Decisions, Decisions

[Kris N]

I'm pretty new to the mandolin, a little over 3 months in. After spending 2 months (prior to the 3) figuring out which mandolin to buy (tons of great suggestion by the forum!), I settled on a Kentucky KM505, brand new. It wasn't so cheap that I'd outgrow it quickly, but not so expensive my wife would throw me out. Plus, I got a discount from a buddy who worked at a music shop a few towns away. I didn't get a chance to play it before I bought it, but thought what could go wrong?

I took it to a luthier for setup and began my journey. Over time, I started noticing that my left thumb and joint would be in pain after practicing. At first, I thought it was because I was building hand strength. To be safe, I took it to a different luthier. He inspected and said everything was good. I then tried changing my hand position, angle of my arm, position of the mandolin, etc. Still pain. After 2 months, it dawned on me: what if its the shape of the neck?

I headed over to a local shop that sold Eastman's and picked up a MD515 and MD315 30 minutes in, no pain. My hand was moving all over the frets like butter.

I've now got a dilemma: do I stick with the Kentucky, or get an Eastman? The wife has approved the additional $400-$500 cost (to my surprise), but I wanted to ask if there's anything else to try before spending more on an Eastman?

Also, if I should go with the Eastman, whats the thoughts on the 315 or 515, or should I look at something completely different? I know the consensus on the forum is to get an A style because its more bang for your buck, but I can't get over how comfortable the F style was sitting in my lap.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[bjewell]

I had a 515 and it totally rocked...

[pheffernan]

Buy the Eastman, perhaps used or B-stock from a shop like The Mandolin Store or Bernunzio's. Sell the Kentucky at normal depreciation (~70% of replacement). Chalk up the loss as tuition.

[Trav'linmando]

I had a chance to play a 315 this weekend along with several other mandolins. It did not "wow" me . My MD404 did from the first moment I played it. That said , I am a huge fan of the neck on modern Eastmans. I found out that comfort makes for more time playing each day. Pheffernan makes a good point about blems. Good luck with your decision.
Larry

[gtani7]

The Eastman is a sidegrade, judging from the 2 K's and 2E's I've owned, 3 of which i still have. I don't like the way the Kentucky neck flares from sharp V to telecaster shape at around fret 7, but aside from that i'm very fond of it. Based on sample size of 1, a J Bovier would be an upgrade, also the Sonny Morris and Flatiron A's in the classifieds.

What if you played with fingerless gloves or a washcloth on LH for bulk? I used to do that in marching band, it makes the flute/clarinet/drumsticks/whatever feel a lot bigger

But probably you should get an instrument you can play. As far as km505's I think they've generally been offered around $400 in the classifieds, good condition with HSC, + or -

[colorado_al]

You should sell the Kentucky if it is causing you pain. Frankly, I would go with the Eastman MD-505. Same sound as the MD515 and it will save you considerable money.
Here's one for $500
https://reverb.com/item/3352221-eastman-md505-used

[fatt-dad]

You're heading towards a Collings MT, eh?

f-d

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Luxury17 - "....but I can't get over how comfortable the F style was sitting in my lap.". Do you use a strap on your mandolin ?. I have both 'F' & 'A' style mandolins. I use straps with both styles & both 'feel' the same regarding playing comfort, even when sitting down.
More important than the 'comfort' factor ,is the fact that you seem to have been able to play that particular mandolin more easily. If i were you,that's the one i'd go for. You've found a mandolin that you can play more easily & with comfort,& if it sounds good to you - what more do you need ?. You've solved you own dilema,
Ivan

[soliver]

I've loved my MD305 for sure,... and personally preferred it over all of the Kentucky's I've ever played. IMO the Kentucky's sound nice but as you said aren't as comfy to play. I agree with someone above who said that the MD315 just didn't wow me, esp. not to spend the extra money for the scroll.

By now I'm also equipped with a tonegard and a BC, so I am super pleased with it.

[Jim Hudson]

FYI: I have developed degenerative arthritis of my trapezius bone at the base of my left thumb. For a long time playing mandos with thicker neck profiles and wider nut widths helped with the pain. It's now progressed to the point that I believe my dexterity is being negatively effected. After all, we're digital athletes when we play. I hope for your sake that is not the issue, but wanted to point out this potential problem. I'm struggling with whether to play as long as I can before surgical intervention or get surgery earlier.

[Kris N]

Thank you all for the responses! Something to great to think about and great information for each of you. I know I will always get a lot of wisdom from the forum.

So I'm looking at a change, either to the MD505 or the MD515. I hesitate on the 505, because my local shop doesn't have it in stock, let alone anywhere in 50 miles. Don't want to make the same mistake twice!

My local shop does have the 305, which I can try since its similar to the 505. I don't think I would buy the 305 for worry that I'd bang the heck out of the matte finish. Would it be worth the time to try it, or do they sound completely different due to the upgrades?

[Eric F.]

The "upgrades" are mainly cosmetic. The mandolins will sound different because they are different mandolins. It's not like two same-model cars rolling off the same assembly line, where each will go 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds. They're made of wood, and mostly by hand.

If you're going to sell your Kentucky (figure around $400) and add $400 to $500 to it, you're within striking distance of some Flatiron A models, Sonny Morris A's and other interesting mandolins. But if the Eastman feels right and sounds good to you, well, you know the old saw about a bird in hand.

[allenhopkins]

1. The main differences in the Eastman series are cosmetic, as you go up the chain: nicer wood, prettier finish, gold hardware etc. The 300 series instruments are a lot of bang for the buck, IMHO, and my (limited) experience suggests there are no, or only very subtle, design differences. If I were jumping into a mid-priced F-model, I'd go for the MD315, if I liked the sound and neck shape.

2. Chronic or recurrent pain in the hand, even if ameliorated somewhat by trying a different hand position, instrument shape, or whatever, would send me to a medical specialist for evaluation. Some of us have this "tough guy" reluctance to go to the doctor if we're not running a triple-digit fever or bleeding profusely. Having had a wrist shattered in a car crash and subsequently reconstructed, I no longer share that reluctance; if I get pain, I want to get it checked out.

[colorado_al]

I'd go for the Eastman MD505 or MD515 for more than cosmetic reasons. The tuning machines on the 5 series are far better than the 3 series. Playing in tune makes any instrument sound better and better working tuning machines will go a long way toward helping that. It is worth the extra $ to go to the 5 series. Any series above that, you will not see as dramatic a difference, however the newer 6 series does have built in electronic pickup, if that is important to you. If you can swing the money to buy the MD515 from your local shop, that would be the best route. A known good instrument from a local and trusted source.

[Kris N]

Thanks for the further comments! I'm heading down the 505 path, unless I can get the wife to agree to the 515. There was some miscommunication on price.

While I like the tone of the 305 and 315 I played, I can't get past the satin finish. There's little/no forgiveness when you ding them, and nothing you can really do about it once its there. While dings add the worn/used look, it would bug the heck outta me.

As for those who posted about checking for medical issues, I appreciate the thought and concern. I went through treatment for carpal tunnel last summer, and luckily haven't had issues since. I see that doctor soon for a checkup, so I'll discuss it with him then.

Again, thanks for all the comments!