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Thread: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    So it appears more and more of these are starting to show up. Figured I'll stick my neck out there again and give an opinion as to where I'm at with this instrument.

    First off - mine is no longer stock. It's been modified with J72 mandola strings, a Tonegard and an arm rest. Oh, and a Weber wood nymph. Pick choice has settled down to either a Tortex .73 or a Dunlop Ultex pointed tip .73. All of these are my choices and whether any of these things makes a whit of difference is open to debate.

    Since getting the instrument have probably averaged 2 or so hours a day on it. Only one performance, but a number of rehearsals/jams. In all situations it was able to be heard. Not too much treble, but not too much bass. While some other reviews have mentioned a nasal quality, I'm not noticing it. My playing has glossed up the neck and the top where my little finger moves about.

    Overall, am quite satisfied. It's obviously not a Flyde. Or even a Flatiron bouzouki. The shorter scale seems to make it easy to play. Definitely it's own thing. Hopefully they will keep making them. The only thing I would change would be to offer an oval hole option. I have a feeling that would be even more of a game changer than this instrument already is.

    One last disclaimer - this is the only one I've played. As others point out, play before you buy if you can. While I like the sound, someone else might not. And if you're looking for a Gilchrist or such at a fraction of the cost, you won't find it here. It's a good tone, but not deep like a vintage Gibson.
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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    Update - while the stock tuners work, decided to change them out anyway. Ordered a set of Rubners. Will report again after they're on.

    FWIW, after telling my wife I was doing this, she replied that it seemed I was retuning more than normal. OF course, nothing was said before. Guess I had become used to it.

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    Rubner tuners installed. 4 out of the 5 screw holes lined up. Even with new strings, have had to do very little adjusting today. Previously was fiddling with the E strings quite a bit. They also look a bit nicer. Went with the plain plates with fake pearloid buttons.

    Still liking this instrument a lot. Might have found the voice I was looking for in an instrument. Although in my band will still primarily be a mandolin player. Will try to sneak this in as much as possible.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    Yes, I have to say them offering an oval hole version would definitely grab my attention.

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    Registered User Pete Braccio's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    I also replaced the tuners with Rubners. That was the only change that was needed but, I had an Allen tailpipe on hand so that is on there now too. That allows me to use ball end strings as well as loop ends.
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    Registered User lucho's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    I do have already a Musikalia OM, one romanian Hora OM, and a Flatiron Koa OM but not any archtop alternative... but a canadian Peter Cox cittern... nice tone but not much volume.... I wonder, how this new Eastman OM compared to other known Om? what about volume compared to other OMs?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a...chmentid=87539
    Last edited by lucho; Apr-13-2018 at 3:58pm.

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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    It's definitely underpowered - the body isn't much deeper than a mandolin - even the Eastman Mandola 815 is deeper. I think an oval-hole would help with the sustain and resonance, but a deeper body would get it into the Major Leagues. It is quieter and not as 'nice' sounding as other OM's I have had - and they were all deeper bodied. Eastman are taking pre-orders for a 315 Mandola - which if it has the specs of the MDA 815 would a prime candidate for a MDO 305 neck... Imagine a sub 1K F-style OM.

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    So far, am wavering back and forth on how much power it has. Definitely seems loud playing at home. And it can be heard at most of the jams I've been at. That said, during a performance, did have to shift it around to get it in front of the microphone for better projection. And the first day I had it, a fiddler felt that it was quiet.

    Still, I like this instrument. It sounds more like a mandolin than some other octaves. Had been thinking of the Pono octave, but after listening to all the videos I could, they sound more like a 12 string guitar than a mandolin. Not a bad thing (I have a Taylor 12 string). Just different. Could also be the players. Am hoping next weekend to have a friend who plays octave and owns a Flatiron try it out and maybe we can compare.
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    Registered User lucho's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Platt View Post
    So far, am wavering back and forth on how much power it has. Definitely seems loud playing at home. And it can be heard at most of the jams I've been at. That said, during a performance, did have to shift it around to get it in front of the microphone for better projection. And the first day I had it, a fiddler felt that it was quiet.

    Still, I like this instrument. It sounds more like a mandolin than some other octaves. Had been thinking of the Pono octave, but after listening to all the videos I could, they sound more like a 12 string guitar than a mandolin. Not a bad thing (I have a Taylor 12 string). Just different. Could also be the players. Am hoping next weekend to have a friend who plays octave and owns a Flatiron try it out and maybe we can compare.
    Could you compare tone and volume of both?

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: One month (or so) review of the Eastman MDO-305

    Quote Originally Posted by lucho View Post
    Could you compare tone and volume of both?
    Unfortunately, haven't been able to meet up with either of the other two octave mandolin players I referenced. Both are busy with other musical projects right now.

    Will be using it in practice today with an accordion player. Shall be interested to see how it works. Am also bringing a regular mandolin, just in case.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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