My MD404-BK arrived yesterday (came out the box today) from The Acoustic Shoppe and it is GORGEOUS !!! I wanted to buy an MD305 for my first ever stringed instrument, but they're all but unobtainable. I think there's a ship in the Pacific with hundreds of MD305's somewhere :) I decided to treat myself. I figured the upgraded tuners might have been on the to do list one day with a cheaper instrument. So I didn't mind springing for them factory fitted. I prefer the oval hole sound, as I want to play more than just bluegrass. I even didn't mind paying a bit for the looks of the instrument. Being a complete noob, I can't comment on how it plays & sounds; this video does that. As soon as I picked it up, my left pinkie realised what I would be asking from it and filed for divorce :) But honestly, that's the same reaction I had, the first time I picked up my Low-D Irish Whistle (easily solved by the pipers grip). I am sure that some hand angle etc. will get this playing fine. Now, a LOT to learn !
Hey, Gumby was way ahead of Wallace and Grommit. Yes, a Gummby head stock shape. Thanks for pointing that out to us old time senior citizens, ya know ? We have matriculated into geezerhood and should remember these charactors pretty well.
Y'all are so great. I am a violinist and y'all have really helped me decide which mando to buy! Love the banter too. Reminds me of sweet days listening to Car Talk with my dad growing up. Be blessed, guys.
Old guy here, sparingly played for the last 30 years. As I approach retirement, music is one of the delights I am trying to embrace. The review you guys gave on the Eastman E16SS inspired me to hunt it down to try. Bought it in January, couldn't be happier, thanks! Been looking at mandolins now too. Never owned one but the MD404 sounds pretty nice. As a newcomer to the mandolin, and a soon to be retiree, cost is a concern, but value could outweigh the cost. Between the 400, 500, and 600 series of the Eastmans, where may I feel the best value? Thanks, great job guys
We totally get where you're coming from, truly all of the Eastman's are an amazing value, but John recommends the 400 series over the others in terms of value. This series upgrades the tuners, the finish, & you get a hard-shell Case. The jump from the 300 to the 400 series is easily the best when comparing the upgrade price vs the upgrades!
160th subscriber LIKE, belated view 7,268 - because I'm still looking for an 'affordable' oval-hole mandolin that works well for Irish Trad seisiun style, melody playing: great tone with decent volume. TBH - I wish the fingerboard on this one didn't cover part of the hole.
Can you give me some advice? I know so many people ask about oval hole or F hole, but I need a little more specfic answer. First, I'm not playing in a bluegrass band and don't necessarily need to have a ton of projection. I do like the sound of f hole mandolins, but have not played a oval hole in person. I would probably be playing old fiddle tunes. Also, the sweetness and resonance that is apparently present in oval hole mandolins sounds appealing. Is it worth sacrificing the projection and clarity and cutting tone of a f hole mandolin?
Hey Gavin, sorry for the delayed reply. It's really about your preference and style, they really are two different sounds. I'd say go try to find someone that has one of each and go with what you like the best. Remember, we also give you a 14 day trial period to make sure you love your mandolin, so if you find that a oval hole isn't for you, just send it back!
@@AcousticShoppe What is the price of that black oval hole ? I have an A-5 Flatiron with f holes I made in a luthiery class when I worked at Flatiron in the '90s, you know, when Bill Monroe came to Belgrade, MT. It was mid May of '95. It cost me 250 bucks with a hard case. Retail was 1,250 I think. It even has a Monroe autograph inside the back. I don't think I really need another mando, but just to tell a friend the price. Thanks guys, Bob in Belgrade, MT
Quality wise they're not a huge difference exactly. It's mostly just different from the tonewoods, the finish, and the case upgrade. Although we typically don't get much quality control issues from Eastman at all if that's what you're concerned about. Hope this helps!
@acousticshoppe thanks! I was referring to the playability, feel and tone quality moreso than build quality. I love the look of the black top more than the default 304 or 504, so that’s reason enough I suppose.
@@farmpunk_dan Playability and feel, they are extremely similar. but tone wise is where they differ the most since the 400s come with mahogany. Might I suggest that if you prefer the tone of a Maple back and sides mandolin, maybe look at the new 500 limited series? They are Adirondack Top and Maple B&S with Black tops and they sound incredible. The only issue is that they don't make an A-Style Oval hole version, they only have an A-Style eith F-Holes or F-Style versions in both Oval and F Holes. Just a thought, they're probably the best option if you're looking for a special Black Top mandolin: th-cam.com/video/BuCJDwZ25VM/w-d-xo.html
Honestly the mahogany vs maple isn’t a big deal to me, but the black top really tickles my fancy. Trying to find an electrified oval option that is still in my price bracket! I sent you guys an email yesterday. Thanks for the info!
I want a MD504 left handed.😀 Or MD505CC left handed. Nice one you have there with the short neck! I need one of each to cover all music genres. Ha! And I like Wendy’s fries or Southside 17 sweet potato fries.
Flatirons that were made in Belgrade, MT before 1996 are now made in China. The Chinese are capable of making good quality musical instruments. The reason these companies send their production to China is to make them affordable to people all over the world. Who would pay 3 grand for an entry level mando ?
![[Full Episode] The Restaurant War Thailand ศึกพ่อค้าซ่าแม่ค้าแซ่บ Episode 2 | 29 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/r3lfLNH6Ke4/mqdefault.jpg)
All that and just 25 seconds of playing it...
There is a full song with two solo's on this mandolin here: th-cam.com/video/_Ti8MRUXz5A/w-d-xo.html
Right, waste of valuable time. Can’t wait going to google looking for specs
My MD404-BK arrived yesterday (came out the box today) from The Acoustic Shoppe and it is GORGEOUS !!!
I wanted to buy an MD305 for my first ever stringed instrument, but they're all but unobtainable. I think there's a ship in the Pacific with hundreds of MD305's somewhere :) I decided to treat myself. I figured the upgraded tuners might have been on the to do list one day with a cheaper instrument. So I didn't mind springing for them factory fitted. I prefer the oval hole sound, as I want to play more than just bluegrass. I even didn't mind paying a bit for the looks of the instrument.
Being a complete noob, I can't comment on how it plays & sounds; this video does that. As soon as I picked it up, my left pinkie realised what I would be asking from it and filed for divorce :) But honestly, that's the same reaction I had, the first time I picked up my Low-D Irish Whistle (easily solved by the pipers grip). I am sure that some hand angle etc. will get this playing fine.
Now, a LOT to learn !
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and for supporting us! Happy practicing! 😁
Hey, Gumby was way ahead of Wallace and Grommit. Yes, a Gummby head stock shape. Thanks for pointing that out to us old time senior citizens, ya know ? We have matriculated into geezerhood and should remember these charactors pretty well.
Five guys fies. 😊
Y'all are so great. I am a violinist and y'all have really helped me decide which mando to buy! Love the banter too. Reminds me of sweet days listening to Car Talk with my dad growing up. Be blessed, guys.
Paul Williams and the Victory Trio absolutely amazing tone to his playing but his voice is second to none!
Old guy here, sparingly played for the last 30 years. As I approach retirement, music is one of the delights I am trying to embrace. The review you guys gave on the Eastman E16SS inspired me to hunt it down to try. Bought it in January, couldn't be happier, thanks! Been looking at mandolins now too. Never owned one but the MD404 sounds pretty nice. As a newcomer to the mandolin, and a soon to be retiree, cost is a concern, but value could outweigh the cost. Between the 400, 500, and 600 series of the Eastmans, where may I feel the best value? Thanks, great job guys
We totally get where you're coming from, truly all of the Eastman's are an amazing value, but John recommends the 400 series over the others in terms of value. This series upgrades the tuners, the finish, & you get a hard-shell Case. The jump from the 300 to the 400 series is easily the best when comparing the upgrade price vs the upgrades!
What was the last mandolin you were holding? What make and model please😁
160th subscriber LIKE, belated view 7,268 - because I'm still looking for an 'affordable' oval-hole mandolin that works well for Irish Trad seisiun style, melody playing: great tone with decent volume. TBH - I wish the fingerboard on this one didn't cover part of the hole.
You blokes like like you spend quite a bit of time in those fast few food outlets.
BK fries all day long !!.. nd I like the oval pretty Mando !! love ya guys great crack :))
McDonald's will kill you stick to country music❤
Burger king
Can you give me some advice? I know so many people ask about oval hole or F hole, but I need a little more specfic answer. First, I'm not playing in a bluegrass band and don't necessarily need to have a ton of projection. I do like the sound of f hole mandolins, but have not played a oval hole in person. I would probably be playing old fiddle tunes. Also, the sweetness and resonance that is apparently present in oval hole mandolins sounds appealing. Is it worth sacrificing the projection and clarity and cutting tone of a f hole mandolin?
Hey Gavin, sorry for the delayed reply. It's really about your preference and style, they really are two different sounds. I'd say go try to find someone that has one of each and go with what you like the best. Remember, we also give you a 14 day trial period to make sure you love your mandolin, so if you find that a oval hole isn't for you, just send it back!
@@AcousticShoppe What is the price of that black oval hole ? I have an A-5 Flatiron with f holes I made in a luthiery class when I worked at Flatiron in the '90s, you know, when Bill Monroe came to Belgrade, MT. It was mid May of '95. It cost me 250 bucks with a hard case. Retail was 1,250 I think. It even has a Monroe autograph inside the back. I don't think I really need another mando, but just to tell a friend the price. Thanks guys, Bob in Belgrade, MT
Guys your reviews are awesome. Too bad you decide to play when there's only2 seconds left on the video.
PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE INTRO MUSIC OLD-TIME SONG WAS? IVE HEARD IT BEFORE AND CAN'T REMEMBER
Down in the Willow Garden I remember!!
you got it, sorry we didn't answer you sooner.
@@AcousticShoppe Absolutely, nice playing!
@@angelg8445 it is in 3/4 time, also. Well played by these two gents.
Please help - are the 400s actually a better quality instrument than 300 series? Or is it just the gloss black finish?
Quality wise they're not a huge difference exactly. It's mostly just different from the tonewoods, the finish, and the case upgrade. Although we typically don't get much quality control issues from Eastman at all if that's what you're concerned about. Hope this helps!
@acousticshoppe thanks! I was referring to the playability, feel and tone quality moreso than build quality. I love the look of the black top more than the default 304 or 504, so that’s reason enough I suppose.
@@farmpunk_dan Playability and feel, they are extremely similar. but tone wise is where they differ the most since the 400s come with mahogany. Might I suggest that if you prefer the tone of a Maple back and sides mandolin, maybe look at the new 500 limited series? They are Adirondack Top and Maple B&S with Black tops and they sound incredible. The only issue is that they don't make an A-Style Oval hole version, they only have an A-Style eith F-Holes or F-Style versions in both Oval and F Holes. Just a thought, they're probably the best option if you're looking for a special Black Top mandolin: th-cam.com/video/BuCJDwZ25VM/w-d-xo.html
Honestly the mahogany vs maple isn’t a big deal to me, but the black top really tickles my fancy. Trying to find an electrified oval option that is still in my price bracket! I sent you guys an email yesterday. Thanks for the info!
having a good time guys, but when will you get to the point already?
I really like the warm sound of this mando.
I wish they did a snakehead instead of Gumby.
McDonalds over Burger King fries and White Castle. NO!!! Acoustic Music . 👍 thanks
😂 But where do Wendy's fries figure into the mix?
I want a MD504 left handed.😀 Or MD505CC left handed. Nice one you have there with the short neck! I need one of each to cover all music genres. Ha! And I like Wendy’s fries or Southside 17 sweet potato fries.
Ha! I've never tried Southside 17, but Wendy's will do. Give us a call and we can look into what Eastman offers in left handed mandolins. 417-720-1223
Love my 404!
They are so great! Thanks for watching
i love my 304 lol
Does this mando really have a short neck? I see that the markers set lower than a corresponding f holes.
It appears in our specs that this mandolin should have the same scale length of 13 7/8", as it's F-hole counterpart.
Checkers Fries.
I had french fries from five guys the other night and really enjoyed them! Oh yeah, and that’s a beautiful sounding mandolin. Love the Eastman stuff
Gotta go with the Cajun fries at five guys! Thanks for supporting the channel.
Wow! What a beautiful little instrument. Great review you two.
Thanks so much!
Play it already. Stop talking and play.
There is a full version of the song here: th-cam.com/video/_Ti8MRUXz5A/w-d-xo.html This video is our take and details of the instrument.
You guys just can’t stay on subject. Some people are interested in the subject , not burgers.
We love this comment! Thanks for watching!
LOL 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Video stops. Guy on left laughs on inexplicitly for who knows how long then takes meds. Camera starts.
You guys are great love your videos.
indeed
Glad you like them!
made in china?
Yup
Flatirons that were made in Belgrade, MT before 1996 are now made in China. The Chinese are capable of making good quality musical instruments. The reason these companies send their production to China is to make them affordable to people all over the world. Who would pay 3 grand for an entry level mando ?