Re: Quality of a 2014 vs 2021 Eastman MD315
It needs a setup.
You bought NOS—“new old stock” at pretty much a reasonable new price. Not sure what the 315s were priced at in 2014, but I recall when 300-series came out, a 305 was under $400 Cdn ($300US) here. One must wonder why it took 7 years to sell a popular and fairly affordable mandolin—was it really never sold, or did someone own it, never play it, and finally return it to the store? Used is used. Or was it lost in the stockroom? As you have noted, the hardware has been upgraded since the line was introduced, and so has the price. Ten-fifteen years ago Eastman made a major impact on the midrange mando market because they were making quality instruments at a startling price point. (I bought a new 2009 505 for 630 Cdn). A few years in, reputation established, prices went up notably. (not unreasonably. Wages were going up in China, and that’s a good thing) This was when the 300s were introduced as their new budget line. They are certainly well-liked by their people, but I’ve always found the 300s to have that slightly tinny effect you mention in comparison to the higher-numbered Easties. I guess my suggestion would be to go back to the store and do some tune-to-tune comparisons with a new 315 or better (tuned to 440 = and then decide whether you want to do an exchange. FWIW you’ll probably always have that situation of the tuning pitch changing day to day (usually getting sharper, which ain’t sustainable...) and somedays it just doesn’t sound nearly as good as other days...atmospheric I think.
2009 Eastman 505
2011 Collings MTO GT
2008 Toyota Sienna
2018 Sawchyn mandola
Mandoline or Mandolin: Similar to the lute, but much less artistically valuable....for people who wish to play simple music without much trouble —The Oxford Companion to Music
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