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.
@@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.
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!
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 😅
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.
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... 😉
