Eastman MD315 versus Kentucky KM-606 - Which would you choose?

[@Mandolin_Matt]

To me the Eastman had more balance, particularly in the upper register. The Kentucky was a bit on the bright end for me, verging on harsh, but I know some people prefer that more old-time sound. I’ve also always found rosewood fretboards very unattractive - that peach-like colour can’t compare to the ebony! I also really like what Eastman do with their mandolin bodies. They seem to be a little shallower than many others, as appears to be the case in this video, but they somehow retain all the volume and sustain. Very well carved and voiced!

[@jasonodell79er]

I want that Kentucky.

[@8stringman]

I’m a bit biased as I own a Kentucky KM-606, but that’s definitely my favorite of the two. It’s got slightly more punch than the Eastman.

[@VictorVectorMusic]

The Eastman. Im a fan of the richer overtones. I own one thats over 10 years old now and its an absolute hoss.

[@citori62946]

Both great mandolins for the money. Tone assessments are very equal, with slight differences to my ear. Kentucky had a better low end with an overall woody chop. Eastman makes a prettier instrument IMHO. Can't go wrong for the money with either of these. Thanks for comparing the two!

[@longtalljay]

You can.

[@silvestrslusis]

Having played most mandolins at this price range, I would choose Loar 600 or 700. All 3xx series Eastmans I tried sounded dead in comparison. Kentucky was better, but still not quite there. The satin finish might have something to do with it, but I don't know. Eastman on the video sounds way better. Maybe the three examples that I tried were from a bad batch or something..

[@barabarahito]

Same, I was surprised at how good the Loar LM-600.vs sounds, woody yet sweet, with a subtle punchiness to it. More power would be useful if I was gigging, but for less than $600 on the used market I've yet to try something better.

[@thefreese1]

I have an old Kentucky A model .handmade in Korea, and an Eastman 315..... Personally , I prefer the A model Kentuky, not only in sound be also in playability.... That Eastman has a fat neck ... It kind of reminds me of the old Gibson V-neck with fat cheeks to boot...That said , I plan on slimming thst down... it's not a hard process to do, and i want to "speed neck" it anyway... The eastman does wave a woodier tone and not as much bite with the chops because the Kentucky has a red Spruce top.. And before anybody gets upset over them being different models, a versus f, I can say that makes no difference at all a mandolin because the app model is nothing more than a solid block of wood that makes the scroll up, the rest of the top is carved just the same as the a model. I will say this , if you ever run across 70s or 80s, Kentucky, either F or A, snatch it up... It will say "made in Korea" .. and even their lower cost models back then we're pretty doggone good. P.S ..The F stsnds for florentine, which is what they call instruments with Scrolls on them. And this is strictly aesthetic and not a tonal aspect of building a mandolin. As far as the two different tones go each one has a good place for it. It all depends on your picking style, if you are playing it on stage or if you are recording with it.

[@manguydude905]

The eastman sounds better in my opinion. I'd go with the eastman, the fact that it has a bound front and ebony fingerboard for a little less money is wild

[@danstune]

The Kentucky has the volume and mid-range bark for bluegrass. The Eastman is wonderful too, more modern sounding, nice even tone, but not as much chop. The Eastman looks a little better IMHO.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Eastman sounds and looks better IMO

[@stephaneczajkowski7867]

The Kentucky sound is less metallic more precise but the e string sounds too high and too tiny.

[@rmandolin]

ive owned one forever, those medium strings dont do it justice, i run heavys and it sounds much more balanced