In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best Eastman mandolins you can find currently on the market. Eastman is a very young company with a huge following. Their instruments are known for their unique quality, as most Eastman models are handcrafted with carefully selected materials.
I’m a mandolin enthusiast and a musician with several years of experience producing and performing folk, rock, and blues music. The mandolin never stops surprising me with its delicate sound and design. This instrument has its own centuries-long history full of traditions and innovations.
Quick Look: Best Eastman Mandolins
★ #1 Best Eastman Mandolin Overall: Eastman MD615 ★
- Best Cheap Eastman Mandolin: Eastman MD305 All Solid Wood
- Best Eastman Mandolin Under $1,000: Eastman MD605 A-Style
- Best Eastman Mandolin Under $500: Eastman MD305 All Solid
- Best A-Style Eastman Mandolin: Eastman MD605 A-Style Mandolin
- Best F-Style Eastman Mandolin: Eastman MD615 F-Style Mandolin
Join me to explore some of the best instruments made by Eastman. Here we’ll find out why this brand is so respected and praised.
About Eastman Mandolins
Eastman was founded in 1992 in China. This company started as a violin luthier, which helped them expand into similar acoustic instruments.
Their dedication and passion are seen in every model, as most models made by Eastman are handcrafted using a blend of traditional and modern techniques. This is the main reason behind the somehow elevated price tag of most models made by Eastman.
Eastman mandolins earned their place alongside titans like Gibson and Kentucky. The overall quality level of their models keeps rising each year, as this brand has learned a few new techniques and formulas along the way.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Eastman Mandolin
There are several important factors to consider when choosing the right mandolin for you. This includes the size, overall tone, and price range. Some of them, like sound and price, are the most important points you might need to think about before buying an instrument.
Size
Most Eastman mandolins are quite big, as their design is highly inspired by classic instruments like the violin and cello. This could be problematic sometimes, especially when trying to fit your instrument into a custom hard case.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Every Eastman mandolin has its own unique tone and sound, but most of them could be defined as clean and bright sounding. Eastman mandolins are perfect for folk, bluegrass, and classical music.
Price
The price tag is certainly one of the most important factors here. Most Eastman mandolins are in the mid and high range, as this company has a certain philosophy of maintaining high-level standards for their instruments.
Types of Eastman Mandolins
Most mandolins made by Eastman have a traditional design and an A-style or an F-style body type.
A-Style Eastman Mandolins
The A-style, or teardrop shape, is one of the most common types of mandolin in the world. This type has a warm and mellow sound, although this also depends on the wood type of each model.
F-Style Eastman Mandolins
F-style mandolins have a sophisticated design with some decorative ornaments here and there. Most F-styles cost more money than A-style mandolins, and they have a bright and vibrant tone.
5 Best Eastman Mandolins
In this section, we’ll dive deeper into each particular model and what makes it so revered all around the world.
Eastman MD305 All Solid Wood A-Style Mandolin Satin Nitrocellulose Chrome Hardware
- Size: 31 x 20 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, satin nitrocellulose finish
- Sound: Deep and woody
- Best for: Intermediate players and beginners
The Eastman MD305 All Solid Wood A-Style Mandolin Satin Nitrocellulose Chrome Hardware is a powerful tool for any well-respected musician. A blend of an elegant design and a high-quality wood selection makes this model an easy choice for any intermediate player.
✅ Solid-body build
✅ Easy to tune
✅ Beautiful design
✅ Comfortable
❌ Low quality strings
Why I Recommend It
I had an opportunity to try out this model, and it’s really comfortable to play. Fast action and a woody tone make this mandolin an easy choice for bluegrass music. You’ll certainly fall in love with the sound of this instrument from the first note.
Eastman MD315 F-Style Mandolin with F-Holes
- Size: 30.7 x 13.8 x 6.1 inches
- Weight: 4.81 pounds
- Material & finish: Carved solid spruce top, carved solid maple back and sides, dark violin sunburst finish
- Sound: Crisp and clean
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Eastman MD315 F-Style Mandolin with F-Holes is a great instrument with an elegant design. This mandolin is a little louder than other Eastman models, and it offers a clean and crisp tonality with a fast action all around the spectrum.
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
This model is made using high-grade wood and hardware, which gives this mandolin its clean and bright tonality. It’s a great instrument for bluegrass and country music.
Eastman MD605 A-Style Mandolin, F-Holes
- Size: 31.2 x 14.4 x 6.3 inches
- Weight: 8.43 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid Adirondack spruce, solid flamed maple back and sides, vintage red finish
- Sound: Warm and bright
- Best for: Intermediate players and professionals
The Eastman MD605 A-Style Mandolin is a simple but effective mandolin with a classic A-style design. This mandolin has a very versatile tone that could be used for folk, blues, bluegrass, or country.
✅ Great projection
✅ Solid-body build
✅ Beautiful and vibrant finish
✅ Hard case included
❌ Requires setup to play
Why I Recommend It
The Eastman MD605 might have a simpler design and look, but this model offers a bright and quite distinctive tone. If you’re looking for a great mid-range A-style mandolin, this model is a perfect match for you.
Eastman MD515CC/n F-Style Mandolin
- Size: 30 x 13 x 5.25 inches
- Weight: 7.13 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid spruce maple back and sides, vintage violin finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Intermediate players and professionals
The Eastman MD515CC/n F-Style Mandolin is a solid mid-high range Eastman mandolin with a classical F-style design and a bright and crisp tone.
✅ High-grade wood
✅ Fast action
✅ Hard case included
✅ Chrome hardware
❌ Requires setup to play
Why I Recommend It
The Eastman MD515CC/n is a solid mid-range workhorse with an elegant design and finish. This instrument combines classic inspirations with a few modern techniques and innovations for you to enjoy.
Eastman MD615 F-Style Mandolin
- Size: 28.8 x 12.6 x 6 inches
- Weight: 8.53 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid Adirondack spruce top, solid flamed maple back and sides, red violin finish
- Sound: Warm and rich
- Best for: Professionals
The Eastman MD615 F-Style Mandolin is a very popular high-end model. This instrument stands as one of the most expensive and professional models ever made by Eastman.
Add this to the unique beautiful design and you get a well-balanced high-grade mandolin that can compete with the most elite instruments like the Gibson F-5.
✅ Solid-body construction
✅ Comfortable
✅ Beautiful and vibrant finish
✅ Hard case included
❌ Requires setup to play
Why I Recommend It
This model will cost you some money, but it will certainly be worth your money and time. This instrument will satisfy even the most demanding musicians and artists with its clear and bright tonality.
Eastman Mandolins Aesthetics & Build
Most Eastman mandolins stay true to their classic design philosophy. The company creates visually simple but elegant instruments that take inspiration from old classic instruments like the violin and viola.
Material
Eastman mandolins are made of selected and hand-carved solid spruce and maple, as those two types of wood offer a great tonality with warm and rich undertones.
Finish
Most mandolins made by Eastman uses simple finish types like oil varnish and nitrocellulose, as they provide decent protection without any sound dampening.
Color
It’s easy to notice that most Eastman mandolins have a very similar color scheme. Most of them try to imitate the visual elegance of older instruments like the violin and cello.
How Much Do Eastman Mandolins Cost?
Eastman mandolins are mostly hand-carved, which makes them somewhat expensive. But fear not, as Eastman also offers several mid-range and budget-friendly models for you to enjoy.
What Are the Best Eastman Mandolins?
Let’s take a look back at some of the best Eastman mandolins I presented on this list.
Eastman MD305 All Solid Wood A-Style Mandolin Satin Nitrocellulose Chrome Hardware: Best for Beginners
The Eastman MD305 is a mid-low range Eastman mandolin that has that elegant and refined Eastman sound for a reasonable price tag. If you’re looking for a reliable and beautiful instrument to start learning to play, this model is the way to go.
Eastman MD315 F-Style Mandolin with F-Hole: Best for Intermediate Players
Here is a solid mid-range model made with high-grade solid wood that gives an extra punch and a better sustain. The Eastman MD315 F-Style is a great option for any intermediate or even professional player.
Eastman MD615 F-Style Mandolin, F-Holes: Best for Professionals
The Eastman MD615 F-Style Mandolin is a high-tier entry in the Eastman family. If you’re looking for a beautiful and powerful instrument for professionals, this model is your best option.
Where Are Eastman Mandolins Made?
Most Eastman mandolins are made in China. But don’t let this discourage you, as Eastman always maintains a steady level of quality control, even getting better with each year.
What Is the Best Sounding Eastman Mandolin?
For me personally, the best sounding models would be the MD615 and MD515, as those two have a distinctive and unique tonal quality.
Where to Buy Eastman Mandolins
Nowadays there are plenty of options to choose from. This includes some well-known websites like Amazon and some music-oriented retailers such as Fiddlershop.com and GuitarCenter.com.
Each one has its own pros and cons.
Amazon
Amazon is known worldwide for its competitive prices and fast delivery. The selection of products is impressive too, as you can find almost any model or brand.
One of the most useful features for me personally is the customer reviews, as they provide you with an honest opinion on almost any model you can find. This is an essential tool, as it will help you learn the pros and cons of each instrument.
Online Music Retailers
But Amazon is not the only website when it comes to musical instruments. Nowadays you can find numerous websites that offer even lower prices and a better selection of exclusive instruments.
Here at Into Strings, we highly recommend Fiddlershop.com, Sweetwater.com, and GuitarCenter.com, as they offer a great selection of instruments with some exclusive deals and discounts.
Your Local Music Store
In your local music store, you might find a limited selection of instruments. But you can stay there for a few hours trying out all the instruments they have in stock. This is the best way to figure out if you really like or need it.
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In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Eastman mandolins. Eastman is a unique brand with its own style and feel. Their clean and warm sound is highly appreciated all around the world by amateurs and professionals alike. Add this to their elegant and vibrant design, and you get a high-tier instrument that will bring joy to your eyes and ears.
If you really liked this read, feel free to share it or leave a comment. Here at Into Strings, we would like to know your opinion and experience with Eastman mandolins.
Stay safe, and as always, good luck with your sonic adventures!