NMD: Eastman Model 805 (2004)

[milli857]

Hey y'all, just wanted to show off my new mandolin and see if y'all might have some information on it!

It's an eastman 805 from 2004, serial number 52. I was hooked as soon as I tried it; it sounded amazing with an amazing punchy but warm sound and a lot of volume. It held up well against several Collings' that I played next to it and I knew I had to take it home even though I really don't need 4 mandolins



I don't know the specs on it at all and am having a hard time finding info on the older ones of these. Do any of y'all know a place where the specs for them are listed for the very early runs like mine?

[Zach Wilson]

Congrats and happy picking 😊

- - - Updated - - -

Congrats and happy picking!

[Dan in NH]

If it's at all like modern 805s then it will have an Adirondack spruce top & figured maple back & sides.

Glad to hear it sounds as good as it looks.

[milli857]

If it's at all like modern 805s then it will have an Adirondack spruce top & figured maple back & sides.

Glad to hear it sounds as good as it looks.

Yeah, I'm not sure if they ever swapped from a different spruce to adirondack or not. I absolutely love the sound; I expect it's similar to that first MD815/V that you loved so much. I also am not sure if it's varnish or laquer - I think this was made before they had the /V designation and I don't know how to tell visually.

[Dan in NH]

Varnish would be more matte than gloss. I think there's a chance it's nitro.

[TX2AK]

That’s a beautiful mandolin. I can’t tell lacquer or varnish from looks; I don’t know how anyone can - highly polished varnish will look like highly polished lacquer. Either way, it’s a beautiful mandolin - and if you love the sound, that is all that matters. I don’t agree with the above post that varnish should be more matte - that’s the luthier’s choice - one can French polish and shine a varnished instrument to just as high a luster / shine as lacquer. Shine is definitely not the distinguishing characteristic of lacquer vs varnish. Look at Gibson Ferns vs. varnished Gibsons of the era. Either can be shiny. My primary today is a varnished Ellis that is shinier than my ideal aesthetic; but its playability, feel and sound is so good, I don’t wish it was anything else; aesthetically, I most love my old Paganoni (#8 from 1972- which I still have and love). They are different, but the finish is not what distinguishes one from the other!

Bottom line is that varnish as less glossy is the luthier’s choice; not the instrument.

[Jill McAuley]

Nice looking mandolin there - I love the bound f-holes! I thought Eastman moved to that slimmer style of headstock shape around 2010 though - was it something they always used on the higher end models and only adopted for the other models after 2010?

[Eric Platt]

Very nice looking mandolin. Love that very wide flamed maple back.

You should send an email to Eastman. They might have more information than we would on it.

[Captain Kirk]

Nice! Congratulations.

[Bob Buckingham]

If you love the sound and feel, get off here and get playing!

[milli857]

If you love the sound and feel, get off here and get playing!

I already took it to one jam and I've got another one tomorrow! I can't keep my hands off it

[keith.rogers]

Eastman was always responsive to my questions about the older 815v I got from a friend (that our son now has), so you should try contacting them for specifics. I’d guess it’s not varnish without a “v” but that’s earlier than the ‘09 I had. I think they always used Adirondack on 8xx series, but ask them!

Beautiful mando - I’ve become a convert to As myself .

[Mando Esq]

Beautiful!