Within the past month, I purchased both an Eastman Octave Mandolin (MDO-305) and an Eastman A-Style Mandolin (MD-305). Carved spruce top, solid maple back & sides. Very good build quality, and they both sound great. My only nitpick would be that the tuners could be a little better.
...and yes, you're gonna need a thicker pick! I settled on Primetone 1.4mm.
