Of those three, I preferred the CC/N model, looks and sound. As to playability that's your job, I don't even know where a C note is on a mandolin. Thanks guys. Keep on smiling.
After listening several times without looking, I could pick out the varnish as sounding a bit warmer. I have the 515 in the classic darker (non sunburst) color and I love it. I still want an 814 Oval Hole..just because... :)
I LIKE the voice of the varnish. I don't mind the light vintage or relicing done on Eastman Vintage guitars (E20SS-V-sb). Generally, I don't need it. I would prefer New Old Stock or "Closet Vintage," that aging as if the instrument was properly stored in a closet or humidor for years. I can add my own dings, buckle rash, and wear.
Yes! They actually just released these with the new color , it's called the "True Tone Vintage" model. We have the A-Style currently in stock and we should be seeing the F-Style in a couple of weeks: www.theacousticshoppe.com/shop/Instruments/Mandolins/Eastman/p/Eastman-MD505CCTV-Comfort-Contour-True-Tone-Vintage-Series-A-Style-Mandolin-3218-x74396469.htm
I’ll have to admit I do like the varnish finish sound better! I bought the 815 poly finish and I love the look. I also like the old look. I just had a Yates 9584 Granada banjo built and it looks like the 1930 look, which I love. Great choices from Eastman.
16th subscriber LIKE; 107th desktop rainy-day view... 2:10 - yep, that less-adorned look/finish would be my choice. Your Mileage May Vary. (Have the cows come home yet?). Might you guys use your 'sway & clout' with the Eastman builders to use a bone saddle (like the RSW deer antler) on some of their models? Do you think it would help the tone and/or volume?
@@AcousticShoppe Darn. And, I imagine you guys offering customers an in-house upgrade to RSW deer antler saddle might void any Eastman guarantee. Y'all need a bigger stick to use on them Eastman folks.
Gallatin: do you know why Lewis and Clark named the Gallatin River, and who was he. When they got to the headwaters of the Missouri River, there were 3 Rivers that came together. They named one Jefferson for the President that approved their assignment; the Madison was named for the vice president. The prettiest River was named the Gallatin River, who was the US Treasurer at the time.
I love the color of the varnish finish. Wish it was an option without being antiqued. I don’t hate the antiquing but it wouldn’t stop being from buying it.
I love my 2019 MD515V back then they weren't aged I'm going to have to add my own play wear. I get a lot of compliments about the instrument, not my playing 😉 I just received my E40 00 guitar this weekend from my Eastman dealer. Wow what a beautiful instrument.
Jeremy @AccousticShoppe I've heard you mention a few times that Eastman as gone through various iterations of their varnish process/application. I'm curious, do you have a rough timeline of when those changes were made and when it "improved"? (2017 original, 2018 updated, 2019 just right...etc.)? Also, when did the 515V relicing begin? Same timeline or? I noticed for example that the 2019 MD515V seems to have much more of a traditional sunburst finish and less relicing than the more recent releases.
It depends on a few things, overall more often than not an MD815 will sound better than the 515. If you feel that you are at the place in your mandolin playing that you're ready for an upgrade, then definitely go for it! The Adirondack top does make the mandolin more punchier & has more note clarity, the 815v is Jeremy's preferred mandolin. On the other hand the MD515 could honestly suit a lifetime of playing. Ultimately it really just depends on your level of playing if you feel like you're ready for an upgrade. We recommend playing them in person for sure & if the MD815 tone is worth it to you, then go for it!
Jeremy never told me if this is a butterball turkey or wild turkey. Thanks for the description.
Jeremy you can sure pick that mandolin.👍
Of those three, I preferred the CC/N model, looks and sound. As to playability that's your job, I don't even know where a C note is on a mandolin. Thanks guys. Keep on smiling.
As far as the C "note", one can be found on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
After listening several times without looking, I could pick out the varnish as sounding a bit warmer. I have the 515 in the classic darker (non sunburst) color and I love it. I still want an 814 Oval Hole..just because... :)
The CC_N to me had a more "Woodie" sound than the rest, next best sound to me was theMD515-v. That is my top 2 picks!
Nice!
I LIKE the voice of the varnish. I don't mind the light vintage or relicing done on Eastman Vintage guitars (E20SS-V-sb). Generally, I don't need it. I would prefer New Old Stock or "Closet Vintage," that aging as if the instrument was properly stored in a closet or humidor for years. I can add my own dings, buckle rash, and wear.
I have an MD515-V I bought in 2019 and it's a beast... love the sound and response and the look suits me just right.
Can you get a MD515 CC with classic color so an unbound model with the color of the bound classic color in your video?
Yes! They actually just released these with the new color , it's called the "True Tone Vintage" model. We have the A-Style currently in stock and we should be seeing the F-Style in a couple of weeks: www.theacousticshoppe.com/shop/Instruments/Mandolins/Eastman/p/Eastman-MD505CCTV-Comfort-Contour-True-Tone-Vintage-Series-A-Style-Mandolin-3218-x74396469.htm
I’ll have to admit I do like the varnish finish sound better! I bought the 815 poly finish and I love the look. I also like the old look. I just had a Yates 9584 Granada banjo built and it looks like the 1930 look, which I love. Great choices from Eastman.
16th subscriber LIKE; 107th desktop rainy-day view... 2:10 - yep, that less-adorned look/finish would be my choice. Your Mileage May Vary.
(Have the cows come home yet?).
Might you guys use your 'sway & clout' with the Eastman builders to use a bone saddle (like the RSW deer antler) on some of their models?
Do you think it would help the tone and/or volume?
We don't have quite that much sway with Eastman. 😅
@@AcousticShoppe Darn. And, I imagine you guys offering customers an in-house upgrade to RSW deer antler saddle might void any Eastman guarantee.
Y'all need a bigger stick to use on them Eastman folks.
Gallatin: do you know why Lewis and Clark named the Gallatin River, and who was he. When they got to the headwaters of the Missouri River, there were 3 Rivers that came together. They named one Jefferson for the President that approved their assignment; the Madison was named for the vice president. The prettiest River was named the Gallatin River, who was the US Treasurer at the time.
Interesting, thanks! I never knew that!
I love the color of the varnish finish. Wish it was an option without being antiqued.
I don’t hate the antiquing but it wouldn’t stop being from buying it.
I own a MD 515 V and it sounds great but I do wish she was not reddish in color and more brown as a traditional varnish would be.
I love my 2019 MD515V back then they weren't aged I'm going to have to add my own play wear. I get a lot of compliments about the instrument, not my playing 😉
I just received my E40 00 guitar this weekend from my Eastman dealer. Wow what a beautiful instrument.
That's an awesome collection you got there!
Jeremy @AccousticShoppe I've heard you mention a few times that Eastman as gone through various iterations of their varnish process/application. I'm curious, do you have a rough timeline of when those changes were made and when it "improved"? (2017 original, 2018 updated, 2019 just right...etc.)? Also, when did the 515V relicing begin? Same timeline or? I noticed for example that the 2019 MD515V seems to have much more of a traditional sunburst finish and less relicing than the more recent releases.
Already have a MD-515, does an MD-815 sound better in person? Worth the upgrade in your opinion?
It depends on a few things, overall more often than not an MD815 will sound better than the 515. If you feel that you are at the place in your mandolin playing that you're ready for an upgrade, then definitely go for it! The Adirondack top does make the mandolin more punchier & has more note clarity, the 815v is Jeremy's preferred mandolin. On the other hand the MD515 could honestly suit a lifetime of playing. Ultimately it really just depends on your level of playing if you feel like you're ready for an upgrade. We recommend playing them in person for sure & if the MD815 tone is worth it to you, then go for it!
@AcousticShoppe Now what about the MD515-BLK limited edition - which has the Adirondack Spruce.
Is that a good compromise?
Thanks.
Awesome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❗️❤️🕊