Eastman md 304 vs 314

**astein2006** · Nov-27-2022, 1:38am

I want an oval and have narrowed it down to the Eastman 304 and 314. I especially love the matte finish. I’m wondering if there is any tone or volume difference between the two. Also as far as comfort with a strap. The 314 hooks to the scroll and seems like it would be comfortable. The 304 doesn’t have a strap button on the neck area and would have to tie it off at the headstock. Not sure how that would feel. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

**NDO** · Nov-27-2022, 2:23am

(NFI) as much as I love my Eastmans, I would seriously look at one of the Morris oval mandolins in the Classifieds. There was a used A4 that I wanted to buy even though I have an almost identical one

**Eric Platt** · Nov-27-2022, 8:20am

Limited practical experience here - have heard the 304 in person and liked it a lot. Haven't played a 314, but my band mate has a 514. Another good sounding instrument.

Don't think there will be enough tone or volume differences between the two models to worry about. There might be more differences in individual instruments rather than the model. Pick whichever one appeals to you more and enjoy.

Yes, the Morris instruments are great, and I would also recommend them, but the two newest ones are flat tops which have an entirely different sound.

**Dan in NH** · Nov-27-2022, 9:30am

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.

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

**astein2006** · Nov-27-2022, 2:15pm

Between a style and f style which are more comfortable to play sitting down without a strap? At this time I won’t be playing live so it will mostly be bedroom practice.

**Dan in NH** · Nov-27-2022, 2:42pm

IMO always use a strap. A mandolin isn’t a guitar. I play with a strap even when I’m sitting.

As far as comfort, imo there’s no difference. It’s a really small instrument.

You DO want to make sure that you are holding the mandolin away from your body so that your tummy doesn’t touch the back of the body. A portion of your sound is going to come from your instrument back vibrating in resonance with your top. You don’t want your tummy dampening the back.

Or you could buy a Tone-Gard. IMO every mandolin needs an arm rest (that matches your bridge & fingerboard), a Tone-Gard, and a strap.

In a very real way the only differences between an A body and an F body is the scroll, two points, and $200.

**Dan in NH** · Nov-27-2022, 3:06pm

One more note - The lower point on the F body mandolin might make it easier to play the F body without a strap while seated. You would hold the mandolin in the middle of your lap, and the second point keeps the mandolin from rotating.

You see people sometimes using at attachment on a classical guitar to play those, and classical guitars don’t come with strap buttons.

**astein2006** · Nov-27-2022, 5:20pm

Does the extra ornamentation add any appreciable amount of weight?

**cayuga red** · Nov-27-2022, 6:38pm

Good observation

**Jellwoo** · Nov-28-2022, 10:51am

If you haven’t played one or the other, I will offer my experience with Eastman ovals, I found the one I played to be very quiet compared to F hole version. I had one lined up to buy, all new and shiny, but passed due to lacklustre volume.

**astein2006** · Nov-28-2022, 1:34pm

I was under the impression that oval hole mandolins were by nature quieter than f holes. Or is that not the case.

**astein2006** · Nov-28-2022, 1:36pm

My use for the mandolin will be for old time, Folk, Irish tunes and basically just singing with it. My goal is not bluegrass.

**astein2006** · Nov-28-2022, 2:01pm

Originally Posted by Jellwoo

If you haven’t played one or the other, I will offer my experience with Eastman ovals, I found the one I played to be very quiet compared to F hole version. I had one lined up to buy, all new and shiny, but passed due to lacklustre volume.

Thanks for the heads up. Aren’t oval holes by nature quieter than f holes? I don’t plan on playing bluegrass. More old time, Folk and Irish tunes.

**NDO** · Nov-28-2022, 3:17pm

Originally Posted by astein2006

Thanks for the heads up. Aren’t oval holes by nature quieter than f holes? I don’t plan on playing bluegrass. More old time, Folk and Irish tunes.

Not necessarily. My Morris and BRW ovals are both louder than my f-hole Eastmans. For what it’s worth, my MD415 seems louder than my MD605.

I do think you’ll be pleased with the sound of an oval for the music you describe. I really like the added sustain.

Also recognize that the sound and volume you hear while playing isn’t necessarily the same your audience hears. To judge them you should record yourself or have a friend play them while listening, or at least you could sit facing a corner and play to hear the reflected sound.

**milli857** · Nov-28-2022, 3:37pm

Originally Posted by astein2006

Does the extra ornamentation add any appreciable amount of weight?

An F will be noticeably heavier than an A but still not very heavy compared to, say, a guitar. I wouldn't worry about the extra weight.

With respect to the Morris recommendations, I also have one (an F5) and like it a lot. I got to play one of his A4s (oval hole carved top A) and thought it sounded great. I haven't played a similar Eastman so I can't comment on how they compare though.

**milli857** · Nov-28-2022, 3:41pm

I think this is the exact one I played:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/189481#189481

**Jellwoo** · Nov-28-2022, 8:49pm

Originally Posted by astein2006

Thanks for the heads up. Aren’t oval holes by nature quieter than f holes? I don’t plan on playing bluegrass. More old time, Folk and Irish tunes.

Probably, but this would have been a struggle to play with a dreadnaught guitar which was a no go for me. I actually entertained getting it for late night playing oval hole sweetness. It was the black one

Normal conditions, I would have had to play too hard all the time: I much prefer the sound of a loud mandolin played softly which can bring wonderful tones.

It was the 404bk which is painted black and has mahogany back and sides, that might be contributing to my issues….sweet looking though!

**Ihor** · Nov-29-2022, 8:35am

When looking to get my very first mandolin about 6 years ago, I wanted an oval hole as I was planning on playing primarily Irish and folk tunes. I auditioned 2 Eastmans- the MD 304 and the 404 (black). I thought the 404 sounded so much better than the 304, as did my mandolin-musician son-in-law. Now, 6 years later, figured I needed to get an A-style F-hole to be better heard when playing with my friends (a tin whistle 2 guitars, and a bodhran). Was again looking at some Eastmans, and the 515 was especially nice. But then I picked up a Northfield Calhoun (oval hole flattop) and wow, did it sound great, and louder than any of the F-hole Eastmans. Wound up getting it, and first time playing with my friends they all commented on how much louder it sounded. Was also smitten by the Northfield F-styles that I played at the store, but right now beyond my price range and playing ability, but maybe in a few years!

**astein2006** · Nov-29-2022, 1:16pm

Originally Posted by Jellwoo

Probably, but this would have been a struggle to play with a dreadnaught guitar which was a no go for me. I actually entertained getting it for late night playing oval hole sweetness. It was the black one

Normal conditions, I would have had to play too hard all the time: I much prefer the sound of a loud mandolin played softly which can bring wonderful tones.

It was the 404bk which is painted black and has mahogany back and sides, that might be contributing to my issues….sweet looking though!

I’ve narrowed it down to the 304 and 404. A shop near me has the 304 in stock and I am planning on trying it out Saturday. But that black one is really piquing my interest. No where to try that one though.

**astein2006** · Nov-29-2022, 1:18pm

Originally Posted by Ihor

When looking to get my very first mandolin about 6 years ago, I wanted an oval hole as I was planning on playing primarily Irish and folk tunes. I auditioned 2 Eastmans- the MD 304 and the 404 (black). I thought the 404 sounded so much better than the 304, as did my mandolin-musician son-in-law. Now, 6 years later, figured I needed to get an A-style F-hole to be better heard when playing with my friends (a tin whistle 2 guitars, and a bodhran). Was again looking at some Eastmans, and the 515 was especially nice. But then I picked up a Northfield Calhoun (oval hole flattop) and wow, did it sound great, and louder than any of the F-hole Eastmans. Wound up getting it, and first time playing with my friends they all commented on how much louder it sounded. Was also smitten by the Northfield F-styles that I played at the store, but right now beyond my price range and playing ability, but maybe in a few years!

Wow funny you should mention the 404bk. The last few days I have really thought about the 404. The looks especially have grown on me. Plus with the better tuners and hard case. I’ve narrowed it down to the 304 and 404. A shop near me has the 304 in stock and I am planning on trying it out Saturday. But that black one is really piquing my interest. No where to try that one though.

**astein2006** · Nov-29-2022, 1:23pm

Ihor: Just checked out the Northfield Calhoun oval
Hole online. Looks beautiful. I love the understated beauty of it. How do you like it compare to your 404bk?

**Ihor** · Nov-29-2022, 1:31pm

While I really like the 404, I don’t play it much anymore. It’s going to be my travel mandolin.

**Dan in NH** · Nov-29-2022, 1:35pm

Originally Posted by astein2006

I’ve narrowed it down to the 304 and 404. A shop near me has the 304 in stock and I am planning on trying it out Saturday. But that black one is really piquing my interest. No where to try that one though.

I played an Eastman 404 a couple of times. The first time I didn’t really hear any difference between that and the 315 I was also playing. A few weeks later I played a 404 and a 305 and I could hear a difference. Not enough to lock me in to the 400 series.

**milli857** · Nov-29-2022, 1:47pm

Originally Posted by astein2006

Ihor: Just checked out the Northfield Calhoun oval
Hole online. Looks beautiful. I love the understated beauty of it. How do you like it compare to your 404bk?

If flat tops are on the table, you have plenty of options in the $1k and under range - Northfield Calhoun, Big Muddy, old Flatiron pancake models, and individual makers (Morris has a few of those for sale in the Classifieds too).

**astein2006** · Nov-29-2022, 3:26pm

Originally Posted by milli857

If flat tops are on the table, you have plenty of options in the $1k and under range - Northfield Calhoun, Big Muddy, old Flatiron pancake models, and individual makers (Morris has a few of those for sale in the Classifieds too).

Sound samples are so hard to judge from video to video. What are some of the main differences between an ova hole arch top versus flat top? I have long looked at the Big Muddy M11 also. So now the Calhoun gets thrown in. I have No way to play either of the flattops. Right now the Eastman is a viable option since I can try one but I am open. Any advice is appreciated.