The day I bought my 315 my mandolin teacher and I tried out almost every mandolin in the shop, some of which ran up to around $4,000. To my ears the 315 sounded the best of any of them. I was prepared to spend much more but couldn’t justify it :)
Take any of the mandolins in the 300 series, hit it with a light coat of Renaissance wax, and you've got a great-sounding mandolin that looks like a million bucks! 🙂
Hey guys, that's THE BEST video you've EVER done! Awesome! 🙂 Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference in sound between the two. That 315 sounds great; an excellent value at that price point. I have an Eastman 304 (A style, oval hole), and I'm amazed at how great it sounds, especially given how little I paid for it.
Wat Up ! I was gonna jump in as a owner of several ! And sooo far , I'll put my 315 against any ! However ,, I did put a solid aged brass Tailpiece,,, a Rosewood wrist rest for your picking hand , Better strings ,,, AND , I bought mine used , but mint and it came with a " Crossrock" Hard case ! $700.00 ! I also let that bad boy get some sun & fresh air ! I Live in the Appalachian Mountains , so there's plenty of humidity,,, I've played it in several Competitions and had many others pickers sit down and say " man I gotta pick that thing " ! I did have to form sand The Saddle , to get it to sit down Flat , against the top ! That honestly made the biggest plus , I was able to lower the action then ! I polished it out with hardwood floor Minwax and I wouldn't trade it for nothing ! I've tweeked and made it mine , and most of the south knows my Eastman now ! Rock on wit cha bad self !
Thanks for this video. Great playing. The sound was close--just a subtle difference to my ears. I thought the 315 sounded more open and played in, while the 515 sounded tighter and more focused. Anyway, I think they both sound great. I have a 305, and I love the way it sounds and plays. Thanks for bringing us these videos!
I don't think you go wrong buying either, but in some ways, I wish I would have gotten the MD515 instead of my MD315. I did upgrade my tuners and I did buy a hard shell case, but I didn't do those things at the same time. I love my MD315 and I enjoyed putting on new tuners. I also put on one of Jerry Rosa's deer antler saddles. I like to tinker (a little). But I must say I like that gloss sunburst finish on the MD515. I also like that gun stock look of the MD315. For a beginner, and that's what I am, he MD315 is perfect. But if you have the extra $300, get the MD515. I really think that's what it comes down to..
Your 315 will be louder because of the finish. Deeper chop also. Only difference between the two is the finish. That is the 300 dollar price difference.
I used Mcguiers automotive finishing polish on my satin 305 and it not only looks as good as the top line model but sounds a lot fuller and more resonate with less finish on the wood
Got an MD505 as a university graduation gift from my father in probably 2011 or so. It’s fantastic, and when I play mandolin, which is not often enough, it’s just a great tool. Sounds Great, and has opened up nicely. I remember mine had a small scuff on the head stock so I paid about $100 less than typical asking price at the time. Pricing has gone way up on these since then. I think it was $750 in Canada at that time that we paid. Eastman makes great instruments, and that mandolin was the first of three that I now own (A T185 replace my Gibson semi hollow in 2012, and has become one of my daily drivers since. I also got an E6OM from my lovely wife as a Christmas gift a couple of years back), and I play it all the time too. The quality of Eastman instruments has just gone up and up over the past many years.
I like the voice of the 515. Just wondering about the voice of this 515, and the varnish version. Still learning on my 305 A style. Thanks John and Jeremy
I had an MD315 for my first mando. Excellent mando for the money. I bought it used, and sold it to cheap. Wish I would have kept it. I have upgraded a few times and now have a Northfield Big Mon, which I really like. I play multiple instruments and mandolin is not my main one. I have thought about selling the Northfield and going back to an Eastman that would be less money, but still good enough for my amount of playing and save me a few bucks too. I'm crazy I guess. 🤪😄 Another great video guys! I do enjoy your playing and the instrument comparisons and demos. Thanks, EE
Thanks so much for watching! That is a tough decision, really both companies are great choices. We're hoping to at least review some Northfield's even though we don't carry them!
The difference that I heard was 400 dollars. But you get quite a bit more for that extra money. They both sound great for the price and you can't beat it. Great job guys. Love it 😀 😍
Great video and comparison, as usual, guys. The 315 will sound better 'out of the box', as the 515 requires more 'playing in', and will eventually surpass the 315 with enough picking and/or ToneRite time on it. Re: John's tuner comment on the 515 tuners - Eastman do not fit Grover tuners to their mandolins. I believe they may still use Pingwell on the entry level mandos. Those are most likely Gotoh on the 515, 'though they initially used Schaller. * I just took a closer look at some photos of a MD515, and the tuners appear to be a Pingwell version of the Gotoh (IE a copy of their design). The 815 deifinitely used to come with Gotoh, but that may have changed by now, too. Cheers.
24th fan LIKE; 177th desktop view. For Irish Trad session playing, the oval hole 'tone' seems to be preferred - but at the expense of volume? - to try to keep up with whistles and Uilleann pipes and flutes and fiddles and concertinas and tenor banjos. No wonder Guinness gets consumed by the pints. :0/ Not by me, of course.
You guys do some really good detailed reviews, I’d be quite tempted to go for an Eastman at some point. I recently picked up a second hand The Loar MS-600-vn, I don’t think you’ve reviewed those and the brand seems to have mixed reviews felon who you ask so it’d be great to hear what you have to say on them?
Both mandolins sound good so for a dedicated beginner the lower price of a md315 would be a good choice. If you prefer the glossy look and want a hard shell case with better tuners and have the spare cash then the md515 would be a better option.
I know we all hear differently and YT compresses the sound considerably, so I'm told. But I've listened via headphones several times and the 315 sounds more 'warm' and more 'round' to my ears. Like leaning towards an oval hole mando (but not THAT warm) The 515 seems louder and 'sharper' but not tinny at all. Like what I think of as a classic scroll BG chopper. You didn't change pics when switching mandolins, did you? I'd definitely take the 515 over the 315 even if I despise the antique burst look. My old Korean MK has a faded "antique amberburst" finish that I find gorgeous. When I have my Silverangel A style made I want to duplicate that color.
The 315 sounds more natural, even better as the 515. Maybe because of the thick coat of lacker on the 525 which muffles down the vibrations of the spuce-top.
The 315 sounds more open and warm, fuller. If I was mostly playing in a band I might go for the more focussed sound of the 515, the chop especially. My oval hole Breedlove is nice to play folk stuff on its own, but soon as there’s a group, it gets lost. No chop to speak of. Since I play on my own way more than in groups, I will likely go with the 315. I have an Eastman mandola that I like everything about.. except the tuners. Very ‘sticky’. So if the 315’s are like those, I would change. The ones on my Breedlove are excellent, so could just swap.
The modern Loar brand is a different brand from Eastman. Eastman calls their mandolin series the "MD" Series. Both Loars & Eastmans are comparable entry-level brands, with the Eastmans being a bit more high-end.
i was thinking about getting into mandolin music and i just wanted an opinion on a thought that i had, if i were to start learning mandolin should i go for a more modern style mandolin over an older roundback or is any style of mandolin sufficiant? and if i were to get an older round back would i have any drawbacks that i wouldnt get in a newer instrument.
In Jeremy's opinion, it is better to get a modern style mandolin. The bowl back style of mandolins are harder to play, not as loud, & don't have a good tone to his ear. Really they are only ideal for classic Italian music. As a beginner playability is the biggest thing that will set you back, if a mandolin is uncomfortable to play, it makes it very hard to learn on. Those reasons & also because modern mandolins are much more versatile are why we would recommend those to beginners. Hope this helps!
I am trying to get an MD315 my local music shop has not got back to me. I called him he says he's busy and he will get back to me. I don't think he had even ordered it yet. I am picking a old cheap Washburn.😳
We’d be happy to help you get an MD315, give us a call, send an email, or check out our website. Let us know if you have any questions about these mandolins!
You should consider through a good dealer and having it shipped rather than waiting. I am sure these guys would do a great job with ordering and shipment. I got mine through the Banjo Ben Store and am exceedingly happy!
I am sure the MD-515 is amazing but I really like my MD-315!
Amazing instrument and such a nice rustic look and feel.
Thank you Eastman.
The day I bought my 315 my mandolin teacher and I tried out almost every mandolin in the shop, some of which ran up to around $4,000. To my ears the 315 sounded the best of any of them. I was prepared to spend much more but couldn’t justify it :)
Take any of the mandolins in the 300 series, hit it with a light coat of Renaissance wax, and you've got a great-sounding mandolin that looks like a million bucks! 🙂
Hey guys, that's THE BEST video you've EVER done! Awesome! 🙂
Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference in sound between the two. That 315 sounds great; an excellent value at that price point. I have an Eastman 304 (A style, oval hole), and I'm amazed at how great it sounds, especially given how little I paid for it.
Thanks so much for watching!
I have a MD305 and it is a very good mandolin. I have no complaints whatsoever. These are both nice, and sound good. Great comparison video!
They both sound great and ;look great. I think I would go with the MD315. Right now I am playing a Ibanez M510E
Wat Up ! I was gonna jump in as a owner of several ! And sooo far , I'll put my 315 against any ! However ,, I did put a solid aged brass Tailpiece,,, a Rosewood wrist rest for your picking hand , Better strings ,,, AND , I bought mine used , but mint and it came with a " Crossrock" Hard case ! $700.00 ! I also let that bad boy get some sun & fresh air ! I Live in the Appalachian Mountains , so there's plenty of humidity,,, I've played it in several Competitions and had many others pickers sit down and say " man I gotta pick that thing " ! I did have to form sand The Saddle , to get it to sit down Flat , against the top ! That honestly made the biggest plus , I was able to lower the action then ! I polished it out with hardwood floor Minwax and I wouldn't trade it for nothing ! I've tweeked and made it mine , and most of the south knows my Eastman now ! Rock on wit cha bad self !
I recently bought an MD315 from these guys. Smartest thing I've done in a long time. Very happy.
That's great to hear, keep on pickin'!
Thanks for this video. Great playing. The sound was close--just a subtle difference to my ears. I thought the 315 sounded more open and played in, while the 515 sounded tighter and more focused. Anyway, I think they both sound great. I have a 305, and I love the way it sounds and plays. Thanks for bringing us these videos!
Totally, thanks for watching!
I don't think you go wrong buying either, but in some ways, I wish I would have gotten the MD515 instead of my MD315. I did upgrade my tuners and I did buy a hard shell case, but I didn't do those things at the same time. I love my MD315 and I enjoyed putting on new tuners. I also put on one of Jerry Rosa's deer antler saddles. I like to tinker (a little). But I must say I like that gloss sunburst finish on the MD515. I also like that gun stock look of the MD315. For a beginner, and that's what I am, he MD315 is perfect. But if you have the extra $300, get the MD515. I really think that's what it comes down to..
Your 315 will be louder because of the finish. Deeper chop also. Only difference between the two is the finish. That is the 300 dollar price difference.
I used Mcguiers automotive finishing polish on my satin 305 and it not only looks as good as the top line model but sounds a lot fuller and more resonate with less finish on the wood
Got an MD505 as a university graduation gift from my father in probably 2011 or so. It’s fantastic, and when I play mandolin, which is not often enough, it’s just a great tool. Sounds Great, and has opened up nicely. I remember mine had a small scuff on the head stock so I paid about $100 less than typical asking price at the time. Pricing has gone way up on these since then. I think it was $750 in Canada at that time that we paid. Eastman makes great instruments, and that mandolin was the first of three that I now own (A T185 replace my Gibson semi hollow in 2012, and has become one of my daily drivers since. I also got an E6OM from my lovely wife as a Christmas gift a couple of years back), and I play it all the time too. The quality of Eastman instruments has just gone up and up over the past many years.
Awesome story! They totally are making valuable instruments!
I like the voice of the 515. Just wondering about the voice of this 515, and the varnish version. Still learning on my 305 A style. Thanks John and Jeremy
I had an MD315 for my first mando. Excellent mando for the money. I bought it used, and sold it to cheap. Wish I would have kept it. I have upgraded a few times and now have a Northfield Big Mon, which I really like. I play multiple instruments and mandolin is not my main one. I have thought about selling the Northfield and going back to an Eastman that would be less money, but still good enough for my amount of playing and save me a few bucks too. I'm crazy I guess. 🤪😄 Another great video guys! I do enjoy your playing and the instrument comparisons and demos. Thanks, EE
Thanks so much for watching! That is a tough decision, really both companies are great choices. We're hoping to at least review some Northfield's even though we don't carry them!
Listening in my recording studio right now. The 315 actually sounded better to me. I had a more open and woodey tone than the 515.
The difference that I heard was 400 dollars. But you get quite a bit more for that extra money. They both sound great for the price and you can't beat it. Great job guys. Love it 😀 😍
Great video and comparison, as usual, guys. The 315 will sound better 'out of the box', as the 515 requires more 'playing in', and will eventually surpass the 315 with enough picking and/or ToneRite time on it. Re: John's tuner comment on the 515 tuners - Eastman do not fit Grover tuners to their mandolins. I believe they may still use Pingwell on the entry level mandos. Those are most likely Gotoh on the 515, 'though they initially used Schaller. * I just took a closer look at some photos of a MD515, and the tuners appear to be a Pingwell version of the Gotoh (IE a copy of their design). The 815 deifinitely used to come with Gotoh, but that may have changed by now, too. Cheers.
24th fan LIKE; 177th desktop view. For Irish Trad session playing, the oval hole 'tone' seems to be preferred - but at the expense of volume? - to try to keep up with whistles and Uilleann pipes and flutes and fiddles and concertinas and tenor banjos. No wonder Guinness gets consumed by the pints. :0/ Not by me, of course.
You guys do some really good detailed reviews, I’d be quite tempted to go for an Eastman at some point.
I recently picked up a second hand The Loar MS-600-vn, I don’t think you’ve reviewed those and the brand seems to have mixed reviews felon who you ask so it’d be great to hear what you have to say on them?
The tone on the 515 is a little deeper and it's louder. The 315 is good, but a bit tinny on the a and e strings.
Both mandolins sound good so for a dedicated beginner the lower price of a md315 would be a good choice. If you prefer the glossy look and want a hard shell case with better tuners and have the spare cash then the md515 would be a better option.
We agree!
they both sound good but i like the look of the 515 better
Solid choice!
BTW ... That was the beeeest video ever! Now go git you sum algorithms. 😆
I know we all hear differently and YT compresses the sound considerably, so I'm told. But I've listened via headphones several times and the 315 sounds more 'warm' and more 'round' to my ears. Like leaning towards an oval hole mando (but not THAT warm) The 515 seems louder and 'sharper' but not tinny at all. Like what I think of as a classic scroll BG chopper. You didn't change pics when switching mandolins, did you?
I'd definitely take the 515 over the 315 even if I despise the antique burst look. My old Korean MK has a faded "antique amberburst" finish that I find gorgeous. When I have my Silverangel A style made I want to duplicate that color.
Thanks for sharing, we did not switch picks!
There isn't much difference in sound to me, but I favor the MD315. its sound is deeper while the 515 is brighter.
The 315 sounds more natural, even better as the 515. Maybe because of the thick coat of lacker on the 525 which muffles down the vibrations of the spuce-top.
The 315 sounds more open and warm, fuller. If I was mostly playing in a band I might go for the more focussed sound of the 515, the chop especially. My oval hole Breedlove is nice to play folk stuff on its own, but soon as there’s a group, it gets lost. No chop to speak of.
Since I play on my own way more than in groups, I will likely go with the 315. I have an Eastman mandola that I like everything about.. except the tuners. Very ‘sticky’. So if the 315’s are like those, I would change. The ones on my Breedlove are excellent, so could just swap.
MD315 sounds a little better to me. More open. Thanks! What about the MD 615?
We compared the MD615 to the MD815 as well! Link: ruclips.net/video/QkCxxANj7_Y/видео.html
I disagree!!! Not sure what I disagree with...
Loved the video!
😂😂
What is the difference between Loars and MDs? I cant find anything about this online.
The modern Loar brand is a different brand from Eastman. Eastman calls their mandolin series the "MD" Series. Both Loars & Eastmans are comparable entry-level brands, with the Eastmans being a bit more high-end.
i was thinking about getting into mandolin music and i just wanted an opinion on a thought that i had, if i were to start learning mandolin should i go for a more modern style mandolin over an older roundback or is any style of mandolin sufficiant? and if i were to get an older round back would i have any drawbacks that i wouldnt get in a newer instrument.
In Jeremy's opinion, it is better to get a modern style mandolin. The bowl back style of mandolins are harder to play, not as loud, & don't have a good tone to his ear. Really they are only ideal for classic Italian music. As a beginner playability is the biggest thing that will set you back, if a mandolin is uncomfortable to play, it makes it very hard to learn on. Those reasons & also because modern mandolins are much more versatile are why we would recommend those to beginners. Hope this helps!
@@AcousticShoppe thanks for the input i think I'll just get both and try em out, no harm in that eh
@@isaiahdennhardt9409 That is true! I will say the bowl-back mandolins probably win the coolness factor!
I am trying to get an MD315 my local music shop has not got back to me. I called him he says he's busy and he will get back to me. I don't think he had even ordered it yet. I am picking a old cheap Washburn.😳
We’d be happy to help you get an MD315, give us a call, send an email, or check out our website. Let us know if you have any questions about these mandolins!
@@AcousticShoppe Thanks
You should consider through a good dealer and having it shipped rather than waiting.
I am sure these guys would do a great job with ordering and shipment.
I got mine through the Banjo Ben Store and am exceedingly happy!
Couldn't tell the difference. Nice video. Thanks.
Arudy is a one man shop**builds 12 mandolins at a time.*king of fixtures**DR KEL
315 wins, hands down.
The only mandolin I would ever buy , would be a custom one made by Aurdy Ratliff**DR KEL
We'll check them out sometime!
Keine von beiden: nicht mal geschenkt!
The finish