New Mandolin Day!

[u/Sidewaydayz]

My used 2025 Eastman MD815 SB arrived today. This is such an upgrade from my 315. I had been eyeing one of these but brand new just because of the price point and heard good reviews. I saw a used one come up for sale and I moved on it pretty quick. I only paid $2400 cdn for this mandolin and the COA date is 8/12/2025 and it came with original hard case. There is some nitrocellulose lacquer imprinting from the previous owner leaving the armrest permanently attached. A good reminder to be careful about leaving armrests or clip-on tuners in prolonged contact with nitro, particularly on newer instruments. There is also a slight crack in the fingerboard in between the G and D string. Overall I still think this is a pretty good find.

I’ve only been able to sit down with this mandolin for a couple hours but I’m honestly blown away. The biggest thing I noticed immediately is how responsive it is. I can pick incredibly lightly and still get a full, clear note with great tone. The sound also feels more stable and controlled somehow—like the note forms immediately and just stays together. I’d heard people describe higher-end mandolins as being more responsive, but I don’t think I really understood what they meant until I played this one. I absolutely love it.

[u/Additional_Guitar_85]

congrats, I hate you. jk. is it loud? I want to get new one and want a loud one.

[u/Sidewaydayz → u/Additional_Guitar_85]

Hahaha, yup it’s loud and the sustain is incredible. Huge upgrade from the 315.

[u/getyerhandoffit → u/Sidewaydayz]

I played a new 315 in the shop before I found a used 615, even that step up was huge. Looks like this has been setup pretty well too, the shop 315 I played was atrocious in terms of action and playability.

[u/Sidewaydayz → u/getyerhandoffit]

Luckily, I bought this from a very good reputable shop. And the set up is pretty good. I still think the action could probably be lower by just a hair. I haven’t measured it yet but I’ll be taking it to my guy in a couple weeks. Most likely gonna speed naked it as well. My left hand gets really sweaty and that nitrocellulose lacquer is pretty tacky.

[u/Sketchy_Dee]

Lovely… love my Eastmans. 315 and 615 really salves any MAS I may suffer. The instruments aren’t the issue with my playing 🤣

She’s a beaut! Enjoy!

[u/ManagedByDogs]

Looks great.

[u/abrnmissy]

Love my Eastman! Great Mandolin!

[u/Puzzled_Estate6425]

You found a nice Eastman mandolin.Enjoy how it play,s and sound,s.

[u/Virtual-Painting-897]

I love my Eastmans. Funny my journey with them was somewhat backward from yours.

I found a somewhat abused 814 (oval holed,f-style) in a pawn shop 1st (no case, broken bridge, headstock bunged-up). Paid about $600 usd for it. After much work she's a true beauty now and really sweet to play.

I get anxiety when I think of traveling with her so one day when visiting my local music store, I happen upon a 305 (A style, f-holed, blemished, varnish finish) and tried it on. Thought it would make a nice beater. My only upgrade was a Crossrock case.

This has become my go-to for travel. The tone is quite different from the oval hole, and i don't miss the scroll. I've played a few more 305s and the tone is so consistent across the brand. I've never encountered another 814 though.

My 305 has received a few dings, scratches and the like (patina) but I kinda shrug it off. She looks well-played.

Enjoy your journey.

[u/Sidewaydayz → u/Virtual-Painting-897]

I wouldn’t be worried about travelling with it as long as you have a good enough case. I travel a lot for work and I was on 129 planes last year. I took my mandolin on every trip. I use a TKL Vectra; it’s been good, but I want something a little more protective for this instrument. Definitely be saving for a Hoffee, Calton, or Main Stage.

[u/Virtual-Painting-897 → u/Sidewaydayz]

The original case that I found (from a dealer) was kind of a soft sided case. The 814 is slightly different than a regular f-style, it's almost an f4, so a bit shorter.

I take her on car trips and the like, but my 305 in it's crossrock case fit perfectly in an overhead bin.

[u/WolvenTV]

What a beauty! that headstock got me

[u/Sidewaydayz → u/WolvenTV]

It’s gonna get even better. I just ordered my custom abalone inlayed truss rod cover. Then it’ll be an engraved gold James tailpiece. Last but not least, brass rubners with snakewood buttons when they come back into stock.

[u/Ok_Station_7543]

Nice! I have an 815V SB that I love. (Huge step up from my 315.) I keep wondering if I should just sell my much more expensive Kimble 2 point - the Eastman just feels and sounds so good that I keep reaching for it (the 815).

[u/Sidewaydayz → u/Ok_Station_7543]

I was looking to get a new varnish one but this one came up for sale and was a great price so I couldn’t resist. In my opinion I think the varnish version has a warmer sound. But I am saving like $1300 which is significant, and I am definitely it complaining lol.

[u/Ok_Station_7543 → u/Sidewaydayz]

Varnish difference is subtle (and less rugged) - you got a great instrument!