Eastman MD815 vs. MD815v

[shane333]

Hello,
I'm trying to decide between the MD815 and the MD815v. Can yall give me the pros and cons between each and why?

Thanks,
Shane

[gspiess]

Hi Shane,

I have an 815v with no regrets. I play a wide variety of music from bg to contemporary Christian and find the overall tone of the instrument superb. There is a good combination of the "bark" that's needed for a chop with an unusually long sustain for an f-hole. I can play loud but also have no problem with articulation on the softer passages where the mid-range and that "woody" tone is readily apparent.

I did have issues with the high strings sounding too shrill, but after trying J74s and Mapes pb, I found the right strings with Martin Monels.

I usually have no problem with volume at jams and I try not to lean into it too much, otherwise my technique falls apart. I've installed a JJB pickup and run it through a Tonedexter for most other venues. I always get complements on the sound.

It had been setup by the Mandolin Store, and I found one fret a smidge high for the e string, but only when playing way up the neck. A quick bridge adjustment solved that, otherwise the action/playability is excellent.

My 815v is "aged" which means no high gloss and some intentional color fading. I know this is an issue for some, but it's not over the top and I like it. I don't have to worry about fingerprints, scratches or wear, and wiping it down occasionally with a soft rag does the trick.

I have played other Eastmans with the nitrocellulose finish, and I prefer the varnish. If you have the chance to tryout either, I'd recommend it; but you may be like me where I bought on-line, relying on user ratings and sound clips. Either is an excellent instrument and a good value.

[Bren]

I have an 815v too, bought remotely during lockdown.

At first I found the varnished neck a bit draggy but eventually adjusted my technique to allow for that.

I had played an 814v in a shop and really liked it but that one and mine are the only Eastmans I've played and haven't tried the non-varnish finish.

My comparison is to other instruments I have with faster, unvarnished necks (I mean the back of the neck). I've big hands with short fingers so my thumb webbing touches the neck more often than I would like.

[mingusb1]

Is the difference that the "V" is varnished versus lacquered? Varnish is more sensitive to marks/marring in my experience, but I've heard also has advantages in terms of tone.

Z

[keith.rogers]

Here's the Eastman page on their Antique Varnish, which they do say is softer (and thinner).
https://www.eastmanguitars.com/antique_varnish

It's their varnish, so I'm not going to argue with that, but varnish can continue to cure for a long time, and maybe in a decade or two, the difference is less obvious. And, there are all kinds of varnishes.

The 815V I recently got from a friend is about 12 years old (based on when he got it), and while the (Baggs) pickup's jack clamp did leave a noticeable impression, the bridge location on the top is not hardly noticeable, while the footprint of the bridge on my fiddle (new ~1998) is quite obvious.

I guess I'll find out if the mando's varnish is "soft" because I've attached a Tone-Gard, which came with a clear notice about possibly marring *soft* varnish finishes. (Honestly, I don't care if it does, as it's already far from new condition - a major benefit of buying used!)

[mrbook]

I have the 805V and really like the varnish finish. I think it contributes to a better tone, and while I take great care of my instruments I accept that they will get some marks if I am playing a lot. I also have the 505, 404, and 514, and like them as well, along with another small maker F model. The A model I built 40 years ago also has a varnish finish, and it has held up remarkably well over all those years.