville as well, so you’re supporting fair labor. I don’t know what the conditions are like at the Eastman shop in China and how their labor practices are… Eastman are ok mandolins, they’re just not Gibson quality. For someone playing recreationally the Eastman would be fine in terms of tone and playability.

[@Niloiv13]

Switching every three seconds from A to B did not help at all.

[@tangotango1340]

So hard to hear a difference.

[@sambow4u]

Eastman has a Lifetime warranty, Gibson DOES not ( Experience) Eastman is a USA Company , Gibson sources all their work to 3rd world . Eastman is a up and coming Quality Instrument . Gibson relays on it's fore Fathers Name to command buying a name instead of a instrument ! Nobody cares that Lloyd Loar worked for Gibson ,,,, That was 150 yrs ago ! America wants quality work & products & Gibson has fallen short for years now ! And in the words of George Jones ,,, " That's just the Cold Hard Truth " !

[@garrymcfadden4105]

I thought Eastman were a Chinese company. Are they American but China based?

[@troyshellhamer9964]

Gibson produces their mandolins in Nashville. They are made in Tennessee.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

​@@troyshellhamer9964He was talking about Eastman - being a Chinese company... Not Gibson...