First of all I joined the group today. So hi! I hope that I can some useful stuff to the group's discussions. Based on a detailed A-B comparison on Eastmans 505 and 605 mandolins, as well as a Weber Absaroka, and a Loar LM-600, I took the plunge today and bought a 605E mandolin, which according to Kyle at the Mandoshop was the best sounding mandolin of the lot. So I look forward to receiving and playing it in the next week. It has an amazing response in the trebles up the neck, unlike any of the others. It has a rich sound. I can post some photos of it courtesy of the Mandoshop if any of you are interested. Cheers Nic