Eastman "Logo"

[Links]

I have read and heard so much about Eastmans, I am anxious to see one in person. With labor so cheap, and so many skilled artisans in China, I would expect them to be able to produce a first class instrument.

But -------- for some reason, their logo just looks "cheesy" to me. First it appears to be painted or decaled on. It's orientation on the peghead is anything but artistic. It just seems to me that a little work on their logo, maybe even inlaying it in pearl with a nicer "font" and better layout would make them much more appealing.

While I am "picking" on them, I must admit I'm not real crazy about the name either!

[Tim Saxton]

Mine is covered with black electrical tape

[s1m0n]

Looks OK to me.

[Links]

Simon - really! I can't find a decent photo of it, even on their own website. I still don't like it, but it might be a little better if I could see a good image - it still won't change the "orientation" problem.

Can anyone post an image of their headstock?

[John Flynn]

I've played several Eastmans and never noticed a problem, but I have to admit that is about the last thing I would look at on a mandolin. I mostly care how it sounds and plays and then just a general overall impression of how it looks. To me this is like saying, "I would buy that car, but I really don't like the way they put the company logo on the grille."

[Lane Pryce]

I didn't have any issues with my 615 when I had it.I thought the script looked great. Lp

[Stephen Perry]

I'd rather have some ornamentation and a classy script or even just a big "E". Doesn't look that great on the guitars, either! But I've mentioned this to Gordon. It is a frequent comment and may well have prevented some people from getting Eastmans. On the other hand, the gaudy overdecoration of some imports seems to attract even more negative comments.

[John Flynn]

The Elderly site has Eastman headshots. I admit, they are not the best logos I have ever seen, but they don't look bad and it would never keep me from buying one if everything else was right.

http://www.elderly.com/brand/90N_other.html

[f5joe]

So Links, I guess "Michael Kelly" really gets you going?

[Links]

No, Joe it doesn't, but neither does the mandolin! Nice for the price, but not just for me.

Gianna & Steve,

I agree totally with you. I think "overly" ornamentaion of an inexpensive import is worse than nothing at all. I think simple, nicely stated logos or names just add to the "artistc" beauty of an instrument. I think Collings logo, and orientation on the headstock is quite nice - same with Gibson, Weber - OK, Gilchrist, Monteleone, et.al) As somewone with an architectural (art) background, I look at everything.

Although the headstock logo may not be the deciding factor for most buyers, it might be for some, so why eliminate them! I mentioned in another thread that there are some great sounding and playing mandolins (by smaller builders) that I would just not consider woning due to poor craftmanship. This is certainly noy the case with Eastmans, but if I were them I would be proud enough to spend a little more time and effort on their logo.

Probably petty, but that's just me!

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I think the thing that bugs me about the Eastman logo is that it doesn't say: "The Gibson". Just kidding, but I DO wish they'd run it at an angle like Gibson. Because of the long, straight angle above the word Eastman, it makes the logo appear to be crooked, in fact, running downhill. I think the only logos that work when they're placed straight on a mandolin peghead, are short names or logos. JMO

[man doh]

I guess you should turn this into a design the eastman logo contest. (Maybe they will use the winning logo and give first mando to the winner.)

[mrbook]

Logos, gloss or matte finishes, all types of ornamentation - I notice them when I open the case, but never think a bit about any of those things when I play. There are probably people who don't like the way Gibson puts their name on, too.

[neal]

Personally, I like the way Gibson put it on in the early to late 20's, kinda like they do it now on some. Also the real early Gibsons are great. Classy. Hated the 70's Gibson logo. Even on guitars. Martin's logo has always been my favorite, though.

[man doh]

Or maybe they should do something bold and write "eastman" in Chinese on the headstock. No question on where they would be made then.

[Onesound]

Considering the shape which covers a lot of real estate, I agree that the headstocks look uninspired and booring. There certainly is plenty of room for a tasteful inlay of some sort. One would think that Eastman would want their headstocks to compliment the high artistic and craftmanship quality put into their mando bodies.

Cheers,
Brian

[mandroid]

Chinese characters would be nice, far east, man!

[f5joe]

Sort of an understated beauty, me thinks:

[biscuit]

I LIKE IT, IF IT SOUNDS GOOD I LOVE IT!

[dwc]

Thats why I love my Eastman (along with the tone and playability), nothing on the headstock at all.

[Fretbear]

That Eastman logo doesn't look so bad; I have a beautiful 35 year old Yamaki dreadnaught that had a horrible gold decal across the peghead, underneath the finish; I stripped it off and replaced every last removable part on it and have never regretted it, I'm glad they didn't inlay it with anything, or else I would have been stuck with it......

[PlayerOf8]

I have not tried it yet, but I was told that a little lighter fulid on a q-tip will take the gold paint right off. I'm not suggestion that anyone do this, I'm just passing along something that I heard.

GM

[John Flynn]

Or maybe they should do something bold and write "eastman" in Chinese on the headstock. No question on where they would be made then.

Well, if you really want truth in advertising, the guys in Nashville should put "Da Geabs'n" on thier headstocks so we know where they are made!

[EastmanGordon]

Enough about the logo guys, it's been the bane of my existence for about the last two years. I don't know if anyone realises how difficult it is to design something to fit on the headstock of an instrument. We have had many really good graphic designers work on this and all they seem to be able to come up with is something that is so derivative that it would be like stealing, or something that looks like it ought to be on a sneaker and not on a mandolin. We decided to use the logo you see because it was simple, mostly unobtrusive and a reasonable fill in until we came up with the definitive Eastman logo. Since then we have looked at hundreds of designs and they all suck.

So what's a company to do?

What do you think about this. The going rate for a logo design of this type is about $2kish. I know that there is someone out there in mandocafe land that can design a killer logo for us that will be unique yet classic in design. Come up with a design that we decide to use and we will reward you with a brand spanking new 900 series mandolin of your choice (with your logo inlaid into it and a certificate identifying it as the first instrument ever produced with that logo) worth $3kish,immortality in the mando world and bragging rights at every picking session you go to for the rest of your life where someone's playing an Eastman. (Of course nobody will believe you but that's neither here nor there).
Do we have any takers?
Gordon
ps. Remember, the design has to be inlaid into the headstock so it can't be too fiddly and it needs to be instantly recognizable as an Eastman. Art deco, classic, ultra modern, we don't care as long as it works.

[Links]

Gordon:

Thanks for your reply! I promise, I wasn't jumping on you or your mandolins. I can't wait to see and play one!

However, my original question/comment was honest. To many folks, the peghead logo just does not matter. To many others, it makes a lot of difference, even to the point that it definitely affects their buying decision. With the laws of "supply and demand", as your mandolins get more expensive (I hope you keep them reasonable) a good looking peghead logomight make a difference.

Your design contest is a great idea and I will make sure to submit an entry. I am in the design field (golf courses), so I have a pretty good eye for aesthetics. I'll give it a shot!

Thanks again for the reply!