Eastman MDO605 Acoustic Electric Octave Mandolin – New

The MDO305 Octave Mandolin is one of our best selling Eastman instruments. The one complaint we hear about it is that for some players, its stripped down, low key look is perhaps too austere. Happily, Eastman offers the MDO605, which ups the bling factor without getting too flashy. This model has a gloss sunburst finish, pearl block inlays in the ebony fretboard, and figured maple in the neck, sides and back. Its elegant appearance is enhanced by the ivoroid binding on the neck, headstock, back and sides as well as the ebony pickguard. It also come with a factory-installed K&K Duotone pickup and a hardshell case.

Like its sibling, the MDO605 is a well-crafted, great-sounding and example of an instrument that is fast becoming a staple in a variety of musical styles including Celtic and Americana. This is tuned to the same intervals as a standard mandolin, only an octave down, which maintains the chime and natural chorusing effect of the mandolin’s double strings, but it brings the down into the vocal range for most singers. (Just check out the music of Sarah Jarosz to see how effective an octave mandolin can be with a singer.)