Thank you all. I sincerely appreciated the time you took to respond and your advice. I bought the Eastman.
Spent day 1 playing Collings and Eastman with shop manager friend after shop closed. Then day 2 brought in mandolin playing buddy for a second opinion and to hear the mandos played by a real musician.
It was close. Cost was not an issue at all. Fit, finish, and playability were a near-tie with the edge going to Eastman. Its a really lovely instrument. Tone was close too with edge to Collings, which is quieter but a little sweeter sounding.
Shop manager, mando buddy, and I all voted Eastman. 3-0. It was just too good
No disrespect to Collings. I own a Collings dread and a Collings 360 electric, and had a Collings OM until I traded it in for a Bourgeois. Collings instruments are fantastic.
And still ... wow ... Eastman
Thanks again and Merry Christmas to all