Octave Mandolin Comparison: Weber A20 and Eastman MDO 305 

There is a big difference in price just to let you know, the Weber is twice the price but it sounds a bit more mellow and softer sound. it be nice to know how the guy that was playing it as to which one was nicer and feel to play, As to the Eastman i got and i love it. but then again i have not tried the other, Take care

The dark one sounds much better and has better intonation up the neck. listen to the light one around 2 15 and compare it to the same phrase on the dark one just before it. It has more balanced tone and richer overtones. That is to my ears anyway.

I like the brighter, crisper sound of the Eastman. The Weber is good too, but I prefer the Eastman.

This folks is the way to do a comparison. Great job Maple Street - will visit the store.

The weber would have sounded nicer if it was in tune lol

I think the big difference is between maple and mahogany - take your pick

Would like to have heard each instrument played doing a slow melodic tune. I think it brings out the best in the Octave mandolin.

My ears prefer the EASTMAN as it sounds more bassy.

The Eastman sounds so much better. Kind of surprised given the price difference. But I love Eastman guitars, too!

I’d go with the Weber for picking, Eastman for strumming. Which is pretty consistent with my taste in other instruments when choosing between mahogany (dark) and maple (bright) tone woods.

As we mandolin players know, a mandoin has a scale length of 14" or 13 7/8th. A mandola is about 16" if I am correct. An OM can be around 21, 22, or near 23". Several years ago I built myself an E-OM with a 21" scale because my fingers are not as long as other people, it seems. The fingering is a bit different, it seems, and requires more practice to play well. I had played guitar for many decades, but the tuning of the strings was different as well. Either way, the OM is a fascinating instrument.

Eastman are incredible...I have two

I prefer the Eastman. Sounds prettier, and more clear.

The Weber is a LOT better. This is a true apples to apples comparison as they are both A style.

The Weber was strongest in the beginning, but it’s as if the Eastman just said “nope, I’ve got this”… the Weber became muddy while the Eastman was articulate. I must admit I was surprised at the outcome.

Nice demo! I think I'm sold on the Eastman.

The Weber sounds more guitar-like to my ears.

Nick could make a cigar box sound good but the eastman sounds better I've played one but it doesn't have the mellow of my Pono OM.

And I thought I could play. Yea Nick....sweet!

This sounds like Cannibals by Mark Knopfler

Pity he cant strum

I expected more from the Weber.. almost sounds like the intonation is off as he plays up the fret board. Not that I like the Eastman.. which is a bit to boxy. Pass on both. :(

No

Nice comparison. Love some Octave. Thanks.

They are close but the Weber wins for me.

Surprised how muddy the Weber was. My friend has an excellent Weber mandolin that beats my Eastman mando, but this Eastman octave is so much clearer than the Weber octave.

Dose the difference in scale length make one easier to play then the other?

An octave mandolin is a mandolin tuned one octave below normal mandolin and a mandocello is a mandola tuned one octave below normal mandola.

The octave mandolin is the lower tenor member of the mandolin family together with the mandocello.

Octave mandolin is the tenor version of the mandolin just like the irish tenor banjo and also the tenor violin whereas normal mandolin as in bluegrass band is the alto ones.

Do these have carved backs?

I'm looking and I'm paying Cash

Sounds like the MD 305 wins

Eastman sounds better to me.

I LOVE the eastman

I like the Weber , To me it just has much more tone

The Weber sounds much more refined and centered to me.

Eastman sounds more like what I think an octave should sound like.