I think the 615 is much brighter and the notes are very clear and precise. Definitely better chops on the 615 and all the appointments makes it the best for me. Great picken again guys. Thanks again. 👍
I have a 515 that I have had for about 10 years now. Sounds great. The case has held up fine. Still looks good and works as it should. No complaints at all. But now I'm looking to move to a wide nut. I just wish Eastman would make that available. By the way love y'all's videos.
At the moment it looks like they're reserving a wide nut for the Bourgeois mandolins but maybe one day they'll put it on an Eastman model! Looks like that 515 has served you well!
Yeah, the narrow nut is what keeps me from Eastman, I know it's only 1/32-1/16" smaller but its off from my other instruments. Wonder why they decided to go narrow...
The low to mids are nicer on the 515 whereas the highs are sweeter on the 615. Chop was better on the 615. Nice melody tone on the 515, nothing wrong with it but the 615 is better overall especially when you add aesthetics to the comparison
The 515 seems to be warmer and rounder, maybe a bit louder. But the 615 seems to have more mids and highs and would cut better when chopping. I played the A style 6XX and found it louder and warmer than a Collings. But the Collings A cut better and was sweeter. I guess every mandolin, even within the same company and model range is subject to have different characteristics. Seems you gotta play 'em all to see what works for you. Wish it was simpler. :(
I actually thought the 615 sounded a bit better. Mostly the chops sounded better, but I thought there was a bit more clarity on the higher notes too. I also like the binding on the headstock and back and I like the inlays on the 615. And the 615 has a really nice looking finish. All this said, I opened the case on my 315 a couple days ago an had this really satisfying feeling come over me. It was like , "dude you've got a really nice mandolin". But I definitely see a 515 or a 615 in my future depending on if I stick with it and I show an appropriate level of improvement. For the price you get a lot with Eastman. When I buy one, I'll be buying one from the Acoustic Shoppe, that's for sure. Probably will be a 615. Thanks for the comparison.
Cosmetics (color, binding) and pickup are the only real differences in build. IMO, the sound difference/s are down to them being two examples. If one were to compare two 515 or 615 examples, there would be noticeable tonal variances like we have here. Also, I have not seen Grover tuners on any Eastman mandolins. Check with your rep., but I'm fairly sure they're all the Pingwell copy version of Gotoh.
According to the Eastman website those models have Pingwell RM-1583NE-26A Tuners, not to be overly critical but my 515V (which I love) doesn't have Grover tuners from what I can tell from photographs.
@@AcousticShoppe Thanks for the response!, no problem, I was just curious... On an aside, I was shocked to see Waverly Tuners cost $640 per set, and wondered what would make them that expensive. I know my $1200 mandolin, doesn't have $600 tuners...
That's exactly what we were going to say! the 815 also jumps up to an Adirondack top, you also lose the Block inlays, but you gain a headstock torch inlay. That just might be best for you!
@@kidney4curt That's fair and that's of course a huge consideration when upgrading! Ultimately they are both amazing options, it just comes downs to needs/preferences!
Of these two (2), I definitely prefer the MD615… To me, the classic MD515 is my least favorite model in Eastman’s line. It just seems like the sound dies off for whatever reason. I definitely prefer the MD315 - and as I said, this video shows that I prefer the MD615… However, I do like the MD515V and MD515CC - as they have better tones (imo) compared to the classic MD515.
Altman guitar will be at SPBGMA this weekend too. Consider collaborating with them and creating some content on Bob’s mandolins. He is building 5 currently! It would be great to see.
The difference in tone here is on the level that any two instruments, even of the same model, would have. That said the 515 has a but of a beefier tone, and the 615 more sustain and ring in the high end.
Thanks for your videos they are very helpful and i like the way you play as well. It would help me a lot if I could find a video demonstrating the pick ups of md 615. Maybe I am very demanding. Also a comment about that would help me also. I wold like to know if These pickups with an lr baggs pre amp is fine for a live show
At the moment, due to their partnership with Bourgeois, they actually so put a wider nut on those mandolins. Maybe one day they'll include it in some Eastman models but we don't know of any future plans at the moment!
We actually have a review about the Tone-Gards coming out soon! We feel it would probably be most fair for viewers to hear the instruments as they're coming from the factory without any modifications but we definitely agree that Tone-Gards are awesome!
@@alan4sure "Beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder". if you think the differences in the instruments are clear and discernable, then why are there different reactions among the listeners? We should expect a unanimous decision but we don't have that. I do find that the pick you choose and the strings will have a great effect on the tone. along with the type of finish. I have the md305, 315 and 615. the md 305 is the loudest and has the best tone, yet is considered an "entry level" mandolin. I do like my Eastman mandolins and am in the market to buy a 4th, probably an 815. It will be prettier than the others, but not necessarily better, tone-wise. The best thing you (or I) can do to improve our tone is play better!
Ken Ratcliff of Silverangel mandolins makes them one at a time and somehow charges about half of what other custom builders charge. Hit up the Mandolin Cafe for for info. Ken's stuff is excellent quality and for the price they're absolutely amazing.
I think the 615 is much brighter and the notes are very clear and precise. Definitely better chops on the 615 and all the appointments makes it the best for me. Great picken again guys. Thanks again. 👍
I like the 515 sound best. I really like the tune you guys played. Your talent is wonderful. Thanks.
The 615 is a beauty. Your playing is awesome, both of you. Thanks for the info.
I have the older 615 and it is my go to. the tone is delightful and it is subtle classy instrument.
Great comparison, guys! I love my 304 and 515, but that 616 is very pretty too.
I have a 515 that I have had for about 10 years now. Sounds great. The case has held up fine. Still looks good and works as it should. No complaints at all. But now I'm looking to move to a wide nut. I just wish Eastman would make that available. By the way love y'all's videos.
At the moment it looks like they're reserving a wide nut for the Bourgeois mandolins but maybe one day they'll put it on an Eastman model! Looks like that 515 has served you well!
Yeah, the narrow nut is what keeps me from Eastman, I know it's only 1/32-1/16" smaller but its off from my other instruments. Wonder why they decided to go narrow...
The low to mids are nicer on the 515 whereas the highs are sweeter on the 615. Chop was better on the 615. Nice melody tone on the 515, nothing wrong with it but the 615 is better overall especially when you add aesthetics to the comparison
These both sound better than my 305, but I don't play that well...yet. Waiting for Jeremy's mandolin book. Thanks John and Jeremy!
I am not big fan of the classic MD515… I prefer the MD315…
I’ve got my eye on a 604 for the oval hole and pickup. Value for the money seems the best out of Eastman’s lineup.
The 515 seems to be warmer and rounder, maybe a bit louder. But the 615 seems to have more mids and highs and would cut better when chopping. I played the A style 6XX and found it louder and warmer than a Collings. But the Collings A cut better and was sweeter. I guess every mandolin, even within the same company and model range is subject to have different characteristics. Seems you gotta play 'em all to see what works for you. Wish it was simpler. :(
I actually thought the 615 sounded a bit better. Mostly the chops sounded better, but I thought there was a bit more clarity on the higher notes too. I also like the binding on the headstock and back and I like the inlays on the 615. And the 615 has a really nice looking finish. All this said, I opened the case on my 315 a couple days ago an had this really satisfying feeling come over me. It was like , "dude you've got a really nice mandolin". But I definitely see a 515 or a 615 in my future depending on if I stick with it and I show an appropriate level of improvement. For the price you get a lot with Eastman. When I buy one, I'll be buying one from the Acoustic Shoppe, that's for sure. Probably will be a 615. Thanks for the comparison.
Thanks so much for watching & that's super well said! You can't really go wrong with owning any of them. Get to pickin'!
Great looking and sounding instruments, I notice the prices have gone up quite a bit recently though.
Cosmetics (color, binding) and pickup are the only real differences in build. IMO, the sound difference/s are down to them being two examples. If one were to compare two 515 or 615 examples, there would be noticeable tonal variances like we have here. Also, I have not seen Grover tuners on any Eastman mandolins. Check with your rep., but I'm fairly sure they're all the Pingwell copy version of Gotoh.
We misspoke, we meant to say that they copy a Grover style of tuner!
@@AcousticShoppe They copy the Gotoh style, not the Grover, though! 😉
According to the Eastman website those models have Pingwell RM-1583NE-26A Tuners, not to be overly critical but my 515V (which I love) doesn't have Grover tuners from what I can tell from photographs.
We misspoke! We meant to say the tuners are a Grover Style, we know they aren't actually Grover's just stylized like them!
@@AcousticShoppe Just compare them with a set of Grover and a set of Gotoh to see which one the Pingwells resemble (it's cleary not the Grover)! 😆
@@AcousticShoppe Thanks for the response!, no problem, I was just curious... On an aside, I was shocked to see Waverly Tuners cost $640 per set, and wondered what would make them that expensive. I know my $1200 mandolin, doesn't have $600 tuners...
I want the 615 bad. I just have to have the back bound. Wish it would come in varnish. I could do without the pick up though.
815 varnish, back bound, no pickup, then!
That's exactly what we were going to say! the 815 also jumps up to an Adirondack top, you also lose the Block inlays, but you gain a headstock torch inlay. That just might be best for you!
It's a heck of a price jump to the 815
@@kidney4curt That's fair and that's of course a huge consideration when upgrading! Ultimately they are both amazing options, it just comes downs to needs/preferences!
Of these two (2), I definitely prefer the MD615… To me, the classic MD515 is my least favorite model in Eastman’s line. It just seems like the sound dies off for whatever reason. I definitely prefer the MD315 - and as I said, this video shows that I prefer the MD615… However, I do like the MD515V and MD515CC - as they have better tones (imo) compared to the classic MD515.
Altman guitar will be at SPBGMA this weekend too. Consider collaborating with them and creating some content on Bob’s mandolins. He is building 5 currently! It would be great to see.
Thanks for the recommendation, we can check him out if we have the time!
The difference in tone here is on the level that any two instruments, even of the same model, would have. That said the 515 has a but of a beefier tone, and the 615 more sustain and ring in the high end.
Thanks for your videos they are very helpful and i like the way you play as well. It would help me a lot if I could find a video demonstrating the pick ups of md 615. Maybe I am very demanding. Also a comment about that would help me also. I wold like to know if These pickups with an lr baggs pre amp is fine for a live show
Please tell Eastman to make their models with a wide nut option. Thank you
At the moment, due to their partnership with Bourgeois, they actually so put a wider nut on those mandolins. Maybe one day they'll include it in some Eastman models but we don't know of any future plans at the moment!
💯 more!!!!
Love your reviews thanks for making them! I do wish you would use Tone-guards on the mandolins though!
We actually have a review about the Tone-Gards coming out soon! We feel it would probably be most fair for viewers to hear the instruments as they're coming from the factory without any modifications but we definitely agree that Tone-Gards are awesome!
They sound EXACTLY the same!
No…
Not a musician, correct?😅
@@alan4sure "Beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder".
if you think the differences in the instruments are clear and discernable, then why are there different reactions among the listeners? We should expect a unanimous decision but we don't have that.
I do find that the pick you choose and the strings will have a great effect on the tone. along with the type of finish.
I have the md305, 315 and 615. the md 305 is the loudest and has the best tone, yet is considered an "entry level" mandolin.
I do like my Eastman mandolins and am in the market to buy a 4th, probably an 815. It will be prettier than the others, but not necessarily better, tone-wise.
The best thing you (or I) can do to improve our tone is play better!
What would an American made 615 equivalent be, make, model, availability, and advertised price?
Add 2000 at least
Ken Ratcliff of Silverangel mandolins makes them one at a time and somehow charges about half of what other custom builders charge. Hit up the Mandolin Cafe for for info. Ken's stuff is excellent quality and for the price they're absolutely amazing.