Eastman MD404-BK Mandolin – New

The Eastman MD404-BK is an excellent value in an A-style oval hole mandolin. It has a solid, hand carved spruce top, and solid mahogany back and sides, a tonewood combination that produces a little warmer tone than a spruce and maple mandolin. It has full-body gloss finish with a black top, a look that dates back to the late 1890s and the first mandolins built by Orville Gibson. It has ivoroid top binding, a bone nut and an adjustable ebony bridge. We’re big fans of oval soundhole mandolins here at Gryphon, and think that their characteristic warm, bubbly tone is perfectly suited to Celtic styles, old-time string band music, jazz and just about any style that doesn’t demand a percussive bark like bluegrass does.