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Thread: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

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    Default Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    I have both. The 815v tone is so rich and beautiful compared to the 905D. Why?

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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Red spruce top, oil varnish, newer model, setup, luck.
    Stephen Perry

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    man about town Markus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Mandolins aren't identical widgets, nor are all our tastes the same.

    Some is from the specs.

    Playing time IMO (new vs a few years in) also factors in. I've had a few instruments that sounded `more themselves' after a year of heavy play and seemed more resonant. Certainly not all - my first mandolin remained just as crappy - never buy with an expectation of improvement, just savor the improvement if it happens. Both red spruce and varnish are said to age very well [properly kept, of course].

    I would expect all long-term successful builders would also slowly improve over time. I believe this of Eastman - they've always made nice instruments, but my impression is that their instruments are still improving [hard to do with their good product].

    Glad you found one you really like.
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    poor excuse for anything Charlieshafer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stephen Perry View Post
    luck.
    My money's on this one.

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    Highly Lonesome Marty Henrickson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Personal taste.
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    the wood is ...wood..

    not much variation between one Spun Metal RM1 National Cone, and the next.
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    the wood is ...wood..

    not much variation between one Spun Metal RM1 National Cone, and the next.
    That is absolutely correct, but inapplicable to this situation because the woods are different species, not essentially uniform products off a production line with the same composition.

    The differences between red spruce and some other spruce, and the differences among red, silver, sugar, and European maples can result in rather different instrument performance, thus my comment.
    Stephen Perry

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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    Yes... you are comparing two totally different models there. Right now I have two (spec-wise) 'identical' KM-1000's, yet, they both have very different tonal properties. If you take 10 'identical' mandolins, you will notice really quite surprising differences. They may all have a "family resemblance" (Collings, Gibson, Kentucky, Eastman or whatever) but individually, as Stephen says, there are a huge number of variables, especially when comparing instruments with different materials and finishes. As you find such variation with even 'identical' instruments, it is hardly surprising you notice it with completely different specifications.

    It is also the case you may not always find the most expensive, "higher grade" instrument as much to your taste as a "lower" model... and in addition, red spruce instruments can really take quite a while to "warm up" when new. They can be quite hard and "glassy" sounding. You have to give them a few years...
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    Default Re: Eastman 815v vs 905D tone and why?

    My own 905 D has recently started to sound increasingly amazing - it's turning into abit of a monster. It's tone and volume have developed a lot over the six months I've been playing it. I don't have an 815 with a varnish to compare it too, though.

    It's loudness was only beaten by the Eastman/Giacomel, but now they're kind of even, which isn't such good news for my bandmate who plays a comparitively much quieter breedlove ko. I'm hoping the ko will open up a lot more or we'll have to find something else.

    Why it sounds so good is mostly a mystery, but playtime seems to have a lot to do with it. How much time have you spent on both instruments?
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