Eastman md 504 or Eastman km 272

[astein2006]

Any real world comparisons between these two models? Aside from the case what are some of the advantages of one over the other? Also thinking of the md 304 as well. Thanks all

[Dan in NH]

I think you meant Kentucky KM-272.

I own a Kentucky KM-250, have played several Eastman 300, 400, & 500 series mandolins, and just bought an Eastman MD-514 (waiting on shipping).

I’m also a fairly unapologetic Eastman booster on the forum. I love my Eastman guitar, and I’ve enjoyed the feel & tone the Eastman mandolins I’ve played.

But I’d say that at the Eastman 300 series/ Kentucky 200 series level you’re going to be getting very similar instruments.

[Dan in NH]

With the Eastman 300 series vs the 500 series the 300 series will have a matte “open poor” finish with bound body front and a gig bag.

The 500 series will have a gloss finish with a bound body (front & back) and bound neck, upgraded tuners, and a hard case.

The Kentucky 200 series will have a variety of finishes, mostly gloss, a bound body front & neck, and a gig bag.

The Kentucky will come with a two piece stamped tail piece (that I hate). Eastman 300 & 500 series mandolins come with a one piece cast tail piece.

And while the tuners on the 500 series Eastmans are upgraded over the 300 series, many forum members still hate them.

Hope this helps.

[Dan in NH]

IMO the difference between the Eastman 300 series and the 500 series are tuners & the hard case. In my head that explains the step up in price, and IMO is worth the extra bucks.

That’s why yesterday I bought an MD-514 rather that an MD-314, even though I knew full well I would have been perfectly happy with the 314.

And I knew that if I hated the 314 tuners as much some forum members hate the Eastman 500 series tuners, then Grover makes drop in replacements.

In fact I met a guy at a weekend jam who specifically bought a 315 rather than a 515, and used a portion of the savings for Grover’s. In his head he saved himself about $200.

Or about what a good hard case costs if he ever decides he wants one.

I’ll let someone else talk now.

[Dan in NH]

I’d say that at the Eastman 300 series/ Kentucky 200 series level you’re going to be getting very similar instruments.

I need to change this a little. At that level the Kentucky will have a stamped 2-piece tail piece while the Eastman will have a cast 1-piece tail piece. That’s a nod to the Eastman IMO.

[Steve 2E]

One of the differences I’d like to point out is where the neck meets the body. The Eastman MD-504 joins around the tenth fret and the fretboard sits flush on the top similar to a teens/twenties Gibson. The Kentucky KM-272 joins around the fourteenth fret and has a fretboard that’s elevated like most modern A styles. I can’t say that one is better than the other.

[astein2006]

Ok I’ve thought about it more and want an oval hole but in the 300 matte finish series. Now it’s down to the 304 or 314. Is there any tone or volume difference between the two body styles. I like them both for different reasons. I’m not sure which would be more comfortable with a strap. The A style looks like you have to tie it at the nut area. Any real world experience with the 314 here?

[Dan in NH]

I have never been able to detect any difference in tone between two similar A body and F body mandolins. Some people may say that they can, but I can't. I paid the extra to buy a 514 over a 504 simply because I prefer the looks of an F body mandolin.

Here's a video of Jeremy from The Acoustic Shoppe playing a 304 and a 314, same tunes back to back (tunes at the end of the video).

[Eric F.]

Ok I’ve thought about it more and want an oval hole but in the 300 matte finish series. Now it’s down to the 304 or 314. Is there any tone or volume difference between the two body styles. I like them both for different reasons. I’m not sure which would be more comfortable with a strap. The A style looks like you have to tie it at the nut area. Any real world experience with the 314 here?

You're buying it based on looks so get the one that looks better to you if price is not an issue. Any appreciable difference in sound will be due to the natural variability between instruments, not scroll or lack thereof.