#16
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I am very interested in an octave mandolin but the Eastmans are not easy to come across.
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#17
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I bought my Gibson F9 about a dozen years ago. 40% off when a local.shop was closing. The Interweb led me to the Bluegrass G chord, a finger buster if there ever was one.
It took a few years to master that and learn the major and minor chords with the occasional 7th for good measure. Then I began the transfer of fiddle tunes from my guitar repertoire and worked on the Chop. The purchase of a Tonegard helped the mandolin tone blossom. After playing a few more expensive models. I realized that for ensemble work the F9 could really cut through. A more bass and lower toned model would be my preference for solo playing.
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rubber Chicken Plastic lobster Jiminy Cricket. |
#18
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Thanks to all who chimed in. I ended up with an Eastman MD404 - I love the mahogany tone in my guitars and it seemed to translate to mandos. Has a K&K in it already.
Now, it’s time to start playing! |
#19
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Congratulations! Pics, pics... we need pics.
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#20
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Great choice - you'll get a lot of mileage out of that and better still, if you ever decide to move up the mandolin food chain you won't have any trouble selling the Eastman. Make sure to use a heavy pick - anything from 1.0mm and up will get the best tone and volume.
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1969 Martin 00-18 2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar |
#21
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There’s are two for sale right now on Mandolin Cafe. One priced very well from Sun Valley Guitars. I’m interested in an octave, too, but maybe a little later in my playing journey or I’d grab the Eastman for sure.
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Carol _______________ PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo Emerald X30 Woody Traveler EG-1 Custom |
#22
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Thanks Carol. I just bought a guitar last week so I need to pace myself.
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#23
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As Kerbie said, if there aren't pictures it didn't happen. You've gotten lots of good advice here and have chosen well. Enjoy it and be careful about that death grip on the neck that many guitar players bring with them to the mandolin. Relax and enjoy it!
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"I go for a lotta things that's a little too strong" J.L. Hooker |
#24
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Quote:
My friend Tom TJ Jessen (Cricket fiddle) makes very good, more affordable instruments. A style, F style and guitar body style octave mandolins. Alternately it's pretty easy to convert a 12 string guitar to a GBOM. |
#25
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Eastman
I have an Eastman MD-505 (A-style) and it is fantastic. Congratulations on your new Eastman!
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#26
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Eastman really does rule the affordability sector of the marketplace. Big fan of the 300 series. Eastmans are a gateway drug. Depending on where you bought from, a setup may be in order. Eastman factory setup is good, but still needs tweaking. The Mandolin Store, Elderly, Gryphon, are just some of the shops that do this for you.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#27
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Quote:
If you are coming from the mandolin world, even the shorter end of the octave mandolin scale range takes adjustment to be able to play, especially for fast playing. In some cases, songs you know how to play on mandolin have to be modified a bit to make them playable on an octave mandolin. I've found that it's easier to reach notes on a 19" scale, but the short scale results in low string tension, floppy strings, and string buzz. With my average size hands, a 23" scale is too long. I cannot play fast single note stuff on a 23" scale length below the 7th fret because of the long reaches required. I've found that a scale length of 20 1/2" to 21" works best for both single note stuff and for chording. If you plan to mainly play chords, a longer scale could work. |
#28
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Good info, thanks
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Martin D18 Gibson J45 Martin 00015sm Gibson J200 Furch MC Yellow Gc-CR SPA Guild G212 Eastman E2OM-CD |
#29
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Quote:
https://www.sagamusic.com/shop/mando...n-natural-top/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8hB5RffiY |
#30
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I just recently purchased my first mandolin, a Kentucky KM-250. The Kentucky KM-150 was highly recommended as a good "student" mandolin, and the KM-250 was only a few dollars more.
I already regret not spending more money, and getting an f-hole mando rather than an oval hole.
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Eastman AC422CE - sitka & rosewood '86 Guild D-25 - spruce & mahogany Taylor GS Mini - spruce & rosewood Eastman MD-514 Mandolin - spruce & maple Kentucky KM-250 Mandolin - spruce & maple |