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Find your perfect mandolin for sale right here in the USA! Whether you're a beginner seeking a playable A-style instrument or a bluegrass player demanding a professional F-style, our curated selection is expertly set up for exceptional tone and performance. As the exclusive Eastman distributor in the New England region, we offer unparalleled access to these highly-regarded solid wood mandolins, ensuring you get the best value and playability.
Since our site is new, we're still quickly adding products. If you don't see what you need, please text us at 802-648-6371, and we'll gladly fulfill your order!
What they’re saying
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On Construction and Longevity (MD500 Series)
The fact that Eastman uses hand-carved solid spruce and maple even on their mid-range models makes all the difference. The tone is surprisingly mature, and it projects like a cannon. I’ve owned my MD515 for five years, playing up to 60 shows a year, and it has been a consistently great, reliable instrument that just gets better with age.
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On Value and Tone (MD315 F-Style)
I can't recommend Eastmans enough! They are generally on par with mandolins from other brands that are two to three times the cost. My MD315 has a wonderful woody, balanced tone and the 'chop' I need for bluegrass. It’s a gig-worthy F-style that sounds way above its price point.
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On Playability (MD305 A-Style)
The MD305 is the perfect student upgrade instrument. I was struggling with a cheaper mandolin, but the Eastman, after a proper setup, plays like butter. The neck feels great, the action is perfect, and it stays in tune reliably. It's affordable enough for a serious beginner but high-quality enough that I won't outgrow it for years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Eastman mandolins are highly regarded for featuring hand-carved solid wood tops and backs across most of their lineup, even in entry-level models (like the 300-series). Most competitors at a similar price use pressed or laminated woods. This hand-carved construction, typically found in much more expensive instruments, gives Eastmans a superior, more articulate tone and excellent volume.
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The primary differences are in finish, hardware, and cosmetics, though wood selection can improve in higher series:
300-Series (e.g., MD305/315): Excellent value, hand-carved solid woods, satin finish (less expensive to produce, allows wood to vibrate freely), and gig bag (or entry-level case).
500-Series (e.g., MD505/515): Step up to a full gloss finish, upgraded tuners/hardware, better wood figure (flame maple), and a hardshell case.
600-Series and Higher: Feature even more select, highly figured woods (often master grade), advanced finishes (like Antique Varnish), and more ornate binding/inlay work.
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The choice between A-style (teardrop shape) and F-style (scroll and points) is primarily aesthetic and traditional, not tonal. The internal air chamber and crucial carved plates are nearly identical.
A-Style (e.g., MD305): Offers the best value for money, as the simpler shape requires less labor, allowing the savings to go into wood quality. Often preferred for folk and Celtic music.
F-Style (e.g., MD315): The classic, traditional look, especially popular with bluegrass players due to tradition, and the scroll provides a convenient strap-hanging point.
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A professional luthier setup is crucial for mandolins. Eastmans, like all newly manufactured instruments, often require fine-tuning to play their best. Our exclusive setup ensures:
Low Action: Strings are the correct height for comfortable fretting and easy playability.
Perfect Intonation: The bridge is precisely positioned for the mandolin to play in tune all the way up the neck.
Optimal Bridge/Nut Work: Grooves are correctly filed for no buzzing or sticking. This guarantees your mandolin is "Ready to Play" right out of the box, avoiding the frustration of a poor factory setup.
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The soundhole type has a notable impact on tone:
F-holes (MD315, MD515): Produce a brighter, punchier, and more percussive sound with a quicker decay ("chop"). This is the classic choice for Bluegrass.
Oval-holes (MD304, MD504): Offer a warmer, more sustained, and "throaty" tone that is often preferred for Celtic, Folk, Old-Time, and Classical music.