Eastman Mandolin Series Explained | Which one is best for you?

🎸 Hey folks, Kylie's back to discuss more mandolins with you! This time we're taking a look at the Eastman line-up, explaining the different model numbers, what they consist of and what the exact differences are. Enjoy!
Gear:
Eastman MD305E Sunburst: www.tfoa.eu/en/shop/md305e-sb...
Eastman MD515 F Style Classic: www.tfoa.eu/en/shop/md515-eas...
Eastman MD805/v A Style Mandolin Antique Classic: www.tfoa.eu/en/shop/md805-v-e...
Ear Trumpet Labs Evelyn Stereo Microphone: www.tfoa.eu/en/shop/etlel-ear...
Find the newest 'New Arrivals' on our homepage here: www.tfoa.eu/en
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Any feedback or questions? Comment below or send us a message!
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Model Numbers Explained
00:57 - Second Number Meaning
01:10 - Third Number Meaning
01:41 - Eastman MD305
01:53 - Eastman 300 Series Specs
02:46 - Eastman 500 Series Specs
03:31 - Eastman 515 F Style Mandolin
03:59 - Eastman 800 Series Specs
04:57 - Eastman 805v
05:15 - Conclusion? Which One Should You Choose?
06:13 - Outro And Some More Kylie Playing!

[@plucknpick6414]

Just bought the Eastman F style MD315. I played it side by side to Kentucky KM850 and other models.....The Eastman excelled!

[@jmtab]

Thanks and nice playing. I appreciate that Eastman continues to make a fair number of left handed models.

[@alan4sure]

The label in mine was faded and hard to read. It thought it was a MD315. Thanks to this video, I see now it's an MD515. So I got a free upgrade!! Lol

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Nice! That's very lucky! 😉

[@macktheknife8443]

Tfoa got some great players demoing their instruments. Back then there was Niek, who played beautifully. And Erwin who had his own very expressive playing style. Great to see a professional mandolin player on the squad.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks! :D

[@jamiej14544]

I have the md305 and md615. I play them every day!

[@farmpunk_dan]

I’m curious, do you feel like the sound quality is significantly different in the 615? The build quality noticeably different?

[@jamiej14544]

@@farmpunk_dan My md305 and md315 sound the best because the satin finish allows the wood to vibrate more which results in more volume and better tone. For some reason, my md305 is especially loud. The md615 is prettier. It has binding on both the back and front of the body, along the neck and headstock which are upgrades. It also has a gloss finish and an internal pickup. Those, too are upgrades. Allegedly, Eastman saves what it thinks are the better pieces of spruce for the higher end models. The md615 has taken longer to break in and still has a more trebly sound while the 315 is a bit more mellow. The md615 has been redesigned since I bought my mando with block inlays and a pickguard. Very pretty! All of these upgrades reflect Eastman's marketing strategy. They do not make the mandolin sound better. I would imagine the md305 is equivalent in sound quality to the md805, the 315 to the 815 etc but beauty is in the eye of the beholder! You will have to decide for yourself is worth the extra money.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

@@jamiej14544 Unless you are referring to the 815V (for Varnish). I think the Varnish makes it sound better tonally! :)

[@farmpunk_dan]

Great video but I have two suggestions: 1. Would love to have seen an oval hole mando demo here 2. Worth mentioning that the 600 series includes a pickup These are the two parameters I’m looking for in my next mandolin and I’ve having trouble finding info on them!

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Good tips! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@JJ_TheGreat]

You can find the 305 and the 315 with a pickup, too - just to let you know!

[@farmpunk_dan]

Good point! That’s a recent addition to their line. I’m having trouble choosing between a 314E and a 604 right now… impossible to decide without playing them 😅

[@neilorahilly2467]

Great video. Very informative. Lovely playing as usual Kylie.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Thanks Neil! :)

[@healingenso7923]

Awesome. Thx. After decades playing wind instruments, I am finally weakening, wanting to learn a stringed instrument for once in my life. Research to this point suggesting the MD305 is the best of the non-junk category and I was shopping for one. But the MD305 looks to be unobtainable anywhere locally in Arizona, from somewhere I trust. Soooooo, now I know a little more, I might just consider treating myself to an MD515 instead, if it is more available. Do love the quality of the sound, compared to the other makes with plywood (ugh) backs etc.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Amazing that you're starting your journey with stringed instruments! Eastman is a great place to start! We ship to Arizona if you're looking for one... 😉

[@healingenso7923]

@@thefellowshipofacoustics - thanks for the reply. I'll let you know. Maybe.

[@SteveMartinUSA]

Great pickin!

[@yellowdrops5690]

❤Kylie's reviews!

[@macktheknife8443]

That Mandocello in the background has struck my interest. Is it possible to feature it

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Working on it! :)

[@macktheknife8443]

You are awesome

[@stephenbushway9885]

I see letters at the end that I'm curious about. There's "VS" and SB. What is their significance?

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

The V stands for Varnish and SB means a sunburst finish! 😃

[@davidscotbrown3241]

There is also the cast tailpiece vs stamped and the better quality tuners as you go up in the line. These also make a difference.

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Absolutely right! Thanks for sharing! 😄

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

No more stamped tailpieces in the range. All come with cast as standard now.

[@JJ_TheGreat]

@@BenAdam-om2hr This is true, from what I have seen!

[@umbertocapasso67]

Kylie ..I love you in tender manner ...!!!!

[@gregglind]

Which tunes is Kylie playing during the video? I want a good set of tunes to test mandolins that work chords and melody up and down the neck!

[@ldklinux]

I think the first one is "Big Sciota" and the second "Whiskey before breakfast". I don't remember/know the third.

[@mandolin-george-uk]

no 600?

[@ianrodger8927]

525 entry level, please, what planet are you on

[@thefellowshipofacoustics]

Depends on what you compare it to :)

[@daveburch947]

Nice playing and presentation but those Eastman mandolins are difficult to listen to. Way too brittle and tinny sounding

[@jmtab]

Which brand(s) do you prefer?

[@Servants_Heart]

I wish I could afford a MD315 Eastman.