Re: Help me choose my 1st Mandolin!
Basic differences between the "300" and "500" series Eastmans, based on what I've seen and played, are finish, degree of "figure" in the maple back and sides, binding and hardware. As you read above, there are players who like the more "stripped down" 300's.
I was just reminded, reading a quote from Gibson head luthier Charlie Derrington, that every individual mandolin (or other instrument) is different -- even ones of the same make and model. So generalizations about various models and series don't necessarily tell you all you want to know.
If you have a mandolin-playing friend, take him/her to assist you in making the selection -- assuming you can go to a well-stocked dealer and try several instruments, or at least listen to someone else play them. You may be buying on-line, though, which makes the task harder. You probably can't go far wrong with an Eastman, one of the better brands of Asian-made mandolins, but it's great to be able to "comparison shop" by actually playing, or hearing, the mandolins you're choosing.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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