Re: Eastman MD-404BK Mandolin Frets
I’m surprised to hear of any variation in Eastman fretwire in an6 of their stock mandolins. Seems to be the same thin Jescar throughout the lines every time I’ve looked (specs for all models are methodicall6 detailed at Eastman guitars.com) My gripe with Eastman fret wire is not playability/comfort which is excellent on my 505. It plays easier than my much pricier, recently set up, wider-fret Collings MTO. It has to do with wire durability. I had a very necessary refret done after nine years of playing, and the new frets (same jescar wire) were showing divots within a year! (Obviously, I’m an animal in my playing style). Most new players concerned about comfort are looking at neck width, which is a bit narrow on the Eastmans woth a 1 3/32” nut. Personally I think the axiom “try before you buy” is doubly true for oval-holes, imho there is a lot more variation in feel and comfort. But if you have to order without trying first, and neck width is a factor in your comfort, you might look for a wider neck than the stock Eastmans or Kentuckys provide. It’s a common ask so listings tend to mention a wider neck in their descriptions.
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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