I'm very happy with my Eastman MDO305. I tried the Gold Tone OM-800+ but much preferred the "chop" of the Eastman (and you're right it's from the F holes). That said, some might find the Gold Tone more suitable for Celtic. I wanted to like the Gold Tone enough to keep it for an alternate sound, but a few things kept me from bonding with it:
I felt like the the thick gloss finish deadened the sound, the tuners were uncomfortably close together, and it's fitted with a custom gauge string set (albeit available from several retailers). The Eastman wants D'Addario EJ80s, which are more widely available.
Also note that the Gold Tone comes with an undersaddle pickup. If you want amplification (as I did) most anyone who sells the Eastman will fit it with the K&K Mandolin Twin for you. This is the route I took and it sounds great, although like any K&K it needs a good preamp and EQ. Make sure your dealer does a setup as well.
Good Luck, it's a wonderful instrument. Listen to what Sierra Hull can do with her Weber OM -- I hope I can afford one of those some day (not that I'll ever begin to approach her abilities).
Last edited by jparis51; 08-17-2020 at 09:16 AM.
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