The -615 is a handsome creature, having crème-black-crème top binding, and single-ply ivoroid side and back binding, ivoroid neck and headstock binding, 6 abalone “planet style” fingerboard markers in 5 positions, an ivoroid script “Eastman” headstock logo, a two-piece ebony adjustable bridge, a nickel plated one-piece right-angle tailpiece, twin unbound open f-holes, a modified v-shape neck, and a fingerboard that ends with a French curve and three partial frets. The back is a mildly curly maple two-piece with slightly more curly maple sides and no particular grain on the back of the maple neck. Tuners are Schaller with engraved plates on the back, with pearloid buttons. The truss rod cover is ebony. This mandolin, for some reason known only to the revenants who inhabit the showroom late at night, has a tiny chip (or ding as the travelers say) on the treble f-hole. It is entirely innocuous and actually looks quite tasteful and in keeping with the instrument’s vintage character. The sound is typical Eastman – clean and clear.
The Eastman List Price is $1550.