Are Gibsons Worth It? | BLIND Mandolin Comparison 

They both sound great to my ears which means the Gibson is not worth the extra $3K. However, having been a guitar player and collector for going on 50 years, I can tell you that I rarely, if ever, did I lose money on a Gibson USA instrument. So my ultimate conclusion is if you like the sound of the Gibson and can afford one then buy it and enjoy it! And if not, no worries, because you can't go wrong with the excellent quality and sound of the Eastman MD 815! Thank for the great video guys!

Fun little review and also informative. It is so amazing to see the quality of mandolins at all price ranges these days. I remember how hard it was to find a mandolin that did not sound like a pine plank back in the mid-70s when I was looking. In 1973, I paid about $250 for a very nice 1919 Gibson F-2 that had been poorly refinished (don't know why) -- so I did some "hippy sanding" like Norman Blake and use a glass pane to scrap all the finish off -- then rubbed on a couple of coats of tung oil -- it sounded great and I was as happy as a clam. For me Gibson fills an emotional need as well as acoustic. No I'd probably not be content with a 1949 to 1977 Gibson F-model but I do like the name - - when you own a Gibson mandolin you are part of tradition that went from Orville through Lloyd, Monroe and Derringer and now Harvey -- I like to be a little part of that continuum. Rational? Probably not really logical but why do I have to be logical about my passions?

I like the brighter sound of the Eastman a bit more than the Gibson. Can't afford either... Thanks for the video! It really was a pleasure watching and listening to both of you play those little git-fiddles!

I have an older 815 that was one of my early mandos. I am friends with Dan Crary, one of the stalwarts of bluegrass flatpicking. Whenever we get together to play, and I play my 815, he comments on how much he likes the tone. I have a great Weber two point and a Pomeroy F5. Both are professional grade mandos with much woodier, darker voices, but Dan prefers the 815 (probably why I still have it). Full disclosure Dan has played Taylor guitars for decades and prefers them over Martins. They tend to be brighter than Martins, so it may just be than Dan is drawn to that brighter tone of the Eastman.

Great video. We need more of these. One of the biggest challenges for new players just starting out is what to buy especially on a budget. Please bring more of these with many types of instruments. And especially Budget friendly instruments that are good and maybe some one to stay away from.

You two make them both sound GREAT. Thank you both!

Great comparison and information for a newbie like myself. Thanks!

Great video. I think the Eastman sounds great and is a remarkable value!

Thanks, this was a great informative videos guys!

I have two Eastman mandolins, the 615 and 305. I love them both and am considering the 815 or 915. The quality of Eastman mandolins is very good and very consistent. I have played the Gibson mandolin as well. Beautiful tone!

I started on an Eastman MD814 which is an F-style gloss finish like they demo’d but with an oval hole instead of f-holes. It was a bright sounding instrument but when I played alone doing bluegrass or Celtic tunes it was great. But I agree with these guys that when I tried playing with a group the brighter tone didn’t seem to have much volume to it and didn’t carry well in the group so I was drowned out really bad. I upgraded to a Collings MF after saving up for a long time and initially felt like it had a duller tone but once I broke it in, it was much warmer and more complex and worked better in the group. Eastman is still an AMAZING value. I ended up selling my Eastman so I could get an Octave Mandolin later on but I do miss it sometimes.

Great vid. Props for keeping the tempo consistent between each take! I’m a longtime guitarist who is a newbie mando player. I own an Eastman and really love it. At some point I may upgrade to a Gibson. Thanks again for the cool video.

I like any instrument you guys are playing. All your videos are fun and great picking!

Eastman was my first mando. I also owned the F9, which i liked also. I sold it and bought a Northfield Big Mon. It is a really good mandolin for the money. I like the setup on the Northfield better. The Gibson had a little more woody tone. It all comes down to money and what you want to hear I guess. All pretty nice mandolins. Very good video, I enjoyed it, Thanks.

That was tough and how you worked the comparison at the end was the best way to compare. Wow, they sounded a little different but both had great tones that... would change a little with different types of strings; The Gibson could sound brighter and the Eastman more woody. So really, it could come down to if one would spend more $$ just to have a Gibson.

I think both are great instruments. For me I would need the radius fretboard because of hand issues. Now as for the Eastman, I have played dozens of them over the years and currently own two. I have personally seen the 500 series Eastman mandolins crush the 8 and 900 series for volume and sustain and resonance. First time I thought someone got lucky. 4th time I started to see a pattern forming… Eastman is fantastic and I own a whole fleet of their stuff. Gibson is great too but I can’t afford the prestige they purport to offer.

Hey nice video. I’m a guitar player and I’ve been trying to learn more about Mandolins since I saw Marty Stuart tear his up last week. I’m impressed with everything Eastman makes these days. A lot of the difference in tone on these is exactly what I would expect with a brighter Red Spruce top versus a mellower and more woofy spruce top. The only thing that I couldn’t tell is how much louder you could play the Eastman. I know on guitars, you can drive more volume out of a Red Spruce top than you can Sitka. Don’t know how that translates on Mandolins. They both sounded great!

My son's first "good" mandolin was an Eastman 815V. Quite a step up from his beginner Rogue. The Eastman has a nice sound but is not very loud. When properly mic'd it sounds very good. His newest mando is a Northfield Big Mon which is quite a beast in tone and volume!

I'd love to see a F5-g and a comparatively priced Northfield comparison. BTW, I caught the Chapmans at Darrington BG this July...great and fun show. -Jim

This is a great video. Thanks! Already subbed.

As a guitarist and 815 owner since 2007 I can attest to the great playability and absolute lack of "woody" tone and power. I got one with the "Spirit Varnish". The Eastman was the only way to fly for me due to the price. Being primarily a guitarist, I don't regret my decision. But boy, I wish I owned a Gibson.... or a Dudenbostel....or a Collings....or a Gilchrist....(add your favorite builder here). Great video!

Awesome video. Never owned an Eastman but played several and they make great entry/intermediate level instruments. Gibson definitely charges for the name. I’ve played several and owned several. If you guys get your hands on one, I’d love to see a comparison between a Northfield Big Mon and a Gibson Fern. I just purchased a Big Mon with engleman spruce, the wide nut, and one piece back and have been absolutely blown away. I think the Big Mon would give the Fern a run for its money. Especially at half the price.

Man I just love the sound of Gibson instruments. That warm punchy scooped tone they have. The Gibson Hummingbird guitar. Or this F9 mandolin. It sounds like the mandolins Adam Steffey plays sometimes, though he might be playing other brands too.

They are both great sounding mandolins. I have to admit, I was completely wrong on the tones. What I thought was the Eastman, was the Gibson. I've got a Kentucky 685 which is all I need, as I will never be performing on stage. Would love either one of those, but just now justification here. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming!!! God bless.

As not a mandolin player but a musician of many years there were certain playing techniques Jeremy did that the Gibson stood out a little more than the Eastman but both sounded very good to me and most of that opinion was due the the musician. I really appreciate the honesty that you all provide, it makes me feel comfortable about the integrity of your store in general. Keep on smiling.

good show! thanks!

For price wise you can find an old style Gibson a jr or a style mandolin. How would you say those hold up against high end off shore mandolins? I own a 1919 a style and I absolutely love it

I own the MD815 sunburst model shown in this video. It’s my favourite mando I’ve ever played and I’d highly recommend it! A few points that might help those considering buying: 1. The sound develops considerably over the first couple of months into a really nice dry, woody, bluegrassy tone. For a close tonal equivalent check out videos of Mike Marshall playing his Gibson on the ArtistWorks channel. Also, it is LOUD. If you’re upgrading from a lesser mandolin, it will be the first thing you notice when you strum it. 2. Looks-wise, it’s much nicer in person than on camera. The colour settings on the camera here bring out lots of yellow tones. In reality, the sunburst is darker and richer, with more brown tones akin to Gibson’s Cremona burst, just about reaching black towards the edges. Also, the flame on the back and sides is stunning, and the gloss finish brings out an amazing chatoyance. 3. It plays very well. You can get away with a very low action without affecting the volume. Also, the Adirondack top is very responsive even to a very light touch. When I first got it, I kept playing Jessamyn’s Reel over and over because I was fascinated by how light and articulate it was. In terms of the comparison in this video, I personally can’t see how an additional $3.5k to get a basic, ‘no frills’ Gibson is worthwhile. In fact, you could almost buy the Eastman AND a Northfield S Series, another beauty, for the cost of the F9. Putting aside the benefit of ‘owning a Gibson’, you are getting a sitka rather than Adirondack top (a massive downgrade in tone and volume), a satin rather than gloss finish (losing articulation and precision), and sacrificing a lot in appearance (an important element for those willing to fork out on an f-style). I’m Irish so perhaps don’t possess the patriotic idea of ‘American made’, but the fact that Eastman’s workshop is larger and their builders are Chinese have no bearing on their ability to make great instruments.

As the newbie working my way up the beginner's chain, consider most of us don't really know what "our" sound is, what we think we what to sound like, nor where we are going. Start simple and grow right? I started with an A Loar 220 then Loar 600 now an Eastman 815, each one has helped me grow. I did play some very nice Northfield and Collins mandolins before committing to the Eastman. At my skill level and the stuff I was playing, that gap between their capabilities and my abilities was too great. It was not about the price point but what made sense. The 815 was far easier to just jump on and enjoy day one... Yet a lot of potential waiting on me with the 815. Someday I know I will spend the big bucks, just not right now. It has always been true, "use the right tool for the job at hand".

I like the Gibsons, but having worked in Nashville for a number of years doing repair, I’ve seen a lot of players using Eastman on the road. Upgrading tuners and tailpieces and whatever else they’re great sounding mandolins and real workhorses, without feeling like your carrying around 5 or 6k.

Try listening to the A/B comparison with AirPods on and hear the insanely cavernous reverb it’s bussed through lol.. like playing mandolin in the worlds largest cave. Great vid guys!

Great A-B comparison!!!

I love my Eastman 915. Tone seemed to deepen after 12 or so years.

Thanks for the video..... Great video guys! I would be completely embarrassed if I worked for, owned, or had anything to do with Gibson myself.... The price difference is ridiculous... That Eastman is a beast for the price!!!

The F-9 has my vote, that’s the tone I prefer. Being a banjo lackey I’ll take the Gibson. This was the best video I have watched to date. And I’m very certain that the next video will be better yet! Thanks for sharing!!

Would love to see a comparison of the Centenary Gibson with a Dudenbostel.

Find a shop that has a number of Eastmans in the same model to try out and you will be surprised by how different they will sound. I picked out a 515 out of a group of 5 of them and my mandolin has a great round tone that I haven't found in any other mandolins for $5000 or less.

That mellow tone that the Gibson has sounds great. I think that the Eastman sounds lively and good, as well. I wonder if a different set of strings would mellow out the Eastman.

I hear a lot of comments saying the Gibson sounds deeper/warmer. The Gibson was recorded turned more toward the neck mic which generally picks up the warmer sound of the instrument. I think he just shifted a bit in the chair, but 2-3 inches one way or the other can make a big difference in recording. Technique in recording is if you want a big broad sound, put mic near 12th fret, for more focussed/direct notes, close to the bridge. Pick work is like this too. Will totally take their word on the Gibson sounding a little deeper/rounder in person though. I just wouldn’t expect it to be as much as here. The good news, the Eastman certainly holds its own at 1/3 the price. 😊

I preferred the sound of the Eastman. I thought it articulated more profoundly. I was lucky enough to meet Mark Bluett, a great boutique builder from York PA and purchase an F5 style from him in 1996. I haven’t found a mandolin to match it for my technique. There is no nasally tone at all. It projects so well that it allows me to play a lot of 2 string chops on the third and fourth strings. From players perspective, it’s about how to match instrument to the technique and budget. Unless you are a collector, when instrument shopping, look, smell, play and repeat until you find the one that you want that speaks to you. It may not necessarily be the most expensive one you find,

I like the demo where Jeremy changes mandolin with out his fingers ever leaving the fretboard. Maybe the Eastman for me.

If I didn't know this was an A/B test video and I was listening without the video, I wouldn't have noticed the mandolin was being switched.

Those are both beautiful, but one day I will invest in a Gibson. Right now I play a Savannah F-Style (made in China and not even a serial number). It is comfortable and sounds nice, but I still want to upgrade. Thanks for this video!!

Would love to hear a Jerry Rosa mandolin next to those sweet mandolins

Preferred B . . . I'm glad I liked the Eastman better. The chords sounded virtually identical through my speakers, the single note lines were more articulate in the Eastman and a bit dull sounding in the Gibson. Well, to my ears anyway.

Thanks for the video. Could you tell me what the tune is that you are playing here? Sorry if I missed it .

From a building aspect, nothing like the design of an F-4. Spruce conducts sound many times faster than other woods. Older it gets, the faster the sound. There are a series of convex and concave scoops underneath, funneling the sound to the f-holes. Old Gibsons are the Stradivarius of mandolins. It must be made by hand. New wood moves like crazy and you have what you have when it starts to buckle.

First, the A & E pairs sound identical between both mandos, IMO, while the difference between the G & D pairs (lower tonal registers) is subtle, with the F9 very slightly warmer (fuller) and the 815 slightly brighter. Here is the other issue: tonal differences may be much more apparent to the person playing it because of their positioning relative to the soundboard projection, room acoustics and the tactual feel of their resonating bodies. I've recorded instruments that sounded better than what I was hearing live, and some sound worse - so recordings may not be an accurate representation of an instruments true "live" sound!

I love my Eastman 515V, I'm an beginner/intermediate player. I'm 62 and could "afford" either one, I've always been budget minded. Gibson will always have the name, if your looking for resale value, but I don't buy instruments with the idea of selling them... This video shows me that I don't need to lust after a better instrument, I just need to practice the one I own. Thanks for this comparison. Eastman claims their instruments are "hand crafted" they are high value, and not stamped out in some mass production factory. Full disclosure, my brother is an Eastman dealer, but I still feel the same way. American made instruments are very fine, I own professional USA made instruments and they will always demand a higher price.

I'm looking to upgrade my Mandolin and these were two at the top of my list. I'm thinking Eastman because I didn't hear enough of a difference in tone for the extra 2500 bucks. Even with the Gibson name.

I was surprised by my wrong guess. I like the Eastman tone a bit better. I thought it had a fuller tone with the treble strings.

Both are great sounding.

I have to agree I liked the sound of "A" better but did you say somewhere if they had the same strings on them? Just a change of strings on guitar makes a big difference ...

All squares are rectangles but only equilateral rectangles are squares! 7:40

I heard you guys talking about a mandolin made by Eastman and Bourgeois with a wider nut and premium woods. Has that happened and if not, are they coming soon?

I don't care for the sound of the Eastman in this comparison. Eastman mandolins, as well as with their guitars, both seem to lack in treble response tonally, at least that's what I'm hearing. Eastman instruments have more bass and low mid range. The Gibson has more trebles and sounds better in my opinion. Good video.

Gibson Grover tuners on the F-9. Gibson hasn't used Schaller for many years (since around 2004). Don't take my word for it. Ask Dave Harvey or check Gibson's website.Excellent video and comparison, though, Messers Chapman - as usual!

Im sure its been said but all squares are rectangles, not the other way around. Mandolin A has a sweet tone to me.

I recognized A as the Gibson right away, not to say that the Eastman sounded bad, just different. I love the "playability" point, though. I think that's the number one thing people overlook in these comparison videos. Especially with a more drastic price difference like a cheap Yamaha guitar vs. a D18. People say they can't hear a difference (and using a thousand dollar microphone on both, maybe they are right) so the martin is a waste of money, but the big difference is how it feels when you play it. These higher end instruments just feel so much better, and to me that's worth the higher price point.

I was looking away from the screen while listening. Was waiting for you to say, now switching to the other instrument. To my surprise he was swapping them the whole time and I didn't even realize it.

Lucky to have a Waterloo...by Collins..great a style... Got lucky.. From Lark . San Antonio.. BLUEGRASS Chops good... picking... really good..

I think the only reason the F9 sounds woodsier is because of the finish. I like my 815v. However, if Jeremy wants to gift me an F9 I would not complain.

Which was A and which B? I don’t think I heard you say. I preferred the A sound. Thank you.

Mandolin B has a very slightly mellower tone when picked.

the gibson tone i would describe as very rich with a small tendency to sound boomy on the lower strings. the eastman is nearly the opposite and therefore will easier shine through any arrangement without ever having the punch of the gibson. but one thing is to remember: changing to strings a different character will change the whole thing!

Iv got a Eastman 815 and it’s decent. I also have a Kentucky A model that has a outstanding chop. Iv had a lot of compliments on its tone and volume. It’s gets played the most , just wish it was a F model. It’s puts very expensive mandos to shame.

I think which sounds better depends entirely on the style of music you like to play. The piece you play here sounds much better on the Gibson. I use an A-style Eastman to play Classical and old French, Irish, and Italian pieces, and I don't think I would like the Gibson at all in that role. The Eastman is perfect for it.

I honestly can’t say I prefer the tone of one over the other, they both sound great but different. It’s like trying to compare two different IPAs from different breweries; they can both taste fantastic but are not the same. Unfortunately, there are still people who seem to think something is superior because it cost more or where it’s made but in my view it’s down to the craftsmanship. Here in the UK American made instruments are even stupider money. I’m planning on getting another mandolin and am torn between the MD-815 or a Collings MT at twice the price. I’m not a professional bluegrass player just a keen learner, and I used to own an Eastman 515 which I thought was a great instrument (but the had definitely cut a few corners to save money it seemed) so I’m wondering what paying soooo much more (£4k) for a Collings would give me? That 815 just isn’t a Gibson but there’s no way it could ever be described as a bad mandolin because it looks, sounds and plays great in my book. So, now I’m definitely swaying back towards Eastman.

Jeremy, am understanding correctly that you use an Eastman 815/v as your teaching mandolin?

I honestly have to say the Gibson has a tonality that fits my ear best. The Eastman appears to be a very well made instrument but the Gibson's sound is better, but it's price tag is very prohibitive for me.

Buying an expensive mandolin won't make anyone a better player, only the discipline of practice will do that...beginners should buy a much cheaper mandolin than either of these until they even see if they're gonna stick with it or not...& even then, if you learn how to set up your own mandolin, you can take a $200-$400 mandolin & make it sound pretty damn good without having to put out thousands on one you can't play that well anyway & is likely to wind up an expensive closet decoration...buy a cheap one, see if you're going to stick with it & upgrade when appropriate...beginner plunking sounds the same on a cheap mandolin as it does on an expensive mandolin...

I hear some bass resonation in the Eastman. I would have gone for the Eastman, but I prefer the tighter sound of the Gibson here. Btw I have an Eastman Mando as well, fits my wallet better ;-)

“A” sounded best to me

What is the name of the tune played throughout this video. It sounds like a reel, but I'm not familiar with it? Anybody know. Many thanks.

Look at the scroll on that Gibson, you can see the difference right there.

The Eastman just sounded better overall, to my ears. Of course, I have an Eastman mando. But I was trying to be fair! Bang for buck is just through the roof.

I’ve owned a blonde Eastman 815, a Northfield Big Mon and and a Northfield Artist V2. They were all very good but none of them compared to either of the two Gibson F9’s I’ve owned, one of which is the Acoustic Shoppe edition with wide nut and ebony fretboard. That Gibson dry chop just has more wood. But yeah, you’re not suffering with any of the top quality mando’s from the Asian makers.

I have a Washburn mandolin, not sure of the model. It was my dad's. Also have a 1956 Martin D28 guitar. Sad thing is I can't play either. Have many memories of my Mom playing the guitar, dad playing the mandolin. Enjoyed your video a lot.

It would be interesting to hear how the Gibson compares to the 815v I tried both the 815 and 815v and thought that the 815v blew the 815 away Then again, with acoustic instruments it can all be about luck

That finale seals it. The difference is... uh, uh, hah, hah!

I am pretty sure that A the Eastman. I do like the brighter sound and personally for the money, I buy the Eastman

It’s ALL about the player!

Excellent comparison. I have owned a Gibson F9 for a few years and love its sound but the Eastman is a great sounding instrument too. Listening with reference headphones to your video I would say that the Gibson sounds more 'open' and resonant but for most players on a limited budget the Eastman is as close as you'll get to a Gibson for a great sound.

I find the Eastman more pleasing tone wise.

Id say nope...the ole musical law of diminishing returns strikes again. Absolutely LOVE my "cheap" minimal finished MD315 and its open vibrant sound compared to the more focused "tight" sounding Gibbys. Youre basically just paying a LOT more for a name and prestige IMO :)

Jerry Rosa sent me.👍👍

I have a 315 and an 815v. To me, the 315 beats it on sound easily. The 815v is bright and does not have the same woody thump. The 815 has much better hardware, that's about it.

You guys forgot to talk about what strings you were using for this test.

8:34... Who heard "Eulogy" by Tool?

Unless I am dropping 9k plus on a classic gibson. I tend to stay away from them. To damn expensive for what you get. There are a ton of custom builders that will give you a top quality mandolin for nearly the same price as a low end Gibson.

Great comparison, the chop of the Eastman is nice but the clarity of the Gibson on picked melodies I think is superior. Look forward to more blind comparisons!

At 60 yrs. Old ,,,I own a few Mandolins , Several Guitars , Fiddles, Dobro's , a Dulcimer ,,,Bla Bla Bla ! A Lot of the Click, Group , Status Symbol , or Credit till you Get it people thinks That the more it cost , The better it plays , Thus will propel them into a Musician & Stardom ! The Truth is a Entry level instrument will & Can do everything that the Musician is able to get out of it ! Unless your my age or don't have normal Family bills , or play for a living ,,, Who can afford a $12,000.00 Mandolin or Guitar I,ve owned Martin & Taylor, Gibson & Bla Bla Bla , But when you start putting Braces on Kids teeth , Tires on their cars , prom dresses,,, weddings , House payments , retirement ,,, why would you spend that kind of money , purely as a Hobby or Enjoyment ! And I get it ,,, with American Made ! And Shying away from made in CHINA ! As Honest as I Know how to be , I Bought a " Blueridge 160-A " listed as Unplayable off " Reverb" as a Project , with a hardshell case ! The truss rod had been cranked down tight tight , The plastic saddle ruined, the Nut destroyed and not a string on it ! But there wasn't one tiny scratch on the wood finish ! After a month of releasing the truss rod , Grover open gear gold tuners , True Bone Nut & Saddle , Dressing the neck and frets , setting it up with Elixars,,, I'll Gladly put My $600.00 Blueridge 160A Up against any for Clarity, ease of Playing , Volume & Sustain ,,, And before you scoff , I Own 3 Martins to include a D-18, a HD-anniversary edition and a 1970 d-28 ,,,, other than a Little bit more Mellow ,,,,the D-28 is the only one close to the Blueridge ! I Love a Gibson Banjo,,, But the rest leaves to much on the table , I own a Kentucky 650 Mandolin ,,that I love ,,, I give $470.00 for it when it was new 35 yrs ago ! Bottom line ,,, In the Country , Bluegrass and Gospel world ,,, Gibson priced themselves outta the reach of the People that put em there !

Ii own an f9 currently and have played the 815.the 815 just don't have that bark

Both sound good A is more low mids. And B is more high mids

Does the f9 sound better...a little yea.......not 3 times better

It's an investment piece. You'll likely get it back or more,... if you ever sell it. Many of us, (myself included),. will never be able to afford such an instrument. In this sad economy,...completely out of reach and quite the opposite of how gibson started out. My grandpa bought three mandos around 1915/6 for his small band and each was around a hundred, hundred and fifty bucks as I recall. And with monthy payments of a few bucks to gibson direct on their payment plan. A kind of first in the industry. They wanted to get them into the hands of people that were hurting and wanted to make music. If grandpa saw these prices - he'd likely stop breathing. Cheers.

I like the Weber I bought from y’all better 😊

No it's not worth it... if 5 to 8 grand is pocket change buy one...but sound wise? i can tell you first hand it's not... finding a Gibson that sounds good is as tough as any other brand... i always find that despite my collection the ones i love most are the cheapest ones because i seem to be impressed by them. not expecting much...The little engine that could i suppose... and the expensive ones never quite measure up to the hype...i have a wall full of custom and rare Les Paul's.... funny thing is i will pick up the Les Paul junior deluxe and it just rips...this holds true with my mandolins etc etc etc.. don't get me wrong my expensive stuff is nice and i love them all..however i love my bargains too...

You do know that you can turn off "safe search" and see the mandolins you are playing.

Love my 305 Eastman. As good as any gibson.