Back to navigation


Handcrafted for Traditional Quality





This article was


Written By





Our Product Research Team





Get to know them!





Mandolins built by Eastman Guitars feature solid tonewoods and an array of striking handcrafted appointments. The outstanding MD315E F-style acoustic-electric mandolin debuts with a solid maple body topped with spruce for punchy vintage tones, not to mention a percussive chop that’s essential for bluegrass. The MD315E’s maple neck and “Soft V” neck profile lend unwavering support to your hands, which makes playing all sorts of styles a breeze. Eastman Guitars finalizes the MD315E F-style acoustic-electric mandolin with a stage-ready Duotone pickup, solid wood appointments such as spruce bracing, and an inviting Truetone satin finish that guards good looks while letting tonewoods vibrate fully. The MD315E F-style acoustic-electric mandolin from Sweetwater earns straight As across the board ? it’s an outstanding gig-worthy choice at a great price!





Solid, mature tonewoods, expertly carved





Solid tonewoods give the MD315E a brilliant sound that’s equal parts warm, bright, and faithful to historic designs. The MD315E’s solid spruce top is the crux of tone, and it responds instantly to dynamic changes and technique while ensuring notes are loudly projected. Maple back and sides supply vibrant clarity and shimmering overtones that sustain but never overstay their welcome, leaving you free to proceed onto the next chord or riff. Lastly, the MD315E features a maple neck with a “Soft V” carve that simplifies accurate fretting. Even players at Sweetwater with large hands and fingers endorse this “Soft V” carve, as it tends to ward off strain and prevent cramps while giving proper support for effortless play!





F-style body





The F-style mandolin plays a defining role in the development of bluegrass and is still wildly popular to this day! The F-style shape boasts detailed craftsmanship, the most obvious example being the ornate scroll located above the neck joint. The scroll increases overall mass and is said to provide thicker tone, competitive volume, and increased sustain. Professional players who stand while playing often favor the F-style body shape because the extra mass helps them perform with even control and accurate technique.





Snappy F-hole projection





This mandolin’s F-style soundholes provide unique percussive traits that pros refer to as the mandolin “chop.” F-holes are especially critical to bluegrass players, as their loud, focused projection keeps your mandolin audible above the fray of a busy ensemble sound.





Amplify away with the K&K Duotone!





This mandolin includes a built-in K&K Sound Duotone pickup designed for high-quality feedback resistance and a natural-sounding tone when plugging in. The K&K Sound Duotone pickup is handcrafted for mandolins and elegantly simple. Its passive design requires no batteries, which means fewer items to squeeze into your gig bag or case! For optimal tone, pair the K&K system with an amp that’s built for acoustic instruments! Alternatively, you can use a PA, but it is recommended you also use a preamp pedal or similar device when plugging into the low-impedance PAs you’re destined to find in clubs, coffee shops, and houses of worship.





Eastman Music Company President Qian Ni


Eastman Guitars: thinking inside the box





Many know the Eastman Music Company as a trusted name in the realm of band and orchestra instruments. Fortunately for all mandolin lovers, Eastman Guitars has attained a similar stature with its steadfast dedication to this noble and historic instrument. Similar to how Sweetwater got its start, Eastman founder Qian Ni grew his business from its humble origins in the back of his car to its status as a burgeoning, reputable company. True to Ni’s vision, Eastman Guitars meticulously approaches each instrument, backing them with a lifetime warranty and masterful designs crafted for a superb musical experience.





Eastman Guitars MD315E F-style Acoustic-electric Mandolin Features:


F-style body with F-holes provides classic bluegrass-ready tone and outstanding comfort


Punchy and resonant thanks to a solid Sitka spruce top and solid maple back and sides


Smooth, thin maple neck with a comfortable “Soft V” profile, topped with an ebony fingerboard


Bone nut and parallel spruce bracing fuel mature, professional tone


Deluxe body binding and a handcrafted Truetone satin finish for a top-notch look and feel


Integrated K&K Sound Duotone electronics provide seamless passive amplification ? no batteries required!