Eastman MDO305 vs Weber Bitterroot Octave Mandolin Shootout

[@BenjaminMorrenMusic]

I personally like the Eastman most! Both amazing instruments.

[@happymontanamusic]

the weber sounds waaaaay better!

[@powbobs]

@@happymontanamusic It’s also super expensive.

[@jantonisito]

Thanks for making this video. Tone-wise there is no comparison - Weber is sweet sounding and well rounded - Eastman is well.... Still - for $800+ instrument it sounds good enough. I will that playablity and intonation was also addressed. As well as adding electronics - which may even the game for Eastman.

[@happymontanamusic]

agreed

[@jerrychapman943]

I would also add that there is a difference in scale length. The Weber is 20" and the Eastman is 21.5." That may not seem like a big difference, but for me it is. My hands are on the small side and I have trouble with any octave with more than a 20" scale -- I have played both and find the I have trouble reaching some of the notes, especially on chords, on the longer scale length, and it hurts my hand over time.

[@BlackheartCharlie]

Thanks for showing these two instruments side-by-side. Liked and subscribed. I play OM in an Irish band. Wish I could afford a fancy Weber, but I'm not sure I hear $2200+ of tone difference over the Eastman. Might just be how the two were recorded for this video. Would love to hear a comparison of the playability of these two instruments. I have an Eastman 505 mandolin and love the tone and playability. Best regards from Key West, Capt. Blackheart Charlie

[@AcousticShoppe]

The difference is very slight, and the playability is very close, it really comes down to the finer details, it's like comparing a $30,000 truck and an $80,000 truck. They both will pull the load, but one will make you feel better doing it. 😆

[@shreyasphatak5244]

​@@AcousticShoppe well said😝😝 also mahogany has warmer tone which I will personally prefer and maple has brighter tone. i'll definitely go for weber for those little intricate details on that masterpiece❤

[@alkoenig85]

Eastman is an amazing value in anything they carry. I have an Eastman OM-18 and it is amazing.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching.

[@billastell3753]

Wish you'd compared the Eastman MD315 F-Style Mandolin with the Weber.

[@georgefromgreece4119]

It's the Eastman that has that midrangey vintage sound. Weber's full spectrum timbre is very impressive.

[@clawhammer704]

Do a video on a octave O against a octave F of the same company.

[@michaeladams2644]

If you got the do re mi the Weber has the note definition but...... Eastman is really holding its own really then you add technique 👍

[@geoffreycarter3981]

another instrument I did not know that I needed!

[@django02]

Would have been good to include comparison of some specs. Scale lengths? Nut widths?

[@AcousticShoppe]

We apologize for any inconvenience, in our latest videos we try and hit all of the specs! On the Eastman the Nut width is 1-3/4" & the Scale length is 21" meanwhile on the Weber the Nut width is 1 3/8". We don't have specs on the scale length on the Weber but the look very very similar. Hope this helps!

[@django02]

@@AcousticShoppe Thanks a lot for the added info. I've found that scale length and nut width specs are important for assessing the playability of octave mandolins. Especially the scale length.

[@andrewferguson8276]

Hi guys. Could you please tell me what this song was ?

[@JeffGillis-lv1rz]

The A & F style octave mandolin’s looked like one had a longer neck length? We’re the the same? We’re they 20” or 22”?

[@EliInSpace]

I like the way the eastman sounds better

[@gabrielmojay7720]

Hands up I'm not a pro player but while the Weber has a beautiful, refined, guitar-like tone to my ear, I miss that violin-like, woodsy sound of the Eastman which I find more folksy and full of character personally. (I have 4 Eastmans including the 305 octave.)

[@ethannickerson1901]

"Octave-gon" is harilous.

[@TheRycooder]

Eastman

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

The Mandy’s only spent a few seconds in the Octave gong

[@11000038]

The Weber may be a fantastic instrument but it's way too fancy looking for my taste.

[@TheHexeract]

2:30 how a cop would describe an octave mandolin

[@aljones9684]

Good... but perhaps another video with just A/B playing comparison of the two. Less talk, more picking.

[@angelgomez8377]

I'm sorry,way too much talking and little playing the instruments.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

If you play this at 1.75 speed they're like tiny little guys on speed playing mandolins. You're welcome..

[@f5mando]

It's from the east, man! Sorry - I couldn't resist.

[@AcousticShoppe]

We see what you did there😉

[@lowellirish]

Next! Let's "compare" a Yamaha upright piano for $4,600 with a Steinway concert Grand for $160,000 🙄

[@TheRycooder]

Wish you would have played more and talked less….. after all “sound” is what's important.

[@powbobs]

Comments like this always confuse me. Why be so rude?

[@clovergrass9439]

​@@powbobsI appreciate all they had to say.

[@timple89]

Wish you wouldn't make comments, they are so idiotic. After all what they have to say is what's important.

[@chromefree]

Dudes, too much blabbermouthing and scant little actual tonal comparison.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the feedback. Also, thanks for watching! Be sure to like, share, and subscribe for more!

[@clovergrass9439]

​@@AcousticShoppeThanks for all the info about these models and this instrument!

[@gwonya]

Top quality blabbermouthing fellas. I enjoyed the link very much. Thanks for the helpful info. - Toronto

[@michaelmchugh2844]

You’re not the kind of woman I wanted…….