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Thread: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

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    Default the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    when comparing company's on similar level mandolins are there any significant differences in terms of build quality, tonal differences, quality control and build materials, neck profiles and nut widths? i am searching for a mandolin and cant get out to stores to try them out giving the coronavirus

  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    The short answer is yes. The Eastman line typically gets higher marks for build quality on their lower end instruments and are regarded as more modern in playability (with radiused fretboards) and tone. Kentucky mandolins, by contrast, are noted more for their traditional sound and feel.
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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    And there is variation in the production run.. a friend managing the local music shop
    got to visit Eastman Import Warehouse , tried a dozen , in person,
    then had them ship the one he liked best..


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    Registered User Randy Mallory's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    The Loar LM-600 that I have was good out of the box. There are some small finish issues, like less-than-smooth sanding in the scroll and under the fretboard extension, but I kinda expect that in a mandolin that sells for under $1000.00.
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  6. #5

    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    while I don't have a ton to compare it to, the LM600 I received plays well, though the factory set up wasn't much to be desired...i'd suggest that regardless of the three, get it set up well, and there are a number of sponsors here that will set them up prior to sending them out!

  7. #6

    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I've recently purchased a Kentucky KM-755 off eBay, and if I have anything negative to say, its as PDMan noted above, kinda sloppy finish in the scroll and under the fretboard extention. Mine is used and not sure if I am 2nd or more owner out. New to mandolin (guitar player), so trying to feel my way through this. It was recommended by a former teacher that Kentucky was one of a better "Pacific Rim" makers, so I stuck to that when looking. Plays very well, but then, not sure I know anything...

  8. #7
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    Only one brand listed offers a limited lifetime warranty on their instruments. What does that suggest?

    FWIW, when I first saw the Eastmans, I thought "meh." Nowadays, I pick up the MD-515 way more regularly than my Rigel A. Yeah, I am surprised as well.
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    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I’ve always been partial to Kentucky. I like their tone and volume. I’ve owned at least four, and they’ve all been consistently good. Ive owned a couple Eastmans. They were ok, but the tone is different to my ear. Never owned a The Loar, because I never played one that impressed me. Just my opinion. YMMV.

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    Registered User Mandolin Matt's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I'll add my thoughts for anyone looking back over this thread for advice. I've owned The Loar LM-310F and a couple of Eastmans, including the base model MD315. The Eastman blew The Loar out of the water, which looked like plastic (laminate sides and back), had no body to the sound, and lost all volume on the A and E strings. Even the bottom-of-the-line Eastman MD315 sounded, felt, and looked practically professional compared to it. Unless you have no aspirations to do anything with the mandolin other than strum a few chords and pick a few basic tunes, I would stay away from The Loar. I've heard tales of radically varied quality and overly thick lacquer (a big no) which adds to my own bad experience.
    Kentucky - I have no direct experience with them. Their sound seems good, accounting for personal tastes of course. However, I've never liked their look, especially on the lower end models. Also, as you get into their high end, it's difficult to justify the difference in price from Eastman's high end. Listening to tone samples, I find no appreciable difference in actual quality, and I can't see how the build quality of the Eastman line could be that radically improved. For me, it's Eastman over any other "budget" models. The recent significant vote of confidence they received through Bourgeois choosing to partner with them says a lot.

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    Selling retailer do set up?
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  12. #11
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I disagree that The Loar is on the same level as Eastman/Kentucky. And IMO low tier Eastmans are superior to low tier Kentuckys.
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I’ll chime in to say that The Loar is a very different company now than it was when Greg Rich was involved. I played a LM 700 back in the day (like 2008 or 2009) at Harry West’s shop that was an excellent mandolin. Everything I’ve played recently of theirs has been since their corporate reshuffling and lower tier instruments that were nothing like that older 700.

    I’ve owned a Kentucky 675-S and an Eastman 315. Between my two the Eastman was far superior in build quality and tone, but it was a 2015 build and the Kentucky was an early 2000s built right after they moved production to China and were still ironing out kinks, so it’s not really a fair comparison.

    I’ve moved up the food chain a bit, but if I were buying one of these today I’d probably work out a trip to Nashville so I could compare. If I had to buy without trying I’d go Eastman based on my experience. I do agree that Eastman has a more modern Collings-esque tone and Kentucky more traditional, but they both vary a lot between individual instruments.

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    Ordering online has that problem - auditioning them in person allows you to form your own 'Best' opinion....
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    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: the Loar VS Eastman VS Kentucky

    I think it’s unfair to compare The Loars very lowest model (with laminate b/s, as you mentioned) to all solid wood mandolins. You should compare The Loar LM5xx, LM6xx, or LM7xx.

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